First-Class new york city housing authority U.S. Postage Paid New York, NY Permit No. 4119 DES W IG NYCHA E N NYCHA N N N E E E W Vol. 40 No. 5 www.nyc.gov/nycha June/July 2010 E U W U S I S S I Journal S INSIDE Bronxdale Houses Re-named for ‘Her Honor’ THIS ISSUE Bronx Neighbors Celebrate Homecoming for Justice Sonia Sotomayor JourVOL. 40 NO. 2 nalwww.nyc.gov/nycha new y ork city housing authority NYCHA GREEN AGENDA BRINGS more ‘green’ » read more on page 3 After concludingNew her speech,York United States City Supreme Court Housing Associate Justice Sonia SotomayorAuthority danced with students from the choir at her alma mater, Cardinal Spellman High School. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS= By Heidi Morales JOBS FOR RESIDENTS » read more on page 5 “It is difficult to describe the emotions the name change, and hugged, kissed that I feel today,” U.S. Supreme Court “(My) most enduring and took pictures with neighbors from Justice Sonia Sotomayor told more than memories of these yesteryear and residents from today. 300 friends, relatives and residents, as Resident Association President NYCHA she choked back tears. “I lived in these projects involve Regina Howell told her fellow neighbors www.nyc.gov/nycha Houses during the most formative years my neighbors.” that, “TodayVOL. 40 marks NO. a 2 new beginning. Journalof my life. I think of the hours of laughter It represents a new day of inspiration I enjoyed as a child, the happy sounds for the families of this community, and of the Bronxdale playgrounds ringing in my ears.” especially for our most precious residents – our children.” On June 4, 2010, the development that Justice Renee Heard is one of those neighbors who got the Sotomayor grew up in was renamed the Justice Sonia chance to meet the woman who she hopes will inspire her THE Mayor’s messAGE Sotomayor Houses and Community Center, the first daughter Alana Abdeen to pursue her dream of a career EAT BETTER, Live Longer time that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) in law. “[The ceremony] was beautiful,” she said. “It was » read more on page 2 has named a development for a former, living resident. a wonderful experience for me and my daughters to see NYCHA, responding to a petition of residents, area someone come out of the projects and see what she was IN HER OWN WORDS: volunteers and elected officials, agreed to rename the able to accomplish. I hope that the name change can READ THE FULL TEXT of Justice Sonia former Bronxdale Houses in her honor. bring a change into our community.” continued on page 2 Sotomayor’s speech » read more on page 6 “It’s good to be home,” said Justice Sotomayor. “You have no idea the gift you have given me today. FAST FACTS Thank you.” She recalled one of her fondest memories, when in 1968 she spotted Robert F. Kennedy from her second Sonia Sotomayor is one of floor window. “I had never before looked down on red three Justices currently on hair that bright!” said Justice Sotomayor, adding that it the U.S. Supreme Court from was through this chance encounter that her interest in New York City. The others are public service was awakened. Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Brooklyn) But undeniably, Justice Sotomayor said, her “most and Antonin Scalia (Queens). enduring memories of these projects involve my neigh- The only other NYCHA bors.” She was able to share this love of her community at development to be re-named a special reception before the ceremony held for residents after a former resident is Justice Sotomayor (center) and NYCHA Board Member Margarita López of the newly named Justice Sonia Sotomayor Houses. (far right) spend time with the residents at the development renamed in Rangel Houses in Manhattan, She thanked all those who participated in petitioning for her honor to the Justice Sotomayor Houses on June 4, 2010, in The Bronx. named for Ralph J. Rangel. 2 June/July 2010 The Housing Authority Journal The Mayor’s Message Earlier this month, we renamed one of the New York City Housing it will be expanded into other NYCHA Authority’s (NYCHA) developments – the Bronxdale Houses located on developments. Bruckner Boulevard in The Bronx – in honor of United States Supreme Court In addition, an afterschool program at Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The Justice Sonia Sotomayor Houses and Justice NYCHA specifically for young adults ages Sonia Sotomayor Community Center include 28 seven-story buildings 16-24 not only will promote healthy nutri- comprising 1,497 apartments that house nearly 3,500 residents. The United tion, but also will introduce food service States Supreme Court’s first Hispanic-American justice, Justice Sotomayor and culinary arts as potential career paths. grew up in the Bronxdale Houses from 1957 to1969. Justice Sotomayor’s These programs continue NYCHA’s story is unique, but it began like many – in a public housing development commitment to encouraging a healthy diet for residents. There are the with a single mother whose first language was not English and who worked more than 200 vegetable gardens in NYCHA developments citywide, and hard to put food on the table. Her achievements are an inspiration to millions our partnership with City Harvest provides free produce twice a month to of New Yorkers, especially young people, who can look to her story to see residents in four developments. the possibilities that await anyone with the courage and determination to We’ve also worked hard to improve your information about food, by follow a dream. requiring chain restaurants to post how many calories are in their food. Our Administration is working hard to ensure that all young NYCHA After we put the rule into effect, a study of one New York City chain found residents have the ability to follow their dreams – and part of that is helping that the number of calories in an average purchase decreased by 26%. them live longer, healthier lives. We will continue doing everything possible to help all children lead In May, I joined celebrity chef Rachael Ray to announce a new program healthy lives. I wish everyone a healthy summer filled with all the that helps children ages 9-12 understand how eating fresh food and preparing possibilities New York has to offer. their own meals can help them to lead longer, healthier lives. The program will help youth develop cooking skills, become conscientious consumers and make healthier food choices. If this summer pilot program is successful, Michael R. Bloomberg continued from page 1 Bronxdale Houses Re-named for ‘Her Honor’ support all parents and help Justice’s mother Celina, but she a gospel-fused song, “Be Alana, Ms. Heard’s 12 year- to see that although you grew build the secure communities was not successful. “This is a Thankful.” The Justice then old daughter, won an essay up in the projects you can still that will be a safe haven, a first wonderful day. My two children shared her impressions of contest last summer and was become anything, if you put step and a fair start from which are wonderful and that’s all a the day in an exclusive chosen to accompany NYCHA your mind to it.” our young can and will build mother can ask for,” she said. interview with the Journal. Board Member Margarita “It truly takes a village to the world of tomorrow that is Justice Sonia Sotomayor, “They’re smaller, the build- López to attend Justice raise a child,” said NYCHA their dream.” who is of Puerto Rican descent, ings, than I remember them. Sotomayor’s confirmation Chairman John B. Rhea in his Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, moved into public housing When I was a kid they were ceremony, but did not have the remarks during the ceremony. a staunch supporter of public when she was three years skyscrapers, seven floors chance to meet her until the “Unfortunately, we cannot give housing and its residents, was old. She attended Cardinal seemed to touch the sky and re-naming event. “She’s a good every child the strong family on hand to unveil the new Spellman High School, today they are not skyscrapers role model for our community,” and courageous mother that signage for the Bronx devel- received her bachelor’s degree but they’re still home,” said said Alana. “She grew up in our so blessed Justice Sotomayor’s opment. “[Justice Sotomay- from Princeton University and Justice Sotomayor. “We speak projects and it’s good for kids life. But together we can or’s] achievements are an her law degree from Yale Law of life accomplishments and inspiration to millions of New School. After a 30-year career obviously becoming a Justice new york city housing authority Yorkers, especially our NYCHA as an attorney and federal of the Supreme Court is one 76 residents young and old, who judge, Justice Sotomayor of the greatest life achieve- years NYCHA of Public Housing can look to her story to get a was confirmed in 2009 as an ments that one could have. NYCHA in New York City Journal glimpse of the possibilities Associate Justice of the U.S. But leaving a place bearing ESTABLISHED 1970 • CIRCULATION 200,000 that await anyone who has the Supreme Court. your name I hope will create PublishedVOL. 40 NO. monthly2 by the Newwww York.nyc.gov/n Cityycha Housing Authority courage and determination to After the formal ceremony memories for some kid who Department of Communications follow a dream,” said Mayor at the Sotomayor Houses will grow up and think ‘who Jour250 Broadway,nal New York, N.Y.