VOL. 45 NO. 1 FEBRUARY 2015 INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 8 11 Visionaries Good Neighbors Leaders Residents take Peer to peer health NYCHA women rock the lead and wellness the corporate world RAISED IN PUBLIC HOUSING The Chief Comes Full Circle S A BOY living in Albany Houses, James Secreto A knew he wanted to be one of two things when he grew up: a baseball player or a cop. Chief Se- creto, who was appointed head of the NYPD Housing Bureau by Police Commissioner Bill Bratton in Octo- ber, says, “My career has come full circle—I am back where I started, and it feels good.” His home, Albany Houses in Crown Heights, was more than a building—it was the world. “I grew up in the projects. That’s where I learned to ride a bike, to play ball, where I knew everyone and ev- eryone knew me,” he says today. “I saw a few things that cops did that I didn’t like, but mostly I saw really good things and really good people.” Chief Secreto, whose father was a NYCHA plumber for 23 years, lived in Albany Houses until he was 17 Angiolina Turzio, Ming Dunn, Shenisha Mitchell and Benny Acevedo wowed the judges—including Lee Strasberg’s widow, Anna—at the final auditions when his family moved to Flatbush. for the 2015 Lee Strasberg NYCHA Scholarship Program. “I didn’t want to leave—I went back to visit every single day because I was afraid of missing something,” he chuckled. “I even tried to get out of family vacations so I could spend Stars are Born! more time there.” After attending John Jay College Four residents win prestigious acting scholarships. of Criminal Justice, Chief Secreto joined the NYPD in 1979. He has OBERT DE NIRO, SIDNEY Institute first teamed up to offer scholar- tions was held at the Straus Commu- worked in a variety of departments POITIER, ROSARIO DAWSON… ships in 1983. Victoria Krane, Institute nity Center Wednesdays and Fridays, and locations, including as Direc- Rthese are just a few of the President, says that this program honors October through December. The finalists tor of Narcotics in Queens, where talented actors who have enrolled in Lee Strasberg’s spirit: “Lee was a man performed on January 8, 2015 for Anna he spearheaded an operation that the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute in of the people. He was a New Yorker. He Strasberg, Lee’s wife and co-founder of resulted in the arrest of drug smug- Manhattan. Known as the school that was self-taught, educated himself here the Institute, who told the actors, “Those glers running a (CONTINUED ON PAGE 5) brought “Method Acting” to America, at the public library, and he always felt he of you who don’t get the scholarship are the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute also needed to give back.” invited to come back and try again with counts Marilyn Monroe and Johnny Offering scholarships to just two a new eye, a new perspective, to just try Depp among its alumni. And soon, four children and two adults adds an edge to something new. Thanks to all of you for NYCHA residents—Angiolina Turzio, the competition. “The reason for this is this evening. You’ve really fulfilled every- Shenisha Mitchell, Benny Acevedo and simple,” explains D’Andra Van Heusen, thing I was hoping tonight would be.” Ming Dunn—will join this impressive list NYCHA Education Services Manager. of actors. “We wanted the candidates to bring The winners In a partnership between the Lee their A-Game.” • No stranger to acting, 8-year-old Strasberg Theater Institute and NYCHA, President Krane adds, “What we Angiolina Turzio, Jacob Riis Houses, these four actors have been chosen to learned when we first offered the schol- takes regular acting classes at the participate in 12-week workshops at the arships is the way to keep things interest- New York Film Academy’s Lower East prestigious acting school. The school has ing is to motivate people. Rather than to Side branch. “It was a story about me had a long affiliation with NYCHA, offering offer 11 slots and make it a given that all writing to Santa Claus,” said Angiolina its first scholarships to NYCHA residents in these actors would receive a scholarship, of her original, untitled piece. “Then 1983. All interested residents compete for we wanted the winners to know they I asked my mom to take me to the the scholarships through auditions. deserve it.” Statue of Liberty, and there were NYCHA and the Lee Strasberg This year, the first round of audi- aliens, monsters, (CONTINUED ON PAGE 9) FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA LETTER FROM THE CHAIR The Optimal Property THE VISIONARIES ANAGEMENT OPERAT- property manager to provide that ING MODEL (OPMOM), feedback. MNYCHA’s new change- Property managers should use oriented, decentralized property the input on the Report Card to help management model, launched in 18 determine budget priorities and areas developments last month. In Decem- that need improvement, as well as ber, NYCHA General Manager Cecil note areas in which NYCHA is excel- House invited resident association ling to guarantee that those proce- leaders to meet with property man- dures stay in place. agers and regional managers ahead “The report card should be viewed of the launch with one another and as a tool to use together with resident get a preview of the new resident association presidents, where you can association Report Card. track the progress in different areas. OPMOM is designed to improve With OPMOM, you must engage customer service and satisfaction. It residents and listen closely,” General empowers property managers with Manager House said to property far greater decision making author- managers. ity, including staffing, purchase of materials, and the ability to allocate their budgets to meet the needs and priorities of the residents in their de- By working N THE LAST ISSUE of the I suggested that youth be hired for velopments. That means it is critical “ Journal, I introduced you to the summer in the stores along Pitkin for property managers to meet with together, we can INext- Generation NYCHA, our Avenue. But all the committees are resident associations on a regular ba- plan to ensure that NYCHA is here for great, and I want to touch base with all sis to understand residents’ priorities get it done. generations to come. Resetting our of them.” and get their input into the decision- relationship with NYCHA’s residents Yvette Anthony of Ingersoll Houses making process. is the foundation of this initiative. took a leadership role in the commit- The new “report card” allows We started last fall with residents at tee on affordable housing. “I believe residents to communicate to prop- Ingersoll, Mill Brook, and Van Dyke that the only way you can be effective erty managers and NYCHA’s Central “The report tracks” progress made Houses who participated in “vision- is by becoming involved and assisting Office on a range of topics including on items where residents would like ing” workshops to develop goals for with issues concerning the com- satisfaction with NYCHA staff, lobby to see improvements and also things the changes they’d like to see; you munity,” she said. “These are some entrances, elevators, lighting, outside that property managers want to see,” can read about those sessions and really good topics that can improve walkways, lawns and even playground said Shirley Dalton, Property Manager the goals that they developed on the community. And I think there will sprinklers. Residents meet with their at Woodson Houses in Brooklyn, who NYCHA’s website. be results—this is a team effort, and resident association leadership to also attended the Meet and Greet Now these residents are work- all the parties involved seem very provide input into the report card on meeting with her resident association ing on goal-specific committees to proactive about addressing residents’ a monthly basis. Then the Resident President. “By working together, we implement their vision, develop- concerns and meeting what Association President meets with the can get it done.” ing strategies to increase residents want. We’ve been the quality of life in their having a really produc- communities. At monthly It’s residents tive exchange so far. It’s meetings they tackle “ effective when people topics like affordable who are driving reach out for, and listen housing, safety and to, feedback.” security, maintenance success. A member of the and repairs, jobs, neigh- Neighborhood Services borhood services, and issues committee, Celina Lynch, concerning our children, seniors, persuaded a local grocer to make and the physical environment. It’s ”free deliveries to NYCHA seniors exciting to see their enthusiasm and every Tuesday. Celina has long been dedication and I am pleased that they a great role model: she works with have partnered with NYCHA, other Green City Force on Ingersoll projects, City agencies, and local organizations. is a member of the resident watch So far, these committees have set committee and belongs to FURY, a short- and long-term goals that they local community organizing group. aim to achieve using the information At NYCHA we are thrilled to support and resources that NYCHA is helping these committees in their hard work. to coordinate for them. Let’s be clear: it’s residents who are Latricia Berry is one visionary driving their successes. These three NYCHA resident who signed up for developments aren’t the only places all six committees at her develop- where residents can get engaged and General Manager Cecil House met with property managers and resident association leaders ment, Van Dyke Houses.