YOUTH ASSOCIATION IN ACTION

2012 TENNIS SEASON KICKS OFF

The Tennis Club kicked off it's 2012 season with the staff and coaches from The Kings County Tennis League on Saturday afternoon!

A large group of young people, parents and on lookers came out on a beautiful and hot day to see all the action. The young stars had a great time learning and practicing the basics and just having a good time with friends and family!

The Tennis Club is FREE and open to all. we provide equipment, instruction and uniforms every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 -3:00 PM in the PS 270 playground area. We invite everyone 5 - 15 years of age to join us FREE OF CHARGE!

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

THE ARENA BLOOMS

Finally, The Barclay Arena is set to open and a massive hiring program is underway. Several NYCHA Developments in a certain downtown area are being considered for placement. Residents who live in LAFAYETTE GARDENS, Whitman, Farragut, Wyckoff, Gowanus, Ingersoll and Atlantic Terminal should be preparing to make an impression at the special job fairs being held specifically for this group of residents in June.

The news was delivered by Brice Ratner, Mayor Bloomberg and Chairman Rhea at a recent press conference explaining the basics of the jobs and numbers.

A special meeting and screening is being held b invitation only at Lafayette Gardens soon. The first round of employees to be considered are those who HAVE security card and license ALREADY in their possession.

If you are interested and are presentable, clean shaven and can pass both the finger prints and drug test contact TYree immediately for more information.

The next round is coming soon so prepare your resume and submit to TYree in the Resident Office.

EYE ON THE COMMUNITY WITH "OLA"

- Keep Your Business in Business: Bookkeeping and Cash Flow Workshop

Wednesday, May 23, 2012, 6pm - 8pm

Pratt Area Community Council (PACC)

896-900 Fulton St. - (b/w Washington & Waverly Aves.)

6pm - 7:30pm (Presentation)

7:30pm - 8pm (Q& A)

- SAVE THE DATE - Thursday, June 7, 2012

State Senator Eric Adams, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce & Youth America

invite you to their 2012 Job Fair.

11am - 3pm

P.S. 375, 46 McKeever Pl. (b/w Sullivan Pl. & Montgomery St.)

CAMPAIGN UPDATE

I wish to express my thanks and appreciation to those of you who attended the "Clinton Hill Meet & Greet." The

next event will be the "Fort Greene Meet & Greet" and it will be held as follows:

Sunday, May 20, 2012

The Home of Ruth & Martin Goldstein

37 South Portland Ave. (b/w Dekalb & Lafayette Aves.)

Doors open at 2:30pm, Presentation at 3pm

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- Black Veterans for Social Justice, (BVSJ) Inc. invites you to Bedford Stuyvesant's First Memorial Day Parade

Grand Marshall - Mr. Job Mashariki

Monday, May 28, 2012

Opening Ceremony - 11:30am, Processional - 12noon

The parade will begin at Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration

1368 Fulton St.

Memorial Dedication - 2pm at the office of BVSJ

For more information, please call (718)852-6004 ext. 263

- Senior Citizens' Town Hall Meeting / Community Forum

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Teen Challenge Center

444 Clinton Ave.

(b/w Gates & Greene Aves.)

Doors open at 6pm, Presentation at 6:30pm

Guest Speakers: Hon. John Liu, New York City Comptroller &

A representative from the New York City Dept. for the Aging

Note: The forum will focus on assistance and services for senior citizens in our community

Sponsors: Olanike Alabi, Clinton Hill AARP - Chapter 2197, the 57th A.D.

Democratic Organization, HealthFirst and Ms.Faryce "Faye" Moore

***Over the past several days, I attended and/or gave remarks at the following:

- Community Alert Town Hall Meeting to discuss Healthcare Issues, Hospital Mergers and

Hospitals in Jeopardy of Closing (Bedford-Stuyvesant)

- 77th Precinct Community Council Monthly Meeting (Crown Heights)

- Press Conference sponsored by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the National Action Network and the NAACP to highlight

the purpose of the upcoming Father's Day March/Rally which is to address the "Stop & Frisk" policy. (New York City)

- Wa-Greene Block Association Meeting (Clinton Hill)

- Senior Citizens' Appreciation Luncheon sponsored by the 77th Precinct Community Council (Downtown Brooklyn)

__________________________

Please feel free to contact me about any issues, either by responding to this email, or by emailing me at olanike.alabi@gmail.com. Also, be sure to follow me on Twitter or become a friend on Facebook.

OLANIKE "Ola" ALABI
Candidate for the New York State Assembly

State Committeewoman / District Leader
57th Assembly District

EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

PUTTING THE BEAUTY IN THE GARDENS

Saturday was our third Annual Spring Day Event. Many residents and especially our young people came out and helped us paint, pick up litter and spruce up the development in honor of the place we live!

The activities this year were sponsored by a generous grant from The Citizens Committee For New York City and Bank of America. Other activities were additionally sponsored by We Care For Our Communities and Our Girl Scouts!

It was an amazing day as everyone including our youngest residents got in the act! Special visitors who came out to lend a helping hand included our manager Rejice John, Master Grounds Keeper and Gardener Mr. Cook, District Leaders Walter Mosley, District Leader Olanike Alabi and Democratic Club President Reneee Collymore.

COMMUNITY CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE

"The Write Girls"

Helping girls write their way to more positive futures

OUR MISSION
Within a community of women writers, WriteGirl promotes creativity and self-expression to empower girls.

HOW WE DO IT
Through one-on-one mentoring and monthly creative writing workshops, girls are given techniques, insights and hot topics for great writing in all genres from professional women writers. Workshops and mentoring sessions explore poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, songwriting, journalism, screenwriting, playwriting, persuasive writing, journal writing, editing and more.

OUR GOALS
To introduce girls to a wide variety of writing genres;

To teach a robust set of writing and critical analysis skills;

To encourage girls to explore and develop their creative talents, both written and oral;

To nurture girls and promote healthy behaviors and life choices through positive mentoring relationships with women writers;

To assist girls in preparing for college;

To inspire girls to pursue careers in writing, such as journalism, public relations, screenwriting, songwriting, corporate communications, publishing, website content producing, editing or creative writing;

To equip girls with communication tools to confidently navigate the challenges they face; and

To produce a full slate of program activities throughout the year so that we may serve as many girls as possible (including seven full-day writing workshops annually, a gala public reading and publication of a book each season, college visits and other special outings, and ongoing creative writing mentoring).

HISTORY
WriteGirl was launched in December 2001 to bring the skills and energy of professional women writers to teenage girls who do not otherwise have access to creative writing or mentoring programs. After a mere six months, WriteGirl published Threads, our premier anthology of members’ work. A standing-room only public reading at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood helped to kick off the book’s release.

Our second season brought double the membership and the publication of a second anthology, Bold Ink. This book was ushered in with a sold-out event at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, a reception that confirmed the overwhelming support for WriteGirl’s unique programming and individualized mentoring services.

To date, WriteGirl anthologies have a total of 33 book awards. Keren Taylor and WriteGirl’s unique programming have received numerous awards and commendations for exemplary community service. While such recognition is much appreciated, WriteGirl is most proud of the accomplishments of its teen members…100% of our graduating seniors have entered college, many on full or partial scholarships

Our Write Girls Program celebrates the graduation of our first group of young ladies and the premiere of their self, written, produced and acted play.

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

ANNOUNCEMENT

ALL INTERESTED PARTIES BE NOTIFIED

In September 2012 we will begin the election process for officers of The Resident Association of Lafayette Gardens executive Board as stipulated in our by-laws as follows:

September 2012 - Formation of Selection Committee

October 2012 - Nominations

November 2012 - Elections

December 2012 - Inauguration

All offices are up for election

• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Financial Secretary
• Sergeant at Arms

To be elected to an office, you must be a paid member and have attended 7 out 10 meetings in the past 12 months. If you need more information, contact TYree in the Resident Office.

THE YOUTH ASSOCIATION

SUMMER IN THE GARDENS JUMPIN' OFF

Its almost that time again, School is almost out and the fun is set to begin. That means it's SUMMER and that means "CAMP LG"!

Camp LG is the range of activities and events sponsored just for the young people of Lafayette Gardens at a very low cost or free of charge including breakfast, lunch and transportation.

Activities already scheduled include

Brooklyn Children's Museum

Sony Wonder Lab

Staten Island Baseball

Coney Island Cyclones

Fishing Program

Tennis Program

Softball Program

Evenings at the Beach

Concerts in the Park

Explore New York Trips and Adventures

Sewing, Knitting and Fashion Design Classes

Spanish Classes