On Tuesday morning Lafayette Gardens was the backdrop for a press conference introducing an initiative between NYCHA and Habitat for Humanity, International. The partnership creates a working relationship between The Haitian American Employee Association of NYCHA and the local Habitat for Humanity New York. The relationship will host volunteer projects at 11 Community & Senior Centers citywide, including Lafayette Gardens, during the next year. The proceeds of efforts will be used to send a team of Habitat & NYCHA employee volunteers to Haiti to build housing for survivors of the horrible earthquake that occurred a year ago.
A number of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) community centers will have fresh paint jobs over the next couple of months. The Brush with Kindness program brings public housing residents together with NYCHA employees and Habitat for Humanity volunteers to paint community centers throughout the city.
"We want residents to be enthusiastic and see that we're keeping up with the times," said Tyree Stanback, Resident Association President at Lafayette Gardens in Brooklyn, the first development to receive a new coat of paint in its community center. "We're offering them an opportunity to participate and take ownership of their community center. People are less likely to treat their surroundings poorly if they put it together."
Brush with Kindness is part of the Housing for Housing Initiative, a partnership among NYCHA, Habitat for Humanity NYC, Habitat for Humanity International and the NYCHA Haitian-American Employee Association. Housing for Housing supports the rebuilding efforts in Haiti by raising funds and having participants travel to Haiti to rebuild permanent housing for families struck by the devastating earthquake in 2010. The Brush with Kindness kickoff was held at the Lafayette Gardens Community Center on January 11, 2011, the day before the one-year anniversary of the earthquake.
"Today we celebrate the power of communities coming together and, person by person, transforming their neighborhoods to ensure that the foundation for strong families and strong futures will endure," said NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea.
"Together we will make NYCHA better and we will make housing better for others as well," said New York City Councilwoman Rosie Mendez, Chair of the Council's Public Housing Committee.
Since 2007, NYCHA and Habitat NYC volunteers have assisted in revitalizing public housing facilities. Brush with Kindness connects communities through simple acts of kindness so that families can live in safe and decent neighborhoods. The NYCHA /Habitat NYC partnership expanded in 2010 to include joint fundraising for the Haiti earthquake relief.
"We love to be joined by NYCHA residents and staff. We want it to be a true partnership, not just a handout from Habitat," said Habitat NYC Executive Director Joshua Lockwood.
For more information about the Housing for Housing Initiative, send an e-mail tohousingforhousing@nycha.nyc.gov.
The other community centers scheduled to be painted are listed below:
By Eric Deutch
January 11, 2011
The weekend was one the most amazing and beautiful things to occur at Lafayette Gardens in a very long time. 60 people of all colors, walks of life and faiths joined together in 3 days of hard core cleaning and painting of the Community and Resident Centers. Our very own youth association was present in numbers to add their hand in the events and paint! the painting was followed up by a very powerful and moving luncheon and presentation by the students and guests of PS54. Thank you to everyone who participated and joined us for the important face lift.
PICTURES CREDITED TO AND PROVIDED BY ANTHONY COLLINS PHOTOGRAPHY @ anthonycollinsphoto.com
