Newsletters January 2016 Roundup

welcoming the new year
Dear Colleagues, 2015 was a big year for us! We expanded our services and impact by doubling our
number of program sites (half of which are in Brooklyn!). We became the lead
community partner of the unprecedented Essex Crossing renewal development,
where we're building a new senior center and Think Grand Cafe with Think Coffee.
President Obama named us a national leader in early childhood education, and the
federal government awarded us $2 million to bring our early childhood services to
more than 100 families in Brooklyn. These are just a few examples of our successes this year, which couldn't have been
accomplished without your hard work, dedication, and support. I look forward to
more bold, grand, and inspired work during our centennial year as well as many more
wonderful news to come! For now, check out my top moments from December as
well as a few favorites from this year.
All the best, Robert Cordero
P.S. Remember, our staff holiday party is on Friday, January 15 at 6:00pm at
Educational Alliance's Manny Cantor Center! If you haven't done so already, please
RSVP at [email protected]. happening now
BOLD INITIATIVES
GRAND STRATEGY
INSPIRED WORK
Next year, we'll host our
first ACLS Public Fellow, who
will help us develop an
advocacy program that will
impact public policy and
build on our commitment to
social justice.
Grand St. Settlement recently
became a member of the Human
Services Council! We are excited
to work with them to strengthen
our direct human services
activities for more New Yorkers
in need.
Many of our program sites
worked with community
members to collect toys,
winter clothing, canned food,
hygiene products, and books
to brighten the holidays for
our neighbors. TOP 15
MOMENTS FOR 2015
a more accessible NYC
Our BEST Senior program hosted a two‐
week‐long IDNYC Pop‐Up to give every
community member (14 and up) access
to a free city ID card regardless of their
immigration status. The ID provides
various benefits like memberships to
museums, pharmacy discounts, and
more!
building a better Brooklyn
We recently visited Council Member Antonio Reynoso in Williamsburg to
discuss our Brooklyn services and
expansion plans. He has been a huge
supporter of our work in past years,
especially at our Bushwick‐Hylan
Community Center and PS 196 Ten Eyck in East Williamsburg.
connecting with youth
NYPD officers from the 79th Precinct
stopped by our Tompkins Community
Center this month to learn about our
work with youth in Bed‐Stuy as part of
the NYPD's Community Partner
program, which aims to strengthen our
relationship with the local police force.
CenterLight partnership
We are building an innovative new
partnership with CenterLight Health
System to provide high quality health care services for our seniors. Look out for CenterLight reps at the Grand
Coalition of Seniors and at the NORC BEST program!
in the holiday spirit
To kick off the holiday season, 250
community seniors were invited from all
3 of our senior services programs for
lunch, dancing, and gift exchanges at our
80 Pitt Street Community Center (looks
like many of them dressed up for the
occasion too!). Vocal Ease also joined us
by performing carols alongside our
seniors.
the A‐Team
I had the pleasure of swearing in our
new Americorps members this month. I look forward to all the great things
that they'll do with us in helping others
and meeting critical needs in the Lower
East Side and Brooklyn!
meet the closers
Our dedicated board members (Andrew
Celli, Bryan Koplin, and Alex Gardner) are
working tirelessly with me to lock in our
Centennial Gala honorees! This first‐time
gala to celebrate a century of services
that have made a difference for New
Yorkers will be held at the gorgeous
Capitale in the fall of 2016. compliments to the chefs!
Special shout‐out to our kitchen staff for
their dedication to providing nutritious
and balanced meals every day for
thousands of children and seniors. We're
working towards joining the Food Bank
for NYC in 2016 to increase access to
healthy foods. kings of street football
Our very own Chuck Martinez was
featured in the NY Daily News last month
alongside his Carver Mobb teammates,
who have been dominating New York
street football for more than a decade.
Chuck, who plays quarterback, was listed
as the team's "most important player" in
the paper!
office trick‐or‐treating
Early Head Start's Imagination Parade
at 80 Pitt Street this year yielded a lot
of treats for our tiny tots. Giving out
goodies to these young visitors really
made my day, and got the rest of our
staff into the Halloween spirit too! youth fest in Bushwick
I saw lots of talent at youth fest this year,
where our summer campers showcased
their STEM skills by creating projects about
global issues. One group designed a video
game using a Play‐Doh controller and the
programming language Scratch to explain
the dengue fever epidemic in Brazil!
Sylvia Montero leads the way
with new partnerships
Our Board President Sylvia and I met with
Dr. David Gomez (Hostos Community
College President and LES native) and
Eileen Newman (Executive Director of the
Center for Bronx Nonprofits) in October
to discuss partnering with CUNY schools
to increase access to community college.
pride on fleek
Our very own Project SOL (Speak Out
Loud) represented at this year's LGBT
Pride Parade, continuing a tradition of
youth‐led leadership, outreach, and
education to provide a safe and
supportive environment for LGBT
youth.
jumpstarting change
In September, more than 1,000 New
Yorkers joined us to jump‐start the changes
they wanted to see in their communities by
participating in service projects, sharing
their vision on our Change Wall, and
engaging in inspiring performances by our
youth and seniors. Special thanks to Victor Rasuk (actor, alum,
and board member) for MCing as well as to
council members Margaret Chin and Rosie
Mendez for attending!
strategic planning day
Our staff development day brought
together employees from every
department in over 21 program sites!
Staff members of varying backgrounds
worked in groups to think about team
culture and how we can use it to shape
our future.
Grand St. Settlement | 212.674.1740 | [email protected] |
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