"CB3 URGES RESIDENCE TO STAND UP & BE COUNTED
By Keith L. Forest
The US Census count is underway and civic leaders, clergy, elected officials and citizens are joining forces to make sure that the village of Bedford Stuyvesant is well counted.
During Community Board Three’s monthly meeting, Dr. John Flateau, Deputy Director of the New York State Senate and Census Coordinator, urged residence to stand up and be counted. According to Dr. Flateau, the Bedford Stuyvesant community continues to be poorly represented in the Census count. This constant miscalculation has not only cost the community billions of dollars in federal funding, but has resulted in the loss of political representation and major cuts in much needed social service programs. “The math is easy,” said Dr. Flateau. “If we continue to be undercounted, we will continue to be underfunded.”
According to City Councilman Al Vann, less than 35% of Bedford Stuyvesant residence responded to the 2000 Census. This resulted in the community having the lowest response rate in the country. A Census Sunday is schedule to take place March 7, where Pastors across Bedford Stuyvesant will address the Census from the pulpit. The 2010 Census forms will be mailed out on March 15. Other events and activities include the following:
DATE EVENT TIME LOCATION
Wed. 3/10 Harriet Tubman Day/Census Rally 9 – 11 Boys & Girls High School
Sat. 3/13 Public Housing Census Rally 11 – 1 Van Dyke Community Ctr.
Sat. 3/20 Yes We Count” : Bed Stuy “ 10 – 12 Boys & Girls High School
Sat. 3/20 “Yes We Count” Crown Heights 12 – 2 Medgar Evers College
Sat. 3/20 Yes We Count” Brownsville/E NY 2 – 4 St. Paul’s Baptist Church
The Housing and Land Use Committee gave an update on the marketing of the New Foundation Houses located on Herkimer and Albany Avenue. Bridge Street Development, the faith-based nonprofit organization based in Central Brooklyn, will hold a lottery for the 3 family homes that include an owner’s duplex and two (2), two bedroom rentals. Selling prices for the units range from $500 – $600,000.
In addition to the update, the committee also held an informational forum for Providence House. The nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing for homeless, recently incarcerated and special needs female clients and their families, is seeking a letter of support for a new units it wants to build at 273, 275 & 277 Kosciusko Street (between Tompkins Street & Throop Ave). The presentation, which included renderings and floor plans of the 40 unit complex, was given by Sister Janet Kinney. The Community Board voted 31 in favor with 6 opposing.
Under the guidance and direction of Chairman Henry Butler, with persistence from Rev. Robert Waterman, CB-3 recently launched an Ad Hoc Ecumenical committee. The group, which includes CB3 board members Pastor Ayana Ajanaku, Rev. Jesse Sumry and Rev. Waterman, will meet the third Monday of every month to discuss community issues. “Information historically travels quicker through the church,” stated Rev. Waterman. “We want to continue this tradition in an effort to connect the community with services.”
(more)
Other scheduled community events and activities include the following:
Tuesdays, March 2 – 30: 6:30 – 8:30pm - Wealth Building Tuesday Workshops; Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton Street. For registration and additional information, please call Bernice McRae @ (718) 636-6924 or email at bmcrae@restorationplaza.org
Tuesdays, March 2 – 30, 7:30 pm sharp, Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA FREE Healthy Living Series, 1121 Bedford Avenue. For additional information, please call (718) 789-1497.
Monday, March 29: Congressman Ed Towns & Bedford Stuyvesant YMCA present Women’s History Month. To RSVP or for additional information, call Debbie McFarland @ (718) 789-1497 Ext. 4006 or Edna Johnson @ (718) 855-8018.
Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.
During Community Board Three’s monthly meeting, Dr. John Flateau, Deputy Director of the New York State Senate and Census Coordinator, urged residence to stand up and be counted. According to Dr. Flateau, the Bedford Stuyvesant community continues to be poorly represented in the Census count. This constant miscalculation has not only cost the community billions of dollars in federal funding, but has resulted in the loss of political representation and major cuts in much needed social service programs. “The math is easy,” said Dr. Flateau. “If we continue to be undercounted, we will continue to be underfunded.”
According to City Councilman Al Vann, less than 35% of Bedford Stuyvesant residence responded to the 2000 Census. This resulted in the community having the lowest response rate in the country. A Census Sunday is schedule to take place March 7, where Pastors across Bedford Stuyvesant will address the Census from the pulpit. The 2010 Census forms will be mailed out on March 15. Other events and activities include the following:
DATE EVENT TIME LOCATION
Wed. 3/10 Harriet Tubman Day/Census Rally 9 – 11 Boys & Girls High School
Sat. 3/13 Public Housing Census Rally 11 – 1 Van Dyke Community Ctr.
Sat. 3/20 Yes We Count” : Bed Stuy “ 10 – 12 Boys & Girls High School
Sat. 3/20 “Yes We Count” Crown Heights 12 – 2 Medgar Evers College
Sat. 3/20 Yes We Count” Brownsville/E NY 2 – 4 St. Paul’s Baptist Church
The Housing and Land Use Committee gave an update on the marketing of the New Foundation Houses located on Herkimer and Albany Avenue. Bridge Street Development, the faith-based nonprofit organization based in Central Brooklyn, will hold a lottery for the 3 family homes that include an owner’s duplex and two (2), two bedroom rentals. Selling prices for the units range from $500 – $600,000.
In addition to the update, the committee also held an informational forum for Providence House. The nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing for homeless, recently incarcerated and special needs female clients and their families, is seeking a letter of support for a new units it wants to build at 273, 275 & 277 Kosciusko Street (between Tompkins Street & Throop Ave). The presentation, which included renderings and floor plans of the 40 unit complex, was given by Sister Janet Kinney. The Community Board voted 31 in favor with 6 opposing.
Under the guidance and direction of Chairman Henry Butler, with persistence from Rev. Robert Waterman, CB-3 recently launched an Ad Hoc Ecumenical committee. The group, which includes CB3 board members Pastor Ayana Ajanaku, Rev. Jesse Sumry and Rev. Waterman, will meet the third Monday of every month to discuss community issues. “Information historically travels quicker through the church,” stated Rev. Waterman. “We want to continue this tradition in an effort to connect the community with services.”
(more)
Other scheduled community events and activities include the following:
Tuesdays, March 2 – 30: 6:30 – 8:30pm - Wealth Building Tuesday Workshops; Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton Street. For registration and additional information, please call Bernice McRae @ (718) 636-6924 or email at bmcrae@restorationplaza.org
Tuesdays, March 2 – 30, 7:30 pm sharp, Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA FREE Healthy Living Series, 1121 Bedford Avenue. For additional information, please call (718) 789-1497.
Monday, March 29: Congressman Ed Towns & Bedford Stuyvesant YMCA present Women’s History Month. To RSVP or for additional information, call Debbie McFarland @ (718) 789-1497 Ext. 4006 or Edna Johnson @ (718) 855-8018.
Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.
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