COMMUNITY FORCES ILLEGAL SHELTER OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
By Keith L. Forest

A victory took place in Bedford Stuyvesant this week. Resident, merchants, civic leaders and elected officials joined forces to express their concerns about a rehabilitation center that covertly moved into the area the top of January. Standing in solidarity, the collective succeeded in forcing the Gelzer Foundation that ran a temporary housing facility for recovering alcohol and drug addicts, at 332 Malcolm X Blvd out of the neighborhood.

After a week-long battle, neighbors were thrilled to learn that the beat up van that dropped off the wayward clan returned to reclaim the bed frames and mattresses it left behind. Earlier in the month members of the community met with two representatives from the Gelzer Foundation. Unfortunately, the meeting only raised more questions and suspicions about how this organization, which apparently receives some city funding and holds no certificate with the state, was able to enter a neighborhood undetected.

After the request for a second meeting and documentation of the agency’s legitimacy was declined, the collective swung into action. True to the time in which we live in, there were no picket signs or bull horns demanding justice. Instead, the fight played out in cyberspace with e-mail campaigns fired off at jet speed to elected officials and civic leaders; and numerous blog postings and text messages soliciting support. New York Daily News, Our Time Press, the Real Deal Newspaper, and News 12 covered the action; phone calls were placed to the agency; forcing elected official to take action. By Friday, Gezler Foundation had enough and permanently closed its doors.

Program housing is a major concern in Bedford Stuyvesant and other low income communities throughout the city. Although the City and state has placed a fair share clause which monitors the number of program agencies committed to one region, developers and venture capitalist are able to exploit the lucrative market by secretly setting up such agencies in privately owned homes.

Community Board 3, which meets regularly with several city agencies during its closed session meeting, promise to address the issue in a public forum soon. Chairman Henry Butler commended Bainbridge Street & Malcolm X Blvd Block Association and the Malcolm X Merchants Association for their unwavering commitment in tackling the issue noting that it was the community’s acting in the early stage that made the difference.

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.

BAINBRIDGE/MALCOLM X BLOCK ASSOCIATION RECLAIMING TERRITORY
Neighbors & Friends Join Forces for Monthly Block Clean Up
By Keith L. Forest

Armed with shovels, rakes, and brooms, members, family and friends of the Bainbridge/Malcolm X Block Association took to the street in a collective force to beautify their block. In their effort to combat the neglect and foster community pride, neighbors’ young and old spent a sunny Saturday morning pulling up weeds, picking up trash and cleaning each other stoops. “I was so excited to see so many people come out to support the cleanup day,” said resident Alexia Biliart. “It especially warmed my heart to see the younger kids.”
Bainbridge Street between Malcolm X Blvd and Patchen Avenue which is nick- named “Bum” bridge has suffered from years of neglect and mistreatment. During the summer months it has an uncanny reputation as being a haven for loitering, loud parties and frequent front-stoop cook outs causing constant clashing with long-time residents. The block, which has 14, four-story apartment buildings and five vacant lots, also has its share of Single Room Occupancy (SRO) dwellings and currently is the home to 3 residential social service agencies. Pet owners also frequent the block leaving trail and often mounds of their pets remains behind.

Unlike most residential blocks throughout the city, the block, which has easy access to the Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue strips, lacks a much needed speed hump. This makes it a major magnet for joy riders who speed down the corridor, music blaring, all hours of the night. This reckless behavior is a growing concern for many parents most of which have young children. During the warmer months, drivers compete with motorcyclist who chose the route to test their dexterity and agility by displaying various speed defying stunts.

Members of the Bainbridge/Malcolm X Block Association plan on holding block clean up every first Saturday. A special family fun day is being planned for October where local politician and community organizations will be invited. Petitions have already been sent to State and city officials requesting tree guards to protect the numerous new saplings along the corridor and signatures were gathered in an effort to having a much needed speed hump installed.

“I have a great deal of respect for my neighbors who have invested their lives to changing the minds of those who can't see the beauty of Bainbridge Street,” stated Rev. DeVanie Jackson, who runs a food pantry and the Malcolm X Farmers Market. “I hope Saturday was the first step in shedding the street’s negative image,” added resident Sandra Stevenson.

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.