Senate Resolution No. 2428

BY: Senator MYRIE

COMMEMORATING the 60th Anniversary of IMPACCT
Brooklyn

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that the quality
and character of life in this great Empire State is greatly enriched by
the faithful and diligent work of those organizations which serve to
meet the needs of the community and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of IMPACCT Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, IMPACCT Brooklyn is a community development organization
focused on the following core tenets: preserve and develop safe and
affordable housing, a basic human right; support vibrant local commerce
through which small businesses serve the needs of community residents;
sustain and develop economic, racial, and cultural diversity to enrich
the lives of all; promote knowledge, initiative, and concerted action to
advance individual and common interests; and foster an ethic that all
members of the community bear personal responsibility to contribute to
the greater good; and

WHEREAS, Formerly the Pratt Area Community Council until 2015,
IMPACCT Brooklyn was established in 1964 by three civic minded
individuals: Reverend Richard Johnson, Amos Taylor, and Furman Walls;
their efforts getting attention from politicians, bureaucrats,
recalcitrant landlords, and private agencies, the people of Fort Greene,
Clinton Hill, the Wallabout Community, and later Bedford Stuyvesant,
fought for decent, affordable housing, tenants' rights, and economic
renewal; and

WHEREAS, By 1966, IMPACCT Brooklyn was winning important concessions
from the New York City government, with 7,000 petition signatures they
contributed to bettering the local police protection; in 1967, IMPACCT
Brooklyn's Library Committee submitted 5,000 signatures to Brooklyn
Borough President Abe Stark, asking that the Brooklyn Library open a
Clinton Hill branch, it opened in 1974; and

WHEREAS, IMPACCT Brooklyn's Housing Committee was established to
create innovative ways to save deteriorating housing stock in 1970; an
Anti-Demolition Committee was formed, advocating for a change in New
York City policy, away from demolition and towards preservation, and
instigating a federal policy to arrange for the sale of federally
financed abandoned buildings to local residents and the city seal-up
program; and

WHEREAS, To address concerns about housing abandonment, IMPACCT
Brooklyn established a full-time, professionally staffed office and
concentrated on keeping people in their homes, developing and preserving
affordable housing, protecting tenant rights, and helping community
residents become first-time homeowners or improve the properties they
already owned in 1980; in addition, the organization initiated the Block

Watch Program and became a member of the newly formed NYS Neighborhood
Preservation Program, electing Roy Crouch as the Executive Director; and

WHEREAS, In 1982, IMPACCT Brooklyn purchased 201 Dekalb Avenue as
their current administration and finance office; then in 1984, IMPACCT
Brooklyn encouraged the formation of tenant associations, particularly
in buildings where conditions had become intolerable; and

WHEREAS, When the Mohawk building was vacated following a serious
fire, IMPACCT Brooklyn partnered with the Mohawk Action Committee to
redevelop the site, which re-opened in 1984 as the first sale of a
city-owned building requiring community reinvestment dollars; and

WHEREAS, After creating Supportive Housing in 2002, IMPACCT Brooklyn
opened the Gibb Mansion; the Gibb Mansion is now home to 50 formerly
homeless residents who receive supportive counseling services; Steve
Aronson became executive director, serving until 2004; and

WHEREAS, The success of IMPACCT Brooklyn is in direct correlation to
the efforts of its Board of Directors and staff, whose involvement is,
and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an
unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in
all endeavors on behalf of the institution and the community it serves;
and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
organizations which unselfishly devote their energy, talent and
thoughtful care on behalf of improving the quality and dignity of life
in the community, are worthy and due full praise and recognition for
their noble and dedicated efforts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of IMPACCT Brooklyn; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to IMPACCT Brooklyn.