Senator Montgomery's Community Report

Senator Montgomery calls on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to investigate environmental conditions surrounding 280 Richards Street in Red Hook.

I am writing to request that your respective offices conduct a soil test of the dirt mounds on the pier at 280 Richards Street and investigate the excessive flooding conditions in the area surrounding this site. My office has received numerous complaints about potentially toxic dust emanating from this empty lot filled with mounds of soil mixed with excavated materials. 

My constituents have expressed concern about the dust and sediment that are regularly blown off the mounds  by the wind. The dust gets into their homes: covering their vehicles, windows and terraces. Those who live in the area must keep their windows closed, even on warm days to keep out the sediment for fear of potential  exposure to contaminants. 

To learn more about Senator Montgomery's work on this issue, visit:

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/senator-montgomery-calls-nys-dec-and-nyc-dep-investigate

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/nys-department-environmental-conservation-responds-senator

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The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School was created out of the belief that New York City youth, the natural resources of New York Harbor, and the New York metropolitan community collectively formed an untapped potential for excellence in secondary public education.

The Harbor School is one of the true gems in the New York City education system. Each day, the lives of young people are being transformed as they are    introduced to career paths in the maritime industry.

The Harbor School is a Career and Technical Education school that offers technical credentials in 6 marine fields: Aquaculture, Marine Biology Research, Marine Systems Technology, Ocean Engineering, Professional Diving, and Vessel Operations.

Today, Harbor School educates more than 500  students, many of whom graduate and go on to two or four year colleges; others transition directly into jobs in the New York Harbor and beyond. 

As Harbor School celebrates its 15th anniversary, Senator Montgomery continues to work with education and community stakeholders to expand the pipeline to middle school students with the proposal to create a Harbor Middle School in Red Hook. To learn more about the Harbor School, visit www.newyorkharborschool.org/

Dance Theatre Etcetera, an award winning, nationally recognized Brooklyn nonprofit  dedicated to making the arts a vital component of community change, celebrated its 25th anniversary by officially relaunching itself as Hook Arts Media reflecting its deep ties to Red Hook, Brooklyn and its commitment to 21st century creative learning strategies.

Hook Arts Media currently offers multidisciplinary arts programming at the East Brooklyn Community HS, the South Brooklyn Community HS, the Brooklyn HS for Leadership, Urban Assembly School for Law and Justice, Brooklyn Academy HS,    Murray Hill Academy HS, PS 15, and at Brooklyn West Alternative Learning Centers: W. E. Dubois HS and Brighton Beach HS. In its home community of Red Hook, Hook Arts Media runs fall and spring afterschool media programs and a four week summer Digital Boot Camp in which participants earn minimum wage stipends as they acquire filmmaking skills.

Hook Arts Media’s most visible program is its long running Red Hook Fest. Every June this much beloved, free cultural event features performances by professional dance and music groups, as well as local youth groups. Many local nonprofits showcase their services and resources at the event and there are a host of activities for all ages throughout the two days. (www.redhookfest.com)

Senator Montgomery commends Founder/Executive Director Martha Bowers and the Hook Arts Media team for their important work in our community. Visit them at www.hookarts.org to learn more about  their work uniting artists, educators and communities to build a more just and joyous world.

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Senator Montgomery joins Martha Bowers, Founder/Executive Director of Dance Theatre Etcetera (DTE) and members of Bombazo Dance Company (http://www.bombazodanceco.com) at the 25th Annual Red Hook Fest.

Red Hook Star Revue reporters Sarah Matusek and Emily Kluver win top prizes for feature writing in the 2017 NY State Press Association Better Newspaper contest. 

Sarah won top honors for her story about Jeannette Walls,  author of The Glass Castle.  Emily won two awards— the first, for her feature series “Neighborhood Profiles” and her profile of local artist Beriah Wall earned second place in the Best Feature Story category.

Congratulations to publisher George Fiala and to the Red Hook Star-Revue team!  To learn more about this community newspaper, visit http://www.star-revue.com

Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development  Corporation (SBIDC) was formed by a group of business owners and community leaders to enhance the business climate in the waterfront neighborhoods of Sunset Park, Red Hook and Gowanus.

Since its inception in 1978, SBIDC has helped  hundreds of companies throughout the last four decades. SBIDC has been a driving force in the improvement of the Southwest Brooklyn economy, delivering a wide range of business services to local firms and acting as an advocate for business interests.

SBIDC has provided local residents with employment services, and is the go-to organization for businesses in Southwest Brooklyn who are looking to hire or need resources to grow.

SBIDC operates Brooklyn’s Workforce 1 Industrial & Transportation Career Center (ITC), based at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, in affiliation with The New York City Department of Small Business Services and its Workforce 1 system.  They assist job seekers and provide free hiring assistance to     employers across Brooklyn.

To learn more about SBIDC’s employment opportunities visit:

SBIDC’s Workforce 1 Center 

Brooklyn Army Terminal, Building B – 1st Floor

140 58th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11220.

Phone: (347) 987-3834

http://www.sbidc.org  

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Senator Montgomery joined Spanish Speaking Elderly Council-RAICES (RAICES) leadership, staff members and community members to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of the premier organizations in New York City dedicated to empowering and enriching the lives of senior citizens.

For the past four decades, RAICES has evolved into a cornerstone in our community and a daily home away from home for seniors throughout New York City. RAICES embraces the diversity that makes our state so unique and provides top-notch activities and  comprehensive services to help seniors remain independent. All senior centers employ dedicated bilingual staff that provide      culturally competent services in English and Spanish. 

The services provided through RAICES Access Program includes case assistance, outreach services, and information. RAICES Access Program assists in securing all major benefits/

entitlements. These include Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Food Stamps, Senior Housing Issues, Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE), Elder Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage, Life-Line, Home Energy   Assistance Program (HEAP), Housing, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Real Property Tax Credit (IT-214), New York City School Tax Credit (NYC 210).

Senator Montgomery is proud to represent all five of the RAICES senior centers in Brooklyn. For more info about RAICES, visit https://www.raices.us

• RAICES Gowanus Senior Center * 420 Baltic Street * Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201 * 718.797.2472
• RAICES Times Plaza Neighborhood Senior Center * 460 Atlantic Avenue * Brooklyn, N.Y. 11217 * 718.694.0895
• Red Hook Neighborhood Senior Center * 110 W. 9th Street  * Brooklyn, N.Y. 11231 * 917.769.7518
• Farragut Senior Center * 228 York Street * Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201 * 718.422.1069
• Wyckoff Garden Neighborhood Senior Center * 280 Wyckoff Street * Brooklyn, N.Y. 11217 * 718.237.1802

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Senator Velmanette Montgomery proudly joined  NBC 4 Anchorwoman Pat Battle and Telemundo Anchor Edgardo del Villar in presenting $100,000 to Red Hook Initiative (RHI) as the Grand Prize Winner of the NBC Universal Foundation's “Project Innovation” grant competition. RHI’s Digital Stewards program was recognized for preparing low-income young adults for tech careers by training them to install/maintain Red Hook WIFI, a community effort to close the digital divide, create economic opportunity and improve quality of life in Red Hook.
 
This first annual Project Innovation grant challenge recognized local non-profits who leverage technology to solve everyday problems in the areas of civic engagement, skills for the digital economy and STEM/STEAM youth programming.

As RHI celebrates their 15th anniversary, Senator Montgomery took the opportunity to commend Founder and Executive Director Jill Eisenhard and her team for their approach to community building, investing in social capital, and creating positive institutional change in Red Hook. 
 
RHI has grown exponentially since it was founded in 2002. It now employs over 250 people, 82% are youth age 24 or under. RHI reaches over 5,000 Red Hook residents annually and offers programming for students in middle school and high school as well as young adults. RHI has created a pipeline for youth as they move toward a high school diploma, a   college degree or job training program, and a self-determined career path.
 
The Senator paid tribute to this outstanding organization for their unwavering commitment to community empowerment, leadership development and creating educational and career pathways for young people.  For more info about Red Hook Initiative, visit:  http://rhicenter.org/