In April 2015, a New York Times article highlighted Brownsville as the community with the lowest life expectancy in New York City. Media accounts of Brownsville are overwhelmingly negative—emphasizing crime, violence, and poor health. Such incessantly negative portrayals by the media stifle social cohesion and further tear down the wellbeing of the neighborhood. It paints a helpless and hopeless situation where little can be done to reverse the circumstances.
Watch recording here:
The truth is that a cadre of individuals, community leaders and organizations are working block-by-block to build upon community strengths in myriad ways. The Healthy Neighborhoods Fund initiative is supporting one of these groups, Community Solution’s Brownsville Partnership, which is one of many leading the way in Brownsville’s transformation. The Partnership is working with a myriad of community-based organizations to raise awareness of the long-standing problem of inequities; turn schools into neighborhood hubs; and provide individuals and organizations with feasible solutions to strengthen community cohesion and (re)building the health and wellbeing of the neighborhood. The Healthy Neighborhoods Fund is a project of New York State Health Foundation. New York Community Trust also has partnered with NYSHealth in a complementary initiative, South Bronx Healthy and Livable Neighborhoods, to invest in three neighborhoods in the South Bronx and help them plan comprehensive health improvement programs: Mott Haven, Morrisania, and Hunts Point.
While every neighborhood has its own strengths and challenges, there is much to be learned about place-based initiatives and health from the experience of Brownsville. Please join us to learn more from some of the organizations that are working together in Brownsville and demonstrating that collaborative place-making efforts can provide the tools for a positive transformation of the neighborhood.
This is a program of Philanthropy New York’s Health Working Group, but the conversation will be of interest to funders working across a variety of program areas.
Presenters
- James Brodick, Director, Brooklyn Community Justice Centers
- Lucas Denton, Executive Director, Melting Pot Foundation
- Michael Hickey, Director, Strategy and Partnerships, NYC Office of Community Schools
- Rasmia Kirmani-Frye, Director, Office of Public/Private Partnerships, NYCHA; President, Fund for Public Housing
- Bronwyn Starr (Moderator), Program Officer, New York State Health Foundation
Designed for
All interested funders interested in health, community development, education, housing, youth development and juvenile justice.
Registration
8:45 - 9:00 AM Check-in
9:00 - 11:00 AM Program
Registration is required by July 12.
Members: To register yourself and/or a colleague at your organization, please log in and click the Register Now link above. (no fee)
Guests of Organizers: Please email register@philanthropynewyork.org with your name, title, organizational affiliation, business mailing address, and phone number. Please indicate by which organizer you were invited. (no fee)
Non-Member Funders: Please email register@philanthropynewyork.org ($150 fee)