Crown Heights Community Mediation Center: May 2014

Thursday, May 29, 2014

20th Annual Family Day Picnic

The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center will be present at the 71 Precinct and the 71 Community Council's Family Day Picnic to celebrate unity and diversity in Hamilton-Metz Park. Join us on Sunday, June 8th for the festivities!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Arts to End Violence Gallery Opening

On Thursday, May 22nd, the Ron Taylor gallery on St. Johns Place opened its doors for an evening to celebrate community, creativity, and the message of anti-violence. Over 50 works of art by youth and professional artists were submitted to the annual Arts to End Violence contest and displayed at the gallery.

In addition to the gallery, Greater Restoration Baptist Church, next door, was open, and Pastor Kenneth Bogan of the church performed songs outside with his jazz band.

Program Coordinator for YO S.O.S. Ruby-Beth Buitekant spoke about the work of S.O.S. and the importance of having the community at an event like this. A young performer from the organization Girl Be Heard performed a song that she wrote about how gun violence has affected her life.

The gallery remains open for the community to view on May 28th - May 30th, from 2 pm to 6 pm, and from June 2nd - June 4th, from 2 pm to 6 pm.

Kingston Avenue Festival 2014

This year's Kingston Avenue Festival, on Saturday, May 17th, brought over 500 people from the community of all ages together for a sunny day on two blocks of Kingston Avenue. The streets between Bergen Street and Pacific Street were lined with over 35 tables of activities, workshops, and community resources.

Young people and audience members had a great time with a donut eating contest.

Performers spread the S.O.S. anti-violence message, and emcee, Senior Outreach Worker Derick Scott, led the audience in chants of "Guns down, peace up!" and "Stop shooting, start living!"

Children made shirts,

masks,

learned to play guitar and drums,

played, soccer, volleyball, and basketball,

and so much more.

Youth Organizing to Save Our Streets ran a facepainting booth and a quiz about their work where people could win T-shirts. Throughout the afternoon, festival-goers decorated a communal anti-violence mural. Local DJs Ahmad Julian, Dj Ushka, Dj Beto, and Dj Ripley from iBomba and the Dutty Artz collective provided music to the block.

This wonderful event would not have been possible without the cooperation of so many organizations, merchants, and volunteers. We owe many thanks to our partners in this event, and want to express our sincere gratitude to the over 70 volunteers who helped set up and clean up the event, take photos, hand out food, make arts and crafts, and everyone who contributed such a positive atmosphere.