Crown Heights Community Mediation Center

Internship opportunity

2012-02-07T14:40:00.001-05:00

CHCMC is looking for a "Digital Resource Directory" intern to help us update our Resource Directory and put it online in an editable format. Please see here for a full job description.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@crownheights.org with "digital resource directory intern" in the subject line. We are looking to fill the position as soon as possible.

2012-02-07T13:05:00.000-05:00

Do you need tax assistance?

Visit the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center on select Sundays (see below) between 10am-2pm for FREE assistance. Available only to low-income individuals ($25,000/year) and families ($60,000/year). No appointment needed. Call (718) 287-1142 for more information. See flyer below for alternate locations and dates.

CHCMC will be open for tax assistance on the following dates:

February 12th

March 4th, March 18th

April 1st, April 15th, April 29th

Second Annual Arts to End Violence Contest

2012-01-19T14:33:00.001-05:00

Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Crown Heights is pleased to announce its second annual Arts to End Violence contest and art show.

The Crown Heights community has made a commitment to end gun violence. Merchants hang signs in their windows counting up the amount of days it has been since our last shooting; clergy members organize events to discuss violence in their congregations, teenagers speak to other teenagers about alternatives to violence. We are inviting the artists of Crown Heights and beyond to participate in our efforts to transform the neighborhood to make it a safe place for all.

Last year, the Arts To End Violence show brought artists together to share their own messages of peace and feelings about violence. Some of the participants were established in their field and others were new to the creative process. The results were a diverse group of powerful images and performances that invigorated the community efforts to reduce violence.

We are calling on artists of all ages to submit art for this year's project. Artists 19 and younger can submit in three categories (2-dimensional art, videos and t-shirt designs) to be eligible for cash prizes. Professional artists are invited to submit pieces to be part of the Art To End The Violence collection to be displayed in local galleries and nontraditional venues such parks, Laundromats and barber shops.

Guidelines for the youth contest are available here, and the call to professional and emerging artists is here.

Deadlines

March 15th - Early Deadline (for feedback from the Selection Committee - optional)

April 5th - Final Deadline for Submissions

May 21st-25th - Festival and Gallery Openings

June 3rd-10th - Winners Announced during “Cease the Fire, Increase the Peace” Week

We encourage artists, gallery spaces, teachers, art programs and media to follow our tumblr through the Arts to End Violence tab above. Call us at 718-773-6886 and speak with Anthony or email him at mohena@crownheights.org to learn more.

Check Out Some Meaningful Ways For You to Spend Martin Luther King Weekend

2012-01-13T15:00:00.000-05:00

This Monday marks the birthday of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. What better way to spend the weekend than continuing the Reverend's work of forging the Beloved Community by coming together as a community and by volunteering.

There are many ways to spend the day from volunteering at the Crow Hill Community Garden to taking your kids to the Brooklyn Children's Museum. See a list of events here.

Mediation Center's End of Year Report

2011-12-21T14:49:00.000-05:00

We’ve accomplished an incredible amount this year at the Crown Heights Mediation Center.

Please enjoy our 2011 end of the year letter from the Mediation Center's director, Amy Ellenbogen.

2011 Crown Heights Community Center End of Year Letter

Kingston Winter Windows Kicks Off In Crown Heights

2011-12-19T13:51:00.001-05:00

Youth Organizing to Save Out Streets will unveil their “Kingston Winter Windows” project tonight. With support from the Kingston Avenue Merchants Association (KAMA) festive storefronts have been designed and decorated by individuals ages 14 – 17 in an effort to beautify the commercial district and promote peace.

The youth organizers and merchants will convene at the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center at 430 PM, where they will distribute maps for a walking tour of the storefronts. The theme of the storefronts is “Peace in Crown Heights.” Following the tour, the group will gather with friends and family to celebrate their accomplishments and enjoy seasonal treats provided by KAMA.

DATE: Monday, December 19^th

TIME: 4:30 PM

PLACE: Crown Heights Community Mediation Center

256 Kingston Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11213-3435

Storefronts:

E & S Dry Cleaners 105 Kingston Ave.
Arthurine's West Indian 115 Kingston Ave.
MS Design & Assoc. 131 Kingston Ave.
Crown Heights Development Corp. 254 Kingston Ave.
Crown Heights Community Mediation Center 256 Kingston Ave.
Kingston Pharmacy 1106 St. Johns Place
Magic Kingston Nursery School 275 Kingston Ave
Basil 270 Kingston Ave.

Celebration: YOasis

221 Kingston Avenue

(Third floor of Church)

Kingston Winter Windows is a co-production of the Kingston Avenue Merchants Association (KAMA) and YoSOS (Youth Organizing to Save Our Streets). KAMA, with support from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Project (NEP), aims to assist merchants in accessing resources to grow their businesses and support a thriving business community. YoSOS is a youth development program that aims to empower young people to become community leaders and organizers.

Mural Contest at Weeksville Heritage Center

2011-12-15T10:53:00.001-05:00

Celebrate the heritage of Brooklyn with art! The Weeksville Heritage Center is gearing up to move into its new education and cultural arts building and is inviting the community to join in beautifying its new classroom and think tank in one of its historic homes.

Submissions are open to anyone age 6 and up, and the only criteria is that the submission be about celebrating Brooklyn. The deadline for submission is Friday January 13, 2012. Click on the image below for details.

Two Employment Opportunities at D.R.E.A.M.S.

2011-12-01T12:33:00.001-05:00

The D.R.E.A.M.S. Youthbuild program is committed to helping young adults become dedicated, responsible, educated, accountable, motivated and self sufficient, by assisting participants in obtaining their GEDs and securing full time employment in the areas of construction, health care, and technology. Along with our traditional YouthBuild Program, we recently were awarded an additional federal SMART grant to provide similar service to young adults ages 16 – 24 who are currently incarcerated, or have been released into specific census tracks in Brooklyn within the past year.

D.R.E.A.M.S. would like to hire a Senior Social Worker and Reentry Specialist.

For the job description for the Senior Social Worker, click here.
For the job description for the Reentry Specialist, click here.

Introducing the new S.O.S. Program Manager: Allen James

2011-11-01T10:21:00.001-04:00

Allen has twenty-five years of experience as an organizational manager, project director, trainer and mediator. From 2009-2011 Allen worked in New Orleans as a community organizer and mediator focusing on police accountability and criminal justice reform. Prior to his move to New Orleans he was a project director for the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, Executive Director of YouthBASE, Inc. in Brooklyn developing school-based HIV, STD and teen pregnancy prevention and violence prevention programs in public high schools. Allen also served as Executive Director of Playing 2 Win, Inc. in East Harlem and as Deputy Executive Director of The Fortune Society in New York City. As a private consultant he has developed projects for Common Ground Community, Inc. HDFC, Non-traditional Employment for Women, NYC, the Single Parent Resource Center, NYC and other organizations. Allen was a Charles H. Revson fellow at Columbia University in 2003-2004.

Success Story

2011-10-13T13:59:00.000-04:00

Earlier this week we got a visit from a client who wanted to thank us. She had come in looking for assistance with finding housing, and thanks to the effort of former staff member Micah Weiss, she found it! She came to tell us that she is comfortable in her new home and grateful for our assistance. We love hearing stories like this- it keeps us going and reminds us why we do the work we do.

The Crown Heights Farmers Market is Seeking Volunteers

2011-09-23T16:51:00.000-04:00

The first ever Crown Heights Farmers Market, which began on September 15th, has been a huge success, and they are now seeking volunteers to assist in running the market. All volunteers are welcome, but young people who can get community service and job skills are especially welcome. The market takes place from 1 PM to 7 PM every Thursdays in Hamilton Metz Park at Albany and Lefferts. If you'd like to take part in this exciting, inspiring, delicious new venture, please email seedsinthemiddle@gmail.com or call Nancie Katz at 917-756-4202.

Save the Date: Save our Streets to Speak at John Jay College October 6th at 8:00 AM

2011-09-22T16:50:00.000-04:00

Learn about the work that Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Crown Heights is doing on the ground by attending the Association for Conflict Resolution of Greater New York’s October Roundtable Breakfast. Lavon Walker and Derick Scott, outreach workers at S.O.S., will speak alongside Amy Ellenbogen, director of the Crown Heights Mediation Center, and Ameena Matthews, violence interrupter at Ceasefire in Chicago and the inspiring subject of the award-winning documentary The Interrupters. Ceasefire is the innovative anti-gun violence project on which S.O.S. is replicated. The event will take place on October 6th at 8:00 AM. at John Jay College of Criminal Justice: 899 Tenth Avenue (at West 59th Street), Room 630. If you would like to attend, please register online by clicking here.If you have any questions, please email acrgny_questions@acrgny.org or call (212) 760-4773.

YO S.O.S. is Recruiting for its 2011-2012 Program

2011-09-20T11:57:00.000-04:00

Youth Organizing to Save Our Streets (YO S.O.S.), a project empowering young people to become community leaders and organizers, is beginning its new year of programming on September 26th. We are currently recruiting thirty young people between the ages of 14 and 17.
The first sessions will include an intensive orientation during which the group will work together to create their own community agreements and expectations. They will also go on a scavenger hunt to learn about the resources and history of Crown Heights. The group will speak with community members and listen to their concerns, as well as think about places where violence is most likely to happen and why.

If you, or someone you know, are 14-17 years old and are interested in becoming a youth organizer, click here for an application.

Free Immigration Clinic: Thursday November 10th, 6-9 PM

2011-09-15T13:32:00.000-04:00

The New York City Immigrant Advocacy Initiative, a collaboration between the City Bar Justice Center and American Immigrant Lawyers Association of New York, is organizing a free immigration clinic on Thursday, November 10th from 6-9 PM at the Mt. Zion Church of God, 203 East 17th Street Brooklyn, NY. Space is limited so RSVP to (718) 284-1097 or flatbushevents@gmail.com.

Join us at the S.O.S. Peace March on October 20th!

2011-09-15T13:21:00.000-04:00

The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center's anti-gun violence project, Save Our Streets (S.O.S.), is organizing its second annual Peace March on October 20th at 6 PM. Last year we had hundreds of community members come out in solidarity to join the anti violence movement. Build on the success of last year's march and join us at this year's march. Bring yourself along with family and friends. If you would like to walk in the Peace March as a group or organization, you can register online HERE or print the registration form HERE and fax it in to (718) 774-5349. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Response to Violence: Today, September 8th, at 6:00 PM at the Corner of Franklin and Park

2011-09-08T12:50:00.000-04:00

S.O.S is teaming up with the Crow Hill Community Association, Council Member Letitia James, the 77th Precinct Community Council, and local elected officials to respond to the violence that occured throughout Crown Heights over Labor Day Weekend. The event will take place at Franklin Avenue and Park Place, where two people were shot and killed in a shooting on Monday evening.

New Copies of "Crown Heights Eat Healthy/Eat Local" Resource Guide Available

2011-08-28T09:00:00.001-04:00

Last year, our Leadership Training Institute cohort created a fantastic resource guide for eating healthy and local in Crown Heights that includes information on community gardens, educational programming, farmers markets, food justice organizations, and community supported agriculture. We just now re-printed a new batch of these excellent brochures and are excited to share them with the community. Please come by the office and grab a stack to share, or download the brochure and print it out yourself by clicking HERE.

Below is the introduction to the resource guide:

You are what you eat. We have all heard this phrase many times. But it’s not always so easy to know what the healthiest food choice is or where to find nutritious options that are reasonably priced.

Indeed, Central Brooklyn, of which Crown Heights is a part, has been identified by many studies in recent years as an under-served neighborhood in terms of access to healthy food, including fresh produce that is both affordable and easily available. Diabetes, obesity and other chronic illnesses related to the lack of a healthy, balanced diet have become an epidemic in our neighborhood.

Luckily, we do have an increasing number of organizations and businesses in Crown Heights, as well as additional resources throughout NYC, working to improve quality of life by providing nutritional/agricultural education, green space, community and urban gardening options, local, sustainable and organic food choices and exercise and wellness centers. This guide is not meant to be exhaustive; rather we hope that it will start a conversation about what is already available in our neighborhood, what should be made available and how we can all become involved in creating a healthier food environment for ourselves and our neighbors. Eat healthy/eat local and enjoy!

Mediation Center on NY1

2011-08-26T15:53:00.000-04:00

Last Friday, August 19th, 2011, The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center was featured in a news segment on NY1 about neighborhood relationships in Crown Heights today, 20 years after the disturbance of 1991. Director Amy Ellenbogen, and Deputy Director Ife Charles spoke about the work we are doing at the Mediation Center to make Crown Heights a better, healthier, safer place. Check out the clip below.

Jewish Week Covers Crown Heights Today

2011-08-18T17:11:00.001-04:00

On Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 the Jewish Week ran a great article on Crown Heights twenty years after the violence of 1991 that featured the work of the Mediation Center and the Crown Heights Community Leadership Council. Amongst other things, the article told about our Summer of Celebration Project and the Leadership Training Institute and included quotes from our own Deputy Project Director, Ife Charles, and 2011 LTI member Caroline Nagy.

Check the article out here:
"Time to Reframe the Story: Despite some lingering tensions, there's a greater sense of understanding between Blacks and Jews, activists say."

Fall 2011 Guide to Brooklyn GED Classes

2011-08-16T16:08:00.000-04:00

This summer, our Americorps intern Sasha Klimczak has been hard at work compiling a resource guide of GED classes available to Brooklyn residents. This list was updated in August 2011 and includes classes that start in September as well as classes that are ongoing. Each post has the contact information as well as basic information like types of classes, when they are, how to register, and the cost.

You can download our GED Resource Guide by clicking HERE, or you can pick up copies at the Mediation Center.

If you have any questions feel free to call the number of the specific program or call us at the office at 718-773-6886 for more help.

Unifying and Beautifying Nostrand Avenue

2011-08-16T12:40:00.000-04:00

Four Openings with S.O.S. and YO S.O.S.

2011-08-12T15:36:00.000-04:00

The Mediation has four positions available with our projects Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Crown Heights and Youth Organizing to Save Our Streets (YO S.O.S.). Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Please click the links below to read the full job descriptions for the positions. Refer to each job description for directions on how to apply and deadlines.

S.O.S. Program Manager

S.O.S. Violence Interrupter

Paid Americorps Volunteer Position for Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Crown Heights Program Assistant

Paid AmeriCorps Volunteer Position for Youth Organizing to Save Our Streets (YO S.O.S.) Program Assistant

Free Outdoor Movie Nights

2011-08-04T15:48:00.001-04:00

Please join us tomorrow.

2011-07-27T16:21:00.000-04:00

On Monday, July 25, 2011, there was another death to violence. Unfortunately a young man was found stabbed to death in the stairwell of a building within our catchment area.

We cannot stop shootings and killings without help from the whole community. Stand with SOS Crown Heights and the clergy to send the message opposing violence! Please join us: The response is scheduled for Thursday, July 28th, 2011 at 6 p.m. in front of 1400 Albany.

New Mediation Center Positions Available This Fall

2011-07-06T18:08:00.002-04:00

2010-2011 New York Juvenile Justice Corps members

The Mediation Center will be recruiting Americorps volunteers to join the CHCMC, S.O.S., and YO S.O.S. teams beginning October 1st. Americorps is a national service program in which corps members commit to a year of service in exchange for a small monthly stipend and an education award following their year of service. Members at the Mediation Center will be part of the New York Juvenile Justice Corps, run out of the Red Hook Community Justice Center.

Full-time members must serve 1700 hours to finish their year of service (about 35 hours/week). Minimum-time members must serve 300 hours. To qualify for Americorps, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident. The ideal candidate for all positions will have a passion for nonviolence, positive youth development, and community engagement!

We expect to post full job descriptions and application instructions by the end of the month. Check back often.

Fresh Air Fund 2011 Update

2011-06-28T15:13:00.000-04:00

Here at the Mediation Center, we have had the opportunity to be a Fresh Air Fund site now for the past two years. The Fresh Air Fund provides free summer experiences in the country to New York City children through their Friendly Towns program which places 6-12 year olds with host families, and the Fresh Air Fund Camps which cater to children ages 9-15. Over the last four months the Mediation Center has presented these free summer vacation options to community boards, walk in clients, the community at large, and hosted information sessions. So far we have successfully collected and submitted 25 applications for children throughout the Crown Heights Community and are still accepting applications until all spots are filled. Americorps volunteer Vanessa Babb commented that, "It has been a wonderful experience working with the Fresh Air Fund application process. I have enjoyed meeting parents and/or Guardians that sought this fun filled summer opportunity for their children whether it be Friendly Towns or Camps".

Youth Justice Board is Still Recruiting!

2011-06-28T10:52:00.000-04:00

Do you work with or know any young people between the ages of 14-18 who want to make a difference in their community, are interested in policy and justice issues, and are looking for something to do after school next year? the Youth Justice Board is an after-school program that brings together young people to study and propose solutions to the public safety challenges that most affect them. The application deadline has been extended until Friday, July 22. Youth can apply online at www.courtinnovation.org/yjb.

S.O.S. is Hiring a Program Manager

2011-06-24T17:26:00.000-04:00

The Mediation Center is seeking a Program Manager to run the Save Our Streets Crown Heights Program. The Program Manager will operationalize the five core components of the S.O.S. approach: outreach, community mobilization, public education, faith leader involvement and relationship with local law enforcement representatives.

To apply: No phone calls please. Please fax to 718-774-5349 or email your resume and cover letter in Word to crownheightsjobs@gmail.com by July 22nd, 2011. Include the job title, “Save Our Street (SOS) Program Manager” in the subject line.

Note: Although applications can be submitted through July 22nd, 2011 they will be examined on a rolling basis, and a hiring decision is likely to be made prior to this deadline.

Click HERE to download thefull job description for the S.O.S. Program Manager.

Free Prostate Cancer Screenings all Week at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center

2011-06-20T16:12:00.001-04:00

Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center is offering a week of free PSA (prostate cancer screenings) for men. This event is tied into Geoffrey A. Davis' "Love Yourself Coalition" initiative, an effort that encourages community residents to be vigilant in the areas of health, anti-violence platforms, community development and organ, eye and tissue donor registration.
When: June 20-24, 11:00am-4:00pm
Where: Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center,
585 Schenectady Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203
Contact: (718) 604-5201 or (718) 221-2911

Mediation Center Family in the News

2011-06-14T13:00:00.000-04:00

At the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center, we are lucky to benefit from having Micah Weiss, a participant in AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, as a member of our staff. Check out this great article in the New York Times Blog "The Local" this morning.
Also today, check out this article in the Daily News highlighting the Mediation Center's fellow Center for Court Innovation project, Bronx Community Solutions', Re-Entry Working Group, and a very special staff member, Ramon Semorile.

Mediation Center is hiring immediately

2011-06-08T17:17:00.000-04:00

The Mediation Center is looking to hire an Americorps Research Assistant who will work 300 hours between now and September 30th, 2011. The job will focus on researching and organizing information about resource providers in Crown Heights and getting this information out to the community. For more information, click here to see the job description. Ideal candidate will begin immediately.

Leadership Training Institute Graduation - you're invited!

2011-06-08T16:18:00.000-04:00

Please join us next Wednesday, June 15th as we congratulate the graduates of the 2011 Leadership Training Institute. After weeks of workshops and trainings, these 20 fabulous leaders planned and organized the Crown Heights Connects resource fair as part of the 71st Precinct Community Council's annual Family Day Picnic. The event was a huge success, with over thirty different vendors giving out information about resources and opportunities in Crown Heights, and thousands of attendees. Come celebrate these upstanding citizens and learn more about the Mediation Center and the Leadership Training Program.

An LTI member gives away balloons at Crown Heights Connects.

Light refreshments will be served. The event will be held at LaunchPad, 721 Franklin Avenue, from 6-8pm.

Come out and Support Kingston Clean

2011-06-06T16:51:00.000-04:00

Crown Heights Connects Resource Fair at the 71st Precinct Community Council's Family Day Picnic

2011-06-04T19:25:00.000-04:00

We hope to see you tomorrow at the annual 71st Precinct Community Council's Family Day Picnic at Hamilton-Metz Park. This year's LTI cohort has been working tirelessly to organize a resource fair in conjunction with the picnic called Crown Heights Connects. Highlighting the areas of health, education, employment and culture, Crown Heights Connects hopes to promote awareness of the many exciting services and organizations in Crown Heights. In addition, there will be free food, live music, rides for kids, and a fun-filled atmosphere for all.

When: Sunday, June 5th, 2011 11:30am-5:30pm
Where: Hamilton-Metz Park (East New York Ave between Kingston and Albany)

Art to End the Violence; an S.O.S. Community Event

2011-05-25T10:56:00.002-04:00

Please join us tomorrow, Thursday, May 26th 2011, for the culminating event of the Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Crown Heights Multimedia Contest. The contest engaged talented youth and adult artists to create public service announcements, video and radio shorts, and posters for the S.O.S. public education campaign that convey the message that shooting and killing are not acceptable in Crown Heights.

At the event, winners of the contest will be announced and awarded their prizes. Additionally, S.O.S. will be awarded the coveted Martin Luther King Jr. Award from the Fellowship of Reconciliation, one of the oldest and most storied civil rights organizations.

Light refreshments will be served and entertainment will feature 2011 Leadership Training Institute member DJ M Dot.

Mandala of Compassion in Crown Heights

2011-05-16T13:18:00.000-04:00

Last week at Launchpad on Franklin Ave, the venerable Lama Tenzin Yigyen constructed a Mandala of Compassion. Mandalas, sand paintings that are designed to represent wholeness, are an ancient Tibetan tradition. In a viewing on Thursday, Lama Tenzin explained that each symbol and color in the mandala is linked to compassion, which he considers the key element of a happy, fulfilled life. He compared external activities—such as going out or buying new things—to the junk food we eat, something which may give us pleasure in the moment but which will ultimately not make us happy or healthy. But compassion he compared to water, without which there would be no life. CHCMC Americorps volunteer Lizzie DeWan visited on Thursday and said, “Although the mandala was visually stunning, and the Lama’s attention to detail inspiring, the true value in visiting this exhibit was hearing Lama Tenzin’s message of love and compassion. I could not help but think of my colleagues at the Mediation Center and S.O.S., who live compassion every day by supporting the community and working to end violence in Crown Heights. This work does truly seem to bring them happiness, even though that is not their motivation.”

On Friday, Lama Tenzin dismantled the mandala and offered the sand back to the earth. Let us reflect on this impermanence of beauty and remember that the mandala itself is only a reminder of the true beauty found in love and compassion.

Thanks to Urban River Arts and Launchpad for putting on this great event.

Applications to the Harlem Youth Court Now Available

2011-05-05T14:45:00.000-04:00

Write-Up of Anti-Gun Violence Mural Project

2011-05-03T12:08:00.000-04:00

Today we received a wonderful suprise at the office. Greg Todd, local real estate broker, gardener at Imani Gardens, and friend of the Mediation Center featured our anti-gun violence mural next to Brower Park on the cover of his newsletter Upside. Look for a copy around the neighborhood, or you can just read the story and see the pictures below.

To learn more about local agriculture and permaculture at Imani Gardens, come out to their next work day on Sunday, May 8th 2011 at 12:00pm at 87 Schenectady between Dean and Pacific.

S.O.S. Wins MLK Jr. Peace Award

2011-05-02T11:59:00.000-04:00

We are proud to announce that the Fellowship of Reconciliation, one of the oldest and most storied civil rights organizations, has awarded the Save Our Streets Crown Heights Team the Martin Luther King Jr. peace award for 2011. The award honors those who make a significant contribution to advancing the cause of nonviolence. Stay tuned for information about the awards ceremony.

Check out this great program for youth!

2011-04-21T16:38:00.000-04:00

Invitation to Safe Hallway Day

2011-04-21T15:11:00.000-04:00

2011-02-28T13:16:00.000-05:00

Need some help getting ready to find a job? Check out this great event in Crown Heights this weekend.

Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training

2011-02-28T11:00:00.000-05:00

On February 23rd, two CHCMC staff members led a conflict resolution and mediation training for a group of advocates and counselors from Good Shepherd Services, one of the city’s leading social services agencies for youth and families.

Sharon Ife Charles, Deputy Director of the Mediation Center and a state-certified mediator, and Lizzie DeWan, Americorps Volunteer, used activities, discussion, and role plays to train the counselors in mediation skills such as setting up a mediation, active listening, maintaining order, identifying relevant issues, and brainstorming and implementing solutions. The day was a success, with one participant reporting that it was the best training she had attended as a Good Shepherd Services’ employee.

If you are interested in bringing CHCMC to your school, church, or organization to teach mediation and conflict resolution skills, please call the Mediation Center at 718-773-6886.

2011 Leadership Training Institute Launches

2011-02-10T13:56:00.000-05:00

We are proud to welcome the fourth cohort of the Leadership Training Institute to the Mediation Center family. These 20 excellent participants will combine their diverse talents and interests into a project for this community while growing in their skills and capacities as leaders. During our networking training last night, the group mapped out their overlapping circles of connections and communities, exciting everyone in realizing the wealth of resources LTI brings together and what an exceptional group of people they are.
Over the course of the next three months, the LTI cohort will have weekly trainings on diversity, coalition building, community organizing, conflict resolution, media strategies, event planning, non-violence, fundraising and grant writing from experts in these fields. The program will culminate in a project for the community organized and executed by LTI. Stay tuned for more news from the group as the program continues.

Free Summer Vacations for New York City Children

2011-02-10T13:19:00.000-05:00

The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to New York City children from low-income neighborhoods since 1877. The Fund is currently registering girls and boys, ages six to 12, for the volunteer host family program as well as eight to 15-year-old boys and eight to 12-year-old girls for The Fresh Air Fund camps. On a Fresh Air visit, a child will enjoy new experiences outside of the city, such as running barefoot through the grass, gazing at a star-filled sky, or swimming in a lake. If you are interested in the opportunity of The Fresh Air Fund for your child, the Crown Heights Mediation Center (256 Kingston Ave.) will be registering children this spring every Tuesday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and every Thursday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. To learn more, visit www.freshair.org or call (800) 367-0003.

Staff Non-Violence Training

2011-02-04T15:57:00.001-05:00

Last week the Mediation Center and S.O.S. staff participated in a two-day training from the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence located in Providence Rhode Island. The trainers are part of a program similar to S.O.S. that also utilizes street outreach workers to interrupt potential gun violence.

The Mediation Center staff was inspired and invigorated by this two-day training. S.O.S Violence Interrupter Marlon Peterson explains that he realized MLK Jr. wasn’t acting passively, but rather out of disciplined love, and that it’s “this disciplined love for our community of people [that] allows us to do what we can to Save Our Streets. If enough of us can pass this concept forward, then success as King saw it, is possible.”

The most substantive piece of the training was learning about Dr. King’s six principles of nonviolence and the six steps of nonviolent conflict resolution.
The Six Principles:
1. Nonviolence is for courageous people. It is a way of life.
2. Build the Beloved Community everywhere you go.
3. Attack forces of evil, not persons doing evil.
4. Accept suffering without retaliation, for the sake of the just cause.
5. Avoid inner violence of the spirit as well as outward physical violence.
6. The universe is on the side of justice.
The Six Steps:
1. Gather information.
2. Educate others.
3. Personal Commitment.
4. Negotiation.
5. Nonviolent direct action.
6. Reconciliation.
For more detailed explanations of these ideas, go to the S.O.S. blog and check out their “readings” tab or stop by the Mediation Center to talk with us or read our books. You can also look at the "how to help" tab on the S.O.S. blog for ways you can support S.O.S. in promoting nonviolence in Crown Heights.

"We Are All Brooklyn" Fellows visit the Mediation Center

2011-02-03T17:22:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday, January 18th, the Mediation Center hosted participants from the "We Are All Brooklyn" (WAAB) Fellowship.We Are All Brooklyn is an inter-faith community coalition that hosts young, emerging Brooklyn leaders as fellows each year. This session used Crown Heights as an example of how this neighborhood works to utilize diversity as a strength of the community.

Participants heard from a range of speakers, including Rabbi Eli Cohen, Pastor Ken Bogan, Amy Ellenbogen, Richard Green, and Devorah Halberstam. Each speaker had their own perspective to add to the discussion of diversity and relationships in Crown Heights. Rabbi Cohen spoke about the need for communities to get to know each other and work past stereotyping; in this vein, he shared some stories and facts about his community, the Hasidic Lubavitch community. Pastor Bogan from the Greater Restoration Baptist Church added to this message by highlighting the importance of cross-community relationships. Pastor Bogan is a Board Member of Project CARE, an organization comprised of Black and Jewish leaders in Crown Heights who work together to solve problems in the neighborhood that effect everyone. Richard Green spoke about the importance of supporting youth, which he does at the Crown Heights Youth Collective. Devorah Halberstam shared the story of her family’s own tragic encounter with hate and violence, and how this has inspired her to work against inter-community conflict and support young leaders. All of these speakers work together on mutual projects and support each other in their independent projects.

Crown Heights Community Leadership Luncheon

2011-02-03T17:04:00.000-05:00

On January 10th, the Mediation Center, Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, and the Jewish Community Relations Council brought together leaders of Crown Heights at the Brooklyn Children's Museum to discuss a vision for the community in the second decade of the 21st century. The luncheon hosted old and new leaders alike who shared the successes they've had and future work to be done in Crown Heights. Coming out of this meeting will be a Crown Heights Advisory Council that will regularly meet and share ideas and resouces across communities and organizations. Contact the Mediation Center if you would like to join this Advisory Council which is working to plan an event that celebrates the community and the youth at the end of August.

Position Available: Youth Organizing to Save Our Streets Program Director

2011-01-03T15:22:00.000-05:00

Save Our Streets (S.O.S) Crown Heights, the new anti-gun violence program out of the Mediation Center, is seeking a Program Coordinator for a new initiative, “Youth Organizing to Save Our Streets.” The Program Coordinator will oversee an intensive community-based project serving young people who live or go to school in Crown Heights and have been affected by gun violence and want to work to stop the spread of gun violence. The Program Coordinator will plan, lead, and maintain all aspects of the program ensuring that a strength-based, holistic, youth oriented perspective is utilized.

Youth Organizing to Save Our Streets is a new youth development and community organizing program that will annually provide life skills to 25 young people, ages 14-17, who are disproportionately affected by violence in Crown Heights. Participants will receive leadership development training, case management services, and service learning opportunities while engaging in grassroots anti-violence efforts. Summer jobs will be provided for participants.

To Apply: Please fax to 718-774-5349 or email your resume and cover letter in Word to crownheightsjobs@gmail.com. Include the job title, “Program Coordinator,” in the subject line. No phone calls please.
Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2011
Click HERE for the full job description.

Position Available: Graphic Designer

2010-12-29T17:58:00.000-05:00

Save Our Streets Crown Heights, the new anti-gun violence program out of the Mediation Center, is currently seeking a graphic designer with marketing and branding experience to help S.O.S. create brochures, publicity materials, and public education materials that solidify its identity.
To apply, send a resume, cover letter, sample work and required compensation to crownheightsjobs@gmail.com. Please write “graphic designer” in the subject line.
The deadline to apply is January 15, 2011.
Click HERE for the link to the full job description.

Mediation Center's End of the Year Report

2010-12-13T17:51:00.000-05:00

We’ve had an incredible year at the Crown Heights Mediation Center.
Please enjoy our 2010 end of the year letter from the Mediation Center's director, Amy Ellenbogen.
2010 Crown Heights Community Mediation Center End of the Year Letter

Conflict Resolution Training with UFT

2010-12-09T15:33:00.000-05:00

"[This training] spoke on real issues." "Real solutions were given."

One of the services we offer at the Mediation Center is fee-for-service trainings and workshops. Last month we were invited to the United Federation of Teachers' Brooklyn Families and Educators Conference to teach a workshop on conflict resolution 101.
We had over 30 folks attend the workshop who reported back to us that they appreciated learning new ways to resolve conflict and would recommend the training to other parents so they could use some of the tools we provided in their day-to-day lives. Although some people might at first think of conflict resolution techniques as idealistic or unrealistic, many participants told us that we provided real-life solutions to conflict that they intended to use; just the kind of feedback we were hoping for. If you would like to schedule a training with the Mediation Center, contact Ife Charles at (718)773-6886.

MS 348, Washington Heights Expeditionary School Visits the Mediation Center

2010-12-07T14:09:00.000-05:00

Last week, four classes of 7th graders from Washington Heights Expeditionary School, MS 348, visited the Mediation Center as part of a cross-curriculum trip to explore the culture and geography of Brooklyn. We discussed the different cultures in the community, how they interact, and the role of the Mediation Center in Crown Heights. We all had a great time comparing and contrasting Crown Heights and Washington Heights and were pleased to be a stop on their tour.

S.O.S. program manager, Lisa Jones, quizzes students on problem-solving strategies at the Mediation Center.

Students listen to our director, Amy Ellenbogen, as she tells them the history of Crown Heights and the Mediation Center.

Daily News Promotes the S.O.S. Crown Heights Multimedia Contest

2010-11-22T15:57:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday, November 16, 2010 the Daily News ran an article previewing the S.O.S. anti-gun violence film screening and discussion at LaunchPad. The S.O.S. Multimedia Contest got a great plug at the end, complete with the following quote from our director, Amy Ellenbogen.

"Through its anti-violence program, SOS Crown Heights, the [Crown Heights Community Mediation Center] plans to launch a media campaign of its own, soliciting young artists to come up with posters, radio and and video spots and public service announcements with an anti-gun message for its 2011 Save Our Streets Multimedia Contest. “We want to transform the culture from one that’s tolerant of violence to one that’s intolerant,” [Amy] Ellenbogen said. “Media and the arts are powerful tools in our efforts.”"

Please help us continue to spread the word about the Media Contest, and don't forget to register HERE.

Searching for Space

2010-11-18T13:30:00.001-05:00

Space for Rent?

The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center and Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Crown Heights is searching for additional office space. We need a location to rent that is between 1,200-2,000 square feet and located in the 77th precinct (Crown Heights North). If you know of the perfect place, please call us and ask for Ms. Charles, (718) 773-6886.

Reentry Resource Directories Have Arrived

2010-11-18T12:34:00.001-05:00

We are pleased to finally have our updated 2010-2011 Reentry Resource Directory available for free. This is a directory of services, resources, and information for people who have been incarcerated and are now returning to our central Brooklyn community. We hope you will find it helpful and will share it with others. Copies are available at our office, 256 Kingston Ave and available to download HERE.

Applications Open for Leadership Training Institite 2011

2010-11-17T17:16:00.000-05:00

The Mediation Center has been busy preparing for the next cycle of the Leadership Training Institute which will start in January 2011 and is seeking participants. The Leadership Training Institute is a program aimed at bringing together community members who are dedicated to working to improve Crown Heights to both strengthen their leadership skills and build relationships with others in the community.

Through the Institute, participants will meet with trainers who are experts in their fields on a variety of topics to learn from each other, and develop and ultimately implement their skills. These topics include networking, community organizing, grant writing and fundraising, coalition building, working with the media, and event planning. Participants will be able to put their newly acquired skills to use by organizing a community project as a final project of the Institute. Past groups have organized a local photography contest, a resource and entertainment fair to complement the Annual Family Day Picnic in Crown Heights, a healthy foods expo and published a guide for access to healthy food in Crown Heights.

This year, LTI will have two cohorts: One will build on momentum from last year's group by continuing to work on healthy food access and the other will work on an anti-gun violence project related to the work of our program, Save Our Streets Crown Heights.

At the end of the program, participants will come away with concrete skills as well as relationships with others in the community who are dedicated to improving Crown Heights.

Applications are available for download HERE, in the sidebar on the left-hand side of this page, and can also be picked up by stopping by the Mediation Center. Applications are due by January 3rd, 2011.

Reminder: Anti-Gun Violence Film Screening

2010-11-16T13:26:00.000-05:00

Don't forget that this Thursday night, S.O.S. Crown Heights and our partner anti-gun violence organizations will be screening a selection of anti-gun violence films and hosting a panel discussion.
For full details, click HERE.
Thursday, November 18th.
7:00 PM
LaunchPad: 721 Franklin Avenue.

Rites of Passage 2010

2010-11-02T16:42:00.000-04:00

The Rites of Passage program has a few final spots available before we are at capacity for the year. The program is open to young girls, ages 13-17 who are interested in a womanhood training program to guide them in becoming exemplary young women.
Sessions run Wednesdays, from 3:30-5:30 PM.
For more information, contact Ms. Ife Charles at 718-773-6886, or family@crownheights.org

Let's Green and Clean Nostrand Ave!

2010-11-01T17:13:00.001-04:00

Anti-Gun Violence Film Screening Night at LaunchPad

2010-11-01T11:15:00.001-04:00

On November 18th, S.O.S. Crown Heights and our partner anti-gun violence organizations will be screening a selection of anti-gun violence films and hosting a panel discussion. This event is building on the success of last month's anti-gun violence screening by DCTV's Beyond Bullets project that featured "A Harlem Mother" and several of their short films. The panel will include several S.O.S. staff members and should be an exciting and engaging evening for all.
The event will take place November 18th, 2010 at LaunchPad-Crown Heights' new creative gathering place focused on the arts, community programs, technology, and anything else that captures the imagination. They are located at 721 Franklin Avenue.
Time: 7:00 PM

Shooting Response, Thursday 10/28, 6:00 PM

2010-10-26T16:56:00.000-04:00

Early Monday morning we had another shooting within the 77th Precinct confines. The victim was a 58 year old black male who succumbed to his injuries. The incident took place in the vicinity of Lincoln Terrace Park.

S.O.S. will be having a Shooting Response on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 6:00 PM. We will meet at the corner of Eastern Parkway and Buffalo Avenue (look for our signs). Please join us.

S.O.S. Peace March: Wednesday, Oct. 20th, 6:00 PM

2010-10-15T17:17:00.000-04:00

S.O.S. is organizing a community-wide march to promote a message of peace and demonstrate that shootings and killings are unacceptable. In the wake of the rampant violence that has damaged and claimed so many lives, residents of Crown Heights, including victims’ family members, clergy, and those people closest to the gun violence, are expected to walk.

Please Join us and the rest of the community in our march to end the shootings and killings.

Wednesday October 20th, 2010 at 6:00 PM

March will begin at the Northwest corner of Eastern Parkway and Utica Avenue.

We will walk West towards Franklin Avenue ending at Franklin and Eastern Parkway. There we will recognize the lives lost and those affected by gun violence in Crown Heights North.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact Lisa Jones, S.O.S. Program Manager at 718-679-9410.

Click HERE to download the Peace March press release.
Click HERE to download the march flyer to help us spread the word.

Vote for our very own "Brooklyn Do Gooder"

2010-10-11T17:38:00.000-04:00

Our director, Amy Ellenbogen, has been nominated for the Brooklyn Do Gooder Award and needs your vote. The Brooklyn Community Foundation Brooklyn Do Gooder Awards celebrates the altruism, philanthropy and commitment of five Brooklyn "Do Gooders" who are working toward a stronger Brooklyn. If Amy wins, we'll receive a $5000 grant to fund some of the exciting new projects we're working on.
You can vote up to five times every day until October 15th.
Don't delay, vote for Amy today! click HERE for the link.

Announcing the Save Our Streets Multimedia Contest

2010-09-23T16:16:00.002-04:00

We invite you to take part in the 2011 Save Our Streets Multimedia Contest. We are seeking talented youth and adult artists to contribute to our anti-gun violence public education campaign. We are accepting submissions for Public Service Announcement, Video or Radio Short, and Poster Design categories. The goal is to convey the strong message that shootings and killings are not acceptable in Crown Heights or any other neighborhood.

Process

Submissions will be reviewed by distinguished community members with final decisions being made by the S.O.S. leadership team. In determining the contest winners, there will be two rounds of review. Those who pass the first review round will be invited to the 2011 Save Our Streets Multimedia Festival and Awards Ceremony where competing submissions will be exhibited and winners will be publicly recognized. Winners will also be featured on the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center blog.

Why Submit?

-If you win, you can expect your work to appear all over Crown Heights and on local media venues as a symbol of hope and positive change for our community.

-You will be joining a program that is part of a national effort to reduce gun violence.

-1st and 2nd place winners from each category will be awarded with a monetary prize and will be considered for future paid engagement.

To Register

Contact Micah Weiss, Special Projects Coordinator, Crown Heights Community Mediation Center, to receive specific guidelines and the S.O.S. logo for your submission. 718-773-6886, mweiss@crownheights.org. Or click HERE to register online.

Click HERE to download the full contest Guidelines.

Win up to $10,000 in the National Peace Essay Contest for High School Students

2010-09-17T15:15:00.000-04:00

The United States Institute of Peace is holding their annual National Peace Essay Contest. This scholarship contest is for high school students who are interested in international issues, conflict resolution, peace studies, justice, and human rights. The 2010-2011 contests topic is “Governance, Corruption, and Conflict.” Students must answer the question:

For those who hope to prevent violent conflict, how can their efforts to reduce, if not eliminate, corruption best contribute to building sustainable peace using two cases of countries in transition from war to peace?

First-place state winners receive scholarships and are invited to Washington for a five-day awards program. The Institute pays for expenses related to the program, including travel, lodging, meals and entertainment. This unique five-day program promotes an understanding of the nature and process of international peacemaking by focusing on a region and/or theme related to the current essay contest.

Click here for more detailed information on eligibility, registration, submission, and other requirements.

Deadline: February 1st, 2011

DCTV anti-gun violence film screening and panel discussion, Tuesday, 9/21

2010-09-16T17:23:00.001-04:00

Beyond Bullets, a project of the Downtown Community Television Center and partner in trying to reduce gun violence in New York City, will hold an anti-gun violence film screening featuring the moving "Harlem Mother" and several short videos from BeyondBullets.org. After the movie, Shaina Harrison from New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (and a former CHCMC staff member) will be featured in a panel discussion among others.

Click here to see Beyond Bullets’ short film on S.O.S: Save Our Streets Crown Heights.

When: Tuesday, September 21st, 2:00 PM
Where: DCTV- 87 Lafayette St., New York, NY
Free and open to the public

"Unnoticed Beauty" - A Photography Competition by Ground Up Designers

2010-09-08T13:03:00.001-04:00

Ground Up Designers, an interdisciplinary design studio in Brooklyn, is hosting the “Unnoticed Beauty” photography competition as part of their Built & Branded book project that focuses on discovering new artistic perspectives within Central Brooklyn communities. The photographs for the Unnoticed Beauty competition must be taken within Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Bed-Stuy, Clinton Hill, or Fort Green. Two photographs from each neighborhood will be selected to become a part of the Built & Branded project. The selected photographs will be published in the project’s book, digital map, and post card set, as well as being exhibited at the book project’s release party.
From Ground Up:
“What is the most beautiful place in Crown Heights? What was that intriguing thing you noticed on the street in Fort Greene? SHOW US! Please feel free to email us with any questions you may have, we are excited to see what you come up with!”

Submission Requirements:
-One photograph OR a series of five photographs (one from each neighborhood) based on the competition’s theme, “Unnoticed Beauty”.
-All photographs must be submitted in high-resolution digital form.
-Location (address or cross st.), Date, and Time photograph was taken
-Your Name, Phone Number & Email Address

Registration Deadline: Friday – September 17th 2010
Submission Deadline: Emailed to Lana Zellner by: Thursday – September 30, 2010, 5:00pm
Open To: Student, professional, and aspiring photographers
Entry Fee: None

Contact: Lana Zellner
Email: design@groundupdesigners.com
Phone: 347.722.1659

Mediation Center Celebrates Graduates of Leadership Training Institute

2010-07-26T12:18:00.000-04:00

Last Wednesday, the Mediation Center celebrated the graduates of the Leadership Training Institute and their efforts to improve the community. After attending six months of training in community activism skills, the twelve graduates organized a Crown Heights "Eat Healthy/Eat Local" Food Fair, which featured a variety of vendors, including hydroponic gardening from Boswyck Farms, free yoga, pilates, delicious cooking demonstrations from East New York Farms and Hattie Carthan Community Garden, locally-sourced gourmet sauces and condiments from The Pour Gourmet, information from the new Central Brooklyn CSA and Lefferts Community Food Co-Op, and more. The group also produced two publications which offer a comprehensive list of local resources for eating healthy in our neighborhood and feature healthy recipes from our community.

Mediation Center staff and Elected Officials with a
graduate of the program, Ms. Bettye Watford Bogan.

Graduate Geralyn Harry called the Leadership Training Institute "amazingly transformative. It was awesome. I finally felt like I was home." Carol Hauge, another graduate, said, "This program did everything I wanted and more. How often can you say that? We learned a lot and put into use everything we learned."

The graduation was attended by the graduates and their friends and families, as well as elected officials who presented the graduates with citation certificates to thank them for their work in the community. Present at the graduation were Ann Marie Adamson of Borough President Marty Markowitz's office, Maurice Roberts of Senator Eric Adam's office, Assemblyman Karim Camara, Councilmember Jumaane Williams, Gigi Davis-Elliott representing Councilmember Letitia James, and Councilmember Mathieu Eugene. Councilmembers Vann, Mealy, Sanders, Recchia also provided citations for the graduates.

Congratulations again to the graduates of the program!

S.O.S. Shooting Response Tonight

2010-07-23T11:23:00.001-04:00

Tonight at 6pm, Save Our Streets Crown Heights (S.O.S.) will hold a grassroots shooting response at Eastern Parkway and Schenectady Avenue. This will be a chance for the community to take ownership in demonstrating that shootings and killings are not acceptable in Crown Heights, and that too many residents have suffered though the loss of loved ones.

Here are the details:

Location: Eastern Parkway and Schenectady Avenue (look for the S.O.S. posters)
Date: Friday, July 23, 2010
Time: 6:00 pm

For more information, call 347-401-1595.

S.O.S. is a neighborhood based movement to end shootings and killings. Working with the community, highly trained workers:

Provide immediate interventions whenever a shooting occurs.
Reach out to the victims, friends, and family members.
Work to ensure that retaliatory shootings do not take place.
Create a community network of residents, clergy, and business owners.

Job Openings at the Mediation Center

2010-07-19T15:40:00.008-04:00

The Mediation Center is recruiting for three full-time AmeriCorps positions. AmeriCorps is an intensive service program designed to meet the nation’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. Participants receive a bi-weekly stipend check and upon completion of their service hours an educational award of $5,350. At our office, AmeriCorps members will assist clients, create and run programs, and ensure that the storefront operations run smoothly. These jobs have tremendous responsibility and provide plenty of opportunity for learning and professional development. If you or someone you know would like to join our team, send a cover letter and resume to crownheightsjobs@gmail.com. Please put the job title in the subject of the e-mail and submit your materials as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you! Here are the job positions:

Position: Youth Specialist
THIS IS A VOLUNTEER AMERICORPS POSITION WITH A LIVING STIPEND AND EDUCATIONAL AWARD

The Organization:
The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center is a unique neighborhood institution that works to improve community problem-solving, collaboration, and inter-group relations in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Operating out of our storefront offices since 1998, the Mediation Center seeks innovative ways to promote community cohesion in our neighborhood. This includes providing residents with links to resources on issues like education, parenting, housing, and immigration; providing support to young people and galvanizing neighborhood, borough, and city stakeholders in order to improve the quality of life for all residents.

Responsibilities:
• To design and implement an anti-violence program for youth ages 14-16 and 16-18
• Create lesson plans that are fun, educational, promote group cohesion and teach youth about the effects of violence in the neighborhood.
• Create lessons that teach about leadership development and community organizing.
• Assist in the creation of youth-led anti-violence activities
• Teach youth about the theory and practice of non-violence
• Assist with single sex Rites of Passage pregnancy prevention programs
• On an as-needed basis, train young people in conflict resolution and mediation
• Create special youth-led projects and campaigns such as an anti-violence media campaign, an arts festival or a publication.

Qualifications:
• Ability to engage young people and teach them
• Creative, patient, and decisive
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work well with diverse populations
• Experience working with young people
• Training experience
• Experience in pregnancy prevention, violence prevention or interest in learning

This is a Full-Time AmeriCorps Member position. The Youth Specialist will serve 1700 hours in 365 days, receive a living stipend, and an educational stipend.

Americorps Responsibilities
• Serve a minimum of 35 hours per week (for a total of 1,700 hours in 1 year) and occasionally some weekends
• Commit to serve for 1 year from October 1st 2010 – September 30th 2011
• Minimum of High School degree preferred (If you do not have a high school degree you must successfully participate in GED program while in service)
• Must be at least 18 years old by October 1st 2010
• An interest in public service, youth development, law and community volunteeris
• You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien of the U.S.
• Bi-lingual skills a plus

Benefits
Full time members that successfully complete their year of service will receive:
• An educational grant award of $5,350
• On the job and supplemental job training
• Living stipend of $11,100
• Free Childcare
• 85% of Corps graduates go on to a full-time job or college!

How to Apply
Send a resume and cover letter by August 30th to crownheightsjobs@gmail.com with the name of the position in the subject line. Please submit your resume as soon as possible.

The Fund for the City of New York is an equal opportunity employer. Diversity gives us strength and depth. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Position: Resource Specialist and Office Manager

THIS IS A VOLUNTEER AMERICORPS POSITION WITH A LIVING STIPEND AND EDUCATIONAL AWARD

The Organization:
The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center is a unique neighborhood institution that works to improve community problem-solving, collaboration, and inter-group relations in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Operating out of our storefront offices since 1998, the Mediation Center seeks innovative ways to promote community cohesion in our neighborhood. This includes providing residents with links to resources on issues like education, parenting, housing, and immigration; providing support to young people and galvanizing neighborhood, borough, and city stakeholders in order to improve the quality of life for all residents.

Responsibilities:
• Assess the needs and strengths of walk in clients, providing brief case management when necessary
• Develop and plan programs and projects as they arise (examples include planning a health fair, a job fair, back to school fair, a community photography contest, a reentry-resource fair, etc.)
• Assist walk-in clients with resources and referrals for such issues as housing, employment, immigration and public benefits
• Update a community resource directory with current information and new service providers

General office administration:
• Provide secretarial and administrative support.

• Manage and maintain inventory of office supplies and all office equipment.

• Manage and maintain contacts database.
• Answer phones, send faxes
• Prepare photocopies and packets

Accounting/Financial Management:
• Prepare vendor payment requisitions for external vendors.
• Maintain filing system of receipts and invoices.
• Manage relationships with external vendors.
• Prepare reiumbursement forms for staff

Qualifications:
• Organized with strong attention to detail
• Ability to create relationships with non-profits
• Personable with clients
• Computer savvy including knowledge of Microsoft Suite
• Ability to keep track lots of information
• Excellent phone manner
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work well with diverse populations
• Personal or professional experience with public housing, immigration, unemployment, and other public services very helpful

This is a Full-Time AmeriCorps Member position. The Resource Specialist and Office Manager will serve 1700 hours in 365 days, receive a living stipend, and an educational stipend.

Americorps Responsibilities
• Serve a minimum of 35 hours per week (for a total of 1,700 hours in 1 year) and occasionally some weekends
• Commit to serve for 1 year from October 1st 2010 – September 30th 2011
• Minimum of High School degree preferred (If you do not have a high school degree you must successfully participate in GED program while in service)
• Must be at least 18 years old by October 1st 2010
• An interest in public service, youth development, law and community volunteerism
• You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien of the U.S.
• Bi-lingual skills a plus

Benefits
Full time members that successfully complete their year of service will receive:
• An educational grant award of $5,350
• On the job and supplemental job training
• Living stipend of $11,100
• Free Childcare
• 85% of Corps graduates go on to a full-time job or college!

How to Apply
Send a resume and cover letter by August 30th to crownheightsjobs@gmail.com with the name of the position in the subject line. Please submit your resume as soon as possible.
The Fund for the City of New York is an equal opportunity employer. Diversity gives us strength and depth. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Position: Resource Specialist (Americorps Position)
THIS IS A VOLUNTEER AMERICORPS POSITION WITH A LIVING STIPEND AND EDUCATIONAL AWARD

The Organization:
The Save Our Streets Crown Heights (SOS) Crown Heights is a community-based effort to end gun violence in our neighborhood. This program is a partnership led by local organizations, neighborhood churches and pastors, and community residents. SOS Crown Heights will reduce the violence in our streets by working closely with the individuals most likely to commit a shooting.

Responsibilities:
• To oversee and update the S.O.S Program's Resource Directory with current information and new service providers and programs.
• To coordinate resource referrals for S.O.S participants in areas such as housing, employment, job training, GED, public benefits, etc.
• Update our Resource Directory with current information and new service providers and programs.
• Report lessons learned and information gathered from meetings with Program Manager.

Qualifications:
• Knowledge of Crown Heights area service providers a plus
• Research experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent people skills
• Ability to work well with diverse populations
• Resourceful and creative
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends
• Bi-lingual skills a plus
• People with knowledge and experience working within an agency that deals with Public Assistance and Housing are preferred

This is a Full-Time AmeriCorps Member position. The Resource Manager will serve 1700 hours in 365 days; receive a living stipend, and an educational stipend.

Americorps Responsibilities
• Serve a minimum of 35 hours per week (for a total of 1,700 hours in 1 year) and occasionally some weekends
• Commit to serve for 1 year from October 1st 2010 – September 30th 2011
• Minimum of High School degree preferred (If you do not have a high school degree you must successfully participate in GED program while in service)
• Must be at least 18 years old by October 1st 2010
• An interest in public service, youth development, law and community volunteerism
• You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien of the U.S.

Benefits
Full time members that successfully complete their year of service will receive:
• An educational grant award of $5,3550
• On the job and supplemental job training
• Living stipend of $11,100
• Free Childcare
• 85% of Corps graduates go on to a full-time job or college!

How to Apply
Send a resume and cover letter by August 30th to crownheightsjobs@gmail.com with the name of the position in the subject line. Please submit your resume as soon as possible.

You must also complete the Juvenile Justice Corps 2010-2011 Application which is available by clicking on the following link:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/34951879/Juvenile-Justice-Corps-2010-2011-Application-1

The Fund for the City of New York is an equal opportunity employer. Diversity gives us strength and depth. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Free local events

2010-07-19T15:36:00.000-04:00

Check out these free events in Crown Heights over the next week! Click to make the flyer bigger or stop into the Mediation Center to pick up a copy.

German Delegation from U.S. State Department Visits Crown Heights

2010-07-15T13:19:00.000-04:00

Last week a German delegation from the U.S. State Department visited the Mediation Center to learn about Crown Heights and the kind of work we do. Project Director Amy Ellenbogen lead the visitors on a tour of Crown Heights and staff members had an opportunity to share some of our current projects. Carmen Ess from the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs stated that the visitors reported that it was the highlight of their entire trip!

New Documents Added to Side Bar

2010-07-15T12:55:00.000-04:00

Two new documents were recently added to the right-hand side bar under documents. Both were produced by the participants in our Leadership Training Institute and have some great information to share.

The first is a resource guide to healthy eating in Crown Heights, which features information about local community supported agriculture groups, farms, educational programs, and other organizations all working toward bringing more healthy food access to Crown Heights. The second document is a cookbook comprised of easy to make, healthy recipes our LTI participants and vendors at our Eat Healthy/Eat Local fair contributed.

Be sure to take a look and download these handy references!

Free events in Crown Heights

2010-07-13T15:47:00.002-04:00

Check out these free local events happening this week! Click to make the flyer bigger or stop into the office to pick one up.

CHCMC alumna on CBS

2010-07-12T12:41:00.001-04:00

Former Avodah Fellow at the Mediation Center Emma Levine recently got a mention in a CBS news video and article about her most recent position at Thurgood Marshall Academy in Washington, D.C., a charter high school that sends 100 percent of its graduates on to college. Emma is the alumni coordinator there. Both the video and article can be seen at the CBS site. Congratulations to Emma!

Updated Reentry Resource Guide

2010-07-12T12:30:00.000-04:00

Recently the Upper Manhattan Reentry Task Force, based at Harlem Community Justice Center, and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office released an updated reentry resource guide for reentrants and their families. Titled, "Coming Home," the guide provides resources for people returning from prison in a number of different areas, including mental health, substance abuse, employment, education, health, legal services.

The guide is accessible in PDF form at the Center for Court Innovation here. For more about reentry in Upper Manhattan, check out the Re-thinking Reentry blog maintained by the Harlem Community Justice Center.

Weeksville Heritage Center Seeks Volunteers

2010-07-02T11:30:00.000-04:00

Weeksville Heritage Center is seeking volunteers for their summer Garden Party series. The Garden Parties are a series of outdoor festivals on four dates in July that feature food, music, and film. Volunteers will help greet and direct visitors, set up for concerts, pass out and collect event surveys, and generally help all around. In exchange, volunteers will receive a voucher for a free tour at Weeksville as well as a behind the scenes look at putting together a non-profit music, film, and food series.

Greeting and directing visitors; gathering information for Weeksville's mailing list; concert set up, passing out and collecting event surveys; assisting with artists, concert producers and sound crew; assist with screening setup. Volunteers will receive a voucher for a free Weeksville tour as well as a behind the scenes look at producing a music, film and food festival.

Garden Parties are every Saturday in July, starting this Saturday July 3rd. For more information on each date, check out Weeksville's online events calendar. To volunteer, contact Erin McMonagle at erin@weeksvillesociety.org or 718-756-5250 x312. Volunteers are needed from 10am-9pm. Shifts are 10am-2pm, 2pm-7pm and 5pm-9pm. Set up 10am-4pm; gates open at 4pm; music begins at 6pm; films begin at 8pm or sundown.

Crown Heights is Cookin' Launch Party a Success

2010-07-02T10:53:00.001-04:00

This week the Mediation Center and Crown Heights Jewish Community Council celebrated the accomplishments of the young women in the Youth Entrepreneurship Program with a graduation ceremony and book launch party for the cookbook they created, Crown Heights is Cookin'. The young women, from diverse backgrounds themselves, interviewed and photographed a diverse group of Crown Heights residents and compiled their recipes and memories about food in this tasty volume. The book is for sale at the Mediation Center and at blurb.com for $25, and the young women share in the profits.

A few of the young women who worked on Crown Heights is Cookin'.

The launch party was well-attended by around fifty community members and others interested in the young women's innovative project. They even attracted News 12 Brooklyn, who did a report on the project. Check it out here and stop into the Mediation Center to purchase your copy of the book!

LTI Holds Eat Healthy/Eat Local Fair

2010-07-01T15:39:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday, St. Johns Place was abuzz with the sights and smells of healthy eating for our Leadership Training Institute's Eat Healthy/Eat Local Fair at St. Gregory's Roman Catholic Church. The fair featured a variety of vendors, including hydroponic gardening from Boswyck Farms, free yoga, pilates, and qi gong classes from Force and Flow Fitness Studio, delicious cooking demonstrations from East New York Farms and Hattie Carthan Community Garden, locally-sourced gourmet sauces and condiments from The Pour Gourmet, and information from the new Central Brooklyn CSA and Lefferts Community Food Coop, and more.

Vendors at Eat Healthy/Eat Local Fair at St. Gregory's Church.

Yonnette Fleming of Hattie Carthan Community Garden leading a cooking demonstration.

Along with all of this great information, our hosts at St. Gregory's added to the fun with a barbecue and moonbounce for kids in the neighborhood. It was a fun and educational day for all!

The Leadership Training Institute produced two documents for the event, a resource guide to healthy eating in the community and a collection of healthy recipes to try at home. Stop by to pick up your copies at the Mediation Center, or download them here. Both are available in the "Documents" section of the sidebar to the right.

Congratulations to the Leadership Training Institute on such an innovative and informative event!

H.E.L.P. Summer Camp for Youth

2010-06-30T14:29:00.000-04:00

The 88th Precinct H.E.L.P. (Helping Encourage Leadership Potential) Program is a free summer camp for young people ages 12-16. H.E.L.P. is currently recruiting youth for its six week program. For more information, contact Youth Officers P.O. Santos or P.O. Pool at 718-636-6569 or check out the 88th Precinct Community Council's website.

End of the Year at Global Studies - Part II

2010-06-30T13:43:00.000-04:00

On Monday June 21, 6th and 7th grade students at the Brooklyn School for Global Studies were honored for their accomplishments over the course of the year.

Among the honorees were nine students recognized for their participation in the middle school Peer Mediation program offered on site by the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center.

During the 2009-2010 school year, the Crown Heights Mediation Center operated a School Justice Center at the Brooklyn School for Global Studies, including Peer Mediation programming for middle school students.

Mediation Center staff provided two Peer Mediation trainings over the course of the year, and supervised weekly meetings where students practied mediation techniques and helped to support each other through personal and academic challenges.

Congratulations to the Global Studies middle school Peer Mediators!

Community Consultation for Brooklyn Drug Policy

2010-06-24T16:57:00.000-04:00

Next Tuesday the New York Academy of Medicine and the Drug Policy Alliance are hosting a community consultation for Brooklyn on drug policy, and community members are invited to attend.

The meeting is part of a series of consultations around the topic of drug policies and their impacts, and they aim to hear personal experiences, barriers, and successes related to drugs and policies in the realm of prevention, treatment, harm reduction, public safety, and criminal justice.

The meeting will take place on June 29th from 6-8pm at St. Francis College (room: Founders Hall) at 180 Remsen St. between Court and Clinton Streets. To RSVP or for more information, contact Tracy Pugh from New York Academy of Medicine at 212-419-3551 or tpugh@nyam.org.

LTI Gears Up for Eat Healthy/Eat Local Fair

2010-06-16T14:39:00.000-04:00

Over the past several weeks, members of our Leadership Training Institute have been working hard to line up vendors and activities for their Eat Healthy/Eat Local Fair on June 26th, in collaboration with the Health Fair at St. Gregory's on that day.

The Eat Healthy/Eat Local portion of the fair will feature a number of resources for accessing healthy, local food in our neighborhood, as well as cooking demonstrations and sample exercise classes. See the flyer below, and come check out the fair on Saturday the 26th from 10:00am-4:00pm.

Eat Healthy/Eat Local Fair June 26th

Mediation Center Honored by Bailey's Cafe

2010-06-11T18:56:00.001-04:00

On Saturday, June 19th Bailey's Cafe, will be hosting Voices of Change, a fundraiser featuring dinner, theater, live music by Michael Hill's Blues Mob, and dancing in honor of Brooklyn Change Makers at the Hattie Carthan Garden from 5:00-9:00 pm. The garden is on Marcy Avenue between Clifton Place and Lafayette Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

The Mediation Center is appreciative to be among this year's list of deserving honorees, which also includes Black Veterans for Social Justice, Dance Theatre Etcetera, Yonnette Fleming, Groundswell Community Mural Project, 651Arts, and Urban Bush Women.

Tickets for the event are $50 and are available at baileyscafe.org.

End of the School Year at Global Studies - Part I

2010-06-11T15:48:00.000-04:00

Today, High School Peer Mediators from the Brooklyn School for Global Studies visited Safe Horizon's Brooklyn Mediation Center. Accompanied by Crown Heights staff person Eleanor Anderson, the students were treated to an exclusive tour by Safe Horizon staff member Rusa Fischer. The students learned about how volunteer mediators are trained, where mediations take place, the most common types of cases, safety measures, and more. Thanks to Rusa and Safe Horizon for a great trip!

The Crown Heights Mediation Center has been operating a School Justice Center at the Brooklyn School for Global Studies since December 2009. The Justice Center houses a variety of activities and programs all coordinated by a Mediation Center staff person who is present on site at the school full time. Today's trip was the culminating activity for the high school Peer Mediation group.

Great Family Day!

2010-06-10T12:15:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday, June 6th, the Mediation Center participated in the 71st Precinct's annual Family Day Picnic. The sky was cloudy, but Hamilton Metz park was full of community members young and old enjoying the rides, hot dogs and burgers. The Mediation Center got in on the fun too, handing out balloons, painting faces and spreading the word about our upcoming programs.

Listen To This: Crown Heights Oral History Project Event

2010-06-04T10:00:00.002-04:00

This Wednesday, the Paul Robeson High School students part of the Crown Heights Oral History Project will showcase their work at a community event at LaunchPad. Over the past several months, the students have interviewed over 45 people who have lived in Crown Heights for over 15 years, and in the process they have learned a great deal about the history of the community and the people who populate it.

The event at LaunchPad will feature a formal listening period, as well as a donation of the interview archives from the project. Students will showcase highlights from the stories they recorded, and some of their interviewees will be on hand to contribute to the story telling.

Listen To This: Crown Heights Oral History Project is in collaboration with the Crow Hill Community Association and sponsored by NYC Grassroots Media Coalition and Super Wings NY.

WHEN/WHERE: Wednesday, June 9th, 7:00 – 8:30pm
Launchpad, 721 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn New York
(Between Park Pl. and Sterling Pl.)

Credentialed members of the press who would like to attend should RSVP to Alex Kelly at 718-228-7928 or CrownHeightsHistory@gmail.com

Family Day Picnic This Weekend

2010-06-03T14:52:00.000-04:00

This Sunday, June 6th the 71st Precinct, the 71st Precinct Community Council, and Health Plus are putting on the annual Family Day Picnic. The event starts at 11:30 am with a parade that starts at New York Avenue and Empire Boulevard and finishes at Hamilton-Metz Park.

The event will feature free kosher and non-kosher food and drinks, as well as horseback riding, entertainments, and rides for children. The Mediation Center will be there with balloons - stop by and say "hi!"

Family Day Picnic Flyer

YEP featured in Daily News

2010-06-03T13:49:00.002-04:00

Youth Entrepreneurship Program, which is nearing the completion of its community cookbook project that will feature stories and recipes from a diverse group of Crown Heights residents, was featured in the Daily News on Tuesday, June 1. The Youth Entrepreneurship Program is a joint project between the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council and the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center, funded by the UJA Federation with technical assistance provided by CAUSE-NY a division of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.

Please help us celebrate the accomplishments of these young women entrepreneurs and and buy a copy of the cookbook at the launch party for the book on Monday, June 28 at 6:30 at the Mediation Center. RSVP by June 21 to Rachel Levy at 718-773-6886, at http://communityuplink.net/rsvpcrownheights.html, or by emailing rsvpcrownheights@gmail.com.

Daily News Yep 6.1.10

Malcom X Fest This Sunday

2010-05-19T11:00:00.000-04:00

This Sunday the Malcom X Grassroots Movement and the Crystal House Project are sponsoring Malcom X Fest from 12pm-5pm at 89 Crystal St. in Brooklyn. Activities will include Self Defense/Anti Police Brutality Training, t-shirt making workshops, children's activities, and DJ Asere mixing Malcom X speeches and hip-hop all day. Bring a potluck dish to share and eat for free.

For more details, contact Kana at 347-265-4484 or healthiswealth21@gmail.com.

NASW-NYC Recognizes Amy Ellenbogen

2010-05-18T10:00:00.001-04:00

The New York Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers recently recognized Project Director Amy Ellenbogen with a Social Work Image Award for her work in community organizing at the Mediation Center.

Other honorees included Martha Adams Sullivan (Chapter Service Award), Patricia Volland (Lifetime Achievement Award), Marlene Rodriguez (Social Work Image Award, Administration), and Juan David Gastolomendo (Social Work Image Award, Direct Practice). The keynote address was given by the President of Medgar Ever College Dr. William Pollard, M.S.W. on the topic of social workers as first responders to human need.

Congratulations to Amy and to all the honorees!

Tools and Resources Men Need for 2010 and Beyond

2010-05-17T10:00:00.002-04:00

Community Board 8 is co-sponsoring an event called Tools and Resources Men Need for 2010 and Beyond on Saturday, June 12th from 12:00-5:00pm. The event will be at Berean Missionary Baptist Church, 1635 Bergen St between Rochester and Utica Aves.

The event will feature a panel discussion, "What I Wish My Father Told Me," with Jitu Weusi, Mark Winston Griffith, Mark Pollard, Esq. and Louis Reyes Rivera. Call 718-467-5620 or 718-467-5574 for more information.

Tools and Resources Men Need for 2010 Event

Citizenship Drive May 26th - Free Assistance to Apply for U.S. Citizenship

2010-05-15T10:00:00.007-04:00

This spring, the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center is offering FREE ASSISTANCE to eligible individuals to complete the U.S. citizenship application.

If you are eligible to apply for citizenship, you will be scheduled to meet with a trained volunteer to fill out the N-400 form and receive information about the additional requirements to complete your application.

The next session is May 26 from 4 pm-8 pm.

To find out if you are eligible, call (718) 773-6886

and ask about the “Citizenship Drive.”

All information will be kept confidential.

This event is sponsored by Council Member Darlene Mealy District 41.

Year Up Taking Applications for September 2010

2010-05-14T14:00:00.000-04:00

Year Up is a program that prepares ambitious young adults ages 18-24 for careers in IT and finance through offering intensive training in these areas while students receive a weekly stipend and college credits. Over five months, students learn technical, financial, and professional skills and then have opportunities to work as information technology or investment operations interns in a corporate setting.

The program is now taking applications on a rolling basis for its September 2010 term, with deadlines June 9th and July 21st. For more information, visit www.yearup.org/apply or visit an open house every Tuesday 1:00pm-4:00pm at 55 Exchange Place, Suite 403, New York, NY. You can also call 212-785-3340 x1338 or email admissionsnyc@yearup.org.

New CB8 Website

2010-05-14T11:00:00.001-04:00

If you haven't already seen the new website of Community Board 8, be sure to check it out here. Along with a great redesign, the website also features employment and community news listings, as well as various resources around the community and a lovely running slide show with pictures of the area.

Upcoming Events at LaunchPad

2010-05-13T14:43:00.000-04:00

LaunchPad, a new creative space located at 721 Franklin Avenue, is dedicated to hosting free events focused on the arts, community programming, technology, and more. The following are some of their fun upcoming events, which are also on their Facebook page. And while you're on Facebook, don't forget to become a fan of the Mediation Center!

Thursday, 5/13 at 8pm, 721: Art Talks (featuring Michael Dalton)
The first of a new series of forums where photographers can showcase their work in front of their peers, neighbors, and the photography community at large.

Saturday, 5/15 at 2pm, Potluck BBQ and Crawfish Boil
LaunchPad is teaming up with Brooklyn Brainery to celebrate spring and their upcoming semester with a Crawish Boil and Barbecue.

Friday, 5/21 at 9:30am, Coworking Day & BBQ
Free wifi, interesting people, fun projects all around. Work inside or outside. After work BBQ starts at 5:30pm.

Friday, 5/28 at 8pm, Dymaxion Quartet
A jazz performance of nine original compositions inspired by Asca S. R. Aull's "Heaven on Earth" photography series.

Food, Inc. Screening Hosted by LTI

2010-05-13T14:03:00.000-04:00

Last week, the Mediation Center's Leadership Training Institute hosted a screening of "Food, Inc." at our office. Throughout their training sessions this year, the group has developed a strong interest in food justice and food activism and are working hard to organize a healthy food fair on June 26th that will educate the community about the benefits of eating healthy, locally, and sustainably.

As a preliminary event the group hosted a screening of the documentary "Food, Inc., " attended by LTI participants, community members, and Mediation Center staff. After watching the film, which exposes some of the darker aspects of the U.S. industrial food system, the group discussed some of the ways to get involved in changing the food system and becoming more aware of the food we put into our bodies every day. Some of the ideas for getting involved in the Brooklyn local food/food justice scene included joining the Brooklyn Food Coalition, joining a Crown Heights Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group, joining a food co-op (Park Slope Food Co-op and Lefferts Farm Food Co-op are two options), and watching other films that document where our food comes from such as "Fresh" and"King Corn."

Keep an eye out for more information about LTI's June 26th healthy food fair soon!

YouthBridge-NY Recruiting Student Leaders

2010-04-27T13:44:00.000-04:00

YouthBridge-NY, a two-year leadership training program for New York City students going into 11th grade, is recruiting for Fall 2010. YouthBridge Fellows come together for monthly skill-building workshops, specialized action committees, meetings with city leaders, while developing relationships with their peers and having fun.

Contact Monica Merlis at mmerlis@jcrcny.org or 212-983-4800 x122 for more information, or visit http://www.youthbridgeny.org/ to download an application. Applications are also available at the Mediation Center, and are due April 30th.

Census Assistance at Assemblyman Camara's Office

2010-04-26T16:57:00.002-04:00

Assemblyman Karim Camara is offering assistance to people filling out the 2010 Census form tomorrow from 10:00am-2:00pm. A Census representative will be on hand to answer any questions and to give forms to people who did not receive them. If you have any questions, definitely stop by Assemblyman Camara's office tomorrow. Get counted! Here are the details:

2010 Census Assistance

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

10:00am-2:00pm

Office of Assemblyman Karim Camara

1216 Union St. (between Nostrand and Rogers Aves.)

Brooklyn, NY 11225

For more information, call 718-771-3105 or click here.