ATTENTION: Federal Disaster Aid Available in BK (NYC)

Some Brooklyn organizations are eligible to receive disaster aid related to Hurricane Irene damages.

Government and some nonprofits. Some nonprofits in Brooklyn (as well as Bronx, Nassau, New York, Queens, Rockland, Suffolk, Westchester) counties can receive partial reimbursement for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Irene.
The federal assistance is for the reimbursement (up to 75%) of covered and documented expenses. You don't have to wait to begin your repairs, just keep a careful record of your outlays.

If you think that you, your business or your organization are eligible, begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362).

Updated Information from NYT's Cityroom here.

CMs James, Lander, and Van Bramer Award NYC Cultural Institutions, Joined By Actor/Activist Ed Norton

New York City Councilmembers Letitia James, Brad Lander, and Jimmy Van Bramer were joined at today's Stated Council meeting by two-time Academy Award-nominated actor Edward Norton to recognize this year’s NYC-based National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award winners.

Heart of Brooklyn and Global Action Project, are two of just fifteen organizations nationwide to receive this prestigious annual award from the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH). This award is the nation’s highest honor for outstanding after-school arts and humanities programs, particularly those that reach underserved children and youth. The awards were presented by First Lady and Honorary Chairperson Michelle Obama on October 20th at the White House, and Committee Member Ed Norton joined the New York City Council in recognizing these two outstanding organizations.

Photo Credit: William Alatriste, New York City Council

Watch FL Michelle Obama Award BCAP on Behalf of President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities

Watch Brooklyn Cultural Adventures Program (BCAP) get awarded by First Lady Michelle Obama as one of the best youth arts programs in the country. The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award is the highest honor out-of-school youth arts programs can receive in the United States. Read more here.

BCAP Awarded by President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities; Honored by First Lady

First Lady Michelle Obama Honors Heart of Brooklyn’s BCAP Initiative; One of 15 Youth Programs Awarded Nationwide

First Lady Michelle Obama will recognize Brooklyn Cultural Adventures Program (BCAP), the youth education program that gave rise to the award-winning Heart of Brooklyn cultural partnership, with a prestigious National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Award at a White House ceremony on Wednesday, October 20. Heart of Brooklyn Director Ellen F. Salpeter and BCAP Summer Camp Adventurer Jamell Allen-Thomas will accept the award on behalf of the thousands of children served by BCAP since 1998.

Selected from a pool of more than 400 nominations, BCAP is one of 15 after-school and out-of-school programs across the country to be presented with a 2010 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award (formerly, the Coming Up Taller Award- BCAP also was named a 2009 semi-finalist for the Coming Up Taller Award) from Mrs. Obama. The award is the highest honor such programs can receive in the United States. BCAP is one of two New York City-based organizations to be recognized at the ceremony, along with youth media organization Global Action Project.

The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards are administered by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH), in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). With the award, Heart of Brooklyn will also receive $10,000 to support its engaging programming that weaves connections between art, world culture, literature, history, nature and science.

The Awards Ceremony will be streamed live at www.whitehouse.gov/live at 11am, EST.

Learn more about BCAP’s innovative programming and the Heart of Brooklyn cultural partnership by visiting www.heartofbrooklyn.org/bcap.

NYS Wins Race To The Top Funding!

New York State is among the winners in the Obama administration's Race to the Top Phase II program, awarding $696,646,000 in new education grants for the state. In the midst of these harsh economic times, this funding will ensure that New York's children are provided a better opportunity and improved access to quality education.

The Race to the Top state competition is funded by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is designed to reward states that are leading the way in comprehensive, coherent, statewide education reform across four key areas:

- Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace;
- Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals how to improve instruction;
- Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and
- Turning around their lowest-performing schools.

This victory can be credited in part to the major education reforms recently enacted by the New York State legislators. Yet, without the commitment of President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan in recognizing that New York State is worthy of these vital dollars, we would be without this essential investment for our children's future. This is truly great news for families across the state!

Happy Birthday Mr. President!

Dear President Barack Obama:

Happy 49th Birthday to you Leo! It is a pleasure to send you birthday wishes on behalf of the New York City Council and the 35th Council District in Brooklyn, New York.

Congratulations on another successful trip around the sun. The community appreciates your outstanding service as President during these past 18 months. Thanks for always doing your best, for saving our economy, and for remembering the common man. It is miraculous that your work with Congress has helped to pass positive bills (including the healthcare law, and student loan reform).

And, I’m sure you’ve been told that the new grays in your hair make you look even more distinguished. May God continue to keep and bless you now and forever Mr. President!

Warmest regards,

Letitia James
Member of City Council

CM James and Peace Advocates Call On Military Cuts To Fund Citywide Budget Deficit, Human Needs

On April 15, 2010, Council Member Letitia James joined peace and hunger advocates from Brooklyn for Peace, Westside Campaign Against Hunger, and the Hunger Action Network of New York State to call for military cuts to fund the Citywide budget deficit and human needs.

Council Member Letitia James joined advocacy groups on the steps of City Hall on Thursday, April 15, 2010 to announce the upcoming introduction of a Council resolution urging the United State Congress to cut the military budget to help solve the City budget deficit and other urgent human needs such as affordable housing (including Section 8 vouchers), child nutrition programs, job training and development, and education program.

Joining Council Member James at the news conference were Mark Dunlea of the Hunger Action Network of NYS; Doreen Wohl of the Westside Campaign Against Hunger, Christy Robb of Hour Children, and Brooklyn Peace Coalition.

New York City is presently facing a $4.9 billion budget deficit. To resolve the deficit, the Mayor has proposed draconian cuts to essential city services and jobs. The Council resolution will urge the state's Congressional delegation to see cuts in the record military budget proposed by President Obama to provide funding to state and local governments to deal with the massive budget deficits throughout the country.

The resolution also asks that military spending be transferred to support job creation, affordable housing, anti-hunger programs, environmental protection, education and other essential human needs. For instance, anti-hunger groups and Senator Gillibrand are seeking an additional $4 billion annually in funding as part of the reauthorization of the various federal child nutrition programs (e.g., school and summer meals, WIC). The Senate Agriculture Committee, however, is proposing only a $450 million increase.

The City recently announced that in addition to rescinding 2,600 Section 8 housing vouchers it had promised low-income cuts, the lack of federal funds may require it to cut off 10,000 existing families receiving federal section 8 housing assistance. Advocacy groups note that New York taxpayers have paid $81.4 billion just for Iraq and Afghanistan war spending since 2001. According to the National Priorities Project, taxpayers in New York will pay $63.2 billion for Total Defense Spending in FY2010.

For more information on this issue, please call the Office of Council Member Letitia James at (212) 788-7081.