ATTENTION: Cumberland D&TC Hosting Free Dental Screenings; 2/22; FG

In Celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, Cumberland Diagnostic and Treatment Center will be hosting a FREE Dental Screenings for Children on Wednesday, February 22, 2012--

Screening visit includes:
-Short visual exam to identify any trouble spots in gums, teeth, and mouth
-Consultation with parents to answer questions; find out how to prevent oral disease and get tips on developing good habits for kids
-Dental goody bag with toothbrush!
-Raffle for a FREE Dental Sealant

WHEN: Wednesday, February 22, 2012
2:00PM to 6:00PM

WHERE: Cumberland Diagnostic & Treatment Center
100 North Portland Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11205

For more information, please call 718-260-4851.

ATTENTION: BCAP Summer Camp

The much-celebrated Brooklyn Cultural Adventures Program (BCAP), an innovative summer program for kids ages 7-12 which gives them the chance to interact with their local environment and community, is currently open for registration.

BCAP Summer Camp is sponsored by Heart of Brooklyn, a unique partnership among six of Brooklyn’s most treasured cultural institutions. All lessons are consistent with New York State Learning Standards and are taught by professional educators. BCAP Summer Camp is licensed by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and is inspected twice yearly.

BCAP's curriculum theme for Summer 2012 is Myths and Magic. The program is offered in three two-week sessions in summer 2012:

• Session 1: July 2 – July 13
• Session 2: July 16 – July 27
• Session 3: July 30 – August 10

Tuition assistance is offered for qualifying families. For more information or to register, see here.

ATTENTION: ART/NY Holiday Toy Drive!

The Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York (ART/NY) is participating in the Brooklyn Borough President's Office Best of Brooklyn Toy Drive.

The organization is accepting donations at their South Oxford Space. They will collect new unwrapped toys suitable for children ages 3 to 10 years of age. There is a box in the first floor lobby for collection. The toys will be picked up on December 5, 2011, and donated to more than 2,500 children from public housing developments, congregations, and social service organizations at the “Best of Brooklyn Holiday Program”.

South Oxford Space is located at 138 S. Oxford Street between Hanson Place and Atlantic Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. If you come to drop off donations, use buzzer number 1.

For more info, you may call 718-398-3078.

ATTENTION: 2nd Annual Franklin Avenue Halloween Parade; 10/30

The 2nd Annual Franklin Avenue Halloween Parade welcomes the community!

WHEN: Sunday, October 30, 2011
3:00PM
WHERE: Walt Shamel Dean North Community Garden
1096-1099 Dean Street
Brooklyn, NY
(parade ends at Crow Hill Community Garden)

Pumpkin painting will be available following the parade. Please contact (917) 838-2421 for more information.

ATTENTION: NFBID Hosts 2011 Children's Fall Festival!

The North Flatbush BID is hosting their 2011 Children's Fall Festival!

WHEN: Saturday, October 29, 2011
12:00noon- 4:00PM

WHERE: 6th Avenue & St. Marks Avenue
(at Triangle Park)

Children will be able to participate in pumpkin carving, face painting, and experience a puppet show!

For more information, contact info@nfbid.com or (718) 783-1685.

ATTENTION: DYCD Young Adult Literacy Program

Mayor Bloomberg Kicks-Off Young Adult Literacy Program as First Component in Young Men’s Initiative

On October 11, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Linda I. Gibbs and Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Jeanne B. Mullgrav announced the expansion of the Young Adult Literacy Program.

The program, developed and administered by DYCD, aims to improve literacy for disconnected youth who read between the fourth and eighth grade level. The Young Adult Literacy Program works to overall strengthen the safety net of services for black and Latino young men who have left high school without a diploma and may not be ready to take the GED exam. The program will receive $3 million over the next three years through the City’s Young Men’s Initiative.

The Program is now fully operational at 17 sites across all five boroughs and will serve nearly 1,000 participants this year. Sony has generously donated more than 1,500 Readers to assist with the City’s literacy effort and partnered with the public libraries to offer program participants free access to library book downloads.

Society for Clinton Hill Hosts 18th Annual Halloween Walk

The Society For Clinton Hill is hosting their 18th Annual HALLOWEEN WALK!

WHEN: Monday, October 31,2011
5:30PM-7:00PM
WHERE: PRATT- CLINTON HILL COMMUNITY GARDEN
(Dekalb Ave./Hall Street)

The walk will take place RAIN or FULL MOON! All costumed trick or treaters up to age 12 are invited! Maps of routes will be provided. Parents much accompany their children.

ATTENTION: NY Association of Black Journalists Hosts "First Take" Journalism Program for HS Students

The New York Association of Black Journalists is now accepting applications for its high school journalism program, FIRST TAKE. Students accepted into the program will learn how to report and produce local stories in multiple media formats from New York City’s top journalists.

The eight-week program meets every Saturday from October 1 through November 12, with an additional eighth session that meets on Sunday, November 20. Students will learn how to write news, how to produce a blog, how to shoot and edit video, and how to produce a televised newscast. Students will also have the opportunity to visit a live newsroom in Manhattan.

The program’s instructors include professionals from ABC News, The Associated Press, The New York Times, the New York Post, the Huffington Post and more. The workshop is hosted by the Journalism & Media Arts Department of Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus.

Applicants should be current high school students from the New York City area who have a strong interest in pursuing journalism careers.

Students who successfully complete the program will receive digital and printed copies of their work to begin building their own work portfolios. Also, each student will be awarded a certificate during a brunch ceremony attended by their parents and the workshop mentors.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

Students who are interested in participating must complete the online application at firsttakenyc.com/apply.

For additional information, students and parents are encouraged to contact: info@firsttakenyc.com

CM James Welcomes the New School Year

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
September 8, 2011

Contact: Simone Hawkins at (212) 788-7081

Council Member Letitia James Welcomes the Start of a New School Year

“Although school year 2011-2012 began one day later than projected, it is still right on time for many parents and too soon for the thousands of students entering their respective schools today.
The New York City Department of Education in conjunction with the United Federation of Teachers has created new curriculum resources for teachers to use this school year, which will profoundly influence student learning. I ask that principals, teachers, and parents continue to partner to ensure their students are align with this new curriculum and on the right track towards post-secondary education and a career they love.

I welcome new principals and teachers to the district and applaud the returning ones. Your efforts to educate our children never go unappreciated and I thank you all for your commitment to the betterment of our youth. Please continue to build parent engagement and student support. Every bit counts.

Get involved, stay focused, and achieve success. I wish all students, families, school faculty and administrators a very happy and successful school year.”

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CM James’ Response To Mayor Bloomberg's Efforts To Bridge Disparities Between Young Black/Latino Men

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
August 4, 2011

Contacts: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191

COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES’ RESPONSE TO MAYOR BLOOMBERG’S EFFORTS TO BRIDGE DISPARITIES BETWEEN YOUNG BLACK AND LATINO MALES AND THEIR PEERS IN NYC

(Brooklyn, NY) Mayor Bloomberg's legacy will be defined by his victories and his failures. One of his major failures can best be illustrated by his lack of investment and focus on issues affecting urban youth. Black and Latino young men represent the most disaffected and disconnected constituency in the City.

Despite repeated warnings by members of the City Council, leaders and organizations… crying out in the wilderness of central Brooklyn and other urban settings urging investment; who for too long have been dependent primarily upon religious and civic volunteers and their individual small donations - the Mayor is finally showing up late to the carnage.

The mountain of disparity has consistently been dangerously trending upward. And unfortunately, the Bloomberg administration’s response has often been short-sighted, and more focused on policing youth. Bloomberg’s stop and-frisk policy has led to the systematic humiliation and harassment of Black and Latino residents who are innocent of any wrongdoing. That response was a band aide approach to deep structural inequities.

I applaud the Mayor; I guess this initiative is better late than never. But, it does appear to look like a major ‘mea culpa’ in the final leg of his term, as he finally turns his attention (and vast wealth) to probably the most marginalized and historically ignored group of individuals, who truly needed it, and could have benefited early on from his philanthropy and administration the most.

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ATTENTION: NYS Sen Adams Sponsors SAFE CHILD CARDS for BK Families

In light of the abduction and murder of 8-year-old Lieby Kletzy, NYS Senator Eric Adams, in partnership with Youth America, will offer an opportunity for parents and children to obtain a free SAFE CHILD CARD on Sunday, July 24, 2011, from 2PM-4PM at the Brooklyn Public Central Library (Youth Wing Program Room).

The SAFE CHILD CARD contains a child’s name, biographical information (e.g. date of birth, height, weight, etc.) and a fingerprint image of both index fingers. The cards can be made in less than two minutes.

Parents and guardians can also choose, if they wish, to store the information in a statewide electronic database. In the event that a child is reported missing, the data can be disseminated to police agencies within minutes, dramatically increasing the possibility of bringing a missing child home unharmed. The storage of information is voluntary and requires a written consent of a parent or legal guardian.

For more information, please contact the Office of NYS Senator Eric Adams at (718) 284-4700.

ATTENTION: PowerPlay Hosts Summer Program for Middle School Girls in FG; Ingersoll Community Center; Deadline 7/7

The "Rising Stars Summer Program" is an exciting six-week program for middle school girls. The program is hosted by PowerPlay NYC, an organization dedicated to educating and empowering girls through sports, teaching life skills and building self-confidence and self-esteem for life. The summer program will include a focus on sports, dance, and life skills.

It will be located at--
Ingersoll Community Center

Dates--
July 11, 2011 through August 18, 2011
Monday through Friday
10AM- 4PM

Lunch and snacks provided for all girls. The registration deadline is Thursday, July 7, 2011. Applications are available at- Ingersoll Community Center (177 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY). Information and orientation session will take place on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 6:30PM at the Ingersoll Community Center.

For more information, call 212-545-0021 or email info@powerplaynyc.org.

ATTENTION: NYPD Youth Police Academy

New York Police Department Community Affairs has announced that the department is starting a YOUTH POLICE ACADEMY that will be open to children who are in school, ages 10-16.

The program will run from Tuesday, July 5, 2011 until Thursday, August 11, 2011. Please call the Office of Council Member Letitia James for more information at (212) 788-7081.

ATTENTION: DOE Alternative Pathways Fair- It's Not Too Late to Graduate!

The NYC Department of Education (DOE) is hosting their Second Annual Alternative Pathways to Graduation Fair, which provides information about Transfer Schools, Young Adult Borough Centers (YABCs) and GED programs. For additional information, please visit their website.

Reminder: Summer Youth Employment Program Deadline: 5/27

This a reminders that the Summer Youth Employment Application Deadline (SYEP) is fast approaching-- May 27, 2011.

SYEP is open to all youth residing in New York City ages 14 to 24.

The portal to complete the application process can be accessed here: https://application.nycsyep.com/, or through the Office of Council Member Letitia James (email teamtish@gmail.com)

ATTENTION: Black Girls Rock, Inc. Host Summer Leadership Camp

BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc. will launch its two-week summer leadership camp for exemplary teenage girls of color from various social, economic, and geographic backgrounds in upstate New York. Participants will be chosen through a strict and highly selective application process. The goal is to foster the participant’s intentional pursuit of excellence, integrity, self-discipline, and collective accountability so that they may be prepared to be sound leaders in academics, public service, and civic engagements.

Teenage girls aged 12-17 are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is June 18, 2011. The application is available here: http://blackgirlsrockinc.com/live/sites/default/files/Summer%20Camp%20Application.pdf

For more information, you can contact the organization at 718-789-ROCK (7625).

ATTENTION: BK Navy Yard Development Corporation Internship Available

Navy Yard Young Adult Summer Program

The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation is again planning its summer program for college-age young adults. The goal of the Summer Young Adult Skills Introduction Program is to place young people directly in private sector work environments and give them the opportunity to learn about the work-place and specific skills needed for certain industries. The program will be for eight weeks, beginning in late June.

Under the program, BNYDC will hire up to 30 qualified college-aged youth to assist with operations, and to provide administrative and clerical help in the offices. Students must be at least 18 years old.

The application may be found here: http://www.brooklynnavyyard.org/jobopp/2010EmploymentApp.pdf. Completed applications may be mailed to summeryouth@brooklynnavyyard.com. THE DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS IS JUNE 3, 2011.

For more information, you may contact (718) 907-5924.

ATTENTION: SYEP Application Available

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides New York City youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with summer employment and educational opportunities. In 2010, the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) employed 35,725 participants and placed them at 5,800 worksites. Participants work in a variety of entry-level jobs at government agencies, hospitals, summer camps, nonprofits, small businesses, law firms, museums, sports enterprises, and retail organizations.

The Summer Youth Employment Program is designed to:

-Emphasize real-world labor expectations;
-Increase awareness of services offered by local community-based organizations;
-Provide opportunities for career instruction, financial literacy training, academic improvement, and social growth.

Those interested may apply here: https://application.nycsyep.com/

ATTENTION: Manhattan DA Sponsors HS Legal Summer Internship Program

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. announces a 2011 Summer Internship Program called "The Legal Bound Program". The program is designed for rising high school juniors and seniors who reside in Manhattan.

Eligible students should send a resume, and an essay explaining their interest in law to:

The New York County District Attorney's Office

Community Affairs Unit

Attention: Ms. Carol Ragsdale

One Hogan Place, Room 824
New York, New York 10013

OR they may email it to:
legalbound@dany.nyc.gov

Applications must be sent by April 29, 2011. Those students asked to interview must bring 2 recommendations.

For more information, contact The Office of Council Member Letitia James at (212) 788-7081 or teamtish@gmail.com

CM James Joins BK Community Service in Opposition To Closure of Duffield Children's Center; 4/12; 5PM; City Hall

Duffield Children's Center is at risk of closing due to the City's proposed budget to cut as many as 16,000 subsidized child care slots.

The April 12, 2011 rally will be an opportunity to influence Mayor Bloomberg before he releases his budget at the end of April, so please join Brooklyn Community Services and other advocates at City Hall to advocate for Duffield Children's Center.

When: Tuesday, April 12th
5:00PM
Where: City Hall Steps
Who: Brooklyn Community Services
Council Member Letitia James

Read more here: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/City-to-Announce-116276129.html