Vol.9│2017 BROOKLYN, NY & LIBERIA, W. AFRICA

IMANI HOUSE ON THE FRONT LINES OF YOUTH AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING

IMANI HOUSE, INC. │ 76-A Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217 │ 718 638 2059 │ www.imanihouse.org

Imani House is the proud recipient of a $16,000 Partic-ipatory Budget grant through the District 39 office of Brad Landers. The competition was fierce for the Expense Budget grants. Community members voted for their favorite groups. Of the 7 winners, Imani House received the most votes. This grant will allow IHI an overall tech upgrade, to

replace our 12 year old systems. This will improve our ability to provide pro-grams to the women, chil-dren and immigrant families we serve.

Imani House Award

Tops the PBNYC Budget

This year, Imani House’s Executive and Advisory Boards remained busy with activities aimed at prepara-tion for the long-term sus-tainability of our 33 year old organization. After welcom-ing two new members to the board (Kim Brandon and Elisabeth Brodbeck), the group embarked on strategic planning for 2017 and be-yond. A grant through the “The Community of Color

Sustainability Program” fo-cused our efforts on board development, capacity build-ing and fundraising. The consulting firms of Cause Effective, and The Support Center for Nonprofit Manage-ment provided the TA. The BOD participated in a series of meetings, including a board retreat, at BK9, to strategize on board recruit-ment, fundraising and other priorities for Imani House.

Imani House Looks to Future

WINS Capacity Building

Award

IMANI HOUSE Hosts the9th Annual Virtual Fundraiser

Mother & Child —Receive Treatment at IHI JahTondo Town Clinic — 26 Years Old And Going

Setting the Example, Liberian Mother Reads & Writes – IHI Adult Literacy

Mastering Archery with Coach Brown

Tiny Artist Do Grow In Brooklyn

“Big Belly Day” (Prenatal) at Imani House’s JTD Maternal and Child Care Clinic

Performance Arts Recital Students PS 282

Imani House Unveils Liberian Womens’ Health Project

Read more

on Page 2!

Imani House Ambulance On Emergency Standby in Liberia

Student Artist Painting PS150 Mural Project

Reading’s More Fun When Shared With Friends

Council Member Brad Landers Informs IHI ED Of Tech Grant Upgrade for Immigrant Families

Adam Zaremburg - Leading The Campaign for IHI

The IHI Board Of Directors Greg Cohen & Kim Mitchell Consultants

Summer Fun Days at Camp Imani 2017

IMANI HOUSE, INC. │ 76-A Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217 │ 718 638 2059 │ www.imanihouse.org

In collaboration with Proliteracy (a major U.S. based Adult Literacy Org.) Imani House created the Liberian Women's Health Manual. Its 63 pages focus on building healthy, happy families through Health, Sanitation, Nutrition and Human Rights. The manual emphasizes community engagement, self-empowerment and im-proved health practices. We will instruct over 500 women and girls over the next year and clean or install latrines and wells where needed.

**PLEASE CONSIDER CONTRIBUTING**

Ms. Rebecca Flor is 54 years old. She began coming to the Imani House Adult Literacy program in 2002, but had to stop several times because of family com-mitments, and illness. This is what Ms. Flor has to say about IHI’s literacy program in Liberia:

“I feel very happy about Imani House School, it make me to be somebody now. I can read and write some-thing I not know before. I get plenty things from Imani House. I can now see letter and know it. Even numbers. When I carry my grandchildren to hospital, I can spell their names and even read the card num-ber …I never go to school because my father told me

that my husband will take my problem. Imani House make me to know the difference between people who not go to school and people who go to school …when you go to school, you can know wrong from right. Right now I can write my own name in my church and in community meeting and anywhere. Imani House made me happy and I will never forget about Imani House. Rebecca Flor - Level 3 Student (2nd or 3rd grade reading level)

IHI CLINIC BRINGS COMFORT

AND CARE TO A MOTHER AND CHILD

When Mrs. Mamie Theo brought her child in who was suffering with a high fever, vomiting and malaise to the Clinic, we asked her why she came to the Imani House clinic. She had this to say:

“ (My baby) get hard fever, whole day vomiting, and jerking. He was getting too weak. Da how my sister bring us here (she say) the people (IHI Health workers) look after her good. ...The doctor bathed him with cold water and gave him some tablet for the fever and vomiting to come down. I was happy. It make me know that my baby will be alright be-cause the doctor here are good. Thank you again for my baby.” The IHI Clinic turns 25 this year. Our staff treat over 14,000 mothers and children annually for malaria, dysentery, wounds, respiratory illnesses, immunization, pre and post natal care, health education and more.

There are many mothers in rural areas in need of health care that we want to reach *PLEASE HELP US REACH OUR $50,000 GOAL**

REBECCA’S LITERACY SUCCESS STORY

Mrs. Mamie Theo, Mother

Baby Feels Better After Treatment

Proud Students and Their Families Celebrate their Graduation

Imani House Literacy Class—56% of Liberia’s Women Cannot Read or Write

Mothers & Fathers Participate in Learning Better Health and Sanitation Practices as Taught Through The New IHI Liberian Womens’ Health Manual

The Imani House Adult Literacy Program has provided free literacy

classes for Liberian Marketing Women in several locations for

over 28 years

IMPROVING HEALTH THROUGH

SELF EMPOWERMENT & LITERACY For over 25 years, IHI’s

Health Clinic has provided comprehensive health

services to over 321,000 people in the area of

JahTondo Town, Brewerville, Lberia

THE WOMEN OF COLOR (WOC) WRITERS’ COMMUNITY

WOC Writers turns 20 this year. It’s Mission to “Nurture and build the creative confidence of

women writers.” More information Call 347 210 8026 or visit

www.WOCWriters.com

IMANI HOUSE, INC. │ 76-A Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217 │ 718 638 2059 │ www.imanihouse.org

An Adult Literacy Star!

A Mural Comes Alive at IHI PS150 After School When Mark Loyka, head of Glasswing International—based out of El Salvador, contacted IHI to provide our PS150 stu-dents the chance to paint a mural, we moved quickly. Within 2 weeks he created the design, brought in volunteers from Unicomer, and worked with our staff and the children to create a beautiful mural for the school. THANKS SO MUCH MARK!!

Kim Brandon Author Reads at “Write to Read”- Greenlight Bookstore

Creating Art Projects with Friends

Irlanda Padilla and Daughter

A Visit from Scientist Dr. Ideraabdullah

Univ. NC Chapel Hill

Studying Animal Habitats

Park Slope EMTs Teach CPR Higher Levin Steel Pan

Entertained and delighted

Unicomer Volunteers and Sister Bisi Oversee Mural

Mural Painting Teamwork

Imani House is an Outstanding After-School “Walk-to-Live 2017” A Parent, Child, Health, Fitness, Fun Family Event

*SAVE THE DATE FOR 2018—SAT. JUNE 2*

SPECIAL THANKS to SUPPORTERS Council Member Laurie Cumbo & Nancy Sands

The IHI NY Adult Education program is 20 years old. Our free classes are held at the Hanson Place UMC Church

**PLEASE CONSIDER CONTRIBUTING**

Women like Irlanda Padillla are the reason Imani House has for over 20 years provided free one-on-one and small group Adult Literacy/ESOL/GED classes. After Irlanda failed the writing portion of the GED test twice, she enrolled in our GED program. Jackie L., the only literacy paid staff, leads hundreds of volunteer tutors and students each year. Ms. Padilla has this to say:

“I am from Ecuador. … when I came (here) … my mind (was) full of dreams. …When my dreams started to fade. I was feeling hopeless and alone. …I enrolled in College to get my GED. …I passed all (of the GED test) except writing (I failed twice). … I called many programs and I found Imani House. …soon …I finally passed. …I was so happy. I knew I want(ed) to go forward. I also knew my limitations being (a) single mother and immigrant. Jackie (also) helped me…to prepare for the placement test in college. I almost finish(ed) the semester and I am sure I will be going forward until (I) get my (4 year) degree. “ - Irlanda Padilla

Council Member Laurie Cumbo and IHI ED

Award Winning Archery Students

Strategizing the Next Chess Move

Storytelling time at PS 282

Mark Loyka of Glasswing Intl. Helping Plan Mural

Proud Students of PS 150 Show Off Their New Mural

Getting Our Dance On at Walk to Live 2016

A Parent Applauds Imani House... Since 1997, Imani House has been providing year round performing arts, athletics, music and academic youth development programs to thousands of inner-city children. Professional instructors teach dance, music, ar-chery, chess, and more, while our staff provides art, homework help, free dinner, and guidance. Kimberly Usher, a parent has this to say:

Dear Mrs. Ideraabdullah: “I'm writing … to express … how fantastic Imani House is and how grateful I am that my son … has been in the program since Kindergarten… As a single mother of 3 children, living from check to check, it is a blessing … Imani House is ...like family. I don’t have to worry about my son having a meal … not getting help with homework … not having interaction with kids his age (or him) doing fun learning activities … He has all of that at Imani House… You and your team do an excellent job and I commend you for your service to the community.” Kimberly Usher, parent

IMANI HOUSE, Inc.

76-A Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217 Telephone: (718) 638-2059 | (718) 638-2165 | Fax: (718) 789-1094 Website: www.imanihouse.org

IMANI HOUSE, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) Tax Exempt Community Development Organization

IMANI HOUSE PROGRAMS Brooklyn, NY

• Free After-School Programs Performing Arts, Athletics and Enrichment Programming

• Free Summer Camp—7 Weeks

• Adult Education Programs Literacy, GED (HSE), ESOL

• “Walk-to-Live” Annual Parent Child Health Fair and Walkathon

• Women of Color Writers’ Work-shops, Readings, Special Classes

• Information & Referral Services

Liberia, West Africa • Full Service Maternal & Child Health

Care Clinic

• Mobilized Health Care / Ambulance Services

• Adult Education for Marketing Women (Literacy/Math)

• Women & Family Health Education

• Latrine and Well Installations—as funding is available

• Vocational Skills Training—as funding is available

**THANK YOU** YOUR CONTRIBUTION MEANS A

LOT TO IHI AND THOSE WE SERVE

“To assist marginalized youth, families and immigrants to create viable neighborhoods, where residents are decision

makers who take responsibility for the improvement of their lives and surroundings”

IMANI HOUSE believes that anyone can succeed with moti-vation and access to appropriate skills, information and

Health Checkups for Baby Ready Set Go—IHI “Walk to Live”

Adult Literacy is a Human Right IHI Teaches Hundreds of Women

Walk to Live—Focusing on Fruit

NYC Dept. of Youth & Devel.

Communities of Color Nonprofit Sustainability Fund

Nancy Sands Councilman Brad Landers

The Ideraabdullah Family Community Church of NY Unitarian Universalist Proliteracy Worldwide

NY State Council on the Arts BNY Mellon Consolidated Edison Councilwoman Laurie bo Charles & Patricia Ananaba Everlena Davis Richard Dean Karen Volk Joseph & Anne Taranto Carney A. Christine Astoria Bank Folami Ideraabdullah Lucy Adams Park Slope 5th Ave BID Elizabeth Schnee Robert & Shirley Bachini Sue Harris Jacqueline Volant

Timothy Randall Lauren Pierce Evan Hill Linda crofts Ross Miranti Alexander Pelan Racquel Ritch Irina Papkov Almedia Knight Elizabeth Schnee M&T Charitable Steven Flax Nicole Madison Arturo Lindsay Khisha Jarrett Faith Barclay Haley Schwartz Karen Marbury Kim Strauss Emily Albrillo Theodore Wiggin Harriett Barlow Jimmye Whitfield Bright Funds Foundation Irina Papcove Bella Gordon

Executive Director, CEO Bisi Ideraabdullah

Board of Directors Oma Holloway—Chair

Judy Marksman—Treasurer Nicole Madison—Acting Secretary

Mary R. Zigbou—Member Mahmoud Idera-Abdullah—

Member

Advisory Board Kim Brandon, Elisabeth Brodbeck,

Soraya Housey, Faith Barclay

Liberian Steering Committee Arthur Tucker, Patricia Ananaba,

Badiatu Dukuly Gloria Hage, Della Holden

Newsletter Contributors &

Design Jessica Palomo —Trisha Usher C. Wiah James Phillip Taiwo—

Mahmoud IderaAbdullah Bisi Ideraabdullah

And Other Donors and Volunteers Like You

Giving Thanks, Giving Back 9th ANNUAL VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER

Tax Deductible Donation Payment Options

(You will be contacted)

Check #:____________ Amount: $____________

Please Mail this form with your donation to: Imani House, 76-A Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Email: imani@Imanihouse.org ~ www.IMANI HOUSE.ORG ~ Tel: 718 638 2059 ~ FAX: 718 789 1094

IMANI HOUSE, Inc® is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Community Development Organization All Donations Are Tax Deductible

Dear Friends of Imani House:

Thanks for your generosity & partnership in supporting the work of our staff and volunteers who make our world a little better place for so many.F In times of turmoil people often join in to find solutions. When our Brooklyn office was in jeopardy of eviction a year ago, over 13,000 people across the globe jumped in and said “No” saving our 25 year old location. Please join hands and help Imani House reach our modest $50,000 goal during this the Season of Thanks and Giving. The little wealth we each possess, and share of, can make a big difference. IHI is fiscally unique managing our budget through emerging leadership staff, volunteers, and careful spending. Nothing is wasted.

For over 33 years Imani House staff and our corps of volunteers have been on the frontlines in Brooklyn, the founder’s birthplace, and Liberia W. Africa. Our NY food pantry, which began in 1997, fed thousands of Brooklyn’s homeless, families, and elderly for over 14 years. IHI’s free adult education program has taught immigrants English, basis literacy, and GED prep. for almost 20 years. Given the critical needs for positive youth development, IHI began after-school performing arts, athletics, academics and summer camp programming in 1999.

Our Liberian programs have operated without pause since 1985. During the 13 year civil war, IHI Brooklyn collected foods, medicines and toys and sent shipments to Liberia. The IHI Clinic, which began in 1991 in a donated tent, now has two facilities to provide health care to over 14,000 women and children each year. It didn’t close even during the devastating Ebola crisis. With a 56% non-literate rate among women, our Adult Education and Health Literacy programs provide classes to marketing women. NEW…This year we created “The Liberian Women’s Health Manual” in order to teach improved methods of health, sanitation, nutrition and human rights. Please enjoy our Newsletter.

*WISHING YOU HAPPY HOLIDAYS* Bisi Ideraabdullah, Executive Director

Name:_______________________________ Email:_________________________________________

Address:______________________________City/State/Zip:____________________Tel:___________

This Special Donation is in Honor of: _______________________________________________

Please Contribute at Your Own Level

[ ] $250 ~ Silver Super Star [ ] $500 ~ Gold Super Star [ ] $5,000 ~ Platinum Super Star

[ ] $ ______Friend of IMANI HOUSE [ ] $_______ My Pledge

**No Donation is too Small** No

I Would Be Honored to Be a Part of

Giving Thanks, Giving Back Please Accept My Contribution In Support of The Important IHI Youth & Family Service Programs

Please Apply My Contribution to Support the Following:

[ ] NY Program ~ Adult Education – ESOL/Literacy/GED

[ ] NY Program ~ After-school Youth – Performing Arts/Academics

[ ] NY Program ~ The Women of Color Writers’ Workshops

[ ] Liberia Programs ~ Maternal and Child Health Care Clinic

[ ] Liberia Programs ~ Adult Literacy for Market Women / Health Educ.

[ ] Please Apply My Donation to all Imani House Programs

[ ] I would like to know more about volunteer ing with IHI