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Prospect Lefferts GardensNeighborhood Association

A Blueprint for ResurgencePresented May 7, 2009

Grace Reformed Church, Brooklyn, NY

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Origins

1968: The Kerner Commission

Report

Our nation is moving toward two

Newark, 1967

Life, 7/28/67 Detroit, 1967

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1970s

1969: PLGNA is incorporated.

1970: A PLGNA survey documents 300

deteriorating and 300 abandoned buildingsin the neighborhood; United Church ofChrist Community Task Force grants$16,000 (2008=$87,000) for a communityorganizer (Barbara Epstein)

1973: PLGNA becomes involved inlandmark advocacy and legal battle tocombat redlining.

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1970s

1975: Mike Lymanbecomes the secondPLGNA communityorganizer; acquires statefunds for the organization.

PLGNA increases its focuson housing issues.

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1980s

1983: PLGNA has a staff of seven,including a development specialist,housing consultant, and urban housing

specialist; funders include NYS Div. ofHousing and Community Renewal, NYCHPD, Chase Bank.

1986: PLGNA 5 Year Plan introduced;comprehensive low and mid incomehousing package; landlord/tenantadvocacy program; Area Safety Program;PLGNA van provides senior citizen

transportation.

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1990s1990: PLGNA

ExecutiveDirector,Sharman Blake,

outlinessuccesses of 5Year Plan:growingmembership,increasedservices; PLGNAoperates with$185,000

PLGNA Office, 575

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00sDiverse

programming foryouth and seniorsunder director AmyHamilton;

Homegrown Stories

Youth training for Summer Streets

Lance Johnstone at Potluck

Amy Hamilton, Exec. Director

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00s

2005: New bylawsdebated,

membershipgrowing, significantinterest

Sudden departure of

Executive Directorleaves theorganization indisarray

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The Present:

A provocation. Contemporary context

(The latest) Economic crisis provides a remarkable opening for

resurgence of community politics. It is an imperative toacknowledge the challenges faced in our community.

Cities under quiet siege; gentrification is at least as insidious asinstitutionalized racism; systematically dismantles integratedneighborhoods, divides residents.

Urgent need for quality affordable housing - for low and middle

income people - in Prospect Lefferts Gardens and in New YorkCity generally.

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The way forward.

What kind of organization is PLGNA? Whatkind of organization can it be? Should itbe?

Multi-class, multi-race.

Committed to social justice.

Diversity in the service of a unique community.

unitedBusinesses

Tenants

Homeowner

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3 NeedsMission

OutreachMember Action

1 PlanNeighborhood action day and a

picnic in the parkMany Ideas

Lets discuss.