Author: E. James Ford

New Settlement Leadership Transition

Posted on by Jim Ford

After five and a half years as New Settlement’s Executive Director, Rigaud Noel has announced that he is stepping down as of Friday, March 27, in order to attend to family caregiving responsibilities.

In his time at New Settlement, Rigaud oversaw an expansion of New Settlement’s programming, deepened partnerships, and established a food pantry that now serves between 600 and 800 families each month. He also secured a partnership with Grand Street Settlement to bring a Head Start child care program to the Community Center, which will provide top quality early childhood education to 58 children. Additionally, Rigaud guided New Settlement through a full organizational rebranding—culminating in the adoption of our new tagline, Building Equitable Futures, and a refreshed mission statement that reflects our values, aspirations, and the communities we serve. We are so thankful to Rigaud for his leadership.

“I will forever be grateful for my time at New Settlement and for each of you,” said Rigaud Noel, outgoing Executive Director. “Thank you for the incredible memories, the hard work, and the commitment you bring to our community every day. New Settlement is in great hands with Kelly and the New Settlement leadership team.”

Graikelis (“Kelly”) Morales will serve as New Settlement’s Acting Executive Director while we search for an interim and then permanent new Executive Director. Kelly is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Settlement Housing Fund, an affiliate of New Settlement. Kelly has over 30 years of leadership experience at RiseBoro Community Partnership, with a focus on finance, operations, human resources, and New York City community programs, and will be an expert steward of New Settlement as we navigate this transition. Kelly will work closely with Nina Simone Stovel, Associate Executive Director, and the New Settlement executive team and staff.

“I started my career in community service through the DYCD-funded Summer Youth Employment Program at RiseBoro,” said Kelly Morales, Acting Executive Director.“ It is now my privilege to lead New Settlement while we search for long-term leadership. I look forward to working with the incredible staff and partners to ensure New Settlement continues to thrive.”

Chuck Warren, Board Chair of both New Settlement and Settlement Housing Fund, said, “On behalf of the Board, we are deeply grateful to Rigaud Noel for his years of dedicated leadership and service to New Settlement and the New Settlement Community. As we move into this next chapter, we are confident that Graikelis (Kelly) Morales will provide strong, thoughtful leadership as Acting Executive Director, ensuring continuity and stability during this transition.”

Discretionary Funding from the New York City Council

Posted on by Jim Ford

New Settlement Apartments is proud to receive more than $500,000 in new and restored discretionary funding from the New York City Council (including new grants for our Young Women’s Leadership Initiative and YouthBuild)! New Settlement Apartments is especially grateful to City Council Members Cabrera and Gibson, the Bronx Delegation, and our advocacy partners for their help securing this critical funding for programs in our community.

New Settlement Receives 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant

Posted on by Jim Ford

New Settlement Apartments has received a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant from the New York State Department of Education that will enable us to expand our after-school programs, creating 140 new slots at four program sites, and launching our first after school teen program for students in CSMP 327 at the New Settlement Community Campus.

This 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

 

The Mayor of Renewal

Posted on by Jim Ford

New Settlement Jack Doyle was honored by the New York Times as the “Mayor of Renewal” in their article The Real Mayors of New York.

“Part of our role is to serve as a catalyst for change and transformation,” Mr. Doyle explained.

He also brokered a collaborative agreement with the city to build a community center on the former site of a live-poultry business, a tire-repair business, a parking lot and a rubble-strewed lot. The building, which opened last year, includes two public schools that will eventually grow to cover prekindergarten to 12th grade; a special education unit; a swimming pool; a dance studio; an educational green roof; and other features. Its modern, colorful, light-soaked aesthetic inverts the dreary conventions of public school design.

Read the full article here.