Author: Frank Haberle

New Settlement, a nonprofit organization that aims to break systemic barriers, advance justice, promote leadership and strengthen neighborhoods in the Bronx, today announced the appointment of Leigh Reid as director of development and communications.

“We are thrilled to welcome Leigh and her vast experience to our organization,” said Rigaud Noel, executive director of New Settlement. “With a deep understanding of the New York City nonprofit landscape, we’re confident that Leigh will be an extremely valuable member of our team and look forward to our work together to expand upon our initiatives and deepen our impact across the Bronx.”

As director of development and communications, Ms. Reid will take the lead on developing and implementing fundraising strategies, including establishing an individual giving program, overseeing special events, and providing corporate, government and foundation support. She will also serve as key support for the communications department to ensure New Settlement’s universal language and voice aligns with the organizational values across all internal and external communications.

“I’m honored to be joining New Settlement, an organization that truly listens to its community members and works to meet the everchanging needs of our communities,” said Leigh Reid, director of development and communications at New Settlement. “I look forward to working with this fantastic team to advance the organization’s impactful work in the Bronx.”

Previously, Ms. Reid served as senior director of development and communications at Extreme Kids & Crew, a nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive play spaces and community programs for children with disabilities and their families. In her role, she was responsible for designing the development and communication strategies, including cultivation and solicitation of major gifts.

In 2020, Ms. Reid spearheaded a panel at Extreme Kids & Crew focused on the experience of being Black and disabled. The program received high acclaim from educators, parents and the disabled community, and has also since become an annual advocacy event for the organization.

Ms. Reid holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism and international studies from Pennsylvania State University. She is an alumna of the New York Community Trust Fellowship, and also served as a committee volunteer for the New York City chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

New Settlement Executive Director Rigaud Noel was recognized in the 2022 Crain‘s New York Business 2022 Notable Black Leaders and Executives List. Congratulations Rigaud!

On Wednesday February 9th New Settlement Executive Director Rigaud Noel, Board Member Carol Lamberg and staff leaders were invited to ceremonially ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange–a great honor for New Settlement. And stocks were up that day!

New Settlement Executive Director Rigaud Noel was interviewed by CBS as part of their recent profile on gun violence in The Bronx, here.

New Settlement is excited to announce a new 2-year, $200,000 grant from the New York Community Trust to support our Young Adult Opportunity and create new jobs and new directions for youth of our community. Thanks to Program Director Roderick Jenkins and the Trust for this opportunity for our young people!

On Tuesday, July 13, New Settlement and Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner (D-Bronx, 77^th AD) announced a $150,000 grant from the New York State Department of Labor that will enable the organization’s Young Adult Opportunity Initiative (YAOI) to expand its reach to Bronx youth as they seek employment and educational opportunities.The awarded funds will create employment and educational opportunities for 160 out-of-school, out-of-work youth ages 17-24 in the Southwest Bronx-Mount Eden community, and serve 150 alumni in 2021. Ninety of these youth will be placed directly in permanent jobs and/or internships.

New Settlement commemorated the expansion during a special ceremony at its YAOI Center in the Bronx with Assemblywoman Joyner, YAOI participants and alumni. “Enhancing skills and expanding opportunities, New Settlement’s Young Adult Opportunity Initiative is preparing Bronxites for the highly competitive job market and I am very happy to have secured $150,000 for this valuable program,” Assemblywoman Joyner said.

News 12 Bronx: Local Youth Nonprofit Receives $150K Grant: Money Will Go Toward Youth Workforce Development

More information: New York State Department of Labor Grant Release_FINAL

On April 21st from 6-8 pm, New Settlement will host a virtual Bronx Town Hall meeting where community members can greet and hear from their District 16 City Council candidates, and learn more about New Settlement’s CASA and PAC programs fighting for housing and education justice in our community! To register for the event, visit Town Hall Registration

Youth from New Settlement’s Creative Leaders After School Program are speaking out on rezoning and overdevelopment in our community, as captured in a public service announcement from the CLASP Animation Club; a music video, the Bronx Anthem, and a Bronx Youth March covered by Channel 12 News.

The horrifying and heartbreaking events that took place in Atlanta last week have shaken us all to our core. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident, but part of a rising tide of senseless violence against our Asian-American neighbors and friends. As far away as Atlanta might seem, it is difficult to ignore that this same violence is increasingly prevalent on the streets of New York.

When one group is targeted by violence due to their race—or gender, or sexual orientation–it impacts all of us.  As an Anti-Racist Organization, New Settlement, like our colleague organizations serving communities across the country, is committed to fighting racism and hatred in all its forms. In our community, this is reflected on a day-to-day level in the way we instruct and encourage the children in our programs, in our welcoming program spaces, and in the solidarity of our community meetings and organizing efforts.

New Settlement proudly supports the efforts of Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams to restore New York City’s funding of the Hate Violence Prevention Initiative in the coming budget, and for the expansion of the program to better combat hate and violence that specifically targets the Asian American community. Locally, here in The Bronx, New Settlement stands tall against this rising tide of racism. Senseless violence and hatred are never the answer. Justice and peace must always be the answer.