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.
Category: Uncategorized
New Settlement Condemns Anti-Asian Violence and Demands Restoration of the Hate Violence Prevention Initiative
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.
New Settlement Celebrates Announcement of Meisha Ross Porter, a Champion of Bronx Youth, as New York City Schools Chancellor
New Settlement celebrates the announcement of Meisha Ross Porter as the New York City Schools Chancellor. Chancellor Porter, who has served the children of the Bronx as a teacher, then Principal, then Superintendent before becoming Bronx Executive Superintendent, is a product of New York City Public Schools and has dedicated her life to fighting for equity, strong leadership and collaboration in our schools and communities. She is the first African American woman to lead the New York City Department of Education. Having worked her way up through the ranks of NYCDOE, Chancellor Porter brings a great awareness of the challenges city schools face, and uniquely positioned to lead our schools, in the Bronx and across the city, into the future.
“Chancellor Porter is the right person, at the right time, to lead our school system as we bring our youth and families back from the Covid-19 crisis. We are extremely excited about her appointment. This is a tremendous opportunity to build stronger, safer and more equitable public schools, here in The Bronx and across the City,” said New Settlement Executive Director Rigaud Noel.
Chancellor Porter has worked with New Settlement’s parent organizing arm, the Parent Action Committee, to start the Bronx Borough Equity & Access Team – the first Boroughwide Equity Space in New York City. She has been a strong advocate for implementing restorative justice programs and healing centers for our schools as a proven, positive alternative to punitive disciplinary structures.
Chauncy Young, Director of PAC, worked closely with Chancellor Porter when she was Executive Bronx Superintendent to empower parents to lead the fight for safer schools. “Meisha set the expectations for the first Boroughwide commitment to school-based equity teams. She has brought energy and resources from the DOE into this work. We are hopeful that her commitment to work with us to support youth and families will continue.”
In addition to PAC, Chancellor Porter has also been a strong advocate for College Access and Success Initiatives, including New Settlement’s College Access Center program on Walton Avenue and on Taft Educational Campus. New Settlement has been a part of a four-year campaign to get the DOE to support Student Success Centers/increased college access supports at DOE Schools. To learn more about Chancellor Porter, please visit:
https://bronx.news12.com/learn-more-about-the-next-new-york-city-schools-chancellor-meisha-porter
Vote for Youth Leaders at New Settlement’s Student Success Center!
New Settlement’s Youth-Led Student Success Center at Taft Educational Campus is a finalist in the NYC Civic Engagement Commission’s ‘It’s Your Money’ competition! If you are between 9 and 24 years of age, please consider voting for our program and for other excellent youth-led programs operating around the city! To learn more, register and vote, please visit https://www.participate.nyc.gov/
Channel 12 News-Bronx Highlights New Settlement Partnership With Global Humanitaria
In December, New Settlement partnered with International nonprofit Global Humanitarian to distribute 500 food packages and toys to families of our community, and school supplies to 600 children in our after school programs. The event was highlighted on Channel 12 News-Bronx.
Allison Palmer is now New Settlement’s Associate Executive Director!
Allison Palmer, who has been the founding director of New Settlement’s College Access and Success Initiatives for the past two decades, has been promoted as New Settlement’s first Associate Executive Director! In her new role Allison will work closely with incoming Executive Director Rigaud Noel to manage and develop programs, create systems and policies for efficiency & efficacy, and build infrastructure to deepen our work and ensure high program quality. Congratulations Allison!
New Settlement Welcomes Executive Director Rigaud Noel!
This December New Settlement was excited to welcome our new Executive Director, Rigaud Noel, to our community! Rigaud comes to New Settlement with a strong track record in providing children, youth and families opportunities for educational and career advancement to help them succeed in school, work and life. Over the last 20 years, he has served in senior management and executive positions at various non-profits across New York City. Most recently, Rigaud served as Chief Partnership Officer at New York Edge, one of the largest after-school providers in New York State. During his tenure, he was able to secure over $6 million in new funding, establish new partnerships with schools, colleges/ universities and community based organizations, as well as successfully serve as a steering committee member with the board of directors, assisting in the completion of a three year strategic plan. We are excited to work with Rigaud as we look to forge new partnerships, broaden our advocacy efforts, enhance our services and increase our support to families in the Mt. Eden community.
Thank You, Jack Doyle!
In December, after 25 years of service to New Settlement and the Mount Eden community, Jack Doyle retired from New Settlement. Jack’s kindness and warmth, his incomparable work ethic and his relentless commitment to making Mount Eden a happier, healthier and safer place for children and families remain with all of us—in our community center and program offices, in our affiliated residential communities, and on the streets and sidewalks of Mount Eden. A parting video tribute to Jack can be found here: Jack Doyle – 25 Years at New Settlement Apartments on Vimeo
COVID-19 Update
A Note from our Executive Director
Dear Friends,
The COVID 19 epidemic and its economic impact have created unprecedented challenges for families across our country, but are especially impactful on more modest income communities like Mount Eden and surrounding neighborhoods of the Southwest Bronx. During this time, New Settlement is more committed than ever to our mission:
“Grounded in our commitment to affordable housing and a thriving neighborhood, New Settlement collaborates with community residents and develops partnerships to create services and opportunities that celebrate the inherent dignity and potential of individuals and families.”
While the current stay-in-place order has required that we physically close a number of our programs (including our community center, after-school programs, and workforce development programs) please understand that we are here to help our community members through this challenging time. I am especially grateful for our staff who continue working remotely, often with children and families of their own to attend to, to bring a wealth of resources into our program participants and their families. They have been reaching out to families enrolled in every one of our programs to check in, see if they have emergency needs and provide them with information on short-term and long-term plans to keep our programs running.
If you are a current or past participant of a New Settlement Program and you need anything-emergency funding or food, connections to services, or simply someone to talk to-please reach out to our staff members, listed on the program pages of this website, for their guidance. Because we are working for the most part remotely, we may have to get back to you, but we will do so as quickly as possible. We are here to help you, your family and this community get through this—and we are going to get through it together!
Thank you and best wishes for the health and wellness of your family.
Jack
Here are some resources that are available to our community. This list will be regularly updated.
- New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer’s Office has put together a website linking people to a range of resources and services available to New Yorkers in need during this crisis. Learn more here.
- Another key resource that may help you immediately is food assistance. Here is information about the New York City Department of Education’s Meals program which is free, offered at many of our community’s schools, and open to anyone who needs food during this time. Learn more here.
- New Settlement’s College Access Center has developed a COVID-19 resource page that guides families to a wealth of resources in our community, from guidance and counseling to emergency meals. See the resources here.
- New Settlement’s Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA) is a group of neighborhood tenants organizing to prevent landlord harassment and protect the legal rights of tenants. Currently , CASA is working with City wide coalitions to fight for a three month rent freeze. For information on how to get involved—and/or if you are facing landlord eviction or harassment—please visit their website.
- New Settlement’s 5 After School Programs have been collaborating to develop on-line after-school resources that are educational, engaging and fun—and they are free and available for all families. An example can be found here.
Discretionary Funding from the New York City Council
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.
