Brooklyn Jubilee Serving Haitian Immigrants in Flatbush
In a borough as big and diverse as Brooklyn, we have to understand our clients, their cultures, and their communities to serve effectively. We turn to community partners who love their neighborhoods and know them well, like the Flatbush Development Corporation, who serves the Haitian population in Flatbush. In the wake of the crisis in Haiti, we together served Haitians in New York with immigration questions, in partnership with Church World Service and the United Methodist Committee on Relief. We are exploring ways for this coalition to continue serving Haitian immigrants holistically throughout the coming year.
Brooklyn Jubilee Blog
Brooklyn Jubilee Executive Director has started writing a blog to share news of the ministry. Check here for intriguing stories about our clients, partner organizations and the tornado of cultures we call Brooklyn. The blog is presently hosted at WordPress.com, but will hopefully be moved directly to our site in the spring.
Brooklyn Jubilee Serves at New Site in Bay Ridge
In March 2009, Brooklyn Jubilee began partnering with the Brooklyn Arab American Friendship Center in Bay Ridge, teaching students about their rights to housing and better access to food through the food stamps program. At the Brooklyn Arab American Friendship Center, women in the Arab-speaking community attend English classes, and also receive assistance with translation and citizenship papers. If you would like to volunteer with us in Bay Ridge, please contact us at volunteer@brooklynjubilee.org, or complete a volunteer submission form.
Brooklyn Jubilee Serves at New Site in Brighton Beach
Brooklyn Jubilee began serving the Russian-speaking community in Brighton Beach in March 2009. Brooklyn Jubilee volunteers meet with Brighton Beach tenants to answer their questions at the Russian Community Life Center, a Christian organization providing English classes, sewing, citizenship, computer and Hebrew, and other programs to thousands of immigrants. If you would like to volunteer with Brooklyn Jubilee in Brighton Beach, please contact us at volunteer@brooklynjubilee.org, or fill in a volunteer submission form.
More New York City Children Rely on Food Pantries
Even before the financial crisis of 2008, New York City children relied on food pantries for help in increasing numbers. The Food Bank of New York City reports that more than 1 out of 5 children in New York City turns to a food pantry to help, an increase of nearly 50% from 2004 to 2007.
Would you like to receive the Brooklyn Jubilee newsletter?
If you'd like to receive our newsletter by postal mail or e-mail, you can sign up here.
Brooklyn Jubilee Executive Director Joins FAC Board
In September 2007, Brooklyn Jubilee's Executive Director Sandhya Reju was voted onto the Board of Directors of the Fifth Avenue Committee. For over 30 years, the Fifth Avenue Committee has been a serving our community. FAC is a major developer of affordable housing throughout South Brooklyn, and provides numerous other services including job training, reading classes, and advocacy for low-income tenants and workers. We are excited to have such a key role in FAC's leadership in 2008, which is a year of strategic planning for FAC. To learn more about the Fifth Avenue Committee, you can visit their website at www.fifthave.org.