Habitat for Humanity, NYCHA Partner in a Brush with Kindness

Volunteers, residents, and representatives of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and Habitat for Humanity gathered on Tuesday at Lafayette Gardens Community Center in Bedford-Stuyvesant for the launch of "Brush With Kindness," an effort to beautify and revitalize public housing spaces. 

"It's really the community center and family focused approach which has brought us here today," said John B. Rhea, NYCHA chairman. "Brush with Kindness demonstrates ownership in a community-oriented way, by using your skills, love and compassion for the community."

Habitat for Humanity is a non profit organization that provides decent and affordable housing to low income families around the world. Through NYCHA's employees group the Haitian American Association, volunteers currently are raising funds needed to assist in the rebuilding of more homes in Haiti.

It has been one year since the devastating earthquake shook Haiti.  Over 1 million displaced residents live  in tent cities, that is now home to many Haitians. Humanitarian aid and rebuilding efforts have been slow, as these camps have become breeding grounds for unsanitary conditions, assaults, and roving gangs.

"It's about each one helping one another and our residents taking the call to respond to the events and tragedy that took place a year ago in Haiti," Rhea continued. NYCHA raised $1.2 million last year to help in the recovery and assistance efforts in Haiti. A portion of the proceeds went to Habitat for Humanity to ensure that temporary housing was put in place, providing shelter during this difficult moment in Haitians people's lives.

Habitat for Humanity has a collection of condominiums currently in the building stage located throughout Bed-Stuy called Bed Stuy Residences. Habitat NYC is in partnership with the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA), is offering a 30 or 40- year, 2% fixed interested rate mortgage with a 1% down payment required.  This product is being offered to future Habitat-NYC families. Habitat-NYC prepares family partners to be successful homeowners through first time home buyer and maintenance training.

"Habitat is incredibly active in Lafayette Gardens," said Joshua Lockwood, executive director of Habitat NYC. "We can build 50 homes and buy buildings in Bed-Stuy, but true community development can't happen by itself; it has to be done with partners to have a holistic view of the entire community, and that's why we're excited about this work."

"I've been an intern with Habitat for four months," said Justin Flores, 21, a resident of Manhattan and volunteer. "I've learned great things from interning here aside from the community based aspect like maintaining large spaces and being responsible. I plan to stay on as long as I can," Flores added.

This Saturday, "Brush with Kindness" will return to Lafayette Gardens Community Center for the center's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration, where 15 faith-based organizations will come together for a youth mural contest in honor of Dr. King's legacy. 

Keyana Hill, 20, a resident of Lafayette Gardens, stopped by the community center to see what was happening.

"I have lived here a good portion of my life, and I very rarely come in to the center," said Hill. "I didn't know that LG was so involved in the community and cared so much for its residents. I plan on participating in this weekend's MLK celebration."