With the closure of the John Hughes shelter, the nearest homeless shelter to Battery Park City is now in Tribeca. Joe Little of the New York City Rescue Mission gives a tour of the city’s oldest homeless shelter. With the bad economy and closure of other shelters nearby, demand for meals at the Mission have increased 20%.
Liz Conner interviews the founders of the Go Fish program along the esplanade discuss how the program raises awareness of the importance to keep the Hudson River clean, and how the river has rebounded since it was proclaimed “Dead” by the New York Times in the 1960′s due to pollution.
New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and First Precinct Commanding Officer Inspector Winski discuss Night Out: The annual community outreach event of the NYPD. This year, Battery Park resident Anthony Notaro received a community achievement award. Speaker Silver also discussed the soon to open September 11th Memorial and Freedom Tower nearby.
In what could be the freshest vegetables and fruits in all of Manhattan, and the most verifiably organic farmer’s market in the city, the Urban Farm of the Battery Conservancy is now yielding fruits and vegetables. They have set up a small market at the entrance. Much of the harvest comes from plots grown by local school children.
Project City Kids offers free boat rides from North Cove Marina out to Governor’s Island and the Statue of Liberty, free for kids, $10 for adults. Liz Conner interviewed one of the Captains, Richard Dorfman.
New York City Council takes advice from Community Boards on matters such as liquor licenses and construction permits. Community Board 1 oversees lower Manhattan and is divided into subcommittees by region, such as Battery Park, Tribeca, Financial District, etc. Tribeca committee Chairman Peter Braus explains how the system works.
James VarnHagen of the New York City Rescue Mission discusses their annual Great Thanksgiving banquet they host in their Tribeca homeless shelter. Prominent figures such as Police Chief Kelly turn out to help serve the needy. With the bad economy and city budget cuts, they need your donations.
A new report out indicates that the real number of people living in poverty is far great than the government estimates. Covering the story, ABC Nightly News featured a Los Angeles shelter becoming overwhelmed with homeless.
For the first time this decade, multiple homeless individuals are making the parks in Battery Park City their preferred location during the day. In particular, Wagner Park in front of the Jewish Heritage Museum is a popular spot.
James VarnHagen of the New York City Rescue Mission explains the reasons for this growing homeless problem. A key homeless shelter near BPC, the John Hughes shelter, did not receive a city grant and had to shut down causing many of the people that used to rely on it to spill into the park system. In addition, the budgetary problems of the city and increased unemployment have caused a 20% increase in homeless as the city shelters become overburdened.
To learn more and how to help, you may view the video now.
- Community Board 1, - First precinct, - Mayor's Office, Featured Residents, Videos, Volunteering | admin | 
December 15, 2011 12:08 am | 
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