Category Archives: Healthy Communities

Active Aging Week: Oct 3-10

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and Age Friendly Central Brooklyn, Inc. are teaming up for a full week of fun, informative, and healthy living activities for local seniors! Active Aging Week, from October 4 – 10, is an international annual event that will bring both virtual and in-person events to Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy.

Schedule of Events

Monday, October 4 – Kickoff & Healthy Aging Conference* 10 am – 12 noon

Tuesday, October 5  – Movement is Medicine with Tameeka Nicole* 10 am -11 am

Wednesday, October 6 – 3rd Annual Wellness Walk at Herbert von King Park 10 am

Thursday, October 7 – Breathe & Flow with emergesoul* 10:15 am -11 am

Thursday, October 7 – Virtual Game Night*  7 pm

Friday, October 8 – Active Aging Activities at Myrtle Avenue Plaza 12 noon – 4 pm – No registration necesssary!

Saturday, October 9 – A Dance Activity*  Time: TBA

Sunday,  October 10 – Reflections on Active Aging Week* 2 pm -3 pm

*Activities available virtually

RSVP for Events

About the Organizers

Age Friendly Central Brooklyn, Inc is a community-based organization, led by a volunteer group of older adults that builds upon the rich experience of adults age 62 and older to ensure they can age in place. Through intentional outreach, AFCBI leverages local resources to improve their overall quality of life. Our Age Friendly Ambassadors engage adults in a myriad of activities to meet the social, economic, cultural and civic needs of this growing population. AFCBI has been an Active Aging Week participant since 2017.

Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership As a community-based organization serving the Fort Greene and Clinton Hill neighborhoods, our mission is to foster an inclusive, vibrant community anchored by Myrtle Avenue. We do this by engaging and supporting our neighbors, cultivating partnerships, building community capacity, identifying needs, and providing services that connect our neighbors to resources and opportunities. Our ongoing Myrtle Avenue Age-friendly work is focused on bringing local older adults to the table and giving their voices power to shape our neighborhood.

About Active Aging Week

Active Aging Week is presented by Humana and organized by the International Council on Active Aging®, the association that has been leading, connecting and defining the active aging industry since 2001.

New Funding & Coalition Launched to Support Local Elders

New Funding and Coalition Announced to Further Support Local Elders

In July, the Age-friendly Brooklyn Neighborhoods Collaborative, a three member-collective of the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, Age Friendly Central Brooklyn (AFCBI), and The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM), was funded in part by a grant from Brooklyn Community Foundation’s Elders’ Fund initiative. The funding will support collaboration amongst the organizational partners to continue their work of supporting aging in place for older adults. Together we seek to ensure that the 28,000 older adults living across Central Brooklyn (Bedford-Stuyvesant, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, and Fort Greene) have the tools and resources to age in place. NYAM will serve as the convener for this coalition, and host regular meetings to bring together participants, share resources, exchange ideas, and discuss future programming in keeping with the Collaborative’s mission. 

“NYAM is thrilled to partner with Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and Age-friendly Central Brooklyn on this exciting grant initiative,” says Elana Kieffer, Acting Director, Center for Healthy Aging at NYAM. “This is a prime example of how we support age-friendly neighborhood organizations across NYC in the work they do every day to improve the lives of older adults in the communities where they live.”

With the three-year grant, totaling $135,000, the three-member coalition will work together to continue their support of older Brooklynites. This includes connecting older adults to resources, organizing advocacy and civic engagement, and free events and programs that connect them to local businesses, skill building, cultural opportunities and combat social isolation.

“Age Friendly Central Brooklyn, Inc. (AFCBI) is excited that Brooklyn Community Foundation chose our partnership to support age-friendly communities,” says Selma Jackson, president, AFCBI. “This grant supports the continuing work of serving older adults in Ft. Greene/Clinton Hill/Central Brooklyn.”

About Brooklyn Community Foundation Elder’s Fund

Brooklyn Community Foundation is on a mission to spark lasting social change, mobilizing people, capital, and expertise for a fair and just Brooklyn. Since its founding in 2009, the Foundation and its donors have provided over $25 million in grants to more than 300 nonprofits throughout the borough, bolstering vital programs and services while responding to urgent community needs and opportunities. In 2014, following a six-month borough wide community engagement project called Brooklyn Insights, the Foundation unveiled a new strategic action plan focused on youth, neighborhood strength, nonprofit capacity, and racial justice. Learn more at www.BrooklynCommunityFoundation.org.

About Age-Friendly Myrtle Avenue

In 2015, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn commercial district was designated as an Age-friendly Neighborhood by the New York City Council and New York Academy of Medicine. This designation acknowledged the area’s many elements that make it “friendly” for older adults and helped continue programming and advocacy led by the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership for local elders. This included the formation of the Myrtle Avenue Senior Advisory Council and work to ensure local businesses are accommodating senior shoppers, planning free local events and programming, and connecting seniors to resources, like through the annual Myrtle Avenue Senior Resource Fair. In 2019, the Brooklyn Community Foundation awarded the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership a grant from their inaugural Brooklyn Elders’ Fund to support age-friendly work in the neighborhood.

Older adults in Clinton Hill and Fort Greene can join the Myrtle Avenue Senior Advisory Council, which meets virtually on the second Friday of each month and learn about upcoming free events for older adults by contacting Ryan Greenlaw at ryan@myrtleavenue.org or calling (718) 230-1689 ext. 4.

About Age Friendly Central Brooklyn, Inc.

Age Friendly Central Brooklyn, Inc. originated in 2007 from newly designated Age Friendly NYC, a new partnership between the Office of the Mayor, The New York City Council, and NYAM. Next, New York City launched a pilot program in 2009 that featured three Aging Improvement Districts (AID). Bedford Stuyvesant was the only locally controlled AID whose residents were primarily of African Descent.  In 2015, the City Council expanded and renamed the initiative Age Friendly Neighborhood Initiative. It was then that the Bedford-Stuyvesant Aging Improvement District became the Age Friendly Neighborhood Initiative of Bedford-Stuyvesant & Crown Heights, now an independent entity known as AFCBI.    

AFCBI, a community-based organization, led by a volunteer group of older adults that builds upon the rich experience of adults age 62 and older to ensure they can age in place. Through intentional outreach, AFCBI leverages local resources to improve their overall quality of life. Our Age Friendly Ambassadors engage other older adults in a myriad of activities to meet the social, economic, cultural and civic needs of this growing population. For more information contact: Donna Williams, secretary@agefriendlycb.org

About The New York Academy of Medicine

The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) tackles the barriers that prevent every individual from living a healthy life. NYAM generates the knowledge needed to change the systems that prevent people from accessing what they need to be healthy such as safe and affordable housing, healthy food, healthcare, and more. Through its high-profile programming for the general public, focused symposia for health professionals, and its base of dedicated Fellows and Members, NYAM engages the minds and hearts of those who also value advancing health equity to maximize health for all. For more information, visit nyam.org and follow @nyamnyc and @agefriendlynyc on social media.  

Local Food Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak

ENGLISH  |  中文  |  ESPAÑOL  |  বাংলা

ENGLISH

If you are in need of accessing free groceries or meals, here are several options in and around Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill:

1. Free grab-and-go meals for children & adults are available Monday-Friday from 7:30am-1:30pm at three local schools. For full details, text “NYC FOOD” to 877-877. 

  • PS 67 – 51 Saint Edwards Street
  • MS 114 – 300 Adelphi Street
  • PS 307 – 209 York Street

2. If you need food delivered to you and do not have a neighbor or family member who can pick-up groceries or meals for you, you can sign-up for food delivery through GetFoodNYC by calling 3-1-1 or visiting https://cv19engagementportal.cityofnewyork.us/#/display/5e7555117ad6750216160409

3. GMACC is distributing food and household supplies every Saturday at noon at 349 Myrtle Avenue

4. Rethink Food NYC Cafe is serving lunches with a suggested donation of $3 Monday-Friday  from 11am-3pm at 154 Clinton Ave

中文

如果您需要取得免费杂货或餐食，这里有几个在格林堡和克林顿山的Myrtle大道及其周边的选择：

1.周一至周五上午7：30-下午1：30，当地三所学校提供儿童和成人免费的外带餐食. 有关详细信息，请向877-877发送短信：“NYC FOOD”。

  • PS 67-51 Saint Edwards
  • MS 114-300 Adelphi Street
  • PS 307-209 York Street

2.如果您需要快递食物给您并且您没有邻居或家人可以帮您取杂货或餐食，您可以打311电话通过GetFoodNYC或访问https://cv19engagementportal.cityofnewyork.us/#/display/5e7555117ad6750216160409 来注册要求快递食物给您。

3.GMACC每周六中午在Myrtle大道349号分发食物和家庭用品。

4.Rethink Food NYC餐厅周一至周五在Clinton大道154号上午11点至下午3点提供午餐，建议捐款仅为3美元。

ESPAÑOL

Si necesitas ayuda para obtener despensa o comida preparada gratis aquí hay algunas opciones en Fort Greene y Clinton Hill:

1. Recoge comida GRATIS para niños y adultos: Disponible de Lunes a Viernes de 7:30am a 1:30pm en tres escuelas locales. Para mas detalles, envie un mensaje de texto “NYC FOOD” to 877-877.

  • PS 67 – 51 Saint Edwards
  • MS 114 – 300 Adelphi Street
  • PS 307 – 209 York Street

2. Si necesitas entrega de comida porque no tienes ningun vecino o familiar que pueda recoger despensa o comida preparada para ti, puedes inscribirte para reecibirla mediante GetFoodNYC llamando al 3-1-1 o visitando https://cv19engagementportal.cityofnewyork.us/#/display/5e7555117ad6750216160409

3. GMACC está dribuyendo comida y algunos suministros del hogar todos los Sábados comenzando a las 12:00 del medio día. Encuentralos en 349 Myrtle Ave.

4. Rethink Food NYC Cafe esta sirviendo comida con una donación sugerida de $3 de Lunes a Viernes de 11am a 3pm en 154 Clinton Ave.

বাংলা

আপনার যদি বিনা মূল্যে ঘরের নিত্য প্রয়োজনীয় 

জিনিষ অথবা খাবারের প্রয়োজন হয় তবে ফোর্ট গ্রিন 

এবং ক্লিনটন হিলছাড়াও মার্টাল এভিনিউয়ের মধ্যে 

এবং আশেপাশে নীচে দেওয়া স্হান/অফিসে যোগাযোগ করতে পারেন। নীচের দেওয়া স্হানেপ্রয়োজনে যোগাযোগ করুন:

 

১. শিশু এবং প্রাপ্তবয়স্কদের জন্য বিনামূল্যে–খাওয়ার খাবার দেওয়া হয়ে থাকে। নীচের স্থানীয় তিনটি স্কুলে সোমবার থেকে শুক্রবার সকাল 7:30 থেকে দুপুর 1:30
পর্যন্ত আরও বিশদ ভাবে জানার জন্য, “NYC FOOD” লিখে 877-877 নম্বরে text করুন। 

পিএস 67 – 51 সেন্ট এডওয়ার্ডস

এমএস 114 – 300 অ্যাডেলফি স্ট্রিট

পিএস 307 – 209 ইয়র্ক স্ট্রিট।

২. আপনার যদি বাসায় খাবার ডেলিভারী প্রয়োজন হয় এবং আপনার প্রতিবেশী বা পরিবারের কোনও সদস্য যদি আপনার জন্যপ্রয়োজনীয় সামগ্রী বা খাবার গ্রহন করতে না পারে, আপনি 

3-1-1 কল করে GetFoodNYC 

[গেটফুডএনওয়াইসি–র] মাধ্যমেখাদ্য বিতরণে সাইন–আপ করতে পারেন অথবা https: //cv19engagementportal.cityofnewyork.us/#/display/5e7555117ad6750216160409

৩. জিএমএসিসি, প্রতি শনিবার দুপুর ১২টায় 

349 মার্টাল এভিনিউতে খাবার এবং ঘরের নিত্য 

প্রয়োজনীয় সামগ্রী বিতরণ করে থাকে। 

৪. Rethink Food NYC Cafe (রিথিংক ফুড এনওয়াইসি ক্যাফেতে) সোমবার থেকে 

শুক্রবার, সকাল ১১ থেকে দুপুর ৩টা পর্যন্ত 

১৫৪ ক্লিনটন এভিনিউতে দুপুরের খাবার বিতরন করা হয়। 

FREE Activities for Seniors

The Senior Activity Series provides opportunities to participate in different activities on Myrtle Avenue like, exercise programs, hobbies, wellness services, and other social events.  It is our goal to offer programs, services and social opportunities that nurture the notion to celebrate life, stay socially engaged, and nourish the mind, body, and soul to all the adults in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. The Senior Activity Series lead to a more meaningful life. If you are 55 and older we invite you to join us for the following activities.

SENIOR SELF-DEFENSE SERIES

2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at 12pm. From February to May

Clinton Hill Champions Martial Arts and Fitness – 434 Myrtle Ave

SENIOR MOVEMENT SERIES

1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at 2 pm. From February to May

Sacred Brooklyn  – 334 Myrtle Ave

SENIOR COFFEE SOCIAL

3rd  Friday of every month at 11:00 am. From February to May

Connecticut Muffin, – 423 Myrtle Ave

SENIOR WRITING WORKSHOP

Every other Thursday starting February 6th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Pratt Institute – Myrtle Ave Hall (2nd fl.), Willoughby Ave. 

SENIOR GUIDE 2020

We at Myrtle Ave care about the seniors of our community and have been working to partner with the mom and pops of Myrtle Ave. to capture more discounts and senior specials. For a printable version of Senior Specials on Myrtle Ave, click here Senior Guide 2020

Want to Join the Council?

Would you like to come to the next Council meeting? Do you want to sign up for more information? Give us a call at 718-230-1689 ext#5 or email info@myrtleavenue.org for more information.

Thank You to Our Supporters

Age-Friendly Myrtle Avenue is funded in part by a grant from the CABS Community Foundation, an advised fund of the Brooklyn Community Foundation’s Elders Fund. Thank you to the Brooklyn Community Foundation for supporting our work to connect the elders of our neighborhood to co-create a shared vision for our community.

Volunteer with the Myrtle Ave community?

We are often asked “how can I get involved?” and “I want to help my community!” We hear your generous offers and invite you to volunteer with us on Myrtle Ave.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

We have a number of volunteer opportunities coming up, including planting daffodil bulbs along Myrtle Avenue and helping at the many free community events that we’ll be hosting throughout the holiday season (e.g. Fort Green Tree Lighting, Small Business Saturday, etc.).

If you are interested in volunteering at the monthly Fort Greene & Farragut Fresh Pantry, where we distribute 13,000 lbs of fresh produce to local families, please click here to sign up and for full details about that opportunity.

Volunteer Sign up

If you are interested in any of our upcoming volunteering opportunities, please fill out the form below. We will contact you with full details and a full invitation to volunteer leading up to each event. You are welcome to volunteer as many or as little times as you’d like with no obligations.

We look forward to working with you in serving our community!

General Volunteer Form

General Volunteer Form
Volunteer opportunities *
Things to consider

On September 25th, the Senior Advisory Council met for their second meeting of 2019 to discuss ongoing concerns around Myrtle Ave. The council formed committees around Transportation, Events & Signature Events, and Business & Services to strategize upcoming actions and events.

We received guest speaker Rosamond Fletcher of Fort Greene Park Conservancy. Rosamond updated the Council on upcoming capital improvements in the park through two phases, including the creation of new ADA-compliant ramps at entrances along the Myrtle Avenue side of the park, the replacement of 83 trees and planting of additional trees, and expansion of the fitness and barbecue areas in the northwest corner of the park near Myrtle Avenue and St. Edwards Street. 

Additionally, the Council received updates on the MTA’s public engagement process for an upcoming re-mapping of the Brooklyn bus network. The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership will advocate with the Senior Advisory Council’s Transportation Committee to be a part of the process to voice senior commuters’ concerns over wait times and to support possible solutions to improve bus efficacy, such as bus schedule monitors, traffic regulation and enforcement, etc.

The Council’s Events committee began forming a calendar of events for seniors on Myrtle Avenue, including a relaxing spa day as one of the possible upcoming events for the Council. Instructor Q of Clinton Hill Champions Martial Arts & Fitness agreed to kick-off the Senior Self-Defense Class on October 8. If any seniors would like to sign up, please contact us at (718) 230-1689 ext 4# Classes will be capped at 20 participants. The class will be FREE to participants through the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership with support from the Brooklyn Community Foundation.

 Want to Join the Council?

We invite interested residents of the Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Wallabout, and Brooklyn Navy Yard area to join the Senior Advisory Council for a meeting and to join one of the committees: Events & Signature Events, Transportation, and Business & Services. The meeting locations will revolve on both ends of the district to accommodate neighborhood residents. 

Would you like to join the Senior Advisory Council, or come to the next Council meeting? Do you want to sign up for more information? Give us a call at 718-230-1689 ext#5 or email info@myrtleavenue.org for more information.

Thank You to Our Supporters

The Senior Advisory Council offers a warm thank you to Bishop Memorial Mission at 127 Emerson Place – who generously provided the space for the meeting.  

“Age-Friendly Myrtle Avenue” is funded in part by a grant from Brooklyn Community Foundation’s Elders Fund. Thank you to the Brooklyn Community Foundation for supporting our work to connect the elders of our neighborhood to co-create a shared vision for our community.

Volunteer with the Fort Greene & Farragut Fresh Pantry

SONY DSC

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership & City Harvest have partnered to host the monthly Fort Greene & Farragut Fresh Pantry to help fight food insecurity in our community. The Fresh Pantry distributes 13,000 pounds of produce, free of charge, to 200-400 families of Farragut, Whitman, and Ingersoll Houses each month.

The Fort Greene & Farragut Fresh Pantry is made possible thanks to a partnership with City Harvest, The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, and Farragut, Ingersoll & Whitman Resident Associations.

Volunteers Needed

If you are interested in volunteering at the pantry, please fill out the form below. We ask interested volunteers to read the details about volunteer responsibilities and a general overview of the pantry and to register as an interested volunteer on the following page.

Completing this form does not require you to attend a certain number of pantries or even the next pantry date. We simply invite anyone who’s interested in helping to come when they can.

Volunteer Form- Fort Greene & Farrugut Fresh Pantry
Specifics *
Volunteer Description *
*
*
*

 

Myrtle Senior Advisory Council Gets Active

Getting together and talking all things local was the agenda last Thursday at Myrtle Avenue when more than 20 local seniors gathered for the Myrtle Avenue Senior Advisory Council Meeting. After nearly a two year hiatus, the group reconvened for an open meeting to discuss neighborhood issues that impact seniors and how they can work as a group to ensure Myrtle Avenue is a welcoming place for seniors.

Let’s Get Together

On August 7th, neighbors gathered to discuss a number of local issues and to set course for the revised Senior Advisory Council. In the year ahead, the group of local elders will plan events for seniors at local businesses on Myrtle Avenue, help create and promote deals for senior citizens at local businesses, and advocate for the needs of seniors on and around Myrtle Avenue to local elected officials and city agencies. Their work will be supported by the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership who originally helped found the council and sought designation of Myrtle Avenue as an official NYC Age-Friendly District.

Attendees of the Senior Advisory Council discussed common concerns around safety and transportation – particularly the MTA’s announcement to reduce B54 Bus service, senior-friendly opportunities, and the importance of access and affordability of services (laundromats, supermarkets, etc.) along Myrtle Avenue.

Want to Join the Council?

We invite interested residents of the Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Wallabout, and Brooklyn Navy Yard area to join the Senior Advisory Council for a meeting, and a potential leadership role. The meeting locations will revolve on both ends of the district to accommodate neighborhood residents. 

 Would you like to join the Senior Advisory Council, or come to the next Council meeting? Do you want to sign up for more information? Give us a call at 718-230-1689 ext#5 or email info@myrtleavenue.org for more information.

The next Senior Advisory Council meeting will be on Wednesday, September 25th at 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM at Bishop Memorial Mission at 127 Emerson Place on the corner of Emerson Place and Myrtle Avenue. See the flyer below.

Thank You to Our Supporters

The Senior Advisory Council offers a big thank you to Locals – a new market to open this fall at 332 Myrtle Avenue – generously provided the space for the meeting.  

Age-Friendly Myrtle Avenue is funded in part by a grant from the CABS Community Foundation, an advised fund of the Brooklyn Community Foundation’s Elders Fund. Thank you to the Brooklyn Community Foundation for supporting our work to connect the elders of our neighborhood to co-create a shared vision for our community.

Free Community Bike Rides Return for 2018

Join the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and take a spin around the neighborhood. We’ve partnered with The Brown Bike Girl to host FREE group bike rides the 1st Saturday of the month around Brooklyn, starting in Fort Greene Park. All ages, abilities are welcome!

No bike? No problem. You can borrow a FREE Citi Bike (ages 16+).

REGISTER

CLICK HERE or email hello@myrtleavenue.org.

BIKE RIDE DATES

* A special ride will be held on Thursday, May 24 at 6pm, beginning at Fort Greene Park’s Citi Bike station at the corner of Washington Park and Willoughby Ave  *

Saturday Rides meetup at 9:30am at Fort Greene Park’s Citi Bike station
at the corner of Washington Park and Willoughby Ave on:

Saturday, June 2nd  CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN

Saturday, July 7th

Saturday, August 4th

Rides canceled if raining.

Click image to enlarge.

Can’t make a ride in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill? Join our Community Partner Bed-Stuy Restoration Corporation and its partners to take a spin around the neighborhood. Meet them every Wednesday and Saturday, from May through October. For more info click here.

Please note, Citi Bike rentals are subject to availability.

Farm Fresh Box

The Farm Fresh Box season has ended.

Enjoy farm fresh produce conveniently with the Myrtle Avenue Farm Fresh Box program. Unlike a traditional CSA, the Farm Fresh Box program offers an affordable pay-as-you-go option to purchase a box of produce with no commitments to order an entire season’s worth of vegetables and fruits.

Thank You

The Farm Fresh Box program would not have been possible without the help and support from volunteers. A big THANK YOU to all of the volunteers who have helped this season, including program intern Yequarah Connor!

Summer intern Yequarah Connor volunteering at Farm Fresh Box pick-up.

From left to right – Erica & Dana from Corbinhill Food Project with Program Manager, Shaquana, and Farm Fresh Box Volunteer

Community volunteer Ruth packing Farm Fresh Boxes at our Corkscrew Wines site.

325 Turkeys for Our Neighbors

This weekend was very special for us. For the first time, our staff was able to distribute over 325 turkeys, for local families in need. These families are ones that regularly attend our Fresh Pantry every month where we distribute 10,000 pounds of fresh food with City Harvest for free.

Together with our donors, sponsors & pantry partners, we were able to bring turkeys, fresh food & Blue Marble ice cream to over 325 families. See more images HERE.

Thank you to our 40+ individual donors, our sponsors, Blue Marble Ice Cream, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, DUMBO Improvement District, Fort Greene Association, Madison Realty Capital, Society for Clinton Hill, Vinegar Hill Association & Keyfood (492 Myrtle Avenue), and our pantry partners: City Harvest, Forest City New York, & Brooklyn Navy Yard for making this possible.

Donate a Turkey this Season!



Thank you to all of our generous donors!  We reached our crowdfunding goal and raised $7,000 for Turkeys!

The Fort Greene & Farragut Food Pantry began two years ago, serving 15,000 lbs of fresh produce once per month to our neighbors in need. To date, we have distributed 250,000 lbs fresh produce, and demand for this important service continues to grow. This November, we had a goal to provide FREE turkeys to each of the 300 families who will visit the Pantry on November 18th.  With the help of our local residents and partners, our neighbors will now enjoy a holiday meal complete with turkey and fresh produce!

Thank you to our 39 individual donors and the following sponsors for contributing to our campaign:

Society for Clinton Hill
Dumbo Improvement District
Madison Realty Capital
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership
Vinegar Hill Neighborhood Association
Fort Greene Association

Announcing the 2nd Annual Senior Resource Fair

2nd Annual Senior Resource Fair Comes to Fort Greene & Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Wednesday, March 29th
11am-2pm

The Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project (MARP) & and its Senior Advisory Council (SAC) of 30 active members brings the 2nd Annual Senior Resource Fair to Fort Greene & Clinton Hill, Brooklyn this month.  The FREE Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Senior Resource Fair, made possible with support from the New York Community Trust, is open to all seniors, and will take place on Wednesday, March 29th, 11am to 2pm at Mercy Home, 273 Willoughby Avenue (corner of Classon Avenue).

Over 30 exhibitors including city agencies, providers, and services will share information focused on senior resources and programs, from transportation services to online classes, from physical activity to legal assistance, from job placement and assistance to recreational activities.

Confirmed groups attending include Access-A-Ride, MTA Reduced Fare Metro Card, the Good Neighbors Program, DOROT, NY Foundation for Seniors’ Home Sharing Program, Heights & Hills, Phoenix and the NYC Department of the Aging. A number of Myrtle Avenue businesses that offer weekly senior discounts, specials and other services will also be on hand, such as Sandbox Pack & Ship, Myrtle Drug Care Corp and TD Bank. Additional invitees include but not limited to LIU Platinum Sneakers, Mark Morris Dance and CityMeals on Wheels.

Other interested senior-focused organizations and service providers may contact the organization if interested in participating in the Senior Resource Fair at (718) 230-1689 ext 3#.

Click this link and like our Myrtle Avenue Facebook page for Myrtle Avenue updates and more information.

Fresh Pantry Distributes 125,000 lbs in One Year

healthy-communities_fresh-pantry_anniversary_2016-61Neighborhood residents and community partners were on hand this past Saturday to help distribute food and celebrate the 1 Year Anniversary of the Fort Greene & Farragut Fresh Pantry, our partnership with City Harvest to help fight high levels of food insecurity and meet the need for access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Deputy Borough President, Diana Reyna came to congratulate the team of partners including MARP, City Harvest, Forest City Ney Yorks, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, Farragut, Whitman and Ingersoll NYCHA Tenants Associations and Brooklyn Navy Yard Boys and Girls Club.  Together, we’ve been able to distribute over 125,000 pounds of fresh food in one year alone. 

Over 900 households from Farragut, Ingersoll and Whitman Houses have registered for the fresh pantry, which serves anywhere from 300-500 people each month.  We are especially grateful to all the committed volunteers who work hard every month to make this distribution possible!

Click here to watch November 2016 social media trend; mannequin-challenge

healthy-communities_fresh-pantry_anniversary_friends_2016-768 Thank you to all of our donors and sponsors who have helped support our food work this year, we could never do it without you! We look forward to continuing to serve our community!

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Community Corner Returns to Fort Greene Park

FREE Face Painting and Cooking Demonstrations featuring produce
from GrowNYC Fort Greene Greenmarket Every Saturday!

The Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project LDC (MARP) Healthy Communities’
“Community Corner” initiative will have programming for families on Saturdays from
July 23rd – October 22nd, 10am – 3pm.

At the Community Corner, participants can discover and taste healthy recipes, be
introduced to local farmers and their products, find affordable grocery options and
learn how to use EBT/SNAP, WIC/FMNP checks, and Health Bucks at the Fort Greene
Park Greenmarket. Each week, there will also be different family friendly events and
Community Chef Demonstrations where you can receive $2 -$4 in Health Bucks to use
at Greenmarket. Stop by to support the local greenmarket and learn how to shop fresh,
healthy, and locally on a budget! See you on the Corner!

Community Corner Special Events Schedule:

July 30th
Noon- 3pm: FREE Bike helmet fitting and giveaway, sponsored by MARP, DOT & Citibike
11am – 1pm: FREE Face painting

September 10th

Fit in the 35th Community Jamboree 12pm – 3pm

*Check back often – free, fun events will be added throughout the season!*

Bike the Branches

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Enjoy the Bklyn Public Library’s annual Bike the Branches with a FREE Citibike ride, courtesy of MARP.  To encourage local participation in the fun annual event, we will provide 10 free Citibike rides for a group ride from the Clinton Hill Branch to Central Library.

To enjoy the free ride, arrive on Saturday, May 7th to the Clinton Hill Branch of the Bklyn Public Library (380 Washington Avenue) at 1:45pm.  At 2:15pm, we will lead a group to the Central Library on Grand Army Plaza to enjoy the library’s Block Party from 3pm-7pm.

You must register to receive one of the ten free rides.  To register, contact Shaquana Boykin at (718) 230-1689 ext. 5# or shaquana@myrtleavenue.org by May 5th.

Senior Resource Fair Planned for 3/23

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The 1st Annual Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Senior Resource Fair will take place on Wednesday, March 23rd from 11AM to 2PM at Cumberland Gotham Health Center, 4th Floor Auditorium located at 100 North Portland Avenue (corner of Park Avenue and North Portland).

The Senior Resource Fair is being organized by the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project LDC and its Senior Advisory Council (SAC) in partnership with Cumberland Gotham Health Center with generous support from the Office of Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo and the New York Community Trust.

The FREE fair will feature 30 vendors that represent a wide variety of city agencies and citywide service providers,

Participating organizations will be on hand to share information that will focus on senior resources and programs, from physical fitness and estate planning to writing classes and transportation services. Invitees include but are not limited to Shape UP NY, Ingersoll Community Center, Fort Greene Strategic Neighborhood Action Partnership (SNAP), LIU Platinum Sneakers Program, St. Joseph’s College, Mark Morris Dance, the Brooklyn Family Justice Center, Meals on Wheels, the NYC Department of the Aging, and MTA’s Access-A-Ride Program. A number of Myrtle Avenue businesses that offer weekly senior discount specials are also invited, including Move with Grace Yoga, Dance & Fitness Studio, Sandbox Pack & Ship, Lucky Lotus Yoga, Myrtle Drug Care Corp and Myrtle Pharmacy.

Interested senior-focused organizations and service providers, may contact the organization if interested in participating in the Senior Resource Fair at (718)230-1689 ext 5#.

Myrtle Avenue received an age-friendly neighborhood designation in July 2015 from the New York City Council, acknowledging the many surveys, focus groups, research and meetings the organization conducted to lay the groundwork for its senior-friendly work. The NY Academy of Medicine helped to lay some of this groundwork. The first order of business was to create a Senior Advisory Council, an active council of neighborhood seniors to hold the organization accountable and keep them on task.

Let Us Help You with Your New Year’s Resolutions!

Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

New Year’s Resolutions, anyone?  If your resolutions happen to be fitness, eating healthy or starting or finally finishing a DIY project, we’ve got you covered on Myrtle Avenue. Here are a couple of places that you can start your journey in the New Year.

FITNESS CLASSES
Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 412 Myrtle Avenue between Clinton & Vanderbilt
(718) 403-0067

Move with Grace Yoga, Dance, Fitness Studio, 469 Myrtle Avenue between Washington & Hall
(718) 230-0013

CKO Kickboxing 45 Waverly Avenue between Park & Flushing
(347)770-2256

NEED A NEW BIKE?
Urban Cycles, 478 Myrtle Avenue between Washington & Hall
(347) 788-0478

Red Lantern Bicycles & Café, 345 Myrtle Avenue between Carlton & Adelphi
(347)889-5338

EATING HEALTHY
Energy Fuel 386 Myrtle Avenue between Vanderbilt & Clinton
(347)889-5990/1

Day ‘N Night Deli
480 Myrtle Avenue between Washington & Hall, (718)230-4516

Move with Grace Juice Bar 469 Myrtle Avenue between Washington & Hall
(718) 230-0013

DIY & HOME PROJECTS
Clinton Hill Hardware, 452 Myrtle Avenue between Waverly & Washington
(718) 237-7827

Clinton Hill Simply Art & Framing Gallery 583 Myrtle Avenue between Classon & Taafe
(718) 857-0074

Blick Art Supplies 534 Myrtle Avenue between Grand & Steuben
(718) 789-0308

Fort Greene Park Rangers Natural Classroom

FGP Ranger Wood

Are you a teacher or community-organizer with a class looking to learn about the local history and/or ecology of Fort Greene? Stop by Fort Greene Park and talk to Urban Park Ranger Chris Wood! The Urban Park Rangers offer programs ranging in everything from Ecology, to American History, to Botany. Check out http://www.nycgovparks.org/programs/rangers/natural-classroom for more information, or get in touch with Ranger Chris Wood directly at christopher.wood@parks.nyc.gov!

Halloween Festival at the Trilok School

Trilok_HalloweenKids, families, please stop in to the Halloween Festival at Trilok Fusion on Saturday, October 31st from 1pm to 6pm.

FREE admission and open to all. The festival features pony rides, bouncy castle, games, face painting, a costume parade, foods by local vendors and much more.

What:  Halloween Festival at Trilok

When: Saturday, October 31 from 1PM to 6PM

Where: The Trilok School, 143 Waverly Avenue, corner of Myrtle Ave.

Trilok Fusion is located at the Myrtle and Waverly Avenues.

Brooklyn Strand Public Workshops

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The Brooklyn Strand workshop hosted by the Community Board 2 Parks Committee in September drew more than 75 attendees! Based on the turnout there will be three additional public workshops to gather community feedback on Phase II of the Brooklyn Strand. Participate in one of these workshops as they develop a more-detailed vision for the areas under and along the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) from the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges to Commodore Barry Park and consider how to create a unified park network to better connect Downtown Brooklyn and its surrounding neighborhoods. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

WORKSHOP I

WHERE:  Willoughby Senior Center (Whitman Senior Center)
105 North Portland Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

WHEN:   Tuesday, October 20th, 2015
6:00pm – 7:30pm


WORKSHOP II

WHERE:  Ingersoll Community Center
177 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

WHEN:   Monday, October 26th, 2015
6:30pm – 8:00pm


WORKSHOP III

WHERE:  Farragut Community Center
228 York Street, Brooklyn, NY

WHEN:   Wednesday, October 28th, 2015
6:30pm – 8:00pm

Kids Guide to Myrtle Avenue

Kids Card_2015(700)Looking for things to do with your kids in the neighborhood? We have a lot happening on the Avenue for children and families this fall and winter.  Check out all of the classes and activities in Clinton Hill & Fort Greene below:

Kids Beginner Ballet & Preschool of Rock Music
Ballet I: Wed, 3:30-4:15pm
Ballet II: Wed, 4:30-4:15pm
Preschool of Rock: Tues 9:30am
Registration required
Move with Grace, 469 Myrtle Ave
(718) 230-0013

Jiu Jitsu for Kids
Junior Basic: M, W & F, 4:15-5pm
Junior Advanced: M-F, 5-5:45pm
Seasonal Parents’ Night Out – movies, games, snacks for kids while parents go out!
Registration required
Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, 412 Myrtle Ave
(718) 403-0067

Classes (Dance & Sports)
Ingersoll Community Center, 177 Myrtle Ave
(718) 522-5051 – call for schedule

Kids’ Sing-A-Long & Toddler Art Class
Kids’ Sing-A-Long: Fri, 4-4:45pm ($12)
Toddler Art Class: call for dates ($25)
Jill Lindsey, 370 Myrtle Ave
(347) 987-4538

Kids’ Beginner Hip-Hop by Lotus Creations
Sat, 5:30-6:30pm
Registration required
Trilok Fusion Center, 143 Waverly Ave
(646) 751-7705

St. Joseph’s College Centennial Celebration This Weekend

St Joseph College_100 Years_2015This fall St. Joseph’s College will begin celebrating its Centennial.  Join them for a day of celebration featuring something for everyone — recreational activities with tours of the Hill Center; networking with faculty, students and alumni; art; special reunion class receptions; mass; family fun and more!

What: St. Joseph’s College Centennial Celebration
Where: St Joseph’s College Campus, 245 Clinton Avenue
When: Sunday, October 4, 10am-3pm
Info: sjcny100@sjcny.edu

For a full schedule of activities visit the Centennial website and be RSVP.

Back to School Welcome to Our Local Schools

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Sending a big hearty welcome and welcome back to all students who will be starting the school year tomorrow as well as those who have returned a week and two weeks ago. Wishing you the very best for the school year.

If there is anything we can help with here on Myrtle Avenue, please call or email to let us know. In the meantime, we think you’ll find our handy website student guide to Myrtle Avenue helpful. It’s chock full of information about student discounts, local job listings and more.

Connect with us on our social media networks @MyrtleAveBklyn for the most up-to-date Avenue news, discounts and opportunities.

Garden Recipe Series Featuring Ingersoll Gardeners

Cook Books

Many residents have emphasized the need for health and nutrition education in our community. The gardeners at the Ingersoll Garden of Eden are local residents who are passionate about sharing knowledge about healthy eating and living with their neighbors.

When approached by the Fort Greene Focus about gathering recipes from Community Gardeners, they agreed to provide healthy recipes they use after harvesting vegetables from their garden, which recently won a First Place award for 2015 Sustainable leadership practices from National Grid through the Greenest Block in Brooklyn Contest.

The series kicked-off with a recipe  from a gardener named Aretha Singleton, who was also one of our Healthy Communities Initiative Community Chefs. Our Community Chef Cookbook includes a number of healthy, tasty recipes from Ms. Singleton, along with other Community Chefs. Click here to find out how to purchase the cookbook for just $5!