Prospect Lefferts Gardens

Neighborhood Association
A Blueprint for Resurgence
Presented May 7, 2009
Grace Reformed Church, Brooklyn, NY
 Origins
➡1968: The Kerner Commission
Report
 “Our nation is moving toward two

Newark, 1967
Life, 7/28/67 Detroit, 1967
 1970s
➡1969: PLGNA is incorporated.
➡1970: A PLGNA survey documents 300
deteriorating and 300 abandoned buildings
in the neighborhood; United Church of
Christ Community Task Force grants
$16,000 (2008=$87,000) for a community
organizer (Barbara Epstein)

➡1973: PLGNA becomes involved in

landmark advocacy and legal battle to
combat redlining.
 1970s

➡1975: Mike Lyman

becomes the second
PLGNA community
organizer; acquires state
funds for the organization.

➡PLGNA increases its focus

on housing issues.
 1980s
➡1983: PLGNA has a staff of seven,
including a development specialist,
housing consultant, and urban housing
specialist; funders include NYS Div. of
Housing and Community Renewal, NYC
HPD, Chase Bank.

➡1986: PLGNA 5 Year Plan introduced;

comprehensive low and mid income
housing package; landlord/tenant
advocacy program; Area Safety Program;
PLGNA van provides senior citizen
transportation.
 1990s
➡1990: PLGNA
Executive
Director,
Sharman Blake,
outlines
successes of 5
Year Plan:
growing
membership,
increased
services; PLGNA
PLGNA Office, 575 operates with
Flatbush $185,000
(2008=$301,000) in
 00’s
➡Diverse
programming for
youth and seniors
under director Amy
Hamilton;
Homegrown Stories Lance Johnstone at Potluck
organized by Stories

Youth training for Summer Streets

Amy Hamilton, Exec. Director

 00’s

➡2005: New bylaws

debated,
membership
growing, significant
interest

➡Sudden departure of
Executive Director
leaves the
organization in
disarray
 The Present:
A provocation.
➡ Contemporary context
(The latest) Economic crisis provides a remarkable opening for
resurgence of community politics. It is an imperative to
acknowledge the challenges faced in our community.

Cities under ‘quiet’ siege; gentrification is at least as insidious as

institutionalized racism; systematically dismantles integrated
neighborhoods, divides residents.

Urgent need for quality affordable housing - for low and middle
income people - in Prospect Lefferts Gardens and in New York
City generally.
 The way forward.
Tenants

Businesses
unite Homeowner
d s

➡ What kind of organization is PLGNA? What

kind of organization can it be? Should it
be?
Multi-class, multi-race.

Committed to social justice.

Diversity in the service of a unique community.

Change, on our terms.

 3 Needs
Mission
Outreach
Member Action
1 Plan
Neighborhood action day and a
picnic in the park
Many Ideas
Let’s discuss.