T H E N E W S C H O O L O F A C T I V I S T S

Rock the Boat

h
ardly immune from the laws of nature, New York City. com is running on an accelerat-
ed chip these days, intoxicated with technology and its riches. With a pocketful of tax
breaks and subsidies, Mayor Giuliani has done much to make that happen, trans-
forming the city into an office park in which the needs of business come first.
There are obvious pluses for the city economy, like an unemployment rate that has sunk
to less than 5 percent. But it also means that we have come to exist under a hard new par-
adigm, in which neighborhoods-unless they happen to be able to pay for their own street
cleaning-come last.
How can the city put people first again? How can a strong economy and citizens' digni-
ty coexist productively? How can the private sector be held accountable to the rest of the
city when businesses can leave town faster than you can say "the Dodgers"? At a time when
many residents lead second lives as police suspects, such questions may sound pointlessly
academic, but they need to be asked now-loudly and publicly.
That's because New York will soon see its own version of the George W Bush effect. In
his campaign for president, Bush is in an unenviable position: Crashing the Clinton/Gore
party after eight mostly solid years, he has been forced to invent a political persona for him-
self that promises more of the same, with a different flavor of ideological dressing on the side.
The likely candidates for mayor are now in the same boat: They will be under enormous
pressure to stick with the Giuliani formula for economic success. Granted, it's early yet. But
it's worth noting that only Sal Albanese has so far made a commitment to figure out creative
ways to split the economy's dividends with the entire city. Even liberal Mark Green has been
courting dot-coms-afocus that takes smart advantage of the city's intellectual capital but
that alone will do little to spread the wealth.
Those of us who think a fair city is a strong city need to ask the unpopular questions-
or be prepared when the answers never come.
***
In February, Senior Editor Kemba Johnson left City Limits to become an editor at the
web startup minorityinterest.com. In March, she was honored as a finalist by Investigative
Reporters and Editorsfor "The Harlem Shujjle" (November 1999), her stunning expose of
a publicly funded real estate racket. If this keeps up, by the time you read this Kemba will
have become the first person to cross the East River via levitation. Starting as a college
intern, Kemba left here nearly four years later an investigative sharpshooter-and did I
mention photo editor too?
Joining us are two talented journalists, Annia Ciezadlo and Sajan P. Kuriakos. Annia
is a familiar City Limits byline; she has also written for the New York Observer and
Newsday. Saj, we're proud to say, is the first staffer we've ever recruited from Talk maga-
zine, where he was a reporter; before that, he was a senior reporter for the TimeslLedger
newspapers in Queens.
Now go make trouble, guys.
Cover photo by Gregory P. Mango. Clockwise from top right: Jimmy van Bramer. Lavita McMath.
Betty Yu. Majora Carter. Sophia Quintero. Brad Lander. Frances Miller and Caitlin. 4.
Alyssa Katz
Editor
City Limits relies on the generous support of its readers and advertisers. as well as the following funders: The Adco
Foundation. The Robert Sterling Clark Foundation. The Hite Foundation. The Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter
Rock. The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation. The Joyce Mertz-Gilmore Foundation. The Scherman Foundation, The North Star
Fund. J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated, The Annie E. Casey Foundation. The'Booth Ferris Foundation. The New York Community
Trust, The New York Foundation, The Taconic Foundation, Deutsche Bank, M& T Bank, Citibank, and Chase Manhattan Bank.
(ity Limits
Volume XXV Number 5
City Limits is published ten times per year. monthly except
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'-
MAY 2000
FEATURES
The Young and the Leftist ~
The civil rights generation no longer has the franchise on social activism.
Having come of age in Reagan's material world, a crop of young activists
pursue change with a combination of tough pragmatism and idealistic fervor.
Prescription for Pain
Medicaid managed care promised savings with dignity. Instead,
it's fraught with pitfalls for the poor, who find it's up to them to
hunt down health care. By Annia Ciewdlo
A Picture of Health
Staffed by volunteer doctors and medical students, a free clinic
treats the Bronx's uninsured, running on idealism and a
determination to show it can be done. By Mauro McDe111UJtt
Insanity Pleas
Kendra's Law was supposed to make sure the mentally ill got help.
In the hidden world of mental hygiene courts, that's just what
the doctor ordered. By Wendy Davis
PIPELINES
Una's Major Battle
Brooklyn's tightly controlled Democratic machine could blow
a gasket as Councilwoman Una Clarke prepares to oust her former
mentor and guide, powerhouse congressman Major Owens. By James Bradley
Does it Give a BAM?
The Brooklyn Academy of Music wants to turn its surroundings
into an artistic mecca. Yet Fort Greene already is a cultural capital
-one with many ideas of what that means. By Robert Neuwirth
COMMENTARY
Book Review 129
Race to the Bottom By Margaret Groarke
Cityview
130
Budgeting for Tune By Glenn Pasanen
DEPARTMENTS
Editorial 2 Job Ads 32
Briefs 5
Professional
Directory 35
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CITVLlMITS
".
Travel and Art
Italian Seaso_
W
illie Garcia is sharing a few trade
secrets. "I would walk up and say
'Buon giomo,'" he says, in perfect-
ly accented Italian. Sweeping his
arms wide, he acts out the approach
and the courtship: "I tried to conversate, that's
what I tried to do. And then I would tell them I
wanted to photograph them."
For Garcia, as with the two other photography
students who accompanied him to Tuscany, the real
trick to photography isn't in light levels or focal dis-
tance-it's in connecting to people. Garcia and the
others are in a program called Pathways to Housing,
which helps people recover from homeless ness,
mental illness, and drug and alcohol addiction.
Practicing photography in a foreign country for 10
days is a new chance to hone that skill.
Garcia smiles, gesturing commedia dell' arte-
style toward a wall of photographs of himself with
Italians. Boldly approaching strangers, engaging
with them and then taking their pictures-with
himself in the frame!-is something he never
MAY 2000
would have done in cold, brusque New York City.
"I am a shy person," agrees fellow student
Bruce Eyster, "but when I have a camera, I can get
out there and-" he mimics a snapshot with a click
of his tongue. "It really did help me."
The main mission of Pathways to Housing is to
help people with psychiatric disabilities live suc-
cessfully in apartments of their own. But finding
an apartment is just the beginning. Pam Parlapi-
ano's twice-a-week photography class, along with
others that teach writing and painting, gives the
participants a way to engage with other people and
produce something lasting.
"A lot of agencies just treat this as a little crafts
and babysitting," says Parlapiano, looking around at
the paintings and photographs on display last month
in the Cork Gallery in the basement of Lincoln Cen-
ter's Avery Fisher Hall. One is a stark black-and-
white portrait of an emaciated, frizzy-haired woman
staring intently at the wall. In a more painterly
photo, a classically beautiful young woman sleeps
on a bench, arms folded, beneath a bank of bloom-
ing azaleas. "I think the most important thing is that
people are learning how to be artists," she adds.
"This isn't 'Outsider Art'-it's art."
A painter for years before the trip to Italy,
Eyster decided to find the faces he'd seen in the
Uffizi and the Metropolitan on the streets of Ital-
ian cities, then photograph them using the portrait
conventions of Renaissance painting.
He came back with a comprehensive body of
work and an experience any artist would envy: the
chance to study art in Italy, going to museums dur-
ing the day and coming back to a meal of pro-
sciutto, fresh Tuscan bread and glazed fruit. As
they traveled through different villages, Eyster
was struck by how much the people he saw looked
like the subjects of famous paintings. "They're the
same ones that are in the museums," he says. "I
wanted to take them home with me."
Garcia got something else out of the trip: con-
fidence. Before he left, the photography class took
studio portraits at Iris House, a residence for HIV-
positive families. Garcia turned down the invita-
tion. "It seemed so intense," he says. "I was just
too shy to think about doing something like that."
Could he do it now?
He looks at the portraits, takes a step back, then
forward again. "Yeah, I think so."
-Annia Ciezadlo

Briem ........ --------........ --------------
Refuse Redux
Railroaded
Out
M
ore than 500 Hunts Point residents
packed a school auditorium last
month to loudly protest a pro-
posed waste transfer station that
would bring some 5,200 tons of
garbage a day through their small South Bronx
neighborhood.
Hunts Point community groups have been in
nearly constant battle with state and city offi-
cials in recent years over the increased truck
traffic that waste transfer sites bring to the
neighborhood. But according to American
Marine Rail, which is floating this most recent
proposal, this new transfer station wouldn't add
more trucks. Instead, trash from all five bor-
oughs would be brought to the site by water in
sealed barges. The garbage would then be trans-
ferred to rail cars inside a specially equipped
M
building, and shipped out by train.
But residents claim the proposal is doomed
to fail. The rail system in the area is already
overcrowded, they say, and cars full of rotting
garbage often sit in station yards for days at a
time.
At the hearing, residents demanded that envi-
ronmental officials require the rail company to
complete a comprehensive environmental impact
statement, instead of the shorter form the compa-
ny filed. Angry residents also accused public offi-
cials of allowing their neighborhood, which
already has 23 transfer stations, to be flooded with
more garbage and trucks.
The state Department of Environmental Con-
servation "has never seen a [waste transfer sta-
tion] proposal in the South Bronx that it doesn't
like," says Paul Lipson, executive director of The
Point, a local community organization. "It hap-
pens again and again and again."
American Marine Rail was given a tentative
go-ahead by both the city and state environmental
agencies. The ultimate decision rests with a state
environmental judge, who is now considering the
plan.
-Laura Ciechanowski
Lawsuits
Guest
Privileges
T
ime and time again, people on welfare
complain that after waiting for hours at
welfare benefits centers, they leave con-
fused about their rights, unsure of what's
going on and in the dark about how to
get help. But no sooner than welfare advocates
show up at welfare centers to offer legal advice and
coaching, city officials show them the door.
These advocates could serve as mediators and
translators for welfare recipients who don't speak
English, and help clarify complicated welfare rules
and regulations for those who do. Instead, anyone
who hasn't been specifically invited beforehand
by a client is usually asked to leave.
Now that policy is being challenged in a lawsuit
filed jointly by the Brennan Center for Justice at
New York University's law school, the welfare
advocacy group Make The Road By Walking and
several individual welfare recipients. The com-
plaint, filed March 6, asks a federal court to declare
the practice unconstitutional, arguing that it violates
clients' free speech rights by preventing them from
accessing information that is relevant to their cases.
The city's Human Resources Administration
"is afraid of people knowing their rights and of
people banding together and holding government
accountable," charges Andrew Friedman, co-direc-
tor of Make The Road By Walking. Friedman, who
reports that his organization has logged more than
600 complaints from welfare recipients, says many
people are denied benefits simply because they
cannot communicate effectively with the case-
workers and officials in the welfare centers.
Ruth Reinecke, an HRA spokeswoman, defends
the rule, pointing out that the agency's policy is no
different from that of any other government office:
only those who have business to take care of may
be present. Further, she says, welfare offices should
protect recipients' right to confidentiality.
But according to Friedman, the policy is simply
an attempt to hide problems with the welfare sys-
tem. 'The city locks out advocates in the same way
that restaurants with myriad [health code] viola-
tions don't like health inspectors coming into their
restaurants." -Laura Ciechanowski
For more news updates,
events and job ads,
subscribe to the
CITY LIMITS WEEKLY
Call 212-479-3349 or email
mcgowan@citylimits.org.
CITVLlMITS
...... __ --------.... ----------------sBriem
"0 a Giuliani Crony? f
e-t-
Public Housing
O
ver the last decades, residents of the
Pleasant East Apartments in East
Harlem have learned to cope with their
lackadaisical landlord by using their
own money and labor to keep the build-
ing clean, tile the walls and floors, and make
minor fixes.
So when their landlord, Albert Medina, finally
gave up the buildings in early February, the ten-
ants rejoiced. They had no idea they'd soon be get-
ting the boot.
Medina had been getting federal rent and mort-
gage subsidies from the federal Department of
Housing and Urban Development through the
Section 8 program in exchange for keeping rents
low. After he had neglected the buildings for
years, though, both the feds and the city public
housing authority cut off his payments. On Febru-
ary 9, cash-strapped Medina turned the buildings
over to HUD.
As soon as HUD took over, it quickly
arranged for repairs and improvements, like a
new temporary boiler, new security guards and
repairs to the elevators. But three weeks later, ten-
ants got an ugly surprise: a notice to evacuate.
Due to "health, safety and security reasons," the
MAY 2000
SORHY.' THAT'S
NOT YOUR
FINAL ANSWER!
letter read, the 150-apartment complex would be
closed July I. Tenants would have to find a new
place to live.
Housing officials say these eight buildings on
1 17th and 119th streets are in terrible condition.
They scored only 2 of 100 on the agency's 100-
point evaluation scale, and only 5 of 100 on anoth-
er independent rating. "[They] didn't even come
within spitting distance of being characterized as
safe," says HUD spokeswoman Sandi Abadinsky.
"There are dead rats decaying in the walls, crime
problems, heat problems-absolutely horrendous
conditions, among the worst our inspectors have
ever seen."
But tenants are baffled by the assessment, and
distraught that they'll have to move. They also
fear that the federal housing agency has another
motive: to demolish the buildings, some of which
border other vacant and developer-friendly prop-
erty. ACORN organizers are now working with
the tenants to help them stay in the buildings.
Carmen Estrada, who lives in a four-bedroom
apartment on 1 19th Street, says her building's in
fine shape. '1t's in great condition;' she says.
"These are strong structures with nice apartments.
I feel very safe here." A tour of about five other
rg
=
Pleasant East buildings also revealed few visible
signs of distress or damage. HUD merely says that
the apartments have a legion of minor problems:
missing doors, leaking pipes, missing tiles, severe
mold and rust.
"Some of the apartments are in good condi-
tion," admits Abadinsky. Nevertheless, she adds,
"it's unsafe to live in. How can we spend taxpay-
er money to keep people in a building that will
endanger their health and safety?"
Abadinsky emphasizes that the federal housing
agency cannot afford to rehab the properties on its
own-"HUD itself does not have the resources to
invest in a building this bad," she says-but insists
the buildings would not be demolished, and says
that any new owner would be required to maintain
the buildings as affordable housing.
An agency architect is now doing an in-depth
study to determine how much repairs will cost.
For now, HUD has promised to help the 120
families at Pleasant East find new apartments,
and to compensate them for moving costs.
But the tenants don't plan to go without a
fight.
"It's the kind of building where you leave
your key under the doormat in case someone
needs to get into your apartment," says 10sefa
Garcia, who has lived for 25 years in Pleasant
East. "Now they just want us to leave. How can
they force us to live in places where we know no
one?"
-Matt Pacenza

Una's Major Battle
Councilwoman Una Clarke wants a new job-the one that belongs to her former mentor.
PIPEliNE ~ By James Bradley
__ ..... -.1'
Protege Una
Clark (left photo)
is angling for
li beral stalwart
Major Owens'
congressional
seat, roiling
Brooklyn pol itics.
:M
F
or incumbents aligned with Brook-
lyn's Democratic machine, the bor-
ough has usually been a patch of
paradise. But this year, a political fight
threatens to litter the borough with tom
alliances and fractious factions.
Term limits have most of Brooklyn's
City Council members looking for a new
job, and forced state and federal politicians
to defend theirs. One councilmember, Una
Clarke, now plans to challenge her one-
time mentor: veteran congressman Major 1
Owens, who helped Clarke become East
F1atbush's councilmember in 1991 .
Six months before the primary, the race
is already intense. Born in Jamaica, Clarke
serves a community with a large irruni- ci
grant population and insists that the j
incumbent has not done enough to serve
that constituency. Owens, an African- <:
American with an enduring reputation as a ~
Norman, sent a letter to Clarke in January,
urging her to abort her all-but-declared
campaign in the name of party unity.
Clarke calls the letter insulting. "It was
inappropriate," Clarke says. ''This effort
stifles democracy, which does not serve
the black community. No one questions
my ability, intelligence, my ability to get
things done."
Many political insiders see this race as
a serious test to determine whether the
city's 400,()()()-strong Carib-
bean community has emerged
as a viable voting bloc. "It usu-
ally takes a significant amount
of time for new ethnics to orga-
nize and elect people to office,"
says Hank Sheinkopf, a Demo-
cratic strategist. "Can Clarke
raise the money? Is Owens
champion of progressive causes, has weak enough? That's what this race will
accused Clarke of being divisive and com- boil down to."
pared her "ethnic demagoguery" to But not everyone considers etbnicity
Hitler's. (The Owens campaign now says central to this contest. "I don' t think this
the comment was a mistake.) race is any kind of referendum on
So much do Brooklyn Democrats dread Caribbean politics," says L. Nick Perry, a
a costly and divisive primary that several Brooklyn state assemblyman who is both
of Owens' supporters, including Assembly Caribbean and an Owens supporter. "It
members Roger Green, Frank Boyland, will be just another race where a chal-
and AI Vann, State Senator Velmanette lenger thinks the incumbent can be beaten.
Montgomery and party leader Clarence That's all."
T
o political activists in the 11 th Dis-
trict, Major Owens has been a
familiar figure for more than 30
years. Affection for him runs deep, partic-
ularly in Park Slope, Prospect Heights and
Prospect-Lefferts Gardens. "Major repre-
sents the spirit of the ' 60s-antiwar, civil
rights, social justice," says Charles Mon-
aghan, a former district leader and long-
time activist. "He has very long roots."
But there is criticism as well. The rap
on Owens is that he's a policy wonk more
concerned with waste at the Pentagon than
at the city Housing Authority. Many still
grumble that Owens was nowhere to be
found during the Crown Heights riots of
1991. And when it comes to dealing with
constituents, many of whom rely on the
congressman to handle immigration mat-
ters, even ardent admirers agree his two
district offices are not up to snuff.
"You want Major representing you in
Washington when the Republicans are
marauding," says Jack Carroll, an activist
with the Central Brooklyn Independent
Democrats, a Park Slope-based political club
that supports Owens. "Major fights to resist
them. But in the nitty-gritty of constituent
services, his staff has let people down. That's
his one failing."
Congressman Pothole be isn' t. One for-
CITY LIMITS
mer Owens staffer still respects him as a legislator
but calls the district office on Utica Avenue
"appalling." If people came in with a problem that
was not a federal matter, says the ex -staffer, they
were told they couldn't be helped. Numerous
requests for help went unacknowledged. There are
still only four hours a week when constituents can
come in without an appointment, during which they
sit in an overcrowded waiting room. Indeed, a 1998
Daily News analysis ranked Owens' constituent ser-
vice as the least responsive in the city's congres-
sional delegation.
Not suprisingly, Clarke plays up these com-
plaints. "He is absent from this community," she
says. "My constituents have gone to his office and
have not been pleased with the way in which they
have been served."
Chris Owens, Major's son and campaign man-
ager, concedes the congressman's district office has
had its share of problems but says that the number
of requests for help with immigration are daunting.
'"This is the one area where state and city can't do
much," he says. "We're talking thousands of case-
loads that have been processed [at this office]."
(Congressman Owens did not return repeated
phone calls requesting an interview.)
Major Owens may be vulnerable, but the advan-
tage of incwnbency is enormous, and federal elec-
tions don't come cheap. Clarke's handlers believe
she needs to raise some $300,000 to mount a suc-
cessful challenge. According to campaign filings
from the end of 1999, Clarke had raised $56,000-
advisors say it's now up to $70,OOO-while Owens
has secured more than $150,000. Clarke has raised
all her money from small, individual contributions;
Owens has amassed more than half his chest from
political action committees, mostly unions, health
care groups and trial lawyers.
Clarke's fledgling campaign has been further
hobbled by a large fine recently imposed by the
city's Campaign Finance Board. The agency
slapped the councilwoman with a $100,000 penal-
ty for violating spending limits in her 1997
re-election campaign-a race, incidentally, in
which her Republican opponent got just 1 percent
of the vote. Clarke plans to appeal the fine, the
heaviest on a City Council candidate in the 12-year
history of the Campaign Finance Board.
Owens' seniority also works in his favor. Should
the Democrats retake Congress this November, he
would rank high on the Education Committee and
could even chair a subcommittee. Clarke would
begin at the bottom, and she is slightly older than
Owens. "A 64-year-old freshman is not an appeal-
ing prospect," one political insider quips.
T
he history between Owens and Clarke runs
deep, going back to the 1970s. Owens was a
guiding force in her election to the City
Council: the Coalition for Community Empower-
ment, a group of left-leaning politicos, union lead-
ers and activists that Owens helped found, support-
MAY 2000
s
THERE IS NO SUCH
THING AS A FREE LUNCH
But there is free legal assistance
Not-for-profits, community groups and organizations working to improve their
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B
ed her against Carl Andrews, who was backed by
the Brooklyn Democratic machine. "I put my
career on the line when she ran," Owens told the
Daily News earlier this year. ''This is a case of one
of your children rising up to try to eat you."
Clarke, meanwhile, believes she has been equally
helpful to Owens, introducing him to many West
Indian community leaders.
It would be ironic if ethnicity played a decisive
role in this race. From his work with a 1960s
group called Christians and Jews United for
Social Action (a Legal Aid precusor) to the Coali-
tion for Community Empowerment, Owens has
built his career on forging multiracial and multi-
ethnic coalitions. He has repeatedly denounced
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, often at a
political price that has included a difficult primary
in 1994.
But given the incumbent's poor track record
serving the immigrant community, it is inevitable
that ethnic issues will come to the forefront-and
Clarke's supporters will most certainly exploit them.
"You have to detail how you're going to be different
from your opponent," explains Democratic consul-
tant George Arzt, who will be working with Clarke.
The councilwoman herself says it's Caribbeans'
time to show their strength: "It's a natural progres-
sion. The community has matured in many ways,
[and] we're no different from other immigrant
groups."
What's more, the political landscape has
changed dramatically. Many of Brooklyn's most
famous black leaders have been of Caribbean
ancestry-Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm,
district leader Leslie "Mac" Holder, even Clarence
Norman-but that fact was not often highlighted,
since the group was a minority within a minority.
That has changed.
"It has become almost popular these days to
define oneself as Caribbean," says Hugh Hamil-
ton, legislative aide to City Council member
Lloyd Henry, who represents the district adjacent
to Clarke's. ''There was a time when it was con-
sidered divisive to assert a Caribbean ethnic iden-
tity within the context of the overall African-
American community."
Hamilton and others note that the 1996 federal
welfare bill, which included many provisions hos-
tile to immigrants, was a political catalyst in com-
munities like East Flatbush. "It acted as a light-
BEAR IT FIRST
Limits
Indisptnsiblt nft's on tht potitiu of housinCJ, wtlfm, aimt, jobs, sdaools.
LNm what City Hall dOfSll't want you to bow about Ntw York's ntiCJhborhoods.
And kHP up with tvtryont who's workinCJ to mot thtm bttttr.
ning rod to mobilize previously dormant segments
of the neighborhood," he explains, pointing to
developments since then that include widespread
interest in this year's census and the addition of
tens of thousands of immigrant citizens to the
voter rolls. "We're still not as organized as we
could be. But we've certainly come a long way."
To even have a shot of pulling off an upset,
Clarke must line up an army of allies to match
Owens'. Clarence Norman and the county
machine are with Owens, even though their rela-
tionship has been shaky in the past, while Con-
gressman Edolphus Towns, who has been feuding
with Norman for years over judicial appoint-
ments, is backing Clarke. Owens can also count
on Lambda Independent Democrats and the
Working Families Party. Already endorsing
Clarke are Ed Koch and Canarsie councilman
Herb Berman, whose Thomas Jefferson Democ-
ratic Club will provide organizational help to her
campaign.
"This will be a door-to-door race," predicts
Arzt. "You can't depend on TV in such a small
district.... This race is gonna be won in the
streets."
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CITY LIMITS
Does it Cive a BAM?
Brooklyn's avant-garde outpost creates a community plan-as Fort Greene wonders where itfits in.
By Robert Neuwirth
S
eeking to capitalize on the city real
estate frenzy, the Brooklyn Academy
of Music plans to develop the neigh-
borhood around its theaters as an arts and
entertainment district. Using stealth rather
than the verve with which it promotes the
ballets, operas and films it presents, the
Academy has completed a strategic plan,
hired staff and raised $300,000 to bankroll
a long-dormant Local Development Corpo-
ration that will coordinate real estate devel-
opment around BAM.
Fort Greene, the neighborhood that has
hosted BAM since 1908, has greeted the
news with cautious optimism. Optimism,
because residents feel the area, which is pep-
pered with vacant lots and empty store-
fronts, could use some new development.
Caution because the arts center has a reputa-
tion for paying more attention to interna-
tional performers and Manhattan patrons
than to Fort Greene and the rest of Brooklyn.
To BAM, its role is benign. "We want
to create a vibrant 24-hour mixed-use cul-
tural district right in the area around
BAM," says Jeanne Lutfy, who was
recently hired as president of the LDC.
"We don' t want to disrupt the community.
We want to weave this into the existing
fabric of the community."
Lutfy, who ran public relations and
marketing for the city's Public Develop-
ment Corporation under mayors Koch and
Dinkins, insists BAM doesn't want to build
the Lincoln Center of Brooklyn. She says
the LOC's master plan, which is expected
to be completed by summer, will include
improvements like tree planting, installa-
tion of new signs and new street lighting.
BAM's LDC will also most likely advocate
some development, with housing, stores
and arts space all potential parts of the mix.
But some Fort Greene residents fear that
BAM's plans will further fuel the real estate
fervor that has just put one brownstone on
the market for the unheard-of price of $1
million. The artists and retailers who have
made Fort Greene a mecca for African and
African-American culture are likewise dis-
covering that they cannot take the character
of their neighborhood for granted.
"It's sort of like a takeover. That's what it
feels like," says Lucille Kenney, who has
lived on Cumberland Street, a few blocks
from BAM, for about 30 years. Kenney con-
MAY 2000
tends that news of the proposed cultural dis-
trict has generated many unsolicited visits
from real estate agents. She fears that all the
interest in the neighborhood-BAM's LOC,
the plan to build movie studios at the Brook-
lyn Navy Yard, the recent idea of putting a
Greyhound bus depot on Myrtle Avenue and
the redevelopment of several buildings
along Hanson Place-has prompted realtors
to pressure her and other long-term home-
owners to sell their properties.
Realtor Eva M. Daniels, who has been
selling homes in Fort Greene since 1982,
points out that real estate throughout the
city is commanding top dollar; Fort
Greene is simply part of the trend. At the
same time, she concedes sadly, the rocket-
ing values have changed the neighbor-
hood. "It still has a large percentage of
African-Americans," she says. "But it's
not as much as it was even two years ago."
P
rom the 1970s to the 1990s, as impre-
sario Harvey Lichtenstein trans-
formed BAM from a second-rate the-
ater into a tabernacle of the avant-garde, the
Academy thought and acted globally, bring-
ing Swedish theater, Japanese dance and
German performance art to Brooklyn. But
locals have long groused that BAM seems
more interested in servicing patrons from
Manhattan-BAM even runs vans to ferry
ticket -holders from across the river to its
shows-than developing an audience and
artists closer to home.
Fort Greene, a middle- and working-
class black neighborhood, has creative
assets of its own. Artists such as jazz
singer Betty Carter and director Spike Lee
have called it home, and local venues like
the Paul Robeson Theater and Brooklyn
Moon Cafe promote homegrown musi-
cians, poets and artists. Only recently, with

PIPEliNE ~
Brooklyn's
cultural
conquistadors
plan to expand
their business,
while locals
worry that the
neighborhood
will no longer be
their own.
,

the opening of the BAM Cafe, has BAM
regularly showcased local performers.
Now Lichtenstein, who has retired
from BAM but pushed to create the LDC
and heads its board, is leading the charge
into development. Fort Greene residents
and merchants wonder whether he will
finally push BAM to knit itself into their
community.
"What the BAM LDC is doing will
almost certainly benefit our merchants,"
says Errol Louis, executive director of the
Bogolan Merchants Association, a group
of businesses clustered along Fulton Street
just east of BAM that cater to the black
diaspora-American, African and Carib-
bean. (The group takes its name from
bogolanfini, a mud-dyed ceremonial cloth
from Mali.) "Anything that brings more
cultural dollars and tourism and arts and
entertainment has got to be a good thing."
At the same time, some Bogolan mem-
bers say, BAM remains insular. Merchants
laugh as they describe having to take
Lichtenstein and other academy bigwigs
on a tour to introduce them to vibrant
artistic businesses located just a few
blocks from the theaters. "The idea of
making this a cultural district on the face
of it is good," says Selma Jackson, who
owns 4W Circle of Art and Enterprise, a
fashion and art boutique two blocks from
BAM on Fulton Street. Yet the cultural
institution hasn't done what it could, she
says, to put Fort Greene's existing creative
culture on the map. "This is already a cul-
tural district. Why are we reaching outside
the community and not reaching to the
people who are here?"
One clear answer is that culture means
different things to different people. When-
ever an institution talks of creating a cul-
tural district, Louis points out, "you get
into some very sticky questions as to whose
culture or what culture or why certain
choices are made." To make sure the LDC
reflects the community, Bogolan is asking
the LDC to add two merchants to its board.
For now, the only local representative
on the board is the district manager of
Community Board 2, which covers Brook-
lyn Heights as well as Fort Greene. The
LDC also tapped several real estate devel-
opers for the board, most notably Bruce
Ratner, who also chairs the Academy's
board. Brooklyn's leading builder, Ratner
created downtown towers for Morgan
Stanley and Metrotech and put suburban-
style retail around the comer from BAM in
the Atlantic Center mall. As the designated
builder for two nearby urban renewal sites,
he stands to benefit from the dollars and
development opportunities the LDC can
bring to the area.
A
t this stage, it's hard to say exactly
what the LDC wants to do. Licht-
enstein hints that the group may be
involved in a new charter school. Others
talk about retail development.
Lutfy refused to provide City Limits
with the LOC's strategic plan, insisting that
it was an internal "think piece." But a copy
obtained elsewhere shows the LDC is con-
templating some big real estate maneuvers.
The report presents three scenarios.
"It's sort of like
a takeover.
That's what it
feels like," says
Lucille Kenney,
who has lived a
few blocks from
BAM for about
30 years.
First, BAM could develop what it cans a
"big bang"-a gigantic $100 to $200 mil-
lion arts pavilion along the lines of the
New Jersey Performing Arts Center, which
opened two years ago in downtown
Newark. The report notes that this scenario
could run into community resistance and
would take years to implement.
The second approach would create
market-rate housing, possibly reserving 20
percent of units for low-income renters.
Apartments, the consultants argue, would
add to the vitality of the streets around
BAM and could throw off as much as $7
million to endow the LDC's future opera-
tions. The report also suggests that a mid-
size "boutique" hotel could be a strong
addition to the area.
Finally, the third concept would have the
LDC function more like a merchants' asso-
ciation, creating an urban design scheme to
unify the neighborhood. The report cautions
that this strategy wouldn't necessarily raise
BAM's profile or create a cultural hub.
Marilyn Gelber, head of the indepen-
dence Community Foundation, which
gave the BAM LDC a three-year,
$300,000 grant, expects Lichtenstein,
Lutfy and company to start their effort by
planning for Ratner's two nearby urban
renewal sites. Each has many vacant
parcels where buildings were demolished
long ago. There are also a few tracts that
were mapped for urban renewal but never
condemned, including a block between
Flatbush Avenue and Fulton Street. Gelber
figures these sites could accommodate
housing, retail and art studios.
BAM's move into development is pos-
sible now because the Manhattan real
estate boom is proving a bust for many arts
groups. Already, several major dance com-
panies-including Trisha Brown, Laura
Dean, Paul Taylor, and Twyla Tharp-
have said they expect to be forced out of
their current spaces as their leases expire
over the next few years. BAM is counting
on Manhattan's loss becoming Brooklyn's
gain. "You have as an anchor the oldest
performing arts center in the country," says
Gelber. "There's a great community in
Fort Greene. Why not build on these
strengths? The arts will be a growing sec-
tor of Brooklyn's economy."
Even now, Fort Greene is attracting arts
groups. Early this year, the Alliance of
Resident TheaterslNew York plunked
down $1.25 million for a building on
South Oxford Street to provide office
space for 19 small theater companies. And
though construction has not yet started, the
Mark Morris Dance Company says it plans
to move its headquarters and rehearsal
space to a building across the street from
BAM by the end of the year.
Bogolan's Errol Louis says there's still
time for the arts groups and the neighbor-
hood to come together. He hopes BAM's
LDC will make the effort. "Nobody's ter-
ribly upset that they're making plans for
the area and haven't shared them with us,"
he says. "But if the attempt through the
LDC is once again taking one person's
vision and attempting to hardwire it in, I
just don't think it will work." .
Robert Neuwirth writes on urban issues
and is working on a project reporting on
squatter communities in the developing
world.
CITY LIMITS
-'
THE YOU N G AN 0 TH E
Meet 12 of New York's Savviest Activists
D
on't stop thinking about tomorrow. It's not
thing I'm proud of, but there was a moment In
1992, while I sat on a friend's couch watching
the election returns, that I really thought everything
was about to get a lot better. That's what growing up
during the era of Reagan and Bush does to you. My
generation went through our formative years without
ever having a Democrat in the White House. It can
make you a little goofy-headed at the prospect of hav-
ing a liberal as President.
Or maybe that's just me. I've since noticed that some of the
smartest, toughest and funniest activists around are also of my gen-
eration. Apparently, growing up during an era of conservative triumph
can also make you more intrepid and more resilient-and nurture a
beautifully perverse sense of humor to boot.
For too long, the civil rights generation has been getting all the credit for
noble values, public commitment and social conscience. That's not with-
out cause: According to one depressing poll, a whopping 36 percent of col-
lege freshmen now feel that it's important to be socially active, the lowest
percentage in 15 years. According to another, 52 percent of them expect
to be millionaires by the time they are 40 years old.
But not every twenty- and thirtysomething is a slacker, hip-hop
impresario, internet entrepreneur or Steve Forbes booster. In fact, New
York City hosts some truly extraordinary young social activists.
At City Limits, we wanted to profile a handful of these people in part
for the simple reason that they rarely get recognized. We also wanted
to identify what is unique about this generation of activists.
In a word, it's pluck. .
These New Yorkers are accustomed to sticking their necks out In an
MAY 2000
era that is hostile to grassroots activism and social justice. Back in the
day, it might have been easy to organize a protest or start a new com-
munity group when it was the cool thing to do. These people, on the other
hand, are expert at going against the grain. They have a much tougher
audience, and as a result they are clear-eyed and strategic. (They're also
funny-no coincidence that two of the 12 are also comedians.)
When we brought a group of these progressives together to talk, I
na'lvely asked them whether they thought the upcoming changes in
city government-new mayor, new City Council-would give them a
chance to go from outsiders to insiders. They all rolled their eyes.
Most of them did think things would probably be getting better. They
were just realistic about the possibilities. "I don't expect the next
administration to be great friend of progressives, but they will be less
interested in demonizing progressives," is how community develop-
ment star Brad Lander put it.
In keeping with that, they talked tactics a lot, explaining how to
maintain progressive influence in a reactionary era. Don't throw out
the old tools, like marches and protests, but use them creatively: set
crickets loose during a garden auction, or send teenagers on bikes
out to police law-breaking truckers. Target the politicians who actu-
ally have power-even if they are Republicans-and keep the heat
on them, even between elections. Use identity politics as a way to
mobilize people, not as an end in itself. Figure out ways to make big
splashy protests like the one in Seattle last year connect to local
issues, like why there are no jobs in Bushwick.
No more faith that one politician will change it all. Instead, I'd
rather pin my idealistic hopes on these pragmatists. They
and encourage the New York City that most of us would rather live In,
where justice and vitality are as important as order. When times
change, and if these progressives find themselves in the majority, we
wifl all benefit from their tenacity. New York is lucky to have them.
-Kathleen McGowan
-
M AJ 0 R
FRANCESMILLER
Legislative Aide Manhattan
S
he calls herself a realist, impatient with ideologues. But perhaps she
protests too much. Miller, 29, is the legislative aide and right-hand
woman for one of the most idealistic politicians to hit Albany in a
generation: the openly gay, unabashedly left State Senator Tom Duane. Like
Duane, the blunt and funny Miller knows how it feels to be an outsider.
Growing up in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn, going to
yeshiva, Miller was raised in a culture that was supportive but ultimately
suffocating.
"I learned a lot from [that worldHow I organize, and the benefits of
community," she says now. But when she entered Brooklyn College, she
moved out-to the dismay of her and neighbors. "I was expected
to get married at age 18, live a certain life, have the kids, the house," Miller
says. "I won't say I understand the experience of homophobia. But I do
know what it feels like to potentially lose your family" over life choices.
After doing homeless outreach for three years, Miller welcomes the
power that working for an elected official can bring, and the opportunity to
be involved in forging effective political compromises-getting Senate
Republicans to see the value of work-study for welfare recipients, for
example, or backing a centrist like Hillary Clinton. "Hillary has her faults.
But that's not the point-l'1I do whatever I can to get her elected. We get
so self-righteous, we hurt ourselves."
Q: What do you think you missed coming into the game when you did?
Being an activist in 1990s is a test. It's really weird to hear 25-year-olds
on MTV talking about downsizing government, hearing them spew the
rhetoric of the right.
Q: Would you ever run for office? I'm going to run for something. But
you have to have a base. I'm working toward that. And I'll back out of it if
I feel that it gets to my brain, like it does with a lot of electeds. A lot of peo-
ple go into politics bright-eyed, and the power gets to them.
-Kathleen McGowan
L A V TAMCMATH
Education Policy Analyst Citywide
D
on't assume that because her job is to budgets and public policy, McMath
is a wonk sequestered in front of her computer. Since moving to New York in 1993
to study urban policy at the New School, McMath has done more hands-on work to
fortify neighborhoods than a city block of average folks.
Before signing on with the Citizens' Committee for Children as staff assistant for edu-
cation and child care in 1998, McMath had spent time as a at the Fund for
the City of New York, where she coordinated a conference on preservation, and
helped found Roger Green's Benjamin Banneker Community Development
Corp. She is also a lay leader at Emmanuel Baptist Church, a mentor for young
students and member of Community Board 2.
All this is no slight on her day job, which she loves. "My studies provide the actual, tan-
gible information that supports our group's budget advocacy," she says. "You have to know
what's there to make recommendations that make sense for what needs to change."
grew up in public housing in Chicago, in a household with roots in Mississippi
and a strong sense of church and She says that the lessons she learned there about
giving back to the community are the hidden link between her diverse interests. As for the
future, she leaves that open, be it community development, advocacy, policy or some new
endeavor. "Running for office? I wouldn't rule it out," she says. "But I'm not interested in
thinking about that now."
G: What makes you angry? Apathy. People not taking a stand or not sticking up for
something they believe in.
G: What would you taU a 21-year-old goq into your field? Find an organization or a
job that allows you to learn all you can and to grow. Take advantage of those opportuni-
ties, and don't be discouraged with being the youngest at a meeting. See it as an oppor-
tunity to grow. One day you'll be the one that people on; you'll be the expert.

CITY LIMITS
A
s a film major at Wesleyan College, Majora Carter never imagined that her life's work would bring her back to
Hunts Point, the poor Bronx.neighborhood where she grew up. "I turned 17 and I was like, 'There's no way I'm
going back,'" she says now. What drew her back home was simple economics-a cheap place to live while
she went to school for creative writing at NYU. But it changed her life completely.
While teaching writing in the Bronx in 1997, Carter volunteered for the Point, originally a youth development
program with a cultural bent. That evolved into a mission: helping Hunts Point residents see the neighborhood's
possibilities, a mission buoyed by the threat of a monster waste transfer station that could bring 5,200 tons of
garbage a day. After getting together a SOO-strong community meeting in March, says Carter, "I felt a huge vic-
tory, that people finally feel they have a ri ght to be counted."
One of Carter's innovative proj ects at The Point was recruiting neighborhood kids, armed with bikes and walkie-
talkies, to confront truckers drivi ng illegally on residential streets. As part of a community regeneration plan,
Carter identified an abandoned city street with access to the Bronx River. Thanks to a Partnership for Parks grant,
it's the future site of the peninsular neighborhood's first waterfront park in 60 years, complete with community
boathouse.
Carter, now 33, says that at one time she was rather apolitical. "I finally got my hands on Pedagogy of the
Oppressed and I thought-maybe I should be reading this." While Carter's work is pretty all-encompassing,
it hasn't overwhelmed her artistic side. In the midst of planning the fourth annual South Bronx Film and Video
Festival , she's now learning how to play guitar.
Q: What makes you angry? When organizations come to us as if they are our great white hope. If you want to work
with us on our projects, that's fine. But having a white man who runs a big green organization fabricate our vision
makes me angry.
Q: What have you learned from your parents that you bring into your work? My father, who died last year, was
quiet in his way of protesting. It had to do with dignity. For example, the word "nigger." We never used that word. My
black friends and white friends, the way he was the same with everyone. I realized that what he was trying to show us
is the way you show yourself and the way you treat others. - Jill Priluck
MAY 2000
SOFIA QUINTERO
Polymath Bronx
E
x-chief-of-staff for a City Councilwoman, ex-policy analyst, now edi-
tor of a Latino web site and a stand-Up comic, there's one job title
Quintero prefers best: generalist. Only 30, this Bronx native has
already tried her hand at everything from studying statistics at Colum-
bia's school of international affairs to budget analysis at the city's Inde-
pendent Budget Office, grassroots grant-making at the North Star Fund
and teaching a class on hip-hop at the Brecht Forum.
At the newly formed lBO, she and her colleagues valiantly wrested
important social services data out of a reticent administration, turning
the numbers into sharp analysis of city policy. With the New York Philan-
thropy Initiative, she helped survey how foundations fund the city's grass-
roots groups, a project still underway.
she says, "I decided what I needed to do is concentrate in an
area where I can be useful no matter what issue I'm working on. That's when
I realized I was a generalist, and there's nothing wrong with it."
She says .she learned her biggest political lesson at the age of 25, while
working at the City Council: Identity politics has its limits. "Descriptive
representation doesn't mean anything. A person may look like you, be of
your race and gender, but not be the best person to represent you." Quin-
tero instead now thinks of identity politics as a starting point, a founda-
tion for challenging oppression.
Quick-talking and expansive, Quintero is optimistic about the left. One
big hope: the Intemet. "One brother said to me recently: 'I don't need to be
online, because the revolution's gonna be on the streets,'" she laughs. "I
said, yeah--but you'll miss it because you didn't get the emaiL"
Q: Do you feel like you missed out, getting into this when you did?
Things have changed, economically, Some folks are very
nostalgic for a time they didn't live in. They all want to be a Young Lord or a
Black Panther. I think you can't trash everything [the older generation] has
done, but street actions and rallies alone are not going to change everything.
Q: What do you see as the future for our generation? Our
trump card is that we're going to blow up out of nowhere. They say we
don't stand for anything; meanwhile, our generation has highest level
of entrepreneurship this countrY has ever seen. The more visible type
is for-profit; but a lot is civic-oriented, nonprofit. They've underesti-
mated us. -Kathleen McGowan
B R A D L A N D E R
Community Developer Park Slope
R
aised and educated in Midwestern cities, Lander has only been a
New Yorker for a little more than seven years. He's spent almost all
of them as head of the Fifth Avenue Committee, a neighborhood
nonprofit that he turned into a community development powerhouse. At
only 23, he took over the organization, building it from a staff of about a
half-dozen into a veritable empire with more than 50 employees and sev-
eral spin-off subsidiaries, including an ecologically sound dry cleaning
franchise and a nonprofit temp agency.
Although he's become an expert at the practical, Lander also has a
scholar's background, with a master's degree in anthropology that he
got in London on a Marshall scholarship. He's good at connecting the
specific to the general-he may know all the Park Slope gossip and
understand the specifics of low-income housing development, but he
also follows the socialist politics of inner London. This more critical aca-
demic perspective also shows in his demeanor: Lander may be progres-
sive, but he's no ideologue. He thinks-and
prone to answering questions with "on the one hand" responses.
But Lander doesn't hesitate to glow over Brooklyn. "Not to romanti-
cize it, but what's suggested by this kind of commitment to diverse
urban life is fabulous," he says. "It's the hint of a possibility of what
society could be like."
Q: Ever consider academia? Not anymore. But I wish that there were
ways to be engaged in more thoughtful collective reflection on the work
Y
u became an activist on June 4, 1995, the day she found herself on the wrong side
of a barricade at a Chinatown protest. On hand to photograph her sister and others
in a hunger strike to protest a restaurant's labor practices, Yu decided that taking
pictures wasn't enough. "I joined the hunger strike the next day," she says.
She has continued on the path she began that day--passionate, focused on her com-
munity and committed to her Today, Yu, project director for the Chinese Staff and
Workers Association and cofounder of the National Mobilization Against Sweatshops,
pushes for better worker's compensation services for injured garment workers and for
equal pay and treatment for low-income women. Her family is still a major source of
inspiration-both her parents have worked long days in the garment industry since they
came to this country from China 27 years ago, and her mother has become an important
leader in their Sunset Park community.
A graduate of New York University's prestigious film school, the 22-year-old Yu says her
visual skills are now devoted to helping Chinatown youth learn how to document
the world they live in. "I view the camera as a weapon to tell one's story and to expose
injustice," she says. ''There was no way I could play both roles of being a documentary
filmmaker and an organizer. So right now, I'm organizing."
Q: Do you feel like you missed out? Yes and no. But I'm not regretful that I didn't grow
up in the 1960s because I feel that people need to go back to their own communITies to
organize. And for the Chinese community, the 21st century is the most important time to
organize--in many ways, things are just getting worse.
Q: How do you prepare for a big public speech? I always a lot on our members. I
confer WITh them [before] I do a speech to try to represent the needs of our group, which
is member-based. I confer WITh the leaders and WITh my mom about what should I put
out there. They'll guide me. -Carl Vogel
we do while still doing it-that you didn't have to make choice between - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --
toiling in the trenches or pondering things.
Q: Did the protests in Seattle inspire you? Progressive politics now
are not speaking to people in a way they need to---they don't engage
people on a cultural level. Seattle touched on connecting some people
in those ways, but it didn't translate into ways that made sense for peo-
ple of color in disenfranchised communities in New York City.
-Kathleen McGowan
CITY LIMITS
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V
an Bramer has been on the losing side of more than a few battles. But he says that the
issues he has fought for-notably gay rights, universal health care and campaign
finance reform-are too important to let the setbacks affect him. "Obviously, progres-
sives want to win and want to be in power," he says. "But change is incremental, and I'm
certain that we're doing good things and moving forward."
A committed outer-borough booster, van Bramer, 30, has done most of his work in his
native Queens. As a student at St. John's University, he tried to force that Catholic school to
officially recognize a gay and lesbian club (the effort ultimately failed), and he now serves as
executive vice president of the Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens. He also was
involved in electoral issues citywide as the deputy field director of the 1998 Clean
Money/Clean Elections campaign.
Today, van Bramer organizes support for Queens' 63 libraries as the system's community
relations specialist. "Libraries are critical to every community," he says, emphasizing that
access is particularly important in Queens, with its large immigrant population.
Bramer is still fighting difficult battles. Most recently, he ran as a delegate for Bill Bradley
in the 7th Congressional District, a missed opportunity to be Queens' first openly gay elect-
ed official. As is his style, he is not discouraged. "[Bradley] spoke the truth to power, " Bramer
says. "And we need to keep pushing that along."
Q: What do you feel like you missed out on? On a more personal note, as a gay man, the
1970s and 1980s were about revolution arid about AIDS. I'm not sorry that I didn't experience
that loss, as a lot of people did, but something happened there, and I wasn't there for it.
0: Do you feel like you're standing on the shoulders of giants? I have great respect and
admiration for the people that came before me who made it possible for us to be doing what
we are today. I don't know the names and the faces of most of them, they were the people
who would show up at a protest in D.C. when that was a dangerous thing to do. Many we
don't know; they're regular people but they were incredibly courageous. --Carl Vogel
MAV2000
I
DUSHAWHOCKETT
Public Housing Tenant Organizer Citywide
A
t 16, Hockett was already marching on City Hall to protest education
budget cuts. Now 25, this elOQuent defender of housing for the poor
chairs the New York City Public Housing Resident Alliance. Hockett is
also on the staff of the Center for Community Change, a national social wel-
fare group--even while he finishes his sociology degree at Hunter College.
Hockett grew up in Bushwick Houses in where he still lives. His
political life began the summer after he graduated high school, when he vol-
unteered as Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez' neighborhood point person
during her maiden campaign. After she won the primary, he joined her staff,
where his work included helping public housing tenants mired in bureau-
cratic quicksand. Housing rights for the poor soon became his life's work.
But his decision to become an activist was tested. "My grand-
mother was a Jehovah's Wrtness and believed that it wasn't man's place to
seek change--it was God's will," says Hockett. The two were
close, but even as he defended his beliefs she clung to hers. "My grand-
mother forced me to take a deeper look and put a lot more energy and
thought into what I do," he says. "But I fett that on this one issue of afford-
able housing for the poor, I could make an impact."
Last fali, he did, as thousands of tenants packed the city
Housing Authority's public hearings on policy changes. Hockett was front and
center in that organizing effort. His determination seems to be trait-
last year, Hockett saw just how much her faith meant to his grandmother.
After a triple bypass, she needed a blood transfusion but refused because it
went against her faith. "She made the choice without fear and
doubt," Hockett says. "She died for what she believed in." He pauses. "That
is a powerful thing-to believe in what you do."
Il: WI you 1111 for pollical office? ttl right now. I believe I'll be ready to run
for political office when the community I represent is sophisticated
enough to hold me accountable. One needs to be beholden to the community.
0: What are you reading? All Too Human, by George Stephanopoulos.
I am always interested in how young people get into politics.
-Sa jan P. Kuriakos
MONIFAAKINWOLE-BANDELE
Housing Organizer Brooklyn
F
or Monifa Akinwole-Bandele, reading science fiction
isn't only an escape-it's a model for organizing. "I
don't like boundaries," says the Brooklyn-born activist.
"People who see themselves as revolutionaries almost have
to believe the impossible."
As Brooklyn project director for the Urban Homesteading
Assistance Board, Akinwole-Bandele helps tenant associa-
tions of some 250 buildings navigate through a city pro-
gram that gives low-income residents a chance to own their
co-ops. That's just her day job. An alum of Spelman College
and Lincoln University, Akinwole-Bandele started the New
York chapter of the Malcolm X Grassroots Project, a black
liberation group that ties young African-Americans to their
Southern heritage and works to free political prisoners.
Recently, she coordinated a police brutality speakout for
300 Bronx high schoolers. "UHAB is fulfilling work," she
says, "but it's still working within the system."
Akinwole-Bandele, 29, always had strong community roots.
After all, her father, a Queens social worker, joined the Black
Panthers, and her mother, a Dallas-based school administra-
tor, is a former Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
member. The propaganda machine is now stronger, she says,
but thinking about that era refuels her vision, one that will be
passed along to her year-old daughter Naima.
Q. Do you feel like you have a community? All these
people of African descent. Caribbean, West Africa. I kind of
consider them my community. Then there are neighbor-
hoods: I have a strong connection to Brooklyn. If I'm in Texas
and run into someone who's white and from Brooklyn, I'm
probably going to hang out with them all night.
Q. Do you feel like you are standing on the shoulders of
giants? Geronimo Pratt. Sekou Odinga. Talking to people
who are incarcerated keeps you going. If I had been in
prison for three decades, I would be a real bitch. For them
to be these beautiful , loving people who still believe what
they believe in, it really blows you away.
-Jill Priluck
-
OMARFREILLA
Clean Air Activist Citywide
U Environmental Justice is involved with issues that
people deal with on a day-to-day basis," says
Freilla, transportation coordinator for the New
York City Environmental Justice Alliance, a network of 15
community-based sustainable development groups. "tt's
bread-and-butter things, like being safe from toxins, and
getting to jobs."
From Sunset Park to Melrose, Freilla works to stop pols
from cutting off waterfront access or building bus
depots with no input from the people living nearby. One of
Freilla's biggest goals: getting the MTA to run natural-gas
buses in the city.
"I've always fett like organizing was in my blood," says
Bronx-born Freilla, 26, whose parents emigrated from the
Dominican Republic and settled in Mount Eden. As a mas-
ter's student in environmental science at Miami University
of Ohio, Freilla heard about a Florida agricuttural commun-
ity confronting environmental racism and resolved to con-
nect that kind of activism back to his city roots.
As with many of his counterparts, Freilla's work domi-
nates his though he also manages to bike and catch an
occasional drum and bass or hip-hop show. For now he's
content ensuring that a city agency doesn't screw over a
community, even if that means reading page after page of
regional transportation studies-"voluminous documents
which can break your back."
Q. How are the younger activists different from the
older ones? Now, there's much more of a tendency to think
of problems we're dealing with to be interconnected: race,
gender and sexuality, for example. Another big difference
is that we don't have such big egos. We don't have so
many notches under our bett to make us think that we're
above criticism.
Q. Did the protests in Seattle move you? I was turned
off because of the lack of involvement by people of color. I
don't being a pioneer to deal with other pe0-
ple's entrenched racism when I can be a lot more suc-
cessful and sane working here. -Jill Priluck
OONACHATTERJEE
ANDREWFRIEDMAN
Local Agitators Bushwick
C
hatterjee and Friedman, co-founders of Make tqhe Road
by Walking, ended up finding their calling-and
launching their feisty Bushwick community activist
group-through starkly different paths.
Friedman, 29, was a punk rocker during his high school
days in Washington, D.C. He gravitated from that culture of
protest to global activism, demonstrating outside the
Nicaraguan embassy in his teens, and against Columbia Uni-
versity's South African investments while a student there.
Chatterjee, 28, grew up near Philadelphia and went to Yale
to study English; once she got there, she was inspired into
political involvement. "A couple of my activist friends at Yale
were very articulate about their work," she recalls. After mov-
ing to New York, Chatterjee worked as a campus organizer.
But both Chatterjee and Friedman have political activism
in their blood. Chatterjee's maternal grandparents were free-
dom fighters against the British Raj in India. Friedman's were
members of the American Communist Party.
Today, both have become part of the immigrant mosaic of
Bushwick, running this three-year-old organization with the
aim of "showing the community how to determine its own
future." What that means, in part, is setting up seminars and
study groups showing young people how to organize for the
causes they care about most, like after-school programs and
safe streets, and mobilizing welfare recipients to push for
their rights. Chatterjee's home is literally an extension of her
work: She lives above the organization's office on Grove
Street. Friedman lives only a few blocks away. "We wanted to
live in the community where we work," Friedman says.
Q: How have people responded to your efforts? Chatter-
jee: There are immigrants here who've come from the Domini-
can Republic, Mexico, and Ecuador ... from countries already
struggling for social justice. This is not new to them.
Q: How do you feel about the generation before you?
Friedman: I feel there's a gap in understanding the structure
of an activist group. Older activists tend to organize their
groups along strictly hierarchical lines. We make decisions by
committee. -Sa jan P. Kuriakos
,
W
hen New York's first television ads for Medicaid managed
care ran a few ago, young mothers-{)r rather, actresses
playing them-earnestly praised the benefits of the sys-
tem. "No more taking my kids to the emergency room when they
have a simple cold," said one, her voice cracking with outrage. For
the poor, suggested the ads, it would be health care with dignity.
The promise of Medicaid managed care was that poor people
would finally have more preventive care and better access to spe-
cialists instead of being trapped in a debilitating round of Medic-
aid mills and hospitals. For taxpayers, who ultimately pay the tab,
the emphasis on preventive care would mean subsidizing fewer
visits to the emergency room.
As it turns out, it's not that simple. For average Americans, learn-
ing to deal with the whims and peculiarities of managed care has
been exasperating, at best. For poor people, it can be a nightmare.
Managed care simply wasn't built to deal with people who move fre-
quently or are homeless, don't speak English, gain and lose their
coverage in quick succession, have no savings to pay for bureaucrat-
ic slip-ups, or in general lead unpredictable and chaotic lives.
Both homeless and unable to speak English, Iris Ramirez is
exactly the kind of person the new Medicaid lets down. Ramirez,
28, is hardly shy about seeking better health care for her family.
She has three good reasons to be vigilant: herself; her II-year-old,
asthmatic daughter Lilliana; and an infant, Gabriel Ivan-"like the
angel Gabriel," she explains, as he drools into her collar.
So last spring, when she saw the tables at her daughter's school
advertising various Medicaid health care plans, she paid attention. To
Ramirez, the plans seemed to promise access to the kind of health
MAY 2000
care she couldn't get from regular Medicaid. Even better, a repre-
sentative from a plan called HealthPlus, who spoke Spanish, told her
it would work just like Medicaid, but with extras. She signed up.
"1 asked her if 1 could get all the regular Medicaid services with
her health plan, and she said yes," Ramirez explains through an
interpreter. "If there was something that Medicaid didn't cover, then
HealthPlus would cover it. That both of them would be working in
an emergency-that's what 1 asked tl:le woman, and she said yes."
Deftly burping the baby, Ramirez details what happened next.
First, she says, she never got her cards from the plan; an erro-
neously keystroked zip code most likely sent them astray. When
she called to find out why, the people on the other end were rude,
and "no one knew anything."
Two months in, Ramirez was already unhappy. But when she
called to switch back into the old Medicaid system, HealthPlus
first tried to convince her to stay, then told her she wasn't allowed
to drop out of the plan until the end of the year. 'They were' doing
everything possible so that 1 couldn't leave," she says. Finally,
. they sent her disenrollment forms, which she promptly submitted.
'This," she says grimly, "happened three times."
On June 15, she finally got a letter from New York Medicaid
Choice, the company in charge of enrollment, stating that she had
been dropped from HealthPlus. "After July 1st, 1999 you will get
health care using your Medicaid card at any doctor's office or clin-
ic that takes Medicaid," the letter promised.
It didn't work. Two months later, she got a letter from Health-
Plus telling her that they were her insurers until September I.
"Medicaid was telling me to call HealthPlus, HealthPlus was
At community
health clinics,
Medicaid
becomes a
muddle.
Iris and Gabri el
Ramirez are
doing fine now,
but his birth
was a managed
care scare.
telling me to call Medicaid," she says. "The two were at war."
Meanwhile, she was growing increasingly frantic: Now preg-
nant and suffering from gestational diabetes, she needed prenatal
care. But even though she had supposedly switched back to old-
style, non-HMO Medicaid, Medicaid refused to reimburse her
doctor for treatment. Her unpaid bills were piling up, and the doc-
tor's secretary told her he wouldn't see her anymore. Ramirez had
a Caesarian section scheduled just a month away, without either a
doctor or the cash to pay for one.
Terrified she would miss the surgery date, she turned to a bilin-
gual advocate. With his help, she got back on traditional Medicaid
in October-almost six months after the ordeal began.
Looking as pained as her television counterpart, Ramirez sums
up her experience with the new Medicaid. "What it is," she says,
disgusted, "is complete disorganization."
M
ore than a decade into the insurance revolution, millions of
Americans have been through the HMO wringer. But Iris
Ramirez' predicament is more than just another managed
care nightmare. She was a ghost in a brand-new machine: the
sleek, competitive model of Medicaid that was going to strip
down a money-guzzling bureaucracy, save billions and give peo-
ple better health care at the same time.
Medicaid patients in New York State have been allowed-but
not required-to enroll in HMOs since the early 1980s. Then, in
July of 1997, New York became the 13th state to require all its
Medicaid recipients to switch to managed care. With 2.4 million
Medicaid recipients, this transition to mandatory managed care is
the nation's biggest.
The most obvious difference between "fee-for-service" Medic-
aid and the new managed care regime is the way providers are paid.
Before, doctors who served Medicaid patients billed the program
for each patient visit. Now, physicians sign on to several plans and
negotiate a flat fee per patient per month, no matter how often or
infrequently the patient comes. The plans, in turn, get a set fee every
month from the state for every patient they enroll. For plans, this
"capitation" system gives them fixed costs and a guaranteed market.
For patients, the biggest advantage is that their doctors can
now easily refer them to specialists, something that was much
harder before. Theoretically, there is another plus: patients can
now choose the plan best suited to them. The idea was that poor
people, just like everyone else, would be able to shop around.
On the contrary, what many patients are finding is that they have
a hard time choosing anything at all that makes sense. As mandato-
ry Medicaid managed care takes hold in New York City-Southwest
Brooklyn, southern Manhattan, and all of Staten Island started last
October, and the rest of the city will follow during the next three
years, subject to approval by federal monitors-the evidence is start-
ing to accumulate. Before managed care can effectively serve poor
New Yorkers, the state Department of Health and the plans it works
with will have to shoulder a basic responsibility that they now don't.
They'll have to make sure people on Medicaid get care at all.
U
nder the old system, sick patients had only one obligation:
to find a doctor who accepted Medicaid. Now, the responsi-
bilities have become much more complex. Like anyone
enrolled in an HMO, Medicaid patients are finding that they have
to become diligent, inquisitive experts on the rules of managed
care to get what they want-whether it's a new pair of glasses or
3 ~ - d a y drug treatment instead of a five-day detox.
"We know that some people who've joined a health plan try to
go where they used to go and get turned away," says Christine
Molnar, director of the Medicaid managed care education project
of the Community Service Society. "Other people don't under-
stand that the place where they're looking for care doesn't speak
their language." In the parts of the city in which managed care is
now mandatory, 19 percent have a plan chosen for them and may
have no idea where they can see a doctor.
Instead of dealing with one bureacracy, people on Medicaid
now have three to contend with if something goes wrong. First,
there are the plans themselves. Just two, HIP and Well care, are
large corporate HMOs; 16 others are "prepaid health services
plans," networks of doctors who serve people on Medicaid. Those
plans vary greatly in size and scope, ranging from 5,000 to
250,000 patients. Most only operate in certain parts of the city;
only five are citywide, and six serve just one or two boroughs.
Patients who move from one part of the city to another cannot nec-
essarily expect their plans to move with them.
Just like regular HMOs, every Medicaid managed care plan is
different, and it's not always easy to figure out what will and
won't be covered. Some cover nicotine patches, for example, and
others don't. Fidelis, an alliance of Catholic hospitals, won't cover
birth control or abortions.
If patients want to switch, they now have to negotiate with
the enrollment broker, the go-between that traffics information
between patients, plans and government. In New York City, that
broker is Maximus, the nation's largest private provider of social
service case management. Critics charge that Maximus is mis-
handling the job, leaving patients misinformed and confused.
Most recently, the company's hotline came under fire from Pub-
lic Advocate Mark Green for incorrectly answering callers'
CITY LIMITS
!
questions about their rights.
The last line of defense is the state Department of Health, which
is supposed to grant exemptions so that some people-including the
homeless, people who don't speak English and, for now, mentally ill
people and people with HIV-can see any doctor they want. So far,
however, patients seeking exemptions frequently find their applica-
tions rejected. In fact, every single person who has applied for an
exemption because of language problems has been turned down.
Already, people like Ramirez are getting stuck between these
cogs. Many of them, report health policy analysts, are fighting to
get back into fee-for-service Medicaid while it still exists; the
number of people who enroll in managed care before they are
forced to remains well below expectations. What's especially frus-
trating for health care advocates is knowing that those patients
they do see are ones like Ramirez, passionate enough about their
health to take matters into their own hands.
For every patient aggressively pursuing health care, there's
another who, lacking the language skills or the gumption, has sim-
ply given up; advocates speak of seeing patients who either didn't
know they were in a plan or had no idea how to use it. "Our daily
bread," says policy analyst David Wunsch of Care for the Home-
less, which provides health care and other services to people in the
city's homeless shelters, "is people who are coming in and are
enrolled in managed care and have never seen their doctor."
T
hat managed care tidal wave has already hit mentally ill,
homeless, and HIV-infected patients-people who were sup-
posed to be on dry land. Health professionals who work with
the homeless say they are seeing more people showing up at shel-
ters with severe or chronically undertreated illnesses like asthma-
and already enrolled in a managed care plan. Often, the doctors
don't belong to the same plan, leaving them with two options: either
don't treat the patients, or try enroll them in old-style Medicaid
instead. Instead, most shelter-based providers simply treat homeless
people at their own expense, knowing that they can't be reimbursed.
"We find out that most people don't even know they're in a
managed care plan," says Susan Moscou, a family nurse-
practitioner at Montefiore Care for the Homeless in the Bronx.
"How do they find out? They find out when I write them a pre-
scription and they find out the plan doesn't cover it." Most com-
monly, says Moscou, the prescription is for an asthma nebulizer,
which many of the plans don't cover. Until she can get them dis-
enrolled, or convince the plan to cover a nebulizer, she gives them
a loaner from the center, and hopes she'll get it back: ''I have two
of our nebulizers out now to people who are on plans," she says
wryly, "and one has a big sign saying "Don't Lend Out.'"
Plus, a lot of patients who don't even belong in managed care
wind up mistakenly enrolling in an HMO. Andrea Ryan, a social
worker with the Urban Justice Center, has a caseload of these
Medicaid clients. She was leading a workshop on Medicaid man-
aged care at a supportive housing facility in Brooklyn when she
met Ethel (not her real name), a sweet-looking middle-aged
woman. Methadone made Ethel talk very slowly.
Ethel approached Ryan after the workshop and asked for some
help. Unhappy with her health plan because she couldn't
get glasses, Ethel wanted to get out of it. As it turned out, she
shouldn't have been in managed care in the first place-as a men-
tally ill substance abuser and someone living on Supplemental
Security Income, she qualified twice over as someone who could
MAY 2000
stay for now in the old fee-for-service system. (Eventually, the
state will have two separate managed care systems, called "special
needs plans," for people with HIV/AIDS or mental illness.)
"1 told her, 'This is easy-you qualify for an exemption. We'll
just call,'" recalls Ryan. But when Ryan got on the phone to Med-
icaid Choice, the operator refused to speak to her or to Ethel. "She
kept saying "I can't do this, I can't do this: recalls Ryan.
When Ryan insisted it was all right for Ethel to have an advocate
with her on the phone, the operator hung up. In the end, Ethel had to
apply three times, in three different ways, to get out of her plan-a
plan that she never should have been signed up for in the first place.
The fact that Ethel was recruited points to one of the big flaws
in the market-driven managed care system. According to Ethel, a
representative from New York Hospital Community Health Plan
first approached her in the waiting room of a day treatment center
for substance abuse-a good place to find recruits, but also a good
place to find people with HIV and mental illness who are not sup-
posed to be in managed care to begin with.
"Granted, the plans can say they didn't know they were
exempt," says Ryan. "But if [patients] are in an outpatient clinic,
you should know!" It's not an uncommon story, advocates report.
(New York Hospital Community Health Plan could not be
reached for comment.)
Aggressive marketing from plans has been a problem in every
state that has Medicaid managed care; some states have even passed
laws against all marketing. After patients were routinely misled,
New York prohibited HMOs from directly recruiting patients, only
to lift the ban one year later after enrollment declined precipitously.
New York now requires Maxirnus to conduct a phone interview
with patients who voluntarily enter managed care, verifying that
they are willingly signing up for a plan. For people who live in
Managed care
funding cuts hit
Ulysses Kilgore's
Bed-Stuy
clinic hard-
squeezing it till it
squeals."
-
At a Tremont
clinic. patients
without
insurance get
free health
care- and Dr.
Neil Caiman gets
to show what's
wrong with most
health care for
the poor.
-
neighborhoods where managed care is mandatory, Maximus is sup-
posed to check a database provided by the city's welfare agency to
make sure that people who qualify for exemptions get them auto-
matically-a provision intended to keep plans' marketers in check.
Ryan contends that recruitment agents still abuse the process all
the time, and she has the clients to prove it, including AIDS patients
who were approached by plan marketers and urged to sign up ')ust
to get information" (she had to walk them through the disenrollrnent
process). "Unless somebody has died, nobody seems to care," Ryan
fumes. "How is this better than the emergency room?"
P
atients aren't the only ones struggling through this transi-
tion-the community-based health centers that have treated
poor people all along are also suffering.
In his audit the public advocate found that Maximus had par-
ticular difficulties educating immigrants about managed care. To
help bridge language and cultural barriers, Green recommended
that the company forge ties with community-based health organi-
zations that have long track records working with immigrant
groups and low-income people.
Yet managed care is already taking a toll on some of the most
essential of these resources: the city's 32 community health cen-
ters, which rely on Medcaid dollars. So far, the cost of treating
Medicaid patients has remained about the same, but the amount of
money coming in has dwindled. "You're squeezing the dollar
longer, now," says Ulysses Kilgore m. director of the Bedford-
Stuyvesant Health Clinic. "You're squeezing it till it squeals, now."
Under the old Medicaid, fee-for-service payments provided
clinics like Kilgore's with a funding stream that, coupled with fed-
eral grants, allowed them to treat uninsured patients. It also allowed
them to run preventive programs like nutritional counseling, trans-
lation services and health education. Now, says Kilgore, ''The cap-
itated dollars that are coming through now aren't even paying for
the uninsured. So how can they pay for these other services?"
Over the past three years, with more and more patients in Bed-
Stuy choosing to enroll in managed care, his clinic lost half a million
dollars from its budget; this year, he expects to lose even more. Kil-
gore says he's had to concentrate on raising funds just to stay open.
"What has happened is that, while we're trying to concentrate on
care, we have to spend more time scraping for dollars," says Kilgo-
re. "To be in this money-searching mode all the time, when we have
this moral commitment to serving everybody who comes through
the door-it's a dispiriting experience for me. It's immoral."
The state Department of Health is supposed to help out here as
well, by tracking which doctors speak foreign languages and mak-
ing that information available to patients. That database has come
under fire from State Comptroller Carl McCall, who found last
year that the managed care plans were submitting unreliable and
misleading information about doctors' language abilities. McCall
recommended that the state put in place some sort of verification
procedure. Almost a year later, there is none.
Still, the state health department continues to use that list when
patients ask to get out of managed care because they cannot find
a doctor who speaks their language. A patient can get out of man-
CITY LIMITS
aged care if there are fewer than three doctors in the area who
speak his or her language. So far, not one of the 204 people who
have petitioned for exemptions under this rule has been approved.
Those routine denials add up to a pattern of discrimination,
according to a complaint filed earlier this year with the federal
Office of Civil Rights by Legal Aid lawyer Elisabeth Benjamin.
One of her clients, a Russian named A1eksandr G., had chronic
asthma and depression, but according to the complaint, his regu-
lar physician wasn't enrolled in any managed care plan.
So A1eksandr began his search. First, the state sent him a list of
Russian-speaking providers, culled from its comprehensive roster.
But the list of 42 supposedly Russian-speaking doctors came with
no phone nllillbers. Out of those 42, says Benjamin, only 15 were
listed in the phone book. An English-speaking friend of A1eksandr's
called all of them and found that just five actually spoke Russian.
Of the five, only three knew how to treat A1eksandr's condi-
tions, and only one was less than half an hour from his home.
Even so when he applied for an exemption to managed care, the
state turned him down. The system that forced A1eksandr to stop
seeing his own doctor-who had successfully treated his asthma
and depression-had delivered a universe of alternatives that nar-
rowed down to a choice of exactly one.
U
ltimately, the biggest obstacles to making managed care
work in new York lie not with patients, providers or even
with plans, but with forces beyond their control. Those
include the growing number of people falling off the rolls for good.
A Picture of Health
! Bnm cliDic puts the oninsored at the center
of attention.
By IIaura IIcDelwtt
A
s a home health aide, Karla Sacaza has spoon-fed patients
with AIDS and tuberculosis, bathed a woman dying from
the effects of obesity, and soothed adults who are mental-
ly ill, or just plain ornery, all for $6.15 an hour.
After all of that, Sacaza had no one to take care of her health.
For a while, she had relied on Medicaid. But after her second
child was born, a caseworker told her that she would lose her
health benefits. Neither her part-time job nor her husband's
position at a paint store offer medical coverage, and their budget
is so tight that Sacaza says even a $27 physical exam at a clinic
is beyond their reach. ''I've been working since I was 14 years
old," Sacaza says, still outraged. ''Why shouldn't I get health
insurance?"
It turns out the caseworker was wrong, and Sacaza can get
her health insurance back. But she might never have known that
if it weren't for an unusual experiment taking place in a small
brick building in the Bronx.
At the comer of Walton Avenue and East 177th Street in
Tremont, a team of doctors and medical students from the
MAY 2000
One reason plans recruit so aggressively is that they are con-
stantly losing patients. Welfare reform, and New York City'S efforts
to discourage eligible people to apply for Medicaid, have resulted in
a 13 percent drop in the rolls in the last five years. Even families who
remain on the rolls will frequently lose their coverage temporarily
because of stringent eligibility rules and bureaucratic snafus.
New York State's Medicaid managed care plans lose almost
four percent of their patients each month and about 40 percent a
year. ''Think about it: almost half the people who are in the plan
at the beginning of the year are not in your plan at the end of the
year," says Deborah Bachrach, a policy analyst for the Coalition
of Prepaid Health Services Plans. "All of the work that goes into
care management, it never takes hold. If you're only in the plan for
four months, none of that has a chance to work. Diabetes man-
agement can't be done in four-month cycles."
As the rest of the city gradually moves into mandatory managed
care, the entire system will be dealing with a population that is less
likely to be employed, less likely to speak English, and much more
likely to be chronically ill, according to research from the United
Hospital Fund. For instance, II percent of people in fee-for-service
have heart disease, compared with just 1.7 percent in managed care.
Nearly 30 percent of fee-for-service patients have some kind of seri-
ous illness, compared with 16 percent in managed care plans.
As they are forced into managed care, those people will have three
options when they run into roadblocks. They can pursue their cases
through a multilevel maze of jurisdictions. They can try to postpone
getting care. And then, there's always the emergency room .
Albert Einstein College of Medicine volunteer every Saturday,
seeing patients who come for anything from check-ups and
immunizations to nagging pains or symptoms of potentially
deadly diseases such as asthma and heart disease. They corne
because everything here-the physical exams, blood tests, pre-
scriptions, and even expensive but essential services like CAT
scans and radiology-is free of charge.
Sacaza learned of the Walton Free Clinic from an advisor at
Bronx Community College, where she was taking a class.
There, she was able to get a physical exam without breaking her
budget. A volunteer social worker also helped her apply for the
nutrition program WIC for the baby-and helped her reapply
for Medicaid, hopefully making it unnecessary for her to
return.
"Free clinics" like this once abounded in the city. Thirty-
nine of them endure in one form or another, legacies of a wave
of activism among doctors in the 1960s and 70s; some date
back to the turn of the century. The notion that health care is a
right, not a privilege, guided those civil-rights era clinics, and it
is central to this one as well. But beyond providing needed care
to patients, the Walton clinic reckons intimately with the health
care crisis of the 2000s: the swelling ranks of the uninsured. Its
volunteers don't just treat symptoms and promote prevention;
they figure out how to coax uninsured patients into an ongoing
relationship with health care.
Kathryn Haslanger, director of policy analysis at the United
-
-
Hospital Fund, a nonprofit research group, sees the Walton Free
Clinic as a significant effort at a time when the number of unin-
sured New Yorkers has reached a crisis point ''For those of us who
are interested in patching up the holes in the safety net," she says,
"it's going to be fascinating to see what we can learn about who
goes to the clinic and why they go and what brings them back."
A
nd go they do. Every Saturday, a dozen or two patients
make it in by 11 a.m. before a student rolls down the metal
gate over the clinic's front door and puts up a "closed"
sign. They are signed in by first-year students, have their charts
reviewed by second-years, get their blood pressure measured by
third-years and go through initial physical exams given by
fourth-year students, and are seen by a volunteer doctor.
The clinic is hosted by Dr. Neil Calman, who is all too
aware that many New Yorkers are unable to pay for basic health
care. He is founder and president of the nonprofit Institute for
Urban Family Health, which operates 16 clinics in the Bronx
and Manhattan. While those centers
Medicaid coverage-has forced Medicaid enrollment down by
13 percent since 1995. According to a survey by the Common-
wealth Fund, 28 percent of working-age adults in New York
City are now uninsured. At over a million, that's more than
receive Medicaid benefits.
Of New York's children, 10 percent are uninsured; they are
six times as likely as insured children to go without needed
medical or dental care, five times as likely to go to the emer-
gency room instead of a doctor's office or clinic and four times
as likely to delay seeking needed medical treatment.
Dr. CaIman and his colleagues first thought of opening a
free clinic several years ago, when they noticed that more and
more patients were losing Medicaid. While the uninsured poor
can visit his clinics at low cost, they have no way of paying for
expensive medicines or lab tests.
He didn't know it, but a dozen students at Albert Einstein
had a similar idea. They were looking for a way to practice their
clinical skills and provide free medical care to their neighbors
in the Bronx, which boasts the state's
and dozens like them around the city
receive federal subsidies to belp them
treat uninsured patients, those patients
still have to chip in their own copay-
ments, and the centers, too, must
spend money they don't have-about
$1 million last year. Even low fees
deter many from coming in-until a
crisis hits. The system, says Dr. Cal-
man, is "designed to do as crappy a
job taking care of poor people as it
possibly can."
Operating on a budget of more than
$150,<XX>, and a whole lot of volunteer
labor, the Walton Free Clinic brings in
those, like Sacaza, who do not have
1 security guard
worked for years at
lIbert EiDstein
Medical Center-
but got the first
physical of his life
at the free clinic.
highest rates of youth asthma and has
dismal access to prenatal care. But the
students couldn't find a site or
licensed doctors to oversee their work.
A professor at Einstein put the two
groups in touch, and after nearly a
year of planning, the free clinic
opened in September.
The volunteers have collected
antibiotics, asthma medication and
other drugs from pharmaceutical com-
panies, which donate some medicines
through charity programs and many
more through aggressive distribution
of promotional samples to doctors.
They have convinced Montefiore
insurance and cannot afford to pay for
treatment It also helps them apply for Medicaid and other public
benefits if they are eligible.
For the medical students who volunteer there, Calman
hopes it will inspire them to practice in community-based clin-
ics. "We changed her life," fourth-year medical student Gautam
Mirchandani says proudly of one 13-year-old girl, who found
out that she has diabetes and is now on a treatment program.
But the project's greatest value may be as a precious model
for a health care industry in upheaval. Every patient who comes
in shows physicians and policy-makers what can happen when
uninsured people have unrestricted access to medical care.
Instead of coming in for emergencies, they are getting their
health care the way doctors agree they should: with prevention
first "The most surprising thing," says Dr. Caiman, "is that the
major reason people come to the clinic is for preventive care."
One of those people is a security guard at Albert Einstein.
Though he has worked at the medical school through a con-
tracting firm for more than a decade, the guard does not receive
health insurance. This winter, he stopped by the free clinic for
the first complete physical of his life.
T
he number of uninsured New Yorkers has reached heights
that haven't been seen since Medicaid's arrival in 1965.
Welfare reform-and the city Human Resources Admin-
istration's persistent efforts to deter applicants from seeking
Medical Center to perform $10,000
worth of blood and urine tests for free, and wheedled a team of
local radiologists into donating their services. If a patient needs.
a sophisticated test like a CAT scan or an MRl, a referral to the
medical school's Jacobi Medical Center is available for $25, or
without cost to those who cannot pay.
Should doctors and medical students be stitching the medical
safety net together on their own? Freelance goodwill is ultimate-
ly no substitute for rational, accessible medicine. But in an
increasingly mark.et-driven system for bringing health care to
poor people, the uninsured poor have zero buying power. As a
provider, CaIman is as vulnerable to that changing economy as
they are: as Medicaid enrollment has gone down and Medicaid
managed care brings lower payments for those patients who do
remain, Caiman's clinics have been forced to lay off their health
outreach workers, reduce their nursing staff and cut back on
counseling services. For CaIman as much as his uninsured
patients, going outside the marketplace is at least one response
that promises progress.
Dr. Caiman is now negotiating with a foundation to fund
expansion of the clinic, opening it on Sundays or even bringing
it to other sites. He knows he's got a big case on his hands. ''I
don't even think we're scratching at the surface of this prob-
lem," he says. ''We're not even coming close."
Maura McDermott is a reporter for The Riverdale Press.
CITY LIMITS
With Kendra's Law, mental hygiene courts now have
unprecedented powers over the lives of the mentally ill-and
a long track record of shutting them out. By Wendy Davis
A
t first, John Sharpe does not seem out of place at Kings-
boro Psychiatric Hospital. Wearing a brown monk-like
tunic, he shuffles to the kitchen that doubles as a visiting
room with an exaggeratedly slow gait, hesitant to make eye con-
tact. His speech is slow and deliberate, and his responses to ques-
tions are slightly too long in coming.
But when the 31-year-old Sharpe finally speaks, he turns out to
be surprisingly articulate. In a gentle voice, he readily admits he
has signs of mental illness-although to him, the symptoms are
evidence of a religious conversion. He says that 10 years ago, he
"became very enlightened, very psychotic," and entered his first
mental ward. Now, he's nine months into his fourth hospitalization.
He knows that he can't function well on his own, but he's not at
all happy about the drugs that his doctors expect him to take, and he
has consistently refused medication. So the hospital took him to
court. At his hearing in Brooklyn's Mental Hygiene Court in front of
Judge Anthony Cutrona, the Kingsboro doctor testified that Sharpe
was delusional-he believed, among other things, that he was the
"son of God"-and didn't interact well with the hospital staff. For his
part, Sharpe testified that he believes everyone is a "child of God."
MAY 2000
He also told the judge that he didn't want medication-the
drugs brought on severe side effects like twitching. Judge Cutrona
authorized it anyway. Three days after his hearing, Sharpe was
injected with Prolixin, an anti-psychotic that can cause muscle
spasms, eye paralysis, permanent neurological damage-or sim-
ply make people feel they're caught in one of those nightmares
where their limbs won't move.
As Sharpe and some 3,500 other mentally ill patients in the
region discover each year, the judges of New York State's little-
known Mental Hygiene courts wield an enormous amount of
power over their lives. That's never more true than when a hospi-
tal wants to dose a patient with medication or order electro-
convulsive therapy, and the patient says no. Almost always, the
hospital wins. Last year alone, more than 3,500 cases went to
hearing in these courts. In 90 percent of cases in which patients
fought hospitals' medication orders, the court decided in favor of
the hospital-and ordered the patient to take psychotropic drugs.
Thanks to the new legislation known as Kendra's Law, these
courts now have even more power. Formerly, judges only had
jurisdiction over the institutionalized. Now, under the law's pre-
-
Advocate Jody
Silver plans to
track the race
and income of
Kendra's Law
clients-
suspecting
most will be
poor and non-
white.
--
text of "outpatient commitment," the courts have the power to
decide the essential details of many mentally ill people's lives
long after they have left the hospital. A judge can now rule on
many issues: from which medications a patient must take to
whether they spend their days learning word processing or taking
pottery classes. Even such basic decisions as where to live and
work can now be controlled by the courts.
How do these judges make their decisions? By weighing the
words of a psychiatric patient against the professional opinion of
the hospital 's doctor. For most of the State Supreme Court judges
who hear the cases, it's a part-time, short-term job.
No judge or psychiatric doctor wants to mistakenly free a man
like Kendra Webdale's murderer, or see a deeply troubled patient
go off medications and wind up homeless or dead. So in New
York's mental hygiene courts, charge many advocates for the
mentally ill, the cards are stacked against the patient's wishes. The
doctor's word is almost always law.
.Q A lthough they affect thousands of
~ people each year, New York's Mental Hygiene Courts are
~
~ a forgotten corner of the state judicial system. As psychi-
atric hospitals continue to downsize and release patients, and as
drug treatments expand, these courts have disappeared from view.
Until 1997, the courts were closed to the public, and even now the
outside world pays scant attention to what happens inside. Part of
that is simply geography: Some are housed within psychiatric hos-
pitals, like Queens' Creedmoor Hospital, far from other judges,
lawyers and the public.
'These cases are done in darkness," says New York Law
School professor Michael Perlin, who has represented the mental-
ly ill for more than two decades. 'They're the dog that doesn't
bark in the night." The patients who end up in court are almost
invariably poor, says Perlin; many are alienated from their fami-
lies and on their own during the ordeal of insanity and hospital-
ization. The court's decisions are rarely brought to light, much
less appealed: Only 81 of the approximately 2,500 patients who
were involuntarily committed last year tried to fight the decisions.
And judges in mental hygiene cases wield a power no other
judge has: the ability to imprison people who have not done any-
thing wrong. ''The only way we lock people up in any other situ-
ation is if they've committed a crime," says Perlin. "We allow
courts to commit people to psychiatric facilities if they haven't
committed a crime."
Most of the cases that wind up in Mental Hygiene Court are
like Sharpe's, where a patient is either refusing medication (most
commonly haloperidol, an anti-psychotic) or trying to be released
from the hospital. Some cases are new commitments, in which
family or friends may be trying to get someone involuntarily
locked up. If a judge agrees that a person is mentally ill enough to
be a danger to himself or society, the court can send the patient to
a locked psychiatric ward.
(Contrary to tabloid opinion, "dangerous" does not always
mean violent. In particular, perfectly peaceful homeless
patients may be
considered dangerous to
themselves, because if they are released they face the very real
threat of victimization on the streets.)
At mental hygiene hearings, which last an hour or two at most,
the hospital's doctor testifies first, followed by the patient. Rarely
do the two agree. When there are obvious inconsistencies in the
doctor's testimony, a judge may bring in another psychiatrist from
a court roster for a second opinion.
That rarely happens; for the patient, the only witness in court
is generally a hostile one. Mental hygiene patients have the right
to call a doctor to testify on their behalf, but most have neither the
resources nor the cash. Patients without their own doctors can
only hope to convince the courts that the hospital psychiatrist is
wrong by trying to make a good impression, sitting quietly and
answering questions calmly.
For most patients, their only recourse lies with their court-
appointed Mental Hygiene Legal Services lawyer, who is entitled
CITY LIMITS
to inspect the medical records and cross-examine the psychiatrist,
or try to convince the judge to get a second opinion. Lawyers con-
sider this a huge victory, even though it means a patient will have
to remain in the hospital for at least a few more weeks. A "neutral
expert" can at least "offer a different glimpse of the person," says
Dennis Feld, a lawyer with Mental Hygiene Legal Services in
Manhattan. In a field as subjective as psychiatry, a second opinion
can make all the difference.
A judge will be much more easily convinced by a psychiatrist,
says William Brooks, a leading advocate for patients' rights who
teaches at Touro Law Center. "If I'm a mentally ill person, I'd
rather have a psychiatrist come in than a lawyer," he concludes.
Asked whether the court commits people who don't meet the legal
requirements for hospitalization-that they are a danger to them-
selves or others-Brooks doesn't hesitate: "Every day."
Some psychiatrists who testify in court acknowledge that their
first consideration, above all else, is averting a tragedy. "Doctors,
as a lot, want to err on the side of safety. [And] psychiatrists have
a huge burden of protecting society," says one psychiatrist at a
city hospital. "You really understand that sometimes you're the
person standing between life and someone jumping off the 59th
Street Bridge."
Judges, too, worry that overruling a doctor's opinion may lead
to disastrous results. "Judges tend to view their job as doing what
is in the best interests of the people involved," says Steve Brock,
an attorney on Long Island who used to run the Protection Advo-
cacy for the Mentally III clinic out of Touro Law Center. "Unfor-
tunately, given the very small amount of information that they
usually have, their view of best interest tends to coincide with
what the doctors think is best."
'11's such a sensitive and particular field," admits administra-
tive judge Michael Pesce, who oversees all supreme courts in
Brooklyn and Staten Island, including the Mental Hygiene court.
"I was in [that court], and I said, 'How the heck do they decide
this?' What do you draw on to make the determination? It's a
judgment call-<io you want to play it safe?"
L
ast August, New York became the 41st state to enact an
"outpatient commitment" law, extending court control to
mental patients who live on their own. Named for Kendra
Webdale, who was pushed to death under a subway train by
Andrew Goldstein, a schizophrenic, Kendra's Law allows courts
to force mentally ill people with a history of hospitalization or
violence to comply with treatment.
So far, hospitals have brought only a few dozen patients to
court under the law. But the state Department of Mental Health
has estimated that the numbers may ramp up to about 7,000 cases
a year-meaning that thousands of New Yorkers could be coerced
into treatment through the law.
Most often, "treatment" means medication. Indeed, outpatient
commitment laws-along with state hospitals' aggressive efforts
to discharge patients, health insurers' insistence on medication
over expensive hospitalization, and the pharmaceutical industry's
efforts to expand its markets-have put drugs at the heart of psy-
chiatry. It's been nothing short of a revolution, allowing some
patients to function on their own.
But psychotropics are imperfect. Anti-psychotics can have
horrendous side effects, most seriously tardive dyskenesia, an irre-
versible syndrome of muscle tremors and tics much like Parkin-
MAY 2000
son's disease. Other consequences include liver damage and dis-
orientation. Some patients prefer to tough out their voices or mood
swings rather than be subjected to debilitating effects of drugs.
"Patients always have good reasons for not wanting medica-
tion," says Connie Lesold, a psychiatric social worker who has
observed hundreds of hearings in Brooklyn's mental hygiene court
in the last two years. She tells of one young poet who testified that
medication made her "lose her words." A 19-year-old athlete want-
ed to play professional football and was concerned that Thorazine
would destroy his body. And as even laypeople know, anti-
psychotics are virtually synonymous with severe lethargy. "They all
see other patients who've been turned into zombies," says Lesold.
Doctors' Disorders
M
ental lIypIne CoII'ts are obscIn, but lIroIiIya's has its own idi0-
syncratic .. For one thing, it's not IIICOIIIIIOII there for the
doctor who comes to COII't to be a " ~ psydiatrist, as
opposed to the treating doctor. Sometimes the doctor who is testifyq
that the patient needs treatment or IIIIcUd be kIpt Iocbd .. has done
little more than review medcaI records and have a few perftIIctDry
meetings with the patient
At one recent hearing, a doctor tastifl8d that the patient, a woman
...,.. with schizopInnia, was hostile, delusional and paranoid, as
demoIlIb'ated by her nIusaI to speak with him the day before, and that
she should not be released from a hospital.
But in COII't, the patient testif'18d lucidly that she was indeed men-
tally ill, yet had a place to live and was willing to continue treatment. "I
do feel I need some medication," she told the court.
Unlike 90 pen:ant Ii patients, this one won her hearing. After she
testified, the same doctor who not half an hour previously asIrad the
COII't for a commitment order admitted he had been wrong. He told the
court the hospital wooId agree to her release, based on her testimony.
In BnM*Iyn, 1liiy 0118 jIdge hears d the psydiatric cases. It's a sys-
tem that came IIIder rn in the past, when the des8Jatad mental hygiene
jJdge rarely heeded patients' pleas.
The _ side is that the psydiatric jIdge can beoome an upa1 in
these cases, points out DIiisb'idivejldge IIichaeI Pea, who IMI'S88I
these COII'ts. "I'm not SIn that ~ ajldge that has _ amuts Ii
knowledge and expII'tise isn' better than ~ _ in there who real-
ly don' know the intricacies lithe field, and ask them to !'Illy on .... "
-wi)
Courts have the power to order patients to take drugs only if
they lack the capacity to make a decision for themselves and if the
benefits of the drugs outweigh the risks. But according to advo-
cates for patients, judges don't always follow those guidelines,
denying patients their right to make their own decisions.
Judge Maxine Duberstein, who presided over Brooklyn's men-
tal hygiene court for more than a decade, was infamous for ruling
against patients. She came under scrutiny in 1997, when reports of
her practice circulated from the courthouse rumor mill to Project
Release, an organization of former psychiatric inpatients.
From June through November 1997, Project Release's Tina
-
Minkowitz and a handful of other advocates sat in on every men-
tal health hearing in the borough. Their findings: In four months
of deciding whether patients should be forced to take medication,
Duberstein ruled against them every single time.
Duberstein resigned shortly before the report was made public,
and the judges who have replaced her have not been so single-
minded. But the lesson is clear: Some judges can and will order
medication even when patients exercise their legal right to say no.
A
lbany's outpatient commitment law does have some civil
rights protections. To qualify for Kendra's Law, a person
must not only be mentally ill but also have a history of refus-
ing treatment. Doctors must consider the person "unlikely to survive
safely in the community without supervision," "unlikely" to comply
with treatment voluntarily and "likely to benefit" from a court order.
And ultimately, there's not a whole lot anyone can do if
patients still refuse. Though the penalties are extremely unpleas-
ant-they start with police arrest, and end with an emergency
room stay for up to 72 hours of observation-the courts can't
commit violators to a hospital just for refusing to take medication.
In four months of deciding
whether patients should
be forced to take
medication, dudge
Duberstein ruled against
them every single time.
-
History suggests that court orders may not be very effective
anyway. From 1995 to 1998, a pilot project compared two groups
of patients recently released from Bellevue: One had been ordered
by Manhattan Mental Hygiene court to participate in treatment
(both drug and non-drug), and another group was offered the same
services without ajudge's order.
Unlike many outpatients in the real world, both groups were
offered an ample array of services. Patients were referred to day-
treatment programs, therapy, visiting nurses or intensive weekly
treatment regimens. Ultimately, evaluators found that court orders
had no effect on patients' rate of hospital readmission or on whether
they were arrested following their discharge. What did appear to
make a difference were the intensive services.
That four-year experiment, say advocates for the mentally ill,
reveals what's wrong with New York's priorities. There are outpa-
tient services available, but without case managers, mentally ill
people often can't hook up with this kind of support. New York
City has just over 4,100 slots available for patients to get this kind
of one-on-one help. Waiting lists are months long.
Andrew Goldstein is a case in point. Far from shunning psy-
chiatric help, he sought it out. But he could not get a case manag-
er to make sure that he took drugs and got the services he needed.
Well aware that the personnel shortage contributed to the Web-
dale tragedy, Governor George Patalci has proposed substantial
new funding for case managers. The catch is that a third of the
new money, $26.4 million statewide, is earmarked for patients
who are already under court orders as a result of Kendra's Law-
and only they are legally guaranteed a case manager.
Mental health advocates fear that if the number of Kendra's
Law cases climbs, no case managers will be left for everyone else.
"They will go to the head of the list," predicts John Gresham, an
senior litigation attorney with New York Lawyers for the Public
Interest. "Who's going to get kicked off to make room?"
T
he fact that mental hygiene courts are now deciding out-
patient treatment troubles patient advocates. "It used to be,
if you can only get through that door, they had no legal
apparatus to come after you," says Cassandra Mello, a local leader
in the grassroots fight against Kendra's Law. Like many patient
advocates, Mello was once hospitalized herself; as a teenager, her
parents put her in a psychiatric hospital.
Another advocate, Jady Silver, is looking for grant money to
monitor how mental hygiene courts handle Kendra's Law cases.
Silver intends to track the race, income level and ethnicity of peo-
ple brought to court, data that will probably show that most
patients under Kendra's Law orders will be poor people of color.
Calling Kendra's Law "a knee-jerk response to a political and
media-driven problem," Silver is adamant that the real difficulty in
treating mental illness is not legal but budgetary: there just aren't
enough community-based programs to keep ex-psychiatric
patients stable. "We don't have enough services, we don't have
enough clubhouses, we don't have enough peer counselors,"
emphasizes Silver, who works with Community Access, an advo-
cacy organization that works to integrate mentally ill people into
public life by giving them structure, social networks, and a sup-
port system. At the clubhouse, outpatients can go for job training,
art classes, meals or just to shoot pool and play chess.
Silver sees the dangers in the law-that it may be scaring men-
tally ill people away from voluntary treatment. Many mentally ill
people, misunderstanding the law, fear that if they seek out help
they may wind up before a judge. "There's a kind of terror," says
Silver, who works every day with people who could face Kendra's
Law orders. "People are afraid now."
"As a consumer, I'd run as far as I could run," agrees Robin
Simon, a Community Access peer counsel who intends to accom-
pany patients to court in Kendra's Law cases. In the debate over
doctors' opinions versus patients' rights, Simon is a staunch
defender of civil liberties-in part because she knows firsthand
how fallible the professionals can be.
Now 43, Simon entered her first psychiatric ward in 1992.
She says that it took 13 hospitalizations, with almost as many
different diagnoses, until the doctors hit on bipolar disorder in
October of 1996. Although she believes the psychiatrists finally
got her diagnosis right, she has consistently refused to take lithi-
um, the commonly prescribed treatment, because of the side
effects. Instead, she has taken Depakote; while not the profes-
sionals' first choice, it has kept her out of the hospital for more
than three years.
Having decided for herself what medication to take, Simon is
adamant other mental patients should have the same right. "Don't .
court-order me," she says. "Don't take away my civil rights."
Wendy Davis is a reporter with the New York Law Journal.
CITY LIMITS
REVIEW
M.AY2000
Race to
the Bottom
By Margaret Groarke
"The Campaign: Rudy Giuliani,
Ruth Messinger, Ai Sharpton and
the Race to be Mayor of New York City,"
by Evan J Mandery, Westview Press, $27
E
veryone has a theory about why an election was lost, or
won-particularly those who spend every waking
moment fighting for a candidate. Should X have spent
more money on television ads, or more time on the streets? This
recent attempt to explain who wins and who becomes yester-
day's news comes from Evan Mandery, who was research direc-
tor for Ruth Messinger's disastrous 1997 mayoral campaign.
Mandery's book, written as a diary, will stir indelible mem-
ories of the campaign. Remember Rudy in drag? Remember
Ruth on a bicycle?
Mandery is an entertaining critic of Rudy Giuliani's gram-
mar and braggadocio, and he rightly criticizes the press for pay-
ing more attention to campaign strategies than platforms.
Besides being a political junkie's trip down memory lane,
this book could have served as a well-timed playbook for the
Hillary camp: a map of the pitfalls that befell one liberal female
candidate that rllight help the next one avoid them. But Mandery
would have far more to tell us if he had a little more experience
and political smarts.
Messinger's campaign was Mandery's first-he adrnjts he
did it because he was bored with being a lawyer and that before
the campaign he read the sports section of the newspaper first.
The account is only further undone by Mandery's uncritical
acceptance of campaign strategies taught him by Messinger' s
feisty campaign consultant, Jim Andrews. On strategy,
Messinger's campaign staff was sharply divided, and Mandery's
loyalties are clearly with the man who hired him, not the woman
runillng for mayor.
As Mandery puts it plainly, ''Ruth and her staff from the bor-
ough president's office want to run an aggressive field campaign.
Jim wants to save the money for television ads." According to
Mandery, Andrews argued that reaching out to receptive commu-
ruties is old-fashioned and ineffective. What matters in a modem
campaign, he believed, was having a tight, poll-tested message,
one that was clearly and relentlessly spread through TV ads.
In his account, Mandery is troubled that no one-tbat is, no one
besides him and Andrews-seems to realize this. The press sees
field events as signs of a campaign's aggressiveness. Giuliaill
attacks Ruth when she rllisses a
parade. The campaign hears discon-
tented rumblings from borough
party organizations that expect the
usual cash to fuel the get-out-the-
vote machine. Even Ruth herself
says she thinks it's important
not to forget her neighborhood
core supporters.
Mandery ignores the
possibility that all those peo-
ple believe field campaigning is important
because it is important. Research shows that those con-
tacted by campaigns and parties are more likely to vote, and that
the switch to TV campaigning has played a part in depressing
turnout. Particularly in cities like New York, campaigning is still
done largely on the retail level. Marching in a parade rllight not
present the campaign's message as clearly as a TV ad, but it does
send an even more important message: I care about your neigh-
borhood, your ethIDc group, your piece of the New York mosaic.
So why did Messinger hire Andrews and media consultant
Mandy Grunwald if they didn' t share her view that it was impor-
tant to reach out to her liberal supporters? It's too bad Mandery
didn't take advantage of his position in her campaign to ask Ruth
himself. Indeed, of the four major candidates for mayor that
year, Messinger is the one we get the least sense of as a person.
To make matters worse, the message doctors were also con-
vinced by their polls that the liberal Messinger needed to shift
to the center. But in this ill-conceived move, the Messinger
campaign stumbled. Advisors developed a proposal to cut the
city's budget by privatizing services and making city employees
work longer hours, and they convinced Messinger to avoid crit-
icizing police use of hollow-point bullets. In doing so, they
made her a less confident and less believable candidate," who
appeared to voters to be reinventing herself in order to win.
Why else didn' t Ruth win? Mandery offers mea culpas: "We
did a poor job at building coalitions. Our advance work was not
what it should have been. Putting Ruth on a bicycle was an
error. But all of those things would have mattered not a Whit, I
think, if we had put $2 million on television before August." But
the campaign never had enough money to deliver that media
effort; in the end, Messinger raised $4.1 rllillion to Giuliani 's
$9.9 million.
Messinger lost because Giuliani was hard to beat in 1997. But
investing in grassroots efforts rllight have added an important ele-
ment to the "message" of the Messinger campaign: "Rudy
Giuliani doesn't care about the average New Yorker-and I do."
By rrnmmizing its commuruty presence, Messinger's campaign
rllissed a crucial opportunity to get that message across.
Mandery later said he had a hard time convincing publishers
that his book was "a book about campaigns that is incidentally
about the 1997 mayoral campaign." It's hard to sympathize-
this really is a book about the 1997 mayoral campaign, with a
few scattered thoughts about campaigns in general. And not
such insightful ones, at that.
Margaret Groarke is an assistant professor of government at
Manhattan College.
--.-.... . - ~ . .. ".-
CITVVIEW
Glenn Pasanen
is associate
director of
City Project,
which releases
an annual
alternative
budget.
-
Budgeting
for Time
By Glenn Pasanen
I
t shows in the budget: The mayor is more interested
in the political magic of $2 billion in tax cuts for the
well-off than in dealing with the harsh realities of
New York City: high unemployment, wide-spread fail-
ures in public schools and hospitals, a lack of afford-
able housing, limited preventive services, and an
increasing disparity between the rich and everyone
else.
While his preliminary version of next year's
budget throws tens of millions of new dollars at
the police department, it slashes basic human
services-including cuts of eight to 20 percent
in parks, libraries, cultural affairs and youth
services, and adds no new money for the city's
underfunded schools.
At the end of April, the mayor will
release a much more detailed executive
budget, which is followed by five or six
weeks of negotiations and horse-trading. Advocates
lobby their cQuncilmembers for funding, who in turn lobby the
Speaker. Once the basic parameters are set, the budget process
culminates in a series of rapid-fire proposals and counterpro-
posals between the chief budget staff for the mayor and the
council. These political realities change little from year to
year--even if councilmembers succeed in securing money for
good programs, the basic framework of the budget is deter-
mined by the mayor.
So, while the maneuvering goes on in City Hall each year,
we here at City Project coordinate a coalition of 25 human ser-
vice organizations to draft an alternative budget proposal. These
A1terbudget agendas provide an alternative vision of how our
city's money should be spent, based on principles of equity and
justice rather than political expediency. Improving failing
schools, training the untrained for real work and supporting
affordable housing will make for a fairer city than arguing over
the mayor's "initiatives"-school vouchers, merit pay and tax
cuts. This year, our agenda will focus on the New Yorkers left
out of the narrow world of the mayor's budget, beginning with
poor children and the jobless.
Although the public assistance caseload has been reduced
more than 45 percent in five years, the poverty rate in the
city is still more than double the national level , according to
the Community Food Resource Center. The city govern-
ment, intent on reducing the rolls, assigns welfare recipi-
ents-including many with disabilities and substance abuse
problems-to workfare programs rather than providing the
education, training and treatment that translates into decent
jobs. In addition, the welfare grant, which has been
unchanged for \0 years, currently brings a family of three
only to 49 percent of the federal poverty level, or 73 percent
of the level when food stamps are included.
The city should work with the state to increase the
welfare grant, fund a new transitional job program
and treat clients with respect.
Almost two-thirds of the city's population are either immi-
grants or the children of immigrants. However, according to
the New York Immigration Coalition, the school system
largely ignores the educational needs of students from
immigrant and refugee families. Complicated new immi-
gration laws have created fear, fostered discrimination and
promoted confusion about eligibility rules. The availability
of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class-
es has declined by 25 percent since the mid 1990s, leaving
thousands on waiting lists.
The city should increase funding for ESOL for adults by
$5 million and funding for citizenship and legal services
by $2.4 million, and work to eliminate barriers in the
application processes for Medicaid and Medicaid man-
aged care.
The decline in crime is welcome, but it's time to call a halt
to escalating police costs. Aggressive, expensive tactics
have multiplied low-level arrests and unjustly trapped many
innocent people in the criminal justice system, mostly poor
and disproportionately people of color. Police overtime will
hit a record $175 million this year (matching the entire
parks department budget!), while spending to help the indi-
gent in court has remained essentially static.
Modest pullbacks in overtime alone would restore full
funding for the Legal Aid Society, the Office of the
Appellate Defender and Neighborhood Defender Service
of Harlem, three longtime providers of quality legal rep-
resentation for the poor.
In another of his attacks on the poor and communities of
color, Mayor Giuliani has waged a campaign to end reme-
dial classes at the City University of New York, even though
81 percent of public senior colleges nationwide offer reme-
diation, according to the Welfare Rights Initiative at Hunter
College and CUNY Is Our Future. Since the Giuliani
administration expanded welfare work programs in 1995,
21,000 CUNY students have been forced to abandon their
studies in order to fulfill work requirements. Yet research
shows that 87 percent of people on welfare who attain a
bachelor's degree secure jobs that enable them to move per-
manently off the rolls.
CITVLlMITS
Part of the anticipated $2.5 billion budget surplus this year should
be used to decrease tuition, increase child care and remedial sup-
port services, and hire more full-time faculty, and provide adjuncts
and part-timers a decent wage.
The city makes it difficult for people to apply for Medicaid, increasing
the number of the uninsured. According to the Commission on the
Public's Health System, almost 30 percent of non-elderly city residents
are uninsured. Nevertheless, the mayor proposes to eliminate many
City Council-funded public health programs. With asthma reaching
epidemic proportions, the mayor is proposing to replace $2.5 million of
city asthma dollars with federal funds, rather than using city funds to
add programs. Also, he would eliminate matching funds for Child
Health Clinics and city-run Diagnostic Treatment Centers. These cen-
ters are crucial for homeless children, whose asthma rates are six times
the national average, according to the Children's Health Fund.
Funding for asthma programs must be increased, $11 ruillion in
tax levy cuts must be restored, and tobacco settlement dollars must
be provided to the health department and the Health and Hospitals
Corporation.
The real stunner in the mayor's preliminary budget, however, is his tax
cut package. It rewards wealthy New Yorkers and businesses who have
already profited from the high-end prosperity of Wall Street success. Fully
implemented, the package will cost more than $2 billion a year. It gives
away $400 million a year in tax cuts to businesses aIone-a figure larger
than the annual amount spent on youth, seniors and cultural affairs. Worse,
the cuts would lead to a ballooning budget deficit-up to $4.2 billion by
2004, according to the city comptroller. It's a self-inflicted budget disaster,
a legacy no mayor should invite.
These tax cuts are especially poisonous to equity in the city. About 45
percent of a proposed $780 million cut in the personal income tax would
go to the top two percent of taxpayers. The council's plan is little better,
adopting a tax cut package that simply restructures this giveaway, aiming
more of the benefit toward the middle class.
The mayor's budget also abandons the earned income tax credit that
was adopted last June for this fiscal year. This tax cut, especially helpful
for low-income workers in new jobs, would benefit almost 600,000 house-
holds at a price tag of only $48 million a year. It's the only ~ cut proposed
during the Giuliani administration that was targeted toward working fami-
The mayor's proposed tax cuts are
especially poisonous to equity:
Almost half of the $780 million
income tax cut goes to the richest.
The council 's plan is little better.
lies, and now it's being postponed yet again.
In past years, more than 99 percent of the mayor's executive budget
was eventually adopted. But the tax cuts can be dramatically limited.
During May and early June, the Council and advocates-including
Alterbudget agenda advocates-will fight to restore or add at least $200
to $300 million for services. The budget battle is far from over, and
council members and the mayor need to hear from everyone who wants
a better budget.
The A1terbudget Agenda will be released at the annual A1terbudget
Breakfast on May 3. Call 212-965-1967 for details .
Tomorrovv starts today
Commitment is
leading to results
MAY 2000
Deutsche Bank's commitment to
global corporate citizenship recognizes a
responsibility to improve and enrich the
communities throughout the world in
which we conduct business.
With a focused strategy of support for
community development, the arts and the
environment, Deutsche Bank partners with
local organizations to build a brighter future.
Our commitment to a better tomorrow
starts today.
Deutsche Bank IZl
-
ADVERTISE IN CITY LIMITS!
To place a classified ad in City Limits, e-mail your ad to CL@citylimits.org or
fax your ad to 212-344-6457. The ad will run in the City Limits Weekly, City
Limits magazine and on the City Limits web site. Rates are $1.46 per word,
minimum 40 words. Special event and professional directory advertising
rates are also available. For more information, check out the Jobs section of
www.citylimits.org or call Associate Publisher Anita Gutierrez at 212-479-3345.
Breakthrough for Learning, a collaboration between the NYC Partnership and
the NYC Board of Education, is seeking a PROGRAM ASSISTANT to provide full
administrative support to the Executive Director and the staff team.
Responsibilities include office management, telephones, meeting planning,
correspondence, and some research. Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook,
Excel, and Internet. Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communica-
tions skills. Fax resume and cover letter to Michelle Robinson, VP Human
Resources at (212) 493-7542.
CUCS' West Harlem Transitional Services, a highly successful program that
helps mentally ill homeless people prepare for and access housing through its
outreach services, drop-in center, and transitional residenpe has the following
available poSitions. SENIOR socw. WORK ClINICIAN (Evening 3pm-11pm) This
individual will provide clinical oversight including supervision of evening,
overnight and weekend staff, crisis intervention, coordination of services ren-
dered and program development. Reqs: MSW + 2 yrs related post-Masters' exp
with population served; 2 yrs of related pre-Masters' exp may substitute for 1
yr post-Masters' . Bilingual Spanish/English encouraged to apply. Salary: $39K
+ comp benefits including $65 in monthly transit checks. Send cover letter and
resume to Lolita Jefferson. CASE MANAGER (Two positions) Responsibilities:
case management, assisting clients with housing applications and placement,
individual and group services, crisis intervention and working with clinical team
members, to develop treatment plans and interventions. Reqs: HS diploma or
equivalent. One year direct experience with mental health or housing placement
and good written and verbal communication skills. BA pref. Bilingual
Spanish/English a plus. Salary $25 K + comp bnfts including $65 in monthly
transit checks. Send cover letter and resume to Carlene Scheel. FRONT DESK
COORDINATOR. This individual will coordinate coverage of the front desk and per-
form general clerical duties including answering telephones, photocopying, etc.
Additionally, this position is responsible for identifying and responding to client
crisis, recording and reporting observations to clinical staff, and ensuring the
safety and well being of clients in the program. Bilingual Spanish/ English pre-
ferred. Salary: $9.75/ hour + comp benefits including $65 in monthly transit
checks. Send cover and resume to: Carlene Scheel. FRONT DESK ATTINDANT
(3pm-llpm shift) Responsibilities include general clinical duties, reporting and
recording observations in the program logbook and alerting CUCS senior staff
to emergencies. Additionally, this individual will place calls to 911 when a client
emergency arises and assist with emergency evacuations. Reqs: HS diploma
or equivalent and exp working with the population served by the program.
Bilingual Spanish/English preferred. Salary: $15K + comp bnfts including $65
in monthly transit checks. Send cover letter and resume to Carlene Scheel.
Cover letters and resume (indicate position) to: CUCS-WHTS 312-314 W. 127th
Street, New York, NY 10027. CUCS is committed to workforce diversity. EEO.
Progressive consumer advocacy group working for better nursing home
care/more responsible public policy seeks PROJECT DIRECTOR to organize fam-
ily councils. Responsibilities include leadership development, technical assis-
tance, outreach, advocacy. MSW or organizing/advocacy experience pre-
ferred. Salary $30K + benefits. HOTlINE COUNSELOR/PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Responsibilities include telephone hotline, community outreach, administra-
tive assistant for hotline and organizing programs. Bilingual Spanish/English,
good computer skills, BA or relevant experience required. Salary $28K + ben-
efits. Resume/cover letter to FRIA, 11 John St., Suite 601 NY, NY 10038. Fax
212-732-6945.
-
RESEARCH ASSISTANT/ADMINISTRA11VE AIDE. The Research and Investigations
Unit of the Office of NYC Public Advocate Mark Green is seeking a research
assistant-administrative aide to assist with public policy research including
phone calling, field research, tabulations, preparing tables and charts and
handling occasional administrative duties such as faxing and photocopying.
Good writing and computer skills required. Salary $22,000 to $24,000. Send
cover letter and resume to: Glenn von Nostitz, Office of the NYC Public
Advocate, 1 Centre Street, 15th floor, New York, NY 10007.
CONlRACTS MANAGER. A dynamic new management services organization
(MSO) providing fiscal management services for New York City not-for-prof-
it agencies seeks a contracts manager to work with the MSO' s client agen-
cies in managing city, state and federal government contracts.
Responsibilities will include: budget development, preparation and sub-
mission of contract vouchers and fiscal reports, ongoing variance analysis
of actual expenses to budgeted expenses, development of budget modifi-
cations as necessary, and other aspects of contract management. Ability
to comfortably work with agency Program Directors on monitoring and mod-
ifying contract budgets a must. Salary commensurate with experience.
Send resume and cover letter indicating salary requirements to Burchman
Terrio Gebhardt & Quist, 180 Varick Street, 16th Floor, NY, NY 10014. Fax:
(212) 627-9247.
NYC youth agency seeking GRANT WRITER. Responsibilities include proposals/
reports writing to funders and identifying new funding prospects.
Qualifications include: Excellent writing and interpersonal skills. MS Word and
Excel, Raiser's Edge. BA. Resume and writing sample ASAP to: Director of
Institutional Funding, Boys Harbor, One East 104th Street, Suite 544, New
York, NY 10029 Fax: 212-427-2311.
PROJECT DIRECTOR. Newly formed LDC seeks qualified director to manage
comm' l revitalization activities on Myrtle Avenue in Ft. Greene/Clinton Hill,
Bklyn. Responsibilities incl : project development & implementation, fundrais-
ing, community outreach, promotion. Candidate should be highly motivated,
independent, w/3-5 years experience in downtown revitalization. Marketing
background A+. Must possess excellent communication skills & ability to
work w/ wide variety of people. Pis. state salary requirements, Fax cover let-
ter & resume to: 718-242'{)737, Attn: MARC Search Committee. EOE.
FULLTIME YOUTH ORGANIZING COORDINATOR. Make the Road by Walking, a
community-based organization in Bushwick, Brooklyn is seeking a full-time
adult coordinator to support a fast-growing youth-led community organizing
project. Previous community organizing or youth development experience
required. Salary $30,OOO/yr or higher based on experience. Full benefits.
People of color and women encouraged to apply. Contact Oona C h a t t e ~ e e by
fax at 718-418-9635.
CUCS housing resource center PRODUCT1ON ASSISTANT. CUCS is seeking a full-
time Production Assistant to assist with production of CUCS Housing
Resource Center publications. Responsibilities include: biweekly telephone
calls to participating employers, editing of job announcements, data entry of
job openings information. Also responsible for aSSisting with preparation of
reports and set-up for conferences. Also provides general assistance to the
Housing Resource Center including data entry, photocopying, faxing and filing.
Requirements: office experience, data entry experience, strong written and
CITY LIMITS
oral communication skills, good telephone skills, good organizational skills,
ability to work independently and meet deadlines. Familiarity with employment
training programs preferred. Computer literacy preferred. Tenants of support-
ive housing will be given priority consideration. Salary: Low to mid 20' s. Send
resume and cover letter to: Peggy Shorr, CUCS/ RPMs, 120 Wall Street, 25th
Floor, New York, NY 10005 or fax: 212-B35-2191.
FIT CASE MANAGER, w/ benefits, for Brooklyn senior services agency. Work
with elderly crime victims. BA, with human services experience preferred.
Fax resume: 718-680-5143 or mail to: BRC, 411 Ovington Ave, Brooklyn,
NY 11209.
HOMEWARD BOUND PROGRAM COORDINATOR. Coordinate and facil itate the relo-
cation of homeless and/ or stranded individuals and families to permanent
location outside of New York City. Train and coordinate the efforts of social
work staff in six locations citywide. Supervise Work Experience Program par-
tiCipants. Maintain computerized client data base and budget program.
Develop and present program information to organizations. Monday-Friday, 40
hours per week. Some evenings. Travel within NYC. Salary $26,000. BA.
Resumes to Pat Delouisa, The Salvation Army, 120 West 14th Street, or fax
to 212-337-7279. No phone calls.
The Center for Urban Community Services, Inc. (CUCS), a growing not-for-
profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for home-
less and low-i ncome individuals has the following positions available in a
dynamic supported housing residence for homeless and special needs
individuals. These positions are available at the Times Square Program, a
permanent supportive housing residence for 650 low-income tenants,
many of whom have a history of mental illness, homelessness, substance
abuse and/ or HIV/ AIDS located in mid-town Manhattan. CASE MANAGERS
(full time or per diem). As a member of a core services treatment team,
this individual will provide individual and group services, case manage-
ment, crisis intervention, and coordination of program activities.
Requirements: High school diploma. BA and experience with population
preferred. Salary: $25K+ comp benefits (full-time) and $13.74/ hour (per
diem). Send cover letter and resume to Susan Mayc, CUCS-The Times
Square, 255 West 43rd Street, NY, NY 10036. Fax: 212-391-5991. CUCS
is committed to workforce diversity.
JOB DEVROPER. This position is available at CUCS' Vocational Services and
Job Training Program serving tenants of supportive housing. Resp: developing
outreach and marketing materials for prospective employers; establishing and
maintaining relationships with employers will ing to train and hire participants;
developing clustered and individual job placement opportunities and develop-
ing training curricula to match potential job placements. Reqs: BA, 3 years
experience in a business or entrepreneurial setting, related exp with low-
income people or individuals with special needs; understanding of NYC
employment market; excellent written and verbal communication skills and
ability to take initiative and exercise independents judgment. Preferences:
MA; exp in marketing or public relations; understanding of mental health
issues and their impact on employment; training and public presentation expo
Salary: mid-high $30s + comp benefits. Resumes to Amy Landesman,
CUCSjThe Times Square, 255 W. 43rd Street, NY, NY 10036. CUCS is com-
mitted to workforce diversity. EEO.
Williamsburg Works, an employment service of the st. Nicholas Corporation
has openings in the following areas: CASE MANAGERS responsible for all ele-
ments of case management, inclusive of client assessments, iTH:Iepth coun-
sel ing and follow-up. Case Managers will be responsible for workshop facili -
tation and expected to participate in on-going evolution of program services
and curriculum. Qualifications: Bachelor' s degree preferred. Must have at
least two years experience and knowledge of welfare regulations. JOB DEVR-
OPER. Must have ability to assess participant skills level, conduct job search
workshops, develop a community job bank of employers, conduct on-the-job
placement evaluations. Qualifications: at least 2 years job development
experience preferably with public assistance population. Bachelor' s degree
and Bilingual a plus. JOB SEARCH COORDINATOR/JOB TRAINER. Must have abil-
ity to facilitate group orientation, conduct job readiness workshops in com-
puter-assisted setting. Responsible for on-going curriculum enhancement
and for maintaining progress records in case file and MIS systems.
Qualifications: Minimum of 2 years life skills instruction and job development
expertise preferably with public assistance population. ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANT. Duties include tracking of participants' attendance and place-
ment information for all program components, creating spreadsheets and
supportive program documentation, and preparation of statistical reports.
Qual ifications: Must be detail-oriented with 3 years administrative/ clerical
MAY 2000
experience. Ability to work on multiple projects required. Must have strong
knowledge of Word, Excel, and Access software. Bilingual (Spanish/ English)
a plus. Submit resume and cover letter to: Wanda E. Moguel, Program
Manager, EarnFair/ ESP Program, Williamsburg Works,' 545 Broadway,
Brooklyn NY 11206 or fax to 718-302-2054.
Non-Profit providing legal services to HIV-positive individuals seeks SENIOR
POLICY ANALYST. Requires strong writing/analytic skills, ability to juggle m u l t ~
pie tasks/ work in a fast-paced office, and a commitment to working with
women. Duties include: writing policy briefs and educational materials; work-
ing with a national coalition, conducting conference presentations and train-
ings, working with an advocacy training program for HIV-positive women.
Submit cover letter, writing sample, 3 references, and resume to Elsa A. Rios,
Executive Director, HIV Law Project, 841 Broadway, Suite 608, NYC, 10003.
EMPLOYMENT OUTREACH SPECIALIST. YAI / National Institute for People with
Disabilities, a nationally recognized not-for-profit agency serving disabled indi-
viduals in NYC, LI , Westchester, Rockland, and Northern New Jersey, seeks
motivated, goal.<Jirected professional to fulfill job development functions
including: achieving job placement goals, networking & building relationships
with private sector, serving as a placement resource to employment training
program staff, implementing marketing strategies. BA & related experience
required. Good communication & organization skills a must. Send resume to:
YAI , HR Dept. #1361, 460 West 34th St., NY, NY 10001 or fax to: (212) 563-
4836 or email to: careers@yai.org. Browse our website at: www.yai.org. EOE.
The Garment Industry Development Corporation, a non-profit consortium of
industry, labor and government working to keep good jobs in the apparel
industry seeks: BOOKKEEPERIADMINISTRATIVEASSISTANT. Requires experience
and training in bookkeeping and computerized accounting systems. Able to
conduct bank recs., maintain accounts payable and receivables, payroll, etc.
Will also provide general administrative assistance. Detail-oriented, accurate,
strong computer skills. Send resume and cover letter to: GIDC, L. Dworak,
275 Seventh Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10001 or fax: 212-36&6162.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR to lead small , innovative HIV prevention organization for
street youth. Duties include general and fiscal management, program devel-
opment, fundraising, and guiding affiliation with larger agency. Non-profit expe-
rience, commitment to Harm Reduction essential. Salary DOE, excellent ben-
efits. Part-time PROGRAM ASSISTANT poSition also available: strong organi-
zational and computer skills required. People of color, LGBT and PWHIV / AIDS
urged to apply. Letter and resume to: Search, NYPAEC, 437 West 16th Street,
5th Floor, New York, NY 10011.
Women' s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDCO), an
award-winning mid-size women's economic development agency in the South
Bronx, seeks the following positions: PROGRAM ASSOCIATES/ASSISTANTS for
family child care network. Early childhood education background, computer
skills. BA preferred. Bilingual English/ Spanish a plus. Salary mid- 20' s, nego-
tiable. Benefits. Fax resume to D. Perez 718-83g.1172. SENIOR WRfTERI
RESEARCHER, GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR to write proposals for government and
private grants. Requires deep knowledge of welfare reform and human ser-
vices field, excellent written and verbal communication skills, computer skills
(statistical a plus), degree in related field (PhDs welcome), highly organized,
excel under deadline pressure. Excellent NYC salary, benefits. Resume, ref-
erences, writing sample to Donna Rubens, PhD. WHEDCO, 50 E. 168th
Street, Bronx NY 10452.
AmeriCorps Vista Opportunity Individuals interested in marketing, public
speaking, training and youth programs are invited to become VISTA MEMBERS
with Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Manhattan/ Bronx. VISTA members serve for
a minimum of one year; receive an $800/ month allowance, health and child
care benefits, and a cash stipend or money for college. Call 212477-2250
today for more information.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR (MSWJ FOR DOMESTIC VIOl.NCE RESlDENTlAl. PROGRAMS.
Victim Services seeks experienced program director with domestic violence
and housing experience, and 3 years supervisory experience. Duties include
managing and oversight of staff; ensuring compliance with contract require-
ments; and preparing budgets, reports and funding proposals. Must be m o t ~
vated, energetic, and organized. Strong computer skills using Microsoft Office
and Excel a must. Bilingual Spanish a plus. Salary $4().$45K depending on
experience. Fax resume and cover letter to A. Perhaes at Victim Services,
212-577-5083. Or to Victim Services, 2 Lafayette Street, New York, NY
10007 attention: A. Perhaes.
(continued on page 34)
-
(continued from page 33)
IIOOKKEEPERIDATA MANAGER, part-time, permanent position for nonprofit
peace group. Knowledge of bookkeeping (QuickBooks) and databases.
Commitment to nonviolence. $14,900 plus full health benefits. Resume,
cover letter ASAP to: Search, War Resisters League, 339 Lafayette St., NY,
NY 10012, email: wrl@igc.org, fax: 212-228-6193.
The National Neurofibromatosis Foundation seeks DEVD.OPMENT ASSISTANT.
Us: Health related non-profit You: Computer savvy, extremely detail oriented,
with knowledge of Raiser's Edge for Windows, Word and Excel (or equivalent).
Duties: Input heavy volume of gifts into RE, generate reports utilizing RE
Query, Export, assist VP and Manager of Development with special projects.
Send resume by email to: Lise Speidel, 212-747.Q()04.
CAPITAL PROJECT ASSISTANT. This individual is responsible for assisting with
agency construction projects including funding, budgeting, and design; site
control and acquisition; govemment regulatory review and approval; and pro-
gram development. Duties include coordination of activities of development
consultants, legal counsel, architects and other contractors/consultants
involved in the planning and development of new facilities. Must have the a b i ~
ity to manage numerous projects concurrently; attention to detail ; ability to
analyze program and capital project budgets; solid computer skills. BA
required, Masters preferred; 24 years experience in housing, social services
or related fields. Send or fax resume to Project Retum Foundation 10 Astor
Place, New York, NY 10003. Fax: 212-979-0100.
PROJECT MANAGER, FACILITY DVELOPMENT. Major non-profit organization is
seeking an experienced professional to lead and coordinate development
and construction of two residential facilities for the homeless. Preferred
candidates will have experience with all phases of facility
development/project management, including site selection, feasibility
analysis and budgeting, coordination of a development team, contract
management of multiple funders, negotiating and reporting. Requires: BA
or equivalent, with MA/MS preferred; development experience; strong
communication and interpersonal skills. Salary dependent on qualifica-
tions. Please mail or fax your resume and salary requirements to: M.
Bucci, 451 West 48th Street, #2E, New York, NY 10036; fax: 212-397-
6238. EOE M/F/D/V. Email: mgbucci@aol.com.
VOCA11ONAL SERVICES SPECWJST. This poSition is available in CUCS'
Vocational Services and Job Training Program serving tenants of supportive
housing. Resp: provide on-going assessment of clients' vocational needs, sit-
uational and behavioral assessments, vocational treatment planning and on-
going vocational counseling; work with case manager on treatment plan goals
as they relate to educational/vocational needs, maintain regular contact with
case manager on clients' progress, and provide recommendations for per-
manent job placement including recommended # of hours, type of work, edu-
cational needs, etc. Additionally, this individual will assist the Director of
Vocational Services in developing and jmplementing groups addressing
employment related issues, maintain all required documentation, make refer-
rals to appropriate vocational/educational programs, facilitate groups, act as
liaison to training site supervisor, and manage a caseload. Reqs: HS Diploma
or equiv.; 2 years expo providing direct services to low-income persons and
individuals with speCial needs such as mental illness, substance abuse,
chronic mental conditions or homeless ness required. BA and expo providing
vocational services to indicated populations preferred. Good written and ver-
bal comm. skills required; Bilingual Spanish/English a plus. Salary: $30K +
comp benefits including $65 monthly transit checks. Send cover letter and
resume to Amy Landesman, CUCS-The Times Square, 255 W. 43rd Street,
New York, NY 10036. CUCS is committed to workforce diversity. EEO.
Highbridge Community Life Center, a not-for-profit community based organiza-
tion in the Bronx, is seeking applicants for a COMMUNnY ECONOMIC DEVD.-
OPMENT DIRECTOR. Major responsibilities include: member of senior manage-
ment team, oversee sector specific job training with UPS for package han-
dlers, with nursing homes and hospitals for nurse aides, with Bell Atlantic and
United Airlines for customer service representatives. Requirements include:
management/administrative experience, knowledge of workforce develop-
ment programming, good writing and verbal communication skills. Salary
$40's + benefits. Please fax resume to Personnel: 718-6814137.
The Organizing/Housing and Homelessness Prevention Department now has
a full-time HOUSING SPCIAlJST position available at our Eviction Prevention
Program in Jamaica (located near E train line). Responsibilities: Provide evic-
tion prevention assistance to tenants in Job Center 54. Must have knowledge
of Housing Law and Public Assistance; good advocacy skills. Bilingual-
Spanish/ English preferred. Salary: mid 20s plus full benefits package.
Submit resume to: FHCH, 108-25 62nd Drive, Forest Hills, NY 11375 Attn:
Housing, EEO.
The Neighborhood Preservation Coalition of NYS seeks dynamic LEADER FOR
NYC OFFICE of a statewide membership organization of community based
housing groups. Responsibilities include technical assistance, advocacy,
fundraising, building local relationships, and managing the downstate office.
Three years experience in housing or community development required.
Proven expertise in coalition building and fundraising. Ability to provide tech-
nical assistance to community groups a plus. The successful candidate
should have a background in organizational and financial management, hous-
ing or project development, and/ or organizational capacity building. Ability to
manage several projects simultaneously a must. EOE-Women and people of
color encouraged to apply. Submit letter and resume by March 31, 2000 to:
NPC of NYS, 303 Hamilton Street, Albany, NY 12210.
SENIOR DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE Leading NYC child welfare agency seeks
exper'd corp/fdtn grantswriter. Must have 3 to 5 years experience and grad-
uate degree. Send 2 writing samples, letter and resume to Lisa Glazer,
Children' S Aid Society, 105 East 22nd Street, NYC 10010.
EXECUT1VE ASSISTANT. Leading NYC child welfare agency seeks exper'd
admin. asset. for dynamic Development office. Must have proficiency in Word
and Excel. Send letter, resume to Tia Hannawalt, Children's Aid Society, 105
East 22nd Street, NYC 10010.
The Hunter College, City University of New York, Center on AIDS, Drugs and
Community Health seeks to hire a DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION: Coordinates
financial, HR, MIS, and operations functions of grant-funded Center. Assist
faculty w/ grant writing and budget development. Supervise administrative
support staff. Requires BA/BS and at least 5 years nonprofit or higher edu-
cation fiscal experience and excellent writing skills. Preferred qualifications
are MA degree and experience managing govemment and foundation grants.
Salary $48K-$56K depending on qualifications and experience. Please sub-
mit resume to: Dr. Brenda Seals, Hunter College Center on AIDS, Drugs and
Community Health, 425 East 25th Street, New York, New York 10010. No
phone calls please.
DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAl. ASSISTANCE. The NYC Coalition Against Hunger seeks
a senior staff member for a new initiative to build the capacity of emergency
food programs to help the hungry in ways that go beyond food. The DTA will
help a faith-based, voluntary service sector develop management skills and
implement new programs through a comprehensive program of training, infor-
mation and TA. Qualifications: Extensive community-based experience, both
social services and management, including fund raising, program development,
training and writing. EOE. Salary: Mid-thirties. Four-day work week, benefits,
four weeks vacation. Resumes to: 212-3854330, nyccah@netzero.com. For
questions, job description: 212-227-8480.
National Writers Union seeks EDJTOR for its national , quarterly publication.
Developing story plan; assign, edit articles; supervise production. Project
Fee: $3,000 plus budgeted expenses. Resume with one by-lined writing sam-
ple, two examples newsletter editing experience to: National Writers Union,
American Writer Editor Search, 113 University Place, New York, NY. Fax: 212-
254-0673. No phone queries please. Deadline: ASAP
The National Writers Union is seeking two full-t ime ORGANIZERS for its
Journalism and Book Divisions. Minimum of 5 years organizing experience in
labor or other political organizations. The NWU is an Equal Opportunity
Employer and strongly encourages diversity in its staff hiring. Salary:
$40,000. Major benefits: full health insurance and pension plan. Please send
a resume and writing sample to: National Writers Union/UAW Local 1981,
113 University Place, 6th Roor, New York, NY 10003. Fax 212-254-0673. Att:
Organizer Search Committee. Deadline: ASAP.
PROGRAM ASSISTANT. The Jamaica Childhood Asthma Partnership. A part-time
position (15 hrs per week) well suited for a dynamic individual interested in
community organizing and outreach, and coalition building. A graduate stu-
dent in Government Affairs, Urban Planning or related filed is preferred, but
not mandatory. Required: knowledge of WP 6.1 and database programs and
good writing skills. Helpful: past experience in a grassroots environment,
knowledge of Jamaica, Queens and its population, talking and writing minutes
and agenda and meeting preparation. Fax cover letter, resume and writing
sample to 718-297-0841.
(continued on page 36)
CITY LIMITS
PROFES
CoNSUlTANT SERVJCES
Ptoposals/Grant Writing
HUD Graots/Govt. RFPs
MI(UA(L 6. BU((I
Housing/Program Development
Real Estate SaJes/Rentals
Technical Assistance
Employment Programs
Capacity Building
Communi ty Relations
CONSULTANT
HOUSING, DEVELOPMENT & FUNDRAISING
212-76507123
212-397-6238
mgbuccl@aol.com
451 WEST 48th STREET, SUITE 2E
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036-1298
OFFICE SPACE PROBLEMS?
~
CS1
CSI CON-SULTANT-S INC.
(914) 677-6941
Expert Real Estate Services - once
available only to major corporations and
institutions -
Now offered to NY nonprofits ...
at no out-of-pocket cost,
or at specially reduced rates.
Visit our web site: www.npspace.com
Call for a free, no-obligation consultation.
www.npspace.com
SPECIALIZING IN REAL ESTATE
J-51 Tax Abatement/Exemption. 421A and 421B
Applications 501 (c) (3) Federal Tax Exemptions All forms
of government-assisted housing, including LISC/Enterprise,
Section 202, State Turnkey and NYC Partnership Homes
KOURAKOS & KOURAKOS
Attorneys at Law
Eastchester, N. Y.
Phone: (914) 395-0871
Bronx, N.Y.
(718) 585-3187
, THE ANALYSIS AND SOLUTIONS COMPANY
.. " .. ,. , Daniel Convissor, President
.. '.' : Website & Database Design. Public Policy Research.
' .. , " ,Management & Transportation Consulting.
." ' , 4015 7 Av #4WA, Brooklyn NY 11232
.. , .. ', v: 718-854-0335 f: 718-854-0409
, ' danielc@AnalysisAndSolutions.com
, www.AnalysisAndSolutions.com
, Excellent rate for nonprofit organizations.
Committed to the development of affordable housing
GEORGE C. DELLAPA, ATIORNEY AT LAW
15 Maiden Lane, Suite 1800
New York, NY 10038
212-732-2700 FAX: 212-732-2773
Low-income housing tax credit syndication. Public and private
financing. HDFCs and not-for-profit corporations. Condos and co-ops.
J-51 Tax abatement/exemptions. Lending for historic properties.
MAY 2000
ECTORV
DEBRA BECHTEL - Attorney
Concentrating in Real Estate & Non-profit Law
Title and loan closings 0 All city housing programs
Mutual housing associations 0 Cooperative conversions
Advice to low income co-op boards of directors
313 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201,
(718) 780-7994 (718) 624-6850
GET A BREAK ON POSTAGE
WHILE GIVING SOMEONE A BREAK
Let us Zip+4 and Bar Code Your Mailings for Maximum Postal
Discounts and Faster Delivery
We also offer hand inserting, live stamp affixing, bulk mail,
folding, collating, labeling, wafer sealing and more.
Henry Street Settlement Mailing Services is a work readiness program
offering participants on-the-job and life-skills training
For information contact Bob Modica
(212) 5057307 Fax: (212) 533-4004
NesoH Associates
management solutions for non-profits
Providing a full range of management support services for
nonprofit organizations
management development & strategic planning
board and staff development & training
program design, implementation & evaluation
proposal and report writing
Box 130 75A Lake Road Congers, NY 109200 tel/fax (914) 268-6315
COMPUTER SERVICES
Hardware Sales:
mM Compatible Computers
Okidata Printers
Lantastic Networks
Software Sales:
NetworkslDatabase
Accounting
Suites/Applications
Services: NetworklHardware/Software Installation,
Training, Custom Software, Hand Holding
Morris Kornbluth 718-857-9157
LAWRENCE H. McGAUGHEY
Attorney at Law
Meeting the challenges of affordable housing for 20 years.
Providing legal services in the areas of General Real Estate,
Business, Trust & Estates, and Elder Law.
217 Broadway, Suite 610
New York, NY 10007
(212) 5130981
-
(continued from page 34)
Common Cents New York provides community action opportunities to thou-
sands of students through its Penny Harvest. Student Roundtable. and other
service learning programs. We are seeking an EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT with
strong administrative and organizational skills to assist the Executive Director
in fundraising. public relations and working with the Program Management
Team. Office and computer experience. attention to detail. multi-tasking a
must. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills needed. Salary: low-
mid 30's (+ w/exp.). Fax cover letter and resume to Kruti Parekh 212-579-
3488 or call 212-PENNIES.
CUCS' West Harlem Transitional Services. a highly successful program that
helps mentally ill homeless people prepare for and access housing through
its outreach services. drop-in center. and transitional residence has the fol-
lowing positions available. ASSISTANT TEAM LEADER (two positions)
Responsibilities: Provide clinical services to individuals and groups. crisis
intervention. case management. and assisting the clinical supervisor in
directing the activities of on-site core services team. This position will also
participate in program development initiatives. Requirements: MSW and
direct service experience in mental health and/or homelessness. May 2000
graduates are encouraged to apply. Good written and verbal communication
skills required. Bilingual Spanish/English preferred. The salary for this posi-
tion is $34K + comp bnfts. Send cover letter and resume to Carleen Scheel.
CUCS-WHTS. 312-314 West 127th Street. NY. NY 10027. CUCS is commit-
ted to workforce diversity. EEO.
OUTREACH SUPERVISOR. CUCS West Harlem Transitional Services. a highly
successful program that helps mentally ill homeless people prepare for and
access housing through its outreach services. drop-in center. and transi-
tional residence. seeks an Outreach Supervisor. Responsibilities: manage
the daily operations of the outreach activities. maintain effective relation-
ships with the program's referral services. assist in ensuring the effective
integration of the outreach services. drop-in center. and transitional living
community. supervise clinical staff. provide crisis intervention services. and
assist in ensuring that all clincal services and service documentation efforts
meet regulatory and agency standards. Reqs: MSW + 2 years related post-
masters experience with population served; 2 years of related pre-masters
experience may substitute for 1 year post-masters. Bilingual
Spanish/English encouraged to apply. Salary: $39K + comp bnfts including
$65 in monthly transit checks. Send cover letter and resume to Lolita
Jefferson. CUCS-WHTS. 312-314 West 127th Street. NY. NY 10027. CUCS
is committed to workforce diversity. EEO.
The Center for Urban Community Services. Inc. (CUCS) has a position avail-
able for its dynamic and innovative Transitional living Community for home-
less. mentally ill adults in West Harlem. 1RANSI11ONAL UVlNG COMMUNITY
mC) SUPERVISOR. The TLC supervisor is responsible for the direct oversight
of a 40-unit Transitional living Community. This position has significant
decision-making. administrative. program managment and service delivery
responsibilities including. but not limited to. staff supervision. program
development. contract. regulatory and policy compliance. inter-unit coordi-
nation. resource development. and assistance with budget manangement.
Reqs: CSW + minimum of two (2) years related post-masters experience
with population served by the program. Bilingual Spanish/English encour-
aged to apply. Salary $39K + comp benefits including $65 in monthly tran-
sit checks. Send cover letter and resume to Lolita Jefferson. CUCS-WHTS.
312-314 West 127th Street. NY. NY 10027. CUCS is committed to work-
force diversity. EEO.
Funders' Collaborative on Youth Organizing seeks DIRECTOR for national pro-
ject to support youth organizing through grantrnaking and capacity building
activities. Salary $30.000-$36.000 plus benefits; 4/5 position. Send resume
to Amanda Berger JFJ 260 5th Avenue NY. NY 10001. fax: 212-213-2233.
Planned Parenthood of NYC. Inc is currently recruiting for a COMMUNITY
AFFAIRS COORDINATOR. Responsible for mobilizing people both within PPNYC
and in communities throughout NYC to support and secure full reproductive
rights. safe and adequate reproductive health care and the education neces-
sary for people to make responsible health care choices. Works closely with
selected staff members to advance PPNYC's advocacy agenda. Recruit
activists through diverse activities. Develops materials and activities to
engage. educate and retain supporters. Activate supporters to respond quick-
ly and effectively to key issues. Write and broadcast action alerts. sample let-
ters and other materials through multiple mediums. Work intra- and interde-
partmentally to plan and execute community organizing events such as edu-
cational forums. informational lunches/receptions. etc. BA degree and 2 - 3
years expo required plus strong organizational. communication and people
skills. Must be able to work effectively in coalitions and with economically
diverse communities. Must have knowledge of and demonstrated commit-
ment to reproductive health care issues. Interested candidates should fax
cover letter and resume to: Assistant Director. Human Resources 212-274-
7218. No phone calls. pleasel PPNYC is committed to a diverse workplace.
women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Common Cents New York provides community action opportunities to thou-
sands of students through its Penny Harvest. Student Roundtable. and other
service learning programs. We are seeking an OFFICE & SYSTEMS MANAGER
with strong computer and database management skills who will be responsi-
ble for network and computer maintenance. financial management. and all
aspects of facility. human resource and office support. Attention to detail and
multi-taSking a must. Salary: mid 30s to 40s (+w/exp). Fax cover letter and
resume to Kruti Parekh 212-579-3488 or call 212- PENNIES.
Planned Parenthood of NYC. Inc. is currently recruiting for a GRANTS MANAG-
ER. This person will be responsible for developing and maintaining systems to
monitor and report on assigned public grants and contracts and privately-
raised restricted grants. Duties include preparing renewal applications. exe-
cuting contractual agreements with funding sources. coordinating all mandat-
ed data collection and preparing. monitoring and modifying grant budgets and
periodic billing reports. preparing all grant close-out documentation. BA
degree and 3-4 years of related experience with a not-for-profit or public fund-
ing agency. Must have strong budgeting and analytical skills and be experi-
enced in utilizing spreadsheet (preferably Excel). data base programs and
word processing systems. Requires excellent ability to communicate ideas
both verbally and in writing. Interested candidates should fax cover letter with
salary requirement and resume to: Assistant Director. Human Resources
212-274-7218. No phone calls. please! PPNYC is committed to a diverse
workplace; women and minorities are encouraged to apply. For more infor-
mation on PPNYC. visit our website at www.ppnyc.org.
STRIVE. an East Harlern-basedjob readiness and placement program. seeks
dedicated and creative individuals for the following positions: EXECUTlVE
ASSISTANT for its national headquarters. Candidate must be detailed orient-
ed and organized. a self-starter who works well independently. have strong
written and oral communication and a professional demeanor. Bilingual
(English/Spanish) a plus. Salary $28.000. CASE MANAGER: BSW required.
Small caseload. fatherhood program. group work. crisis intervention. etc.
Some evening work. Recent grads welcome. ATTTT1JDlNAL TRAINER: profes-
sional attitude/appearance. teaching skills. ability to be aggressive. eager-
ness to learn. work well under pressure. basic office skills. Please fax cover
letter indicating position. resume. salary requirements to: Tim Moriarty.
STRIVE. 212-360-5634.
RESlDENTlAL ADVOCATE: Victim Services is looking for ADVOCATES to assist vic-
tims of domestic violence. Duties include assisting victims of domestic vio-
lence to prepare for and access housing. advocate for entitlements and other
services. provide on-going case management and co-facilitate workshops and
support groups. BA + 2 years experience with victim issues required. Spanish
speaking a plus. Salary $24-$30K. based on experience. Excellent benefits.
Send resume and cover letter to: A. Perhaes. Victim Services. 2 Lafayette
Street. New York. NY 10007.
ASSISTANT PROJECT DIRECTOR for eviction prevention program. Research into
PA & Housing law. editing & updating manuals on HRA & Housing Court
rules. oversight of staff' s work on Jiggetts cases. some staff training &
supervision. Bilingual Spanish/English preferred; three years' experience in
case management and broad-based social services knowledge. Great writ-
ing & organizational skills required. Mid-$30s. medical. dental. family cov-
erage. People of color and women encouraged; AA/ EOE. Resume to:
Assistant CHAT Director. CFRC. 39 Broadway. 10th Floor. NY NY 10006;
fax: 212-616-4988.
RESEARCH ANAlYSTIS1RA1EGIC CAMPAIGNER. Hotel Employees & Restaurant
Employees Union seeks activist researchers to help develop strategic campaigns
to support organizing efforts among lowwage hotel workers in various cities.
Campaign experience & good research/communication skills required. Fax
resume & cover letter to: Recruitment/HERE. 202-333-6049. www.hereunion.
org/jobs.
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY for NYC's leading good government group. Must be
organized. computer literate. Duties include: deposits; acknowledgments;
billings; maintain database; support CU members as they evaluate candi-
dates for local office; maintain candidate files; assist with bookkeeping. 20
CITY LIMITS
hrs/wk average. $16-18/hr, DOE. Health Insurance available. CL and resume
to: MS Search, Citizens Union, 198 Broadway Suite 700, New York, NY
10038; Fax: 212-227.Q345.
DEPUTY EXECUT1VE DIRECTOR FOR ADMINlSTRAllON. Interfaith grassroots com-
munity based homeless service organization, on Staten Island near the ferry,
is seeking a highly qualified Deputy Executive Director to manage the infra-
structure and support services of our agency. Areas of responsibility include:
Fiscal oversight of 10 million dollar budget, Human Resources, MIS, Contract
Compliance, QA/CQI, Property Management, Legal , Real Estate, Program
Development, and Managed Care implementation. Knowledge of computer-
ized fiscal and MIS systems needed. Excellent organizational and manage-
ment skills. Supervise at least five administrators. Commitment to the poor
very important. Sense of humor helpful. Master's level degree preferred. We
offer an excellent benefits package; salary is based on experience and
degree. Send cover letter/resume with salary requirements to: Project
Hospitality, Human Resource Director 100 Park Avenue Staten Island, NY
10302 EOE/M/F/V/H.
UBRARY RnATlONS COORDINATOR, full or part time. Libraries for the Future,
a national not-for-profit that works with libraries and other public and pri-
vate sector organizations to achieve equal access to the information and
knowledge essential for a democratic society is seeking a library relations
coordinator to manage programs and activities relating to libraries.
Responsibilities include planning and implementing training programs,
organizing national library leadership groups and representing the organi-
zation to the library world. Experience in library activity, communication,
marketing and fund development is preferred. Send resume, salary
requirements and letter of interest to: Allan Donaldson, Managing Director,
Libraries for the Future, 121 West 27th Street, New York, NY 10001 or fax:
212-352-2342.
EXECU11VE ASSISTANTJPROJECT MANAGER. Innovative consulting firm serving
non profits seeks assistant. You: detail oriented, good writer, analytical, skilled
at MSOffice. Master's preferred. Duties: grant writing, assisting President,
clerical. Check 'out www.lp-associates.com. 3 days or FIT. Great pay, bonus-
es, health benefits, advancement. Two-year commitment. Cover letter,
resume, writing samples, three references: Laurence Pagnoni, 549 W. 123rd
St. , #18H, NY, NY 10027.
NEIGHBORHOOD EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM COORDINATOR. Innovative
Brooklyn CDC seeks coordinator for neighborhood employment services
program. Responsibilities: assist program participants in developing
career goals; job search strategies; resumes and interviewing skills; devel-
op jobs for program participants; conduct job readiness workshops; over-
see participant database; and supervise full time VISTA. Qualifications: job
development experience; well organized, motivated with excellent commu-
nications skills; computer literate; supervisory skills; bilingual
(English/ Spanish). Some evening hours required. Send cover letter,
resume and salary requirements to NESPC Search, Fifth Avenue
Committee, 141 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11217 or fax 718-857-4322.
www.fifthave.org. AA/EOE.
DEPUTY EXECUT1VE DIRECTOR FOR PROGRAM OPERATIONS Leading East Side
social service agency seeks top-level manager to oversee all agency pro-
grams. Looking for creative, experienced team player (6+ yrs. supervisory
experience) with excellent interpersonal skills & communications skills. Will
be part of executive team, reporting to Executive Director. Competitive salary.
EEO. Send resume, including salary requirements to: Ms. G. Burke, Lenox Hill
Neighborhood House, 331 E. 70th St. NY, NY 10021.
JusticeWorks Community, a national non-profit based in Brooklyn, New York
seeks experienced COMMUNnY ORGANIZER with passion for social justice.
Must possess campaign and nonprofit experience, be willing to leam and
practice JWC's organizing model. Organizer will be expected to recruit and
mobilize religious and secular groups for the Interfaith Partnership for
Criminal Justice-the local organizing vehicle of a national campaign-and to
work on public policy change in New York State. Computer skills required.
Salary mid-30's. Send resume to: Mary-E. Fitzgerald, JWC, 1012 Eighth
Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11215.
HOUSINGIENTTTlEMENTS PARALGAL. The HIV Law Project, a non-profit legal
services office which represents low-income clients with HIV, seeks Paralegal
to work with housing attomeys and carry case load of entitlements clients.
Responsibilities will include representing clients at Fair Hearings and Social
Security hearings and extensive advocacy with the Division of AIDS Services.
College degree required. Spanish speaking a plus. Salary $27,000. Fax
resume and cover letter to 212-B7 4-7 450.
MAY 2000
The Division of Continuing Education of New York City Technical College runs
an English summer program for high school E.S.L. students. TEACHER ASSlS-
TANT openings are available for graduate students in education, college grad-
uates and senior college students with a strong interest in teaching. The pro-
gram runs from July 5 to August 18, 2000, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 4:00
pm. Salary-$13.00 per hour. Fax cover letters and resumes to: Cynthia Nwizu,
Project Manager, 718-260-5739.
TENANT RELATIONS SPECIALIST ITRSI Cooper Square Mutual Housing
ASSOCiation, manager of low income housing, seeks TRS to manage build-
ings, coordinate tenant relocation, prepare tenants for cooperative ownership.
Requirements: 2-3 years organizing or housing management experience. Bi-
lingual (Spanish/ English), computer literate preferred. Salary: Mid to high
twenties. Resume: Cooper Square MHA, 5%1 East 4th Street, 3rd Floor,
New York, NY 10003 or fax: 212-477-9328.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: The Africa Fund, a 34 year-old non-profit organization
advocating for a US policy for Africa supporting human rights and democ-
racy, seeks a dynamic and committed person for the position of EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR. The successful candidate will posses knowledge of pOlitical ,
economic and social developments in Africa and an understanding of con-
temporary issues in US/Africa policy. Appl icants must provide evidence of
successful leadership and experience, effective communication and
fundraising skills and ability to manage and -administer a small staff of six
on a modes annual budget. Call for a detailed job description by phone:
212-785-1024.
CRY AGENCY MANAGER. West Side Community Board seeks manager to work
on land use, housing, quality of life issues, troubleshoot local problems,
supervise staff, work with city agencies and community. BA + 2 years related
experience required. Knowledge of city govemment a plus. Salary low 40s
with benefits. Resume and cover letter to CB4, 330 West 42nd Street, NYC
10036 or Fax: 212-947-9512.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND RESEARCHER. Learn the fundamentals of non-
profit fundraising, with significant advancement opportunities for highly m o t ~
vated individuals. The successful candidate must be familiar with office soft-
ware programs, have strong writing skills, and be very detail-oriented. Salary
is in the mid to high teens. Send resume and cover letter to Project Vote, 88
Third Avenue, Third Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217. EOE. Women and people of
color strongly encouraged to apply.
The South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SOBRO), one of
NYC' s largest economic and community development corporations is seeking
an energetic, entrepreneurial person for the pOSition of ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
OF COMMERCIAL REVlTALIlAllON - responsible for assisting in the managing of
SOBRO' s Commercial Revitalization initiatives including: providing technical
assistance to merchants and merchant associations; development of promo-
tional initiatives to strengthen commercial districts; management of capital
improvement projects; and assisting with commercial and housing develop-
ment projects. Salary mid to high 20' s. Please send resume and cover letter
to: Ms. Karen Hill, SOBRO, 370 East 149th, Bronx, NY 10455.
New Settlement Apartments Seasonal Employment Opportunities: New
Settlement Apartments has exciting and engaging seasonal employment
opportunities available. In the summer months, New Settlement offers the
youth of the community the opportunity to be involved in recreational and
community service activities. In order to make the summer months a suc-
cess, dedicated staff are recruited to help implement and supervise the
activities that are in place. Seasonal Positions (Part-Time & Full-Time) TOT
LOT ATTENDANT. Duties: Supervise young park attendees (9 years and
younger). Help to coordinate artistic activities in the park. Must be willing
to work outdoors and maintain rapport with parents and youth. Light clean-
ing duties required when opening and closing the park. PLAY STREET SUM-
MER COUNSROR. Duties: Supervise and coordinate recreational activities
on play street including sports and arts. Must be willing to work outdoors
during the summertime as part of a youth serving team and do outreach t o
youth in the community and surrounding areas. Maintain rapport with par-
ent s and youth. Qualifications: College degree or college background pre-
ferred. Must have experience in working with youth groups. Candidate
should be a self-starter, knowledge of high school basketball rules and reg-
ulations a plus. Demonstrated ability to command the respect of teenage
youth. Mail resumes to: New Settlement Apartments, AnN: Marcus A.
Hayes, 1512 Townsend Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452. Tel : 718-716-8000. Fax:
718-294-4085.
(continued on page 38)
Wi
(continuedlrom page 37)
ADVOCACY DAY COORDINATORITEMP Citywide advocacy organization seeks coor-
dinator for City Advocacy Day, full-time from April 10th to June 2nd. Arrange leg-
islative appointments and organize senior citizen delegations to meet with leg..
islators. Organizational and telephone skills important. Fax resume: Bobbie
Sackman, Council of Senior Centers and Services, 212-398-8398.
New York City Partnership & Chamber of Commerce Position
Announcements: Housing Partnership. The Housing Partnership is a not-for-
profit organization that develops affordable housing and that supports the
revitalization of neighborhoods and neighborhood-based businesses.
Following are open positions and their basic responsibilities. ASSISTANT GEN-
ERAL COUNSB. Represent organization at construction and permanent loan
closings; prepare and review documents; coordinate closings among all par-
ties (banks, city, state, developers, contractors, etc.). Draft and review other
program documents such as escrow agreements, seed loan agreements,
subsidy agreements, leases and contracts for services. Oversee and track
litigation matters and ensure representation. Maintain corporate books and
records and prepare resolutions. Research legal matters as necessary. Law
degree and minimum of 1-year legal experience with real estate transac-
tions. PROJECT MANAGER Of NEIGHBORHOOD ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAM.
Assist locally based for-profit management companies to manage, rehabili-
tate and purchase city-owned, occupied and vacant buildings. Oversee
approximately ten projects. Maintain relationships with Entrepreneurs, HPD,
Non-Profits, Private Lenders and General Contractors. Assist in resolution of
conflicts between parties, i.e. tenants, non-profits, etc. Coordinate monthly
site visits to projects and/or meetings with Entrepreneurs, Non-Profits, ten-
ants, etc. Bachelor's degree required. Must have knowledge of housing,
finance and construction. Must be skillful in building relationships and a
problem-solver with excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
HOMEOWNER RElATIONS MANAGER. Respond to all construction-related
inquiries from homeowners and coordinate remedial action with builders as
required. Assist in coordinating homeowner education sessions. Conduct
pre-closing walk-through inspections with builders, identifying punch list con-
struction issues for the builders prior to purchase by homeowners.
Bachelor' s degree preferred. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong computer skills. Knowledge of New York City neighborhoods and
access to a vehicle is required. Bilingual (Spanish) a plus. OFFICE MANAGER.
Assist the President and Chief of Staff in day-to-day office management.
Provide general administrative, as well as program-related support of various
Housing Partnership projects and programs. General office oversight, spe-
cial projects, assists with preparation of funding proposals, reports to foun-
dation, programmatic reporting and database management. Must have expe-
rience with word processing, spreadsheet and database applications. Ability
to handle multiple tasks and projects while meeting deadlines. Please send
resumes to: W. Nelson, Chief of Staff, NYC Housing Partnership, One
Battery Park Plaza, NY, NY 10004 or fax to: 212-742-9559.
YOUIH PROGRAMS COORDINATOR. Requirements: Masters degree in social
work, counseling or similar field with at least 2 years experience working with
urban youth. Job responsibilities include recruiting youth, program coordina-
tion and development, grant writing, etc. Forward resume to: Aisha Wahhab,
Dir. of Family Services, 139-43 W. 138th Street. NY, NY 10030.
OFFICE MANAGER. The Central Brooklyn Partnership is a community-based
organization that builds the capacity of people in Central Brooklyn to build
and exert economic power. The Partnership's initiatives combine financial
cooperatives, leadership development and financial literacy programs with
advocacy and community organizing that focus on economic justice issues.
The Partnership is seeking an individual to manage day-to-day office opera-
tions of small grassroots organization with growing neighborhood-based
membership. Candidates should be highly organized, detailed oriented &
dependable; at least two years experience in office management; prOficient
in Windows-based computer applications; Bachelors degree preferred, but
other relevant experience may be acceptable. Residents from Central
Brooklyn area strongly encouraged to apply. Salary range $29,000 to
$31,000. Application deadline is May 1st, but process may close before if
qualified applicant is found. Mail, email or fax cover letter and resume to:
Central Brooklyn Partnership, Attention: "Office Manager Search" 1195
Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11216, mwgriffith@centralbrooklyn.org
Fax: 718-398-8972
CONSlTIlJENT SERVICES: NYC Councilmember seeks full-time assistant to han-
dle constituent services in western Queens office. Responsibilities include
casework, outreach to City agencies, attending community events and gener-
al office duties. Competitive salary and good benefits. Fax resume to:
-
Benjamin Erskine at 718-507-2982. No phone calls please.
EXECUT1VE DIRECTOR, National Police Accountability Project of the National
Lawyers Guild. Coordinate national impact litigation strategy; fundraisingj
fiscal; membership; public education; legislative advocacy; media relations.
Qualifications: significant legal and/or nonprofit management experience,
commitment to progressive legal struggles, understanding of police account-
ability. Some travel. Women and minority candidates encouraged to apply.
$40,000 plus benefits. Start July 5. Letter, resume, two writing samples,
three references by June 1 to: NPAP Search Committee, c/o Annette
Dickerson, Center for Constitutional Rights, 666 Broadway, 7th Roor, New
York, NY 10012, Fax: 212-614-6432. No phone calls.
Green Guerillas seek a committed energetiC COMMUNITY ORGANIZER to
provide critical organizing assistance to NYC's network of grassroots
community gardening groups. BA plus 2 years of organizing/advocacy
experience. Great benefits. Fax cover letter, resume and salary history to
XN at 212-505-8613.
GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR for quickly expanding philanthropic foundation that
supports variety of educational and human service programs. Position
requires superior administrative, clerical , and writing skills, plus knowledge
of Word and Lotus. Individual must be highly organized, and work quickly
and accurately. Rexibility required to handle wide range of responsibilities.
Minimum 3-5 yrs office experience. Excellent opportunities for growth over
time. Ideal for professionals seeking career in philanthropy. Salary in high
30's. Fax resume to 212-223-4361.
CENTER MANAGER (CMI and CENTER MANAGER-DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
(CM-DC). Two positions available with Project Enterprise, a nonprofit
microlending organization serving low-income entrepreneurs in Harlem, East
New York and the Bronx. CM will recruit, train and provide ongoing technical
assistance to borrowers organized into peer lending groups. CM-DC will work
half-time on the above activities and half-time coordinating PE's fundraising
efforts. Qualifications: teaching and community outreach experience; excel-
lent writing, math and finance skills; business training or experience a plus.
For CM-DC, experience creating budgets and writing grants required,
Bachelors or Masters degree preferred. Salary range 22-26K for CM; 28-35K
for CM-DC, DOE. People of color encouraged to apply. Send resume and writ-
ing sample to Project Enterprise, Staff Recruitment, 2303 7th Avenue, New
York, NY 10030; fax: 212-690-2028; email : pe@projectenterprise.org.
God's Love We Deliver is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization providing
meals and nutrition counseling to people living w/AIDS and HIV. We seek a
MANAGER Of VOLUNTtER SERVICES to lead, recruit, develop, track and coun-
sel all volunteers; establish budget and strategic goals; represent the agency
in outreach and networking efforts; develop focus groups and surveys. Ideal
candidates will have a B.A or B.S. degree and 5 years of experience in vol-
unteer management along with excellent interpersonal, leadership, mentor-
ing, communication and public speaking skills. Send/ fax (212-294-8101)
resume with cover letter and salary requirements to: Human Resources,
GLWD, 166 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10013. Browse our website at:
www.glwd.org. EOE.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST. Community-based housing organization
seeks college graduate with some experience in economic development or
related field. The objective of the position is to help to create opportunities
for educational and economic growth for neighborhood reSidents, many of
whom are Spanish-speaking. Some on-going activities include a computer
center, a culinary training program, micro loan fund, and Entrepreneurship
Round Table. The position requires collaboration with co-workers and inter-
action with community residents. Energy and commitment a must! CO-ORDI-
NATOR OF COMPUTER CENTER. Community-based housing organization is
seeking bi-Iingual (Spanish/English) person with knowledge of computers
and the ability to share that knowledge with others in order to educate and
train community residents. Curriculum includes word processing, spread-
sheets and the Internet. The job includes community outreach, computer
training, plus developing creative ways to use technology to enhance eco-
nomic opportunities of community residents. Send resumes to: Los Sures,
213 So. 4th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211.
The Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project (NEDAP) seeks
fuHime FAIR lINDiNG COORDINATOR to work on HU[)'funded community out-
reach and education program on predatory lending. The Coordinator will ana-
lyze and map lending data at the community level and identify and document
red lining and other evidence of fair lending problems. The Coordinator will also
respond to inquiries; make presentations at community meetings; and prepare
CITVLlMITS
material on predatory lending. Requirements: BA, and 3+ years experience
working on community reinvestment or civil rights issues; demonstrated a b i l ~
ty to work well with community groups; excellent research, organizational, and
computer skills; proficiency in GIS software (including ArcView) preferred or
clear motivation to learn computer mapping. Master's degree in urban pi all-
ning/policy or J.D. preferred. Competitive salary. Send resume and cover let-
ter to NEDAP, 299 Broadway, Suite 706, New York, NY 10007. No phone calls
or e-mails please. Women and people of color encouraged to apply.
The Organizing/Housing Program now has a position open as a HOUSING
PROGRAM AIDE in our main office in Forest Hills. Responsibilities: Follow-up
with families who were given Eviction Prevention assistance; report prepa-
ration and clerical assistance; eviction prevention assistance to families;
maintain program data base. Skills: Type 40 wpm; computer literate and
good people skills. Familiarity with Public Assistance benefits and Housing
Law. Must have good organizational skills. Salary/Hours 35 hrs/wk:
$24,5000. Full benefits. Submit resume: FHCH, 108-25 62nd Drive, Forest
Hills, NY 11375. Attn: Housing. EEO.
Neighborhood Youth & Family Services (NYFS) seeks an ASSISTANT PROGRAM
DIRECTOR to start and operate a Bronx-wide, clinicallY-<lriented DAS/ PINS
Court Diversion Program. Applicant must be a Certified Social Worker and
possess a Masters degree in Social Work. Area of concentration in adminis-
trative policy and program development. Rve years of program planning,
administrative and supervisory experience. At least two years of experience
within the domains of Family Court and Probation. Knowledge of PINS popu-
lation, ACS policies and procedures. For immediate consideration send
resume to Human Resources Dept., NYFS, 601 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx,
NY 10457. Fax: 718-299-2343. E-mail: NYFSHR@aol.com.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. The Pratt Area Community Council (PACC) is a not-
for-profit organization improving the Brooklyn communities of Ft. Greene,
Clinton Hill and Bedford Stuyvesant. PACC seeks an Administrative Assistant
to provide high-level administrative support in drafting reports, proposals, and
correspondence. Responsible for coordinating outreach to Board of Directors.
Must have knowledge of office procedures and equipment, superior verbal
and written communication skills, and Significant computer proficiency. Fax
letter, resume, and salary requirements to: PACC, 718-522-2604.
EXECU11VE DIRECTOR. Volunteer Services for Children, Inc. (VSC), a New York
City based nOll-profit membership organization with a staff of four that
serves disadvantaged children with tutorial and mentoring services and
Saturday enrichment activities, seeks a dynamic Executive Director. Work
closely with the Board of Directors in restructuring and revitalizing this 40-
year-<lld organization. Rscal management, fundraising and community needs
assessment as well as new project design and implementation. Minimum
five years administrative experience and supervisory experience in the non-
profit sector. Computer literacy and a keen sense of mission desired, MSW
preferred. Mail or fax resume with cover letter and three references to: VSC
Search Committee, 216 East 39th Street, NYC 10016. Fax: 212-867-8081.
DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY SERVICES. Senior management position responsible for
overall strategiC direction, outcome measurement, evaluation for these pro-
grams: Youth/lntergenerational, Senior Center, Immigration, Volunteer.
Responsible for formulation/implementation of annual budgets, policies/ goals.
The Director will work closely with all members of the management team and
community partners to ensure that services are delivered effectively and
applied conSistently. This position manages 4-6 direct reports with total staff of
100-125 full, part-time and seasonal staff. Qualifications: 6+ years experience
in a nOll-profit, community service delivery setting; demonstrated management
ability; the ability to work within a team oriented environment; excellent presell-
tation, interpersonal, written communication skills; Masters Degree a plus.
Resume to: Sunnyside Community Services, Recruitment Director, 43-31 39th
Street, Sunnyside, NY, 11104. Fax preferred: 718-706-2475
Agenda for Children Tomorrow is recruiting for an ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal and computer skills and able to handle
a variety of responsibilities simultaneously. Salary: $24-30K + benefits.
Interested candidates should fax resume and cover letter to Pam Boohit at
212-487-8574 or 212-487-8564. Telephone: 212-487-8618.
PIT MULTI-LINGUAL RECEPTIONIST (Spanish, English required. French-Creole
desired) for Upper West Side non-profit agency serving community elderly.
20 hours per week, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. Greet/assist clients, use com-
puter, answer phones, some filing. FAX resume to One Stop Senior
Services 212-662-4578.
NYC Jewish social justice organization, seeks two new staff members: COM-
MUNITY ORGANIZER to build new public schools organizing campaign, and
coordinate outreach and membership. Ideal candidate will have two years
organizing experience and school issue background. Full-time, $28-$32K +
benefits. OFFICE MANAGER to handle records, supplies and communications.
Computer skills required. Permanent part-time + full benefits. Fax to 212-
647-7124 or email: jfrej@igc.org.
SECURITY GUARDS.IOFFJCERS. The Bronx Charter of Baitul Nasr, Inc. is seeking
100 or more responsible individuals to join our Crisis Prevention/ Security
Intervention Team for various sites. The following qualifications are required:
8-hour certification, S.S. card, NYS 10 or D.L. and a positive attitude.
Interviews will take place each Monday-Thursday between 9 am and 11 am.
Come prepared for an interview and orientation. Location: 2580 3rd Avenue,
Bronx, New York (between 139th and 140th). Phone: 718-401-8530.
Libraries for the Future has two large semi-nclosed offices, suitable for 3-4
staff in Chelsea. $1,400 per month including utilities. Available immediately.
Contact: Allan Davidson at 212-352-2334.
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--
Chase announces 1%-2%
down payment mortgage program
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GROUP
1 % Down payment from borrower's own funds
2% Gift, unsecured loan or seller concessions
can be used for down payment
Owner occupied properties
30 Year fixed rate
1-2 Family house, Condo, PUD
No minimum loan amount
FNMA maximum loan amounts apply
Expanded ratios 33/38
Purchase transactions only
Also available is Chase's "C.A.S.H." program
C.A.S.H. is an unsecured installment loan that
may be used to cover your down payment
and/or closing costs associated with your first
mortgage with Chase
One payment coupon each month covers both
mortgage payment and installment loan
o CHASE
THE RIG H T R E LA T ION S HIP I 5 EVE R Y T H I N G ~
1-800-636-6395
All loans are originated by The Chase Manhattan Bank. All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.
Other restrictions and limitations apply. ' For down payments of less than 20%, mortgage insurance (MI) is required and MI charges apply. Not all products are available with 3%
down. Results of mortgage affordability estimates are guidelines. The estimate is not an application for credit and results do not guarantee loan approval or denial. Mortgage loans
are offered through The Chase Manhattan Bank, Community Development Group, Residential Lending, 2 Chase Manhattan Plaza, NY, NY 10081 .
C 2000 The Chase Manhattan Bank. All rights reserved. Equal Housing Lender A