2023 Gala Journal (Draft 7)

2O23 ANNUAL GALA
PROGRAM

Website: www.nhsbrooklyn.org
Flatbush: 2806 Church Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226
Canarsie: 9701 Avenue L, Brooklyn, NY 11236
Phone: 718-469-4679
Fax: 718-469-4743
October 11, 2023
Welcome, distinguished honorees, partners, friends, and family!
Thank you for joining us for our 41st Anniversary Gala.
Tonight we celebrate the beginning of our fifth decade of building communities and
transforming lives, holding fast to our mission of preserving decent, stable, and
affordable housing in Brooklyn and beyond.
As we reflect on the humble beginnings of our organization and the hopes, dreams,
and struggles of the East Flatbush community in the early 1980s, we can’t help
but be grateful for the courageous residents who formed our organization half a
lifetime ago. Residents who refused to accept the status quo of economic injustices
against people of color that were legal at the time. Residents who wanted a better
life for themselves and their children and their children’s children. Residents who
channeled and galvanized their frustration into action, becoming community
leaders, and eventually forming a housing nonprofit.
We’re grateful, too, for the many people who followed our founders, who served
our organization as it grew, and who serve it today as staff and board members.
Their dedication, hard work, and appreciation for the power of a shared goal have
driven our impact and growth year after year.
And how grateful we are for you, our partners and supporters! We could not have
come this far or helped the tens of thousands of residents we have without your
collaboration, counsel, and financial support.
This evening, we shine the spotlight on some of the special champions who have
helped to build up our neighborhoods, each in their own exceptional way.
Know that as we celebrate tonight’s honorees, we also honor all of you. Because
you, too, are helping us to define and achieve our mission in more ways than you
will ever know. For that, and on behalf of the Board of Directors and staff at NHS
Brooklyn, we extend our heartfelt thanks.
Sincerely,
Tonya Ores
Chief Operating Officer
Serghio Adams
Board President
3

ABOUT NHS BROOKLYN
Neighborhood Housing Services of Brooklyn CDC, Inc. (NHS Brooklyn) is
a full-service, nonprofit housing organization that initiates, develops, and
maintains programs designed to create affordable, decent, and safe housing
and communities. We assist everyone, whether you rent an apartment, would
like to buy a home, or have been a homeowner for decades.
Working in partnership with government officials, businesses, and community
partners, led by local residents, and guided by local needs, we cultivate grassroots
leadership that promotes neighborhood self-sufficiency; create unique
neighborhood revitalization projects tailored to the requirements of particular
communities; and develop new programs that meet the changing needs of
residents.
Contact us for assistance with:
• Home-Buyer Education
• Mortgage Questions
• Foreclosure Intervention & Counseling
• Home Repairs
• Financial Education and Empowerment
• Home Insurance & Resiliency Counseling
• Landlord Training
• Tenant Support
• Affordable Property Management
Flatbush Office
2806 Church Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11226
Canarsie Office
9701 Avenue L
Brooklyn, NY 11236
Phone 718-469-4679
Email info@nhsbrooklyn.org
Stay connected with us:
@NHSBrooklyn
Call Us. We’re here to help.

OFFICERS
Serghio Adams President
Brothers’ Building Blocks
Raul Van Rossum Vice President
Citizens International Realty
R. Gary Campbell Treasurer
Santander Bank
Carol Reneau, Ed. D. Secretary
NYC Board of Education
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marjorie Faison Retired
Juny E. François, Esq. Attorney
Andrea Hodge Small Business Owner
Raveesh Kumar Bank of Baroda
Lois Locke Retired
Lyndrew Nesmith US Department of Housing
& Urban Development
Larry Pampelonne Retired
Yury Polonsky New York State Energy Audits
Carol Reneau, Ed. D. NYC Board of Education
Patricia Strong Dime Community Bank
Ryan Webber Morgan Stanley
EMERITUS
Vernon Deane
Hazel Foster
Zenobia McNally
Albert Payne
Marjorie Roane
STAFF
Tonya Ores
Chief Executive Officer
Parvez Mushtaq
Director of Finance
Angella Cummings
Director of Operations
Angella Davidson
Program Director
Dionne Christopher
Director of Property
Management
Byron Todman
Program Manager,
Housing Development
& Rehabilitation
Isanna Saxon
Property Management
Administrator
Iremia Bradford
Housing Counselor
Clarence Cleaves
Housing Counselor
Kiya Smith
Housing Counselor
Makrand Bhoot
Program Coordinator,
Clean Energy Hub Program
Gary Jimenez
Program Assistant
Elizabeth Malone
Resiliency & Insurance
Counselor
Tyrone McDonald
Government & Community
Relations Manager
Laura McKenna
Marketing Manager
Bridgette Jankie
Executive Assistant
Eleannet Holguin
Program Assistant
Regina Spann
Human Resources
Administrator
7

EVENT PROGRAM
WELCOME
Serghio Adams
Board President, NHS Brooklyn
MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
Kerry Coddett
Comedian
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS & PROCLAMATIONS
INVOCATION & GRACE
Raul Van Rossum
Board Vice President, NHS Brooklyn
DINNER
VIDEO PRESENTATION
Tonya Ores
Chief Executive Officer, NHS Brooklyn
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
Lisa Talma • Community Partner Award
Vice President of Philanthropic Initiatives, Deutsche Bank
Councilmember Farah Louis • Housing Champion Award
New York City Council, District 45
Elba O. Melendez • Resident Leader Award
NYC Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Jill Cornell • Resident Leader Award
NYC Emergency Management
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS & CLOSING REMARKS
DANCING & DESSERT
9

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
NHS Community Property Managers LLC, a subsidiary of NHS Brooklyn,
helps owners of 1- to 4-unit properties manage some or all of their home or
building’s day-to-day operations and maintenance.
Clients include small property owners who are stressed managing their
property; who don’t have the time, energy, skills, or support to manage their
property or property-related income and expenses; or who don’t live at or
near their property.
The program is designed to stabilize a client’s finances, allow efficient property
upkeep, increase the value of the property, develop the client’s property
management knowledge, help the client overcome economic hardships, and
more.
Program services include but are not limited to: ​
• An analysis of operating expenses and recommendations to reduce them
• Securing estimates from licensed, insured contractors and managing their
work
• Counseling on refinancing, reverse mortgage, and foreclosure avoidance
• Rent collection and tenant referrals for affordable units
Our professional network of licensed, insured contractors offer services such as:
• ​Construction and small repairs
• Roofing, plumbing, and electrical work
• HVAC, furnace, and boiler maintenance and repair
• Seasonal cleanups, snow/tree removal, and landscaping
• Masonry, pointing, and concrete work
• Weatherization, waterproofing, and window repair and installation
• Asbestos, mold, and lead removal
• Security upgrades
• Pest treatment
• Counseling for mortgage matters and property insurance
• Legal and real estate referrals
Interested property owners should call
718-469-4679 or email pm@nhsbrooklyn.org
for more information and an application.
11

THANK YOU
PARTNERS, SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS!
Heartfelt thanks to the many businesses and organizations that have helped
NHS Brooklyn to thrive, and that made tonight’s celebration possible.
PRESENTING CHAIR
VICE CHAIR
BENEFACTORS
12

PATRON
FRIENDS
Bank United
BNY Mellon
City National Bank
M&T Bank
Nationwide Mortgage Bankers
New York Community Bank
SUPPORTERS
EVENT DONORS
Cocktail Hour
Giraud Engineering Services
GVG Contracting
Entertainment
K&A Contracting
Printing
DPH Property Mainteance Services
Hanover Bank
Quontic Bank
Walsh Gilad Law PLLC
13

Report from the
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
On behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff of
Neighborhood Housing Services of Brooklyn CDC,
Inc. (NHS Brooklyn), we are delighted to welcome
you to our Annual Gala, as we celebrate over forty
years building communities and transforming lives
in Brooklyn and beyond.
Working tirelessly for four decades plus and with
your steadfast help, we at NHS Brooklyn have
accomplished what we set out to do: create a
viable, transformational, full-service nonprofit
housing organization and community development
TONYA ORES
corporation. Together, we have achieved so much, Chief Executive Officer
and though our work is far from done, we would like
to share with you highlights of our recent accomplishments.
2O17–2O22 MILESTONES
• Successfully re-branded our organization in January 2017 as NHS Brooklyn
CDC, Inc.
• Increased our general operating budget by 78%
• Secured $6.3 million in government funds to support our programs and
services
• Secured an additional $3.8 million in state funds to support our officebuilding
acquisition and rehabilitation project
• Maintained and made accessible an office in Canarsie
• Strengthened our presence in East New York and Coney Island
• Contracted thirty-two additional partnerships, resulting in program and
monetary support
• Strengthened three new programs: Financial Capabilities, Tenant Support
Services, and Estate Planning
• Launched an anti-displacement, anti-harassment campaign, “My House is
Not for Sale”
• Secured funds to develop a Strategic Plan, Leadership Development Plan,
and Succession Plan
• On-boarded a new Board President and recruited five new Board Members
• Expanded our Resiliency, Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Education efforts
• Developed internal policies and plans for Business Operations Continuity,
Employee Remote Work, and Infectious Disease Prevention
14

• Report from the Chief Executive Officer •
• Complied with HUD Mandate and achieved 100% Housing Counselor
Certification
• Hosted 477 Webinars since May 2020, educating 21,731 participants
• Launched an affordable property management program, NHS Community
Property Managers, LLC, and hired a Director and Administrator
• Released new rounds of home repair grants, including Project HELP,
round 3 of the Affordable Housing Corporation Grant, and a special grant,
Home Help for Heroes, designed to help veterans with disabilities to live
independently at home
• Launched a Community Support Network Program with NYC Department
of Health and Mental Hygiene to connect residents disproportionately
impacted by COVID-19 with resources and referrals designed to reduce
health emergencies and adverse health outcomes.
NEW PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES
Strengthening Financial Literacy and Protecting Intergenerational Wealth
We integrate financial education into all our programs and counseling
sessions. We also offer monthly financial coaching and credit improvement
webinars, which are especially popular with first-time home buyers and
tenants. Monthly webinars on home, flood, and renter’s insurance are also
on a repeating schedule. Because estate planning can build intergenerational
wealth, we offer monthly webinars and periodic public events to help
residents understand wills, health-care proxies, powers of attorney, and living
wills. Post-pandemic, we have presented special topic sessions such as “After a
Homeowner Dies,” “First-time Home Seller Education,” and “Understanding
Your Deed” as well as ones on refinancing, reverse mortgage, and property
tax reduction.
Emergency Preparedness & Response
NHS Brooklyn has educated thousands of residents about emergency
preparedness through eblasts, robocalls, text alerts, and social media posts.
We pro-actively warn residents about impending extreme weather events,
including heatwaves, blizzards, hurricanes, and flash flooding. Recent
examples include Tropical Storm Isaias (2020), Tropical Storm Ida (2021),
the Christmas Eve Freeze (December 2022), the Canadian Smoke Emergency
(2023), Summer Extreme Heat Days (2020-2023), and the NYC Flash Flood
Emergency (2023). In the aftermath of such events, we share resources,
information, and advice via webinars, email, and our website. We also offer
in-person events and webinars on preparedness-related topics, often with
NYC Emergency Management or the Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene as partners. Since 2020, we have been active in COVID-19 response
and recovery, educating the community about the virus; distributing tests,
15

• Report from the Chief Executive Officer •
masks, and gloves; sharing testing and vaccination opportunities; and
conducting outreach to connect community members with health resources.
Because disasters can be non-weather related, we also discuss in all our
counseling sessions, public events, and webinars how to avoid financial
disasters.
Affordable Property Management Program for Owners of 1- to 4-Unit Properties
NHS Brooklyn launched a new program, NHS Community Property
Managers, LLC, thanks to an award from Deutsche Bank’s Working Capital
Initiative. Our goal is to manage at least 120 units within the communities we
serve by December 31, 2023. We will measure our success by the number of
executed agreements.
Home Help for Heroes Grant for Veterans with Disabilities
Designed for veterans with disabilities whose income is at or below 120%
of Area Median Income, the Home Help for Heroes Grant provides
funding of up to $25,000 for a veteran with disabilities to make accessibility
modifications or emergency repairs to his or her home. Eligible alterations
include door widening and installation of a roll-in shower, chair lift, or ramp.
Veterans for this program who have service-related injuries, or age- or healthrelated
disabilities may be renters or homeowners, and the residential unit
being modified must be the primary residence of the veteran. This program is
made possible by New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
SIX YEARS OF IMPACT
16

• Report from the Chief Executive Officer •
Key Findings
• Requests for Services. Decrease due to:
− Low inventory, high sales prices, and higher mortgage interest rates,
which have discouraged some first-time home buyers from pursuing
home-buyer education until the market shifts.
− Our popular webinars, in which we educate homeowners on seasonal
home maintenance tasks that will help avoid major repairs requiring our
services.
− Our referring clients internally to other programs and services we offer.
These referrals are not counted as Requests for Service.
− Our offering more in-person events, especially with partners, at which
the client can skip the service request step and go straight to intake or
receive a referral.
• Homeownership Preservation & Promotion (First-Time Home Buying).
Outcome attributable to:
− Our having added webinars, virtual town halls, and telephone counseling
sessions.
− COVID-19, which gave residents more time to set homeownership and
savings goals.
− Our having permanent physical offices in East Flatbush and Canarsie,
with a presence at partner locations in East New York and Coney Island.
• Homeownership Mortgages. The increase is attributable to:
− Increased interest in purchasing a condominium or coop as opposed
to one-family or a multi-family building due to the relative prices.
Many homeowners found themselves priced out of properties due to a
combination of unaffordable prices, higher mortgage interest rates, and
tight inventory.
• Foreclosure. The increase in clients served is due to:
− Homeowners who were facing foreclosure prior to the COVID 19
pandemic being pushed even further into the process due to loss of
income, the death of a contributing household member, marital issues,
mental health challenges, and illness.
− The end of the mortgage moratorium, which prevented foreclosures until
January 2022. Foreclosure filings are on the rise and homes are going up
for auction as a result.
− The end of forbearances for a high number of homeowners, resulting in
some of the loans going into foreclosure.
− Our estate planning events, which are a big draw and bring out many
homeowners in mortgage distress. In-person events, to which we
returned to this year, have also brought out more struggling homeowners.
17

• Report from the Chief Executive Officer •
• Home Repair Services. The decrease is due to:
− Homeowners preferring to be on the waiting list for a grant than take a
loan, or, if they are ineligible for a loan, waiting for the interest rate of
repair loans to decrease.
• Tenant Support Services. The increase is due to:
− Expiration of the eviction moratorium; the uncertainty of future
mandates, policies, and resources; and strong interest in affordable
housing lotteries. Since January 2022, when the eviction moratorium
ended, there have been over 10,000 evictions conducted. (Gothamist,
8/10/2023) As word has spread about our service, tenants threatened
with eviction, including many “boomers” and older seniors who are
now on a fixed income, are reaching out to us in larger numbers to
understand their rights; apply for a rent freeze or voucher, if eligible; or
get help applying for affordable housing lotteries and senior centers.
• Resiliency Services & Emergency Preparedness. The increase is due to:
− Our systematic outreach to the public by way of webinars, social media,
eblasts, and our website to prepare for emergencies like fires, heatwaves,
blizzards, and hurricanes; to download apps such as NotifyNYC to
receive alerts in real time; and to understand the hazards they may face,
given the location of their home. We warn residents living in basements
and near coastal areas that they are at higher risk. We encourage all
residents to actively engage in preparedness planning; have a Go-Bag;
have a plan for themselves, their families, and their pets; and know their
evacuation zone. We also educate residents on the benefits of home,
renter’s, property, and health insurance to avoid financial disasters, and
encourage them to reach out to us for foreclosure intervention, eviction
avoidance, and to report scams such as deed theft, predatory lending,
and other abuse.
• Affordable Property Management. The increase is due to:
− Our having hired a Director of Property Management and a Property
Management Administrator. This new program was created to combat
the mismanagement of 1- to 4-unit family homes, avoid predatory
lending practices, and promote intergenerational wealth. It is offered
as a resource for seniors, new homeowners, busy property owners, and
owners who do not live on their property to build intergenerational
wealth.
18

• Report from the Chief Executive Officer •
BROOKLYN’S HOUSING MARKET LANDSCAPE: NOW & BEYOND
Population & Poverty Rates. According to www.census.gov/quickfacts, as
of July 1, 2022, Brooklyn is the most populous borough, with an estimated
2,590,516 residents. The poverty rate is the worst in NYC (second only to the
Bronx), with 19.2% of households below the poverty line compared to 14% in
Manhattan. As of July 1, 2022, Brooklyn reported a total of 1,101,441 housing
units and homeownership rate of 30%.
Housing-Cost Burden. As of 2021, 25.3% of NYC homeowners spent more
than 50% of their household income on housing. 20.5% of homeowners
citywide spent between 30 and 50% of their household income on
housing. Consequently, according to HUD standards, almost 46% of NYC
homeowners are cost burdened (“State of NYC Housing and Neighborhoods
in 2022,” Furman Center).
Tenants
This year brought in a mixed picture for tenants who were faced with many
old challenges, but some unique ones brought on by our post-COVID reality,
including the end of the eviction moratorium, an uptick in evictions, an
increase in interest rates, the warehousing of thousands of rent-stabilized
apartments, and the continued increase of rental prices.
• Evictions. According to City records, the number of evictions exceed
10,000 since the eviction moratorium ended in January of 2022. Many of
those evictions took place in central Brooklyn, central and south Bronx,
and northern Staten Island. The number of evictions remains below prepandemic
levels, which may be the result of the ERAP program, which
provided relief for back rent; however, the number of eviction fillings are
approaching pre-pandemic levels (Gothamist, August 10, 2023).
• Status of ERAP. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP),
which paid rental arrears accumulated during COVID-19, closed to new
applications in January 2023. The State budgeted $356 million to those who
had not received assistance. $128 million of that amount, plus $35 million,
will go to NYCHA tenants with rental arrears. During COVID-19, NYCHA
tenants were not given priority with ERAP. As of May 2023, federal- and
state-funded ERAP distributed nearly $3.1 billion to approximately 250,000
applicants statewide. New York City’s residents received most of the funding
(81.2%).
19

• Report from the Chief Executive Officer •
• Median Rent Increase. While rental prices cooled during the pandemic in
2020, they have shot back up since 2021. Right before the pandemic, in
February 2020, the average new lease in Manhattan was $4,385, according to
the Elliman Report, which reports rental prices. In June of 2023, the average
new lease in Manhattan is $5,470, a 30% increase. In Brooklyn, the average
new lease was $3,442 in February of 2020. Currently, the average new lease
in Kings County is $4,087, a 20% leap from 2020 (The City, 8/4/2023).
Home Buyers
• Home buyers faced escalating home prices as well as increases in interest
rates, the latter being a tactic of the Federal Reserve designed to slow
inflation.
• Comparing year to date (YTD) figures in August 2022 with those from
August 2023, the median sales price for a house in New York State increased
by 4.8%, from $392,620 to $411,500. The average sales price YTD increased
by 2.6%, from $522,471 to $536,924. The number of new listings decreased
by 10.3% from 14,863 to 13,331 (New York State Association of Realtors).
• The homeownership levels of Black and Latinx families continue to trail
those of White and Asian households. Between 2020 and 2021, Whites
accounted for 45% of mortgage originations, Asians for 37.3%, Latinx for
8.9%, and African-Americans for 8.8% (Furman Center, “State of the City,
2022”).
Homeowners
• The NYC foreclosure situation continues to be in flux due to factors such as
the expiration of the foreclosure and eviction moratoria, rising interest rates,
and changing housing demand.
• According to Property Shark, an online real estate collection company,
there has been an increase in the number of foreclosure fillings citywide at
427 in the third quarter (Q3) of 2023 compared to 361 in the second (Q2).
Brooklyn accounted for the biggest increase in foreclosure cases at 85% over
that period. In terms of pre-foreclosure filings, the Bronx had the biggest
jump from Q2 to Q3 of 2023 at 1,990%, followed by Brooklyn at 158%.
• Nonetheless, NYC foreclosure and pre-foreclosure fillings remain below
2020 pre-pandemic levels, when residential foreclosures reached 688 in
the first quarter of 2020 (Property Shark, 2023 Q3 Foreclosure report: NYC
Foreclosure Increase 44%, Year-Over-Year, Brooklyn Cases Surge 185%, October 5,
2023).
20

• Report from the Chief Executive Officer •
Importance of Strong Partnerships & Community Leadership
Strong neighborhoods are rooted in strong leadership and community
involvement. At NHS Brooklyn, we commend and support our resident
leaders and partners for their dedication and commitment to the
communities in which we all live and work.
NHS Brooklyn envisions a city filled with affordable, healthy, and sustainable
housing. We welcome partnerships, programs, and initiatives that support
our mission and this vision.
Please contact us with your ideas for making Brooklyn the best it can be!
21

THEY TALK
THE TALK
and walk the walk.
At BNY Mellon, we know that saying the right thing is only
part of the equation — you have to do the right thing, too.
That’s why we’re honored to celebrate NHS of Brooklyn
CDC, Inc. and support their great work.
We congratulate the Honorees.
bnymellon.com
©2023 The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
All rights reserved.

Welcome to a new energy in banking.
New York Community Bank is pleased to sponsor the
important work of NHS Brooklyn in building communities
and transforming lives through an integrated approach
to housing counseling, programming, and education.
NYCB is dedicated to the success of our clients,
employees and communities.
myNYCB.com | Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

30

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Wayne M. Giraud
P.O. Box 1587
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(917) 202-5324
maximumgiraud@gmail.com

We are proud to support
NHS Brooklyn's 2023 Gala.
ngrid.com
Connect with us on

• Mistress of Ceremonies •
KERRY CODDETT
Comedian
Kerry Coddett is a Caribbean-American writer,
actress, and stand-up comedian from Brooklyn.
She’s currently enrolled in the highly competitive
2023 WGA Showrunner Training program and
has recently served as a Co-Executive Producer,
Showrunner, and Head Writer on Yvonne Orji's
variety special for HBO. Before that, she wrote on
both seasons of Flatbush Misdemeanors on Showtime
and appeared as a recurring guest star in season 1.
On screen, Kerry has appeared in Hulu's Ramy,
Showtime’s Desus and Mero, and Pause w/ Sam Jay on
HBO. Before turning to comedy, Kerry graduated
college cum laude at 19 and started her own business as a fashion designer
and stylist for Jay-Z. She is currently developing a TV series based on her
experiences with Robin Thede and Warner Bros. TV producing.
In 2017, Kerry beat out 63 comedians in the Caroline’s on Broadway Comedy
Madness Competition, becoming the first woman in history to win the honor.
Kerry has been a selected performer at the New York Comedy Festival, Laughing
Skull Festival, Skankfest, The Women in Comedy Festival, The Brooklyn Comedy Festival,
and Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival.
41

42

Proudly Presents Our
2O23
COMMUNITY
CHAMPIONS
LISA TALMA
COUNCILMEMBER FARAH LOUIS
ELBA O. MELENDEZ
JILL CORNELL
43

• Community Champion •
LISA TALMA
Vice President of Philanthropic Initiatives
Deutsche Bank
Lisa Talma is the Vice President of Philanthropic
Initiatives at Deutsche Bank and manages the
bank’s U.S. community development philanthropy.
She represents the bank on multiple funder
collaboratives focusing on youth and family
homelessness, neighborhood planning, and
community development.
Prior to joining the bank in 2019, Lisa served as the
Assistant Commissioner of Property Disposition
and Finance at the NYC Department of Housing
Preservation & Development (HPD), where she
was responsible for the disposition of city-owned property and the financing
of preservation and repair programs. Lisa also worked in asset management
and construction lending for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
investments at Enterprise Community Partners.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Stanford University and a
Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Harvard University’s Graduate School
of Design.
44

• Community Champion •
FARAH N. LOUIS
New York City Council Member
45th District –Brooklyn
New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis
represents Brooklyn’s 45th District, which includes
Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Kensington,
Flatlands, Marine Park, and Canarsie. Since
assuming office in 2019, Ms. Louis has fought
for affordable housing, immigration reform,
reproductive rights, and equitable mental
healthcare. In close collaboration with elected
officials, ecumenical leaders, and social justice
advocates, Ms. Louis works to advance fair
representation, racial and gender equity, and
inclusion throughout New York City.
As Co-Chair of the Brooklyn Delegation, she supports initiatives to reduce
street violence and address food insecurity. As Vice Co-Chair of the Black,
Latino/a, and Asian Caucus, she addresses racial disparities and representation
in City government. As Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus, Ms. Louis takes a
stand for women and gender equity in her legislation. As Chair of the Council
Committee on Landmarks, Public Sitings, Dispositions and Maritime Uses,
she exercises due diligence in preserving our city’s cultural institutions,
historic neighborhoods, transportation, and infrastructure.
A first-generation Brooklynite, Ms. Louis was raised in an immigrant and
pro-union household. Prior to joining the City Council, Louis worked as
an administrator in healthcare at Mount Sinai Hospital, a publicist, and a
journalist. In 2012, she founded Girls Leading Up (GLU), an organization
seeking to transform girls and young women into emerging leaders.
Council Member Louis holds a Master of Public Administration with a
concentration in Strategic Communications from New York University and a
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Long Island University.
45

• Community Champion •
ELBA O. MELENDEZ
Brooklyn Borough Coordinator
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Elba O. Melendez has been a member of NYC
Emergency Management’s Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT) for nine years. In addition
to organizing and mentoring CERT members, she
has served CERT as Brooklyn Deputy Borough
Coordinator (2021-2022) and is now the Brooklyn
Borough Coordinator (2023-2024).
A graduate of the NYPD Citizens Police Academy,
Elba is secretary to the 63rd Precinct Council.
A lifelong learner, she has earned nine training
certificates in Emergency Preparedness from
FEMA.
Ms. Melendez also volunteers her time and talents at Holy Family-St. Laurence
RC Church of Canarsie. Not only is she a Lector, member of the Rosary
Society, and Catechist (teacher) in the Religious Education Program there. She
also serves as Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council, Committee Chair of the
Hospitality Committee, Co-Chair of the Holy Family Feast Day Committee,
and in other capacities. Since 2006, she has been the Public Relations Manager
with the Diocese of Brooklyn for the George K. Campbell Scholarship
Endowment Fund.
Outside of her CERT and church work, Elba serves as a Board Director for the
Bangladeshi-American Community Development and Youth Services.
Elba worked for 39 years for the NYC Department of Education’s Department
of Citywide Administrative Services. In 2021, she retired from her position as
Safety Administrative Assistant for the Borough Safety Director of Brooklyn
South.
46

• Community Champion •
JILL CORNELL
Community Engagement Specialist
New York City Emergency Management
As an experienced Community Engagement
Specialist with New York City Emergency
Management (NYCEM), Jill Cornell is in demand
by houses of worship and community-based
organizations winter and summer to speak on
preparedness for extreme weather and other
types of emergencies. Topics on which she
presents include how to be ready for snowstorms,
hurricanes, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall. When
needed, she teams up with a language interpreter
to ensure that residents whose first language is not
English receive the life-saving information she has
to share. Jill is also responsible for encouraging NYC networks to participate
in NYCEM’s community preparedness-planning program, Strengthening
Communities.
Since volunteering during Superstorm Sandy response and recovery a decade
ago and now as an outreach specialist, Ms. Cornell has been in many frontline
climate-change communities. She was one of the founding members of the
Brooklyn Long-Term Recovery Group, which formed in December 2012 after
Superstorm Sandy. For the past two years, she has been a member of NYC
Emergency Management's Equity and Diversity Council and is a member of
the Racial Justice committee of NYC VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active
in Disaster).
Outside of work, Ms. Cornell serves on the Board of the Brooklyn Children's
Theatre. She is also an avid reader; enthusiastic student of foreign languages;
and passionate native-plant and pollinator gardener.
47

Letters of
SUPPORT &
CONGRATULATIONS
From Our
ELECTED OFFICIALS

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thank you to all those who tirelessly helped to make our
41st Anniversary Celebration a success!
FUNDRAISING & COMMITTEE
Serghio Adams
Board President
Tonya Ores
Chief Operating Officer
Gary Campbell
Board Treasurer
Marjorie Faison
Board Member
Andrea Hodge
Board Member
Larry Pampellone
Board Member
Patricia Strong
Board Member
Melissa Marius-Burke
Committee Member
Laura McKenna
Marketing Manager
Venue
El Caribe
Event Planning
Reginald Warren
Host
Kerry Coddett
Graphic Design
Little Moon LLC
Printing
Flatbush Copy Center
VENDORS
Photography
Kesha Lambert
Decor
Events by REW
Catering
El Caribe
Sound
Super Sweet Sixteens
Entertainment
Nuphamlee Soul Band
DJ
Mister Phantastick
Videography
Transcendent
Enterprise & Nimble
Pictures
Photo Booth
Panoramic Visions
VOLUNTEERS
NHS Brooklyn would like to
acknowledge and give thanks to our
volunteers for their contributions:
Oneil Ores
Jaylen Seay
SPECIAL THANKS
NHS Brooklyn would like to give
special mention to Board Member
Marjorie Faison for her generous inkind
contribution.
73

UPCOMING EVENTS
For a complete list of our Upcoming Events,
visit www.nhsbrooklyn.org and subscribe
Renter's Insurance: Cost & Benefits
Thursday, October 12
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Landlord Training: What Every Owner Needs to Know
Tuesday, October 17
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Understanding Your Deed, Scams & Estate Planning
Tuesday, October 17
6:00pm – 7:30pm
First-Time Home Buyer Orientation
Wednesday, October 18
6:00pm – 7:30pm
Property Management Program Overview
Thursday, October 19
6:00pm – 7:30pm
First-Time Home Buyer Orientation
Tuesday, October 24
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Landlord Training: What Every Owner Needs to Know
Tuesday, October 24
6:00pm –8:00pm
Home Insurance: Cost & Benefits
Wednesday, October 25
6:00pm – 7:30pm
Financial Coaching & Credit Improvement
Thursday, October 26
6:00pm – 7:30pm
Landlord Training: What Every Owner Needs to Know
Wednesday, November 1
3:00pm – 4:30pm
Flood Risk & Flood Insurance
Monday, November 13
6:00pm – 7:30pm
74

Your prosperity
is our purpose.
Santander ® honors
NHS Brooklyn for
helping people prosper.
santanderbank.com
Member FDIC
Santander Bank, N.A. is a Member FDIC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Banco
Santander, S.A. ©2023 Santander Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Santander, Santander
Bank, Santander Select and the Flame Logo are trademarks of Banco Santander, S.A.
or its subsidiaries in the United States or other countries. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners. 886902 10/2023

We are proud to support
NHS Brooklyn and their
2023 Annual Gala.
At Deutsche Bank, we recognize a
responsibility to improve and enrich the
communities throughout the world in
which we conduct business.
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