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BRC Client Artwork in NYC GalleryOn October 19th, seven BRC artists had their work displayed through Fresh Art. This year's art show was "Ancestors: The People, Places and Things That Make Us Who We Are." Artists' work was submitted from social service agencies throughout NYC and key pieces were chosen to be displayed in The Gallery at HAI through November 17, 2011. BRC is proud to have artwork displayed from clients of multiple BRC programs, including MAP, Los Vecinos Apartments, Clyde Burton House, Fulton House and CDT. Clients, staff and family members celebrated this accomplishment and honored the artists at the opening reception. Artists spoke about how thrilling it was for them to see their artwork displayed in a formal gallery setting. After only two days, three of their paintings have been sold to the public. This show is a poignant example of the healing nature of art and continues to serve as an inspiration to these artists and the larger BRC community. BRC's Star Studded Gala Raises $700,000BRC successfully kicked off its inaugural gala Monday, June 6th at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Columbus Circle. The evening was filled with entertainment, laughter and the message of YIMBY, Yes In My Back Yard. As importantly, the event further spread the message of BRC's successful efforts to break the cycle of homelessness in New York City, and raised over $700,000 to further help BRC and the people we serve achieve this goal. Over 400 guests filled the room as emcee Rosie O’Donnell kicked off the evening, which honored Sheila Nevins, President of HBO Documentary Films, and Charles Raymond, first NYC commissioner of the Department of Homeless Services. James Gandolfini, Elaine Stritch, Judy Gold, Gloria Steinem, Fran Lebowitz and Dhani Jones joined BRC Executive Director Muzzy Rosenblatt and BRC Board Chair Julie Salamon in celebrating the worthy honorees, both of whom have dedicated their lives to fighting for social justice. For more images, click the photo below. Client Art Show Held at TD BankFor two weeks in May, TD Bank in Chelsea hosted a display of client art work, completed by current and former residents of BRC’s Reception Center. The pieces were done through art therapy, providing clients the opportunity to participate in the creative process of making art, with the goal of facilitating personal wellbeing. Through the experience of authentic self-expression, art therapy can help individuals build self esteem, release tension, transform painful emotions, and make meaning of experiences which are difficult to verbally articulate. For more on the event, click here. HCR Commissioner Visits BRC’s Liberty HomesOn Friday, June 3rd, the Hon. Darryl Towns, Commissioner of the New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYSHCR), visited BRC’s newest permanent supportive housing program, Liberty Homes in East New York. His visit was part of a tour coordinated by the Supportive Housing Network of New York to showcase innovative supportive housing programs and to highlight their positive impact on their communities. Liberty Homes provides 47 families with permanent rental housing; 60% of tenants were formerly homeless and 40% were living in the community. Liberty Homes, which opened in 2010, was designed by Harden Van Arnam Architects and built by Artec Construction, with financing from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, NYSHCR, and the sale of Low Income Housing Tax Credits syndicated by The Richman Group.
BRC's Glass Factory Art ShowBRC's Glass Factory recently held an art show to present pieces created by clients of the program. Check out one client's photography of people and places throughout New York City.
Click here for more photos.
Senior Center Funding is RestoredNew York State Senator Daniel Squadron visited one of the senior centers in Manhattan on March 31, 2011. He notified the seniors the Title XX funds were fully restored by Albany. His next step is to monitor and ensure that the funds will be returned to the centers. BRC Senior Center has over 500 members. Senator Squadron mentioned that a senior center such as this with a large capacity should not be closed. Also, Senator Squadron gave thanks to all the seniors who have attended the City Hall rally and protested against the budget cuts.
Threat to Close 105 Centers Worries City SeniorsJing Luo, 78, has been visiting the BRC Senior Center in Chinatown for 13 years. Originally she went to remain active while she was caring for her ailing husband, and now despite having arthritis in her feet, she still braves the 30-minute walk from her home, regardless of the weather. Luo credits the center with helping improve her quality of life. "After I came here, I felt happier, not as depressed. My nutrition has improved, and I feel happier," she said. Luo describes the center as "her second home," but soon she and thousands of others may have to find another senior center to go because of the state's financial problem. 
Homeless Outreach Program Ramps Up in Preparation for New Chelsea ShelterIt's been close to a year since Julio Wharton, 53, lost his wife to emphysema — a trauma that he pinpoints as the beginning of his descent into homelessness. Panhandling at the corner of Sixth Avenue and 25th Street on a recent Tuesday evening, Wharton explained that he spent four months sleeping in a shelter, and has crashed at a friend's place in Brooklyn for the past three. His drinking has worsened, and asking for spare change, Wharton said, was simply a way "to fill the time, and block myself out of my loss." "I'm hurting myself," Wharton said, "I do want help for it." 
Chometa and Poirier patrol Madison Square Park. Photo Credit DNAinfo Tara Kyle 
As winter winds chill, BRC continues street outreach effortsAs the mercury continues to plummet, the Bowery Residents' Committee continues their street outreach to area homeless substance abusers and those seeking mental health — in preparation for the March 2011 opening of their 127 W. 25th St. vertical campus facility At half past three on a gray winter Wednesday, I meet up with BRC Executive Director Muzzy Rosenblatt and two street outreach workers as they begin their shift at Madison Square Park. They are easy to spot in their bright orange windbreakers that read "BRC Street Outreach" on the back… 
BRC outreach workers, Garzon, left, and Poirier, right, in Madison Square Park. Photo by Winnie McCroy Members of the BRC Senior Center enjoy one of the many snow storms NYC received this year! There's even a special snow creation to welcome the year of the Rabbit.
Congratulations to Shawn T., BRC client and winner of a 2010 Recovery Fine Arts Festival award. This year, the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services received a record-breaking 175 visual art and over 100 poetry submissions. The judges gathered on September 8th and selected best in show from 10 categories. Shawn won the award in the category of photography. Click here for more information on the contest.
BRC on NBCThis holiday season, many families wonder how they can give back or how to introduce social responsibility to their children. BRC’s friend, Jen Maulsby, Executive Director of Socks’n Undies, found a unique way for her family to get involved by creating and donating packets of brand new socks, undergarments and other personal items to people in need. Last week, with a team from NBC, Jen made a delivery to BRC’s Bowery Safe Haven.
Welcome To Chelsea, BRC“Last week, BRC executive director Muzzy Rosenblatt led our publisher, associate editor and reporter on an extensive tour of their 324 Lafayette facility, during which we met administrators, counselors and clients. We emerged fully confident about the necessity of a 25th St. facility, as well as the BRC’s ability to successfully accomplish this undeniably ambitious project. The BRC has our unequivocal support…” BRC Chelsea-Bound Program Receives National 2010 Lilly Reintegration AwardINDIANAPOLIS (October 15, 2010) – Bowery Residents’ Committee, Inc. (BRC) today was awarded first place honors (housing category) at the 2010 Lilly Reintegration Awards ceremony held at the Indianapolis Hilton in Indianapolis, IN, the global headquarters of Eli Lilly and Company, and the Eli Lilly Foundation. BRC was selected from scores of applicants for the success of its Reception Center program in helping people living with a mental illness find and retain housing and reintegrate into the community. The award is accompanied by a contribution of $5,000 from the Eli Lilly Foundation. Robin Hood Selects BRCThe Robin Hood Foundation has just selected BRC for a $500,000 grant, doubling BRC’s ability to successfully assist homeless men and women find and retain both employment and housing. The Robin Hood Foundation is renowned for its rigorous standards and expectations. This first time grant is a great affirmation of BRC’s work, and everyone at BRC expresses their gratitude to Robin Hood for this recognition of BRC’s success, and investment in its clients’ futures. Last year, over 800 BRC clients moved to permanent housing and 200 found employment. BRC is proud of its clients’ successes; now with this great investment from the Robin Hood Foundation, hundreds more of New York’s homeless will have the opportunity to find and retain employment and housing. ARCHIVED NEWS"Winding the Clock" Mosaic Presented at BRC's Senior Center BRC Receives Honor from the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation BRC Receives Award from East Midtown Partnership BRC Announces Plans for New Programs in Chelsea BRC Executive Director on NYTimes.com BRC Assumes Responsibility of Harlem Residence BRC Provides Outreach Services for the Downtown Alliance Stimulus Dollars Help Expand Moving Home Program Welcome to BRC's New Medical Director, Dr. Angela Kedzior BRC Kicks Off FY2010 with Grants from Leading Foundations BRC Campaign of Hope Launches with Ads on MTA Busses Governor Paterson Recognizes BRC State Selects BRC to Help House 50 Chronically Homeless Individuals |
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