CAMBA Connection Jan/Feb 2016

Gateway Elton II Opens; Renamed to Honor Alan Epstein

In January 2016, elected officials, City and State agencies, partners and community members joined CAMBA Housing Ventures, Inc., Hudson Companies and Related Retail for the ribbon cutting of Gateway Elton Street Phase II in Spring Creek, Brooklyn.

The second phase of the mixed-use and energy-efficient Gateway Elton Street development is being renamed "The Alan Epstein Apartments" for the affordable housing leader and friend of CAMBA, Alan Epstein of Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP, who passed away in 2013. The dedication is a tribute to Mr. Epstein for his involvement in the project and his momentous contributions to the affordable housing community.

Gateway Elton Street Phase II has created 175 energy-efficient affordable rental units, 24,000 square-feet of ground-floor retail and community facilities and 750 construction jobs and 40 permanent jobs as part of a comprehensive effort by the City and its development partners to create a vibrant and self-sustaining neighborhood.

At completion, the three-phase Gateway Elton Street development will provide a total of 659 apartments and approximately 60,000 square-feet of ground-floor neighborhood-based commercial space, which includes a childcare center, pharmacy, convenience shops and restaurants.

"CAMBA is proud to be here today as we cut the ribbon on Gateway Elton Street Phase II -- part of one of the most innovative and forward-thinking affordable housing development projects in New York City," said Joanne M. Oplustil, President and CEO of CAMBA/CAMBA Housing Ventures, Inc. "Gateway Elton will provide affordable and supportive homes for people who desperately need them. As a planned community, Gateway Elton includes vital services to ensure its residents flourish -- schools, childcare centers, retail stores, grocery markets services and so much more. Like the remarkable Alan Epstein to whom they are dedicated, Gateway Elton is a testament to the value of smart, compassionate private-public partnership."

Click here to learn more about Gateway Elton Phase II.

Beacon 269 Teens Headed to the Apollo for Citywide 'Step It Up' Competition

Colors of Peace, the dance team from CAMBA Beacon 269, is headed to the famed Apollo Theater for the finals of the 2016 citywide "Step It Up" competition. The Beacon participants are spreading the theme of awareness of dating violence in the annual competition hosted by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD).

Step It Up invites groups of NYC youth between the ages of 10 and 20 to use dance to raise awareness of issues that impact their communities. Participants form dance and step teams, plan and complete community service projects, develop social campaigns and present their dance routine and campaign in front of a panel of judges and a live audience.

A 2015 finalist, Colors of Peace is again one of 10 teams headed to the citywide finals at the Apollo, to be held this summer.

Stay tuned for news of the finals and watch the team's powerful dating violence PSA from last year.

Volunteers Spread the Love on Valentine's Day

Thanks to generous volunteers, CAMBA clients across many of our programs enjoyed heart, flowers and special treats on Valentine's Day.

The day was especially festive at The Kensington, CAMBA's newest family shelter in Brooklyn. Led by community leaders Tracy Connor and Catherine Barufaldi, neighbors brought food and sweets. Kensington community volunteers -- Maxine Resnick, Josie Marino, Miriam Pyle, Eva and Ethan Wagner -- served the families with a smile. Staff helped children create heart-themed works of art, and the evening wrapped up with music and dancing.

At Broadway House Women's Shelter, volunteers from the Lighthouse Church's Love Bomb Outreach ministry treated clients to a day-long celebration that included arts and crafts, crochet, facials, make-up sessions and conversation, as well as donations of undergarments.

"The women loved that the volunteers spent this special day with them," reported Shelter Director Stephanie Purnell.

Last chance for Reduced Rates! Sign Up Now for CAMBA's 5k & 10k Race on Sunday, May 1

Join CAMBA for our annual run/walk in Prospect Park to support our life-changing services for 45,000 New Yorkers in need. Choose either the 5k run/walk or 10k run. Families are welcome.

Register now -- our Early Bird rates end Sunday!

When: Sunday, May 1, 2016; 8:30 am (10k); 8:45 am (5k)
Where: Prospect Park (at the Peristyle), 96 Parkside Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11226
Entry Fee: $25 (Early Bird Special, until Sunday, Feb. 28)

Sponsorships are available for your business or organization. Learn more here.

Visit CAMBA.org to learn more.