This spring, the Roosevelt Island Center of Community Development will host our third year of island wide little league.
In partnership with Beacon, the league will include 3 different age groups; minors (5-6), majors (7-9yrs old) and seniors (10-13yrs old), with the intent of expanding to other age groups in the coming years.
Children and their parents can expect a well-planned, 10 game season. The RICCD little league will include an opening day parade, a pre-season parent's gathering, an all-star game, and the league will finish strong with a playoff and little league championship game. Little League opening day and parade are on April 15th.
In addition, the league has focused on recruiting high character parents, young professionals, and others leaders from the community who are ready to invest much of their spring into launching this new neighborhood little-league. Register online at http://www.riccd.com/recreation/
So far, over 160 kids have signed up to play. There is room for about 10 more players and 2-3 more volunteer coaches too.
Last year the Roosevelt Island Center of Community Development (RICCD) had a fantastic baseball season in partnership with the Babe Ruth Little League with over 100 island kids, 5 to 13 years of age. Watch parents and children express their excitement last season:
This year promises to be even better. RICCD coaches and coordinators are ready to go for another great season of co-ed baseball on Roosevelt. Cost is 55 dollars, but full scholarships are readily available. Cost will not hinder children from joining our league.
RE: Authorization to Extend Grant Funds to the Roosevelt Island Youth Program, Inc.
RIOC seeks authorization to extend grant funds for the first six (6) months of FY 2018 to the Roosevelt Island Youth Program, Inc. (“RIYP”), the current operator of the Roosevelt Island Youth Center. RIOC intends to release a competitive Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for a Youth Center Operator before the expiration of this period.
This period will also be used to schedule and commence general rehabilitation of the Youth Center, to address leaks on the roof and terrace, ADA-compliant restrooms, remodel the kitchen facilities, mechanical/electrical/plumbing upgrades, and finishes — resulting in a more safe and attractive space for the Island’s youth.
The grant will require detailed information regarding programing, attendance, staffing as well as a six month budget of all funds necessary to operate the Center.
Based on the foregoing, RIOC requests the Board’s approval to disburse $100,000 in grant funds and enter into a six month grant agreement with the RIYP in order to ensure the continued operations of the Youth Center.
which attracted three bidders - the current operator RIYP, Island Kids and the Roosevelt Island Center of Community Developemt (RICCD). RIOC's RFP scoring of the applicants resulted in a tie between 2 bidders. RIOC did not reveal the names of the tied bidders to the public or the bidders themselves.
On January 23, RIOC announced that the two tied applicants would be further evaluated to determine the winning RFP bid but subsequently withdrew the RFP on January 27. On February 1, RIOC President Susan Rosenthal reported the reason for withdrawing the Youth Center RFP was:
... members of the Roosevelt Island community have submitted numerous communications to RIOC generally questioning the legitimacy of the review that resulted in a tie. Some communications included disparaging remarks about bidders. All such communications, attempting to influence the RIOC review committee while the RFP is pending, are inappropriate and are prohibited by State Finance Law. These communications, among other things, caused RIOC to withdraw the RFP on January 27, 2017.....
Also, the terms of the RFP (page 17) state that RIOC may withdraw the RFP at any time at it's sole discretion.
To date, the Youth Center RFP applicants did not know who the tied bidders were or the RFP scoring results.
Until now.
The RIYP and Island Kids were tied for first place with 241 points. RICCD scored 230 points.
Scoring criteria was based upon 4 separate categories:
The winning Youth Center bidder was expected to be decided during the January 26 RIOC Board meeting.
On January 23, RIOC announced:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Directors meeting previously scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 2017 has been rescheduled and will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cultural Center Theater, 548 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
On January 23, I asked RIOC President Susan Rosenthal and RIOC Directors:
Any update on the status of Youth Center operator RFP....
Ms Rosenthal answered later that day:
RIOC’s evaluation process has resulted in a tied score for two of the proposing entities. To resolve this tie, RIOC will conduct a second evaluation of the tied proposals with a new review panel. We expect to complete this phase of the evaluation process by February 3rd, 2017.
We will answer all appropriate inquiries at the conclusion of the process.
During January 24 RIOC Operations Advisory Committee meeting (full audio web cast here and here), RIOC Director David Kraut asked about the status of the Youth Center RFP. Ms Rosenthal replied that there was a tie among two bidders but would not answer Mr. Kraut's follow up question regarding the identity of the tied bidders because the RFP was still an "open bid".
At the conclusion of the public portion of the Operation Advisory Committee meeting, the RIOC Board went into Executive Session to discuss the Youth Center RFP.
I'm told that Ms Rosenthal would not disclose the identity of the tied bidders to the RIOC Directors during the Executive Session.
Late Friday afternoon, January 27, all 3 Youth Center RFP bidders received an email from RIOC informing them that the Youth Center RFP was withdrawn and a revised RFP would be issued at a future date.
On January 28, I asked RIOC President Rosenthal and RIOC Directors:
I understand that RIOC withdrew the Roosevelt Island Youth Center Operations RFP yesterday and intends to issue a new RFP in the future.
Susan stated at Tuesday's Operations Advisory committee meeting that there were 2 bidders who were tied for the Youth Center Operations RFP and that these 2 bidders would meet with a new RIOC panel to determine the winning bidder under the RFP.
Why was the Youth Center RFP withdrawn?
What happened between the Tuesday Operations Committee meeting and Friday for RIOC to decide to withdraw the Youth Center RFP?...
Have not received a reply yet from RIOC.
I also asked the Youth Center bidders for comment regarding RIOC's withdrawal of the RFP. Island Kids Nikki Leopold replied:
Island Kids received an email yesterday afternoon about the RFP being withdrawn. We are disappointed to say the least. We've spent considerable time on this process, We were working closely with one of the largest providers of free afterschool programming in the city and met with a major funder who was considering a sizable match to the RIOC funds in the case that we were awarded the contract. We're confident that our proposal would have raised the bar for Island youth services. We look forward to the release of the revised RFP and hope that RIOC will give a timeline in the very near future.
Will update when any statement received from RIOC or other RFP bidders.
RICCD received an email Friday afternoon about the RFP being withdrawn. Our RICCD leadership and board came into the bidding process with extensive experience in critical areas that would undoubtedly increase the effectiveness of youth programming in our diverse neighborhood. We eagerly await the revised RFP and hope to better understand the latest change in the RFP process.
UPDATE 2/1, 5:20 PM - RIOC President Susan Rosenthal replies:
On September 21, 2017, RIOC issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for the operation of the Roosevelt Island Youth Center. RIOC received three proposals based on this solicitation. All three proposals complied with the guidelines and were forwarded to a review committee of three RIOC evaluators. The RIOC evaluators followed RIOC and New York State Procurement Guidelines and evaluated the three proposals as detailed in the RFP. This review resulted in a tie score between two of the applicants. Accordingly, on January 20, 2017 all bidders were informed that the evaluation process resulted in a tie score and the two tied bidders’ applications were going to be submitted to a new panel of evaluators for review.
Since that time, members of the Roosevelt Island community have submitted numerous communications to RIOC generally questioning the legitimacy of the review that resulted in a tie. Some communications included disparaging remarks about bidders. All such communications, attempting to influence the RIOC review committee while the RFP is pending, are inappropriate and are prohibited by State Finance Law. These communications, among other things, caused RIOC to withdraw the RFP on January 27, 2017.
RIOC intends the new review committee to include members of other entities with expertise in child services to ensure the best operator for our children. Once the new review committee is constituted, RIOC will issue a new RFP for the operation of the Roosevelt Island Youth Center.
All bidders and community members are reminded that clear guidelines exist within the RFP and the State Finance Law regarding communications concerning a proposal while the proposal is pending. We ask that the bidders and community members abide by these rules and laws.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
UPDATE 2/1, 6:35 PM - Island Kids Board of Directors add:
We refute the assertion that Island Kids was an unqualified and inexperienced applicant for the Youth Center RFP. Island Kids is absolutely qualified for the following reasons.
Island Kids has done an excellent job of and continues to develop its board - a true mix of Island residents, parents, nonprofit specialist, including a nonprofit attorney and a nonprofit CPA, marketing and development professionals, and education specialists. We are proud of the diversity and depth of expertise on the board as Island Kids continues to grow. Our Certificate of Incorporation is with the Attorney General’s office and in the process of being revised to reflect the full scope of services we intend to provide in the future. This process started before our response to the RFP was submitted. Over the last two years, Island Kids Board of Directors has spent a great deal of time working with the Lawyer’s Alliance to update and improve governance procedures including revisions to our by laws and the creation of an employee manual that outlines policies and procedures as well as our legal responsibilities to our employees. We are known for our integrity and at least three Island non-profits have approached us for advice on matters related to Board oversight and procedures.
Island Kids has developed strong partnerships with many Island organizations and has an excellent reputation amongst parents for providing high quality programming. As we crafted our proposal, much thought was put into collaboration with outside organizations with the same high standards of quality and inclusiveness that we pride ourselves on. Sports and Arts in Schools has that reputation along with 25 years of providing K-12 afterschool and summer programs. This partnership would have raised the bar on youth services to a level unprecedented on Roosevelt Island and also provides evidence of the organizations strategic capabilities in growing our program.
As far as our fundraising capabilities, Island Kids has raised well over $300,000 in the last 10 years, most of which has gone towards scholarships for children in need. Additionally, in preparation for the possibility of being awarded the Youth Center contract, Island Kids met with a funding partner who was considering a very substantial match to the RIOC funds. Given the small scope of our program, Island Kids has had great success in fundraising and we were confident that obtaining the Youth Center contract would open up additional funding opportunities.
Finally, we want to address the alleged conflict of interest between Sports and Arts and Schools (SASF) and the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL). NYJTL is a parent organization of SASF and they operate completely separately. The fact that they share an office space is no indication of a conflict. The Island would have been incredibly lucky to have SASF involved on any level, as their programming is outstanding. We hope to have the opportunity to work with them if and when and if the RFP is released again.
Island Kids refuses to let this latest personal attack deter us from moving forward. The attempt to thwart the process with baseless allegations, distracts all of us from moving forward with the Youth Center RFP which, with the right contractor would provide high quality, free programming, to children who otherwise would not receive such services. We look forward to RIOC’s response.
This is a developing story. More to come.
UPDATE 12/3 - The Island Kids Board of Directors share this letter they sent to RIOC responding to claims made by Frank Farance regarding the Youth Center RFP:
February 1, 2017
Dear Ms. Rosenthal and the RIOC Board of Directors,
It has come to our attention that a resident of Roosevelt Island has contacted the RIOC Board of Directors questioning the Youth Center RFP process and in doing so has made false assertions against Island Kids and the Executive Director of Island Kids, Nikki Leopold, as related to their recent RFP submission and overall business operations.
Island Kids was and continues to be a vital part of the Roosevelt Island community providing much needed programming for children on Roosevelt Island for over 25 years. A stalwart presence on the island and part of the island's rich history of non-profit and community based organizations, these unwarranted and false claims have the potential to irrevocably damage Island Kids' ability to address the needs of the children and families on Roosevelt Island.
Island Kids has and continues to value its partnership with RIOC. We refuse to believe that RIOC has in any way, either deliberately or intentionally, conducted the unlawful behavior that Frank Farance states. In addition, Island Kids was thrilled to be considered as a candidate for the bid as called for by the RFP and is profoundly saddened by the individual's egregious allegations of collusion in the RFP process on the part of RIOC and Island Kids.
The Board of Directors of Island Kids also wishes at this time to address the false assertions made by the individual concerning the relationship between Island Kids, the PTA, and SASF.
Nikki Leopold was the PTA President between 2008 and 2010. During that time, she wrote the public purpose application for both Island Kids and PS/IS 217 PTA. At some point the Island Kids EIN was inadvertently written into the PTA proposal in error. As PTA members change year to year, the number was pulled from the old proposal and entered into the 2014 PTA public purpose proposal. RIOC did, in fact, follow up on this error. Sean Singh called both Nikki and Erin Olavesen to inquire about the issue. Nikki explained the mix up and the issue was resolved. At no time has either organization intentionally used the others EIN for any purpose. Both Island Kids and the PTA can verify that all public purpose payments have been made to the entities separately and proof of payments can be produced if necessary. Additionally, the correct EIN numbers for both organizations can be found on their tax returns.
Regarding the alleged conversation with Charlie DeFino, there is not much to say. The idea that Nikki Leopold is presently collecting money for the farmer market is preposterous, she has had no direct involvement with the PTA since 2013, when her daughter left the school. For a brief period, she continued to assist with the Farmers Market in her capacity as a PTA board member during the Board transition in 2011. Perhaps that is the conversation Mr. DeFino recalls. The PTA keeps records of all transactions regarding the Farmer’s Market including receipts for cash payments and I’m sure that they would be happy to confirm that.
We refute the assertion that Island Kids was an unqualified and inexperienced applicant for the Youth Center RFP. Island Kids is absolutely qualified for the following reasons.
IK has done an excellent job of and continues to develop its board - a true mix of Island residents, parents, nonprofit specialist, including a nonprofit attorney and a nonprofit CPA, marketing and development professionals, and education specialists. We are proud of the diversity and depth of expertise on the board as Island Kids continues to grow. Our Certificate of Incorporation is with the Attorney General’s office in the process of being revised to reflect the full scope of services we intend to provide in the future. This process started before our response to the RFP was submitted. Over the last two years, the Island Kids Board of Directors has spent a great deal of time working with the Lawyer’s Alliance to update and improve governance procedures including revisions to our by laws and the creation of an employee manual that outlines policies and procedures as well as our legal responsibilities to our employees. We are known for our integrity and at least three Island non-profits have approached us for advice on matters related to Board oversight and procedures.
Island Kids has developed strong partnerships with many Island organizations and has an excellent reputation amongst parents for providing high quality programming. As we crafted our proposal, much thought was put into collaboration with outside organizations with the same high standards of quality and inclusiveness that we pride ourselves on. Sports and Arts in Schools has that reputation along with 25 years of providing K-12 afterschool and summer programs. This partnership would have raised the bar on youth services to a level unprecedented on Roosevelt Island and also provides evidence of the organizations strategic capabilities in growing our program.
As far as our fundraising capabilities, Island Kids has raised well over $300,000 in the last 10 years, most of which has gone towards scholarships for children in need. Additionally, in preparation for the possibility of being awarded the Youth Center contract, Island Kids met with a funding partner who was considering a very substantial match to the RIOC funds. Given the small scope of our program, Island Kids has had great success in fundraising and we were confident that obtaining the Youth Center contract would open up additional funding opportunities.
In regards to Sports and Arts and Schools and the attempt to point out a conflict of interest with NYJTL, Mr. Farance is grasping at straws. NYJTL is a parent organization of SASF and they operate completely separately. The fact that they share an office space is no indication of a conflict. The Island would have been incredibly lucky to have SASF involved on any level, as their programming is outstanding. We hope to have the opportunity to work with them when and if the RFP is released again.
Island Kids refuses to let this personal attack deter us from moving forward. The attempt to thwart the process with baseless allegations, distracts all of us from moving forward with the Youth Center RFP which, with the right contractor, would provide high quality, free programming to children who otherwise would not receive such services.
reports on the addition of 4 new members to RIYP's Board Of Directors as well as staff promotions and additions.
According to Mr. Defino:
The new members are Maureen Santella, a 25 year resident of the Island and respected educator; David Evans, Southtown's representative to the RIRA Common Council,; John Weaterhead, who has lived on the Island for 40 years and was Vice-President of the Rivercross Board of Directors; and Kwasi Long, a 40 year Island resident and former Vice President of the Garden Club. These new members join Chairperson Jimmie Won, Vice President and Treasurer Steven Kaufman and Secretary Meera Tandon.
Our expanded Board has a total of more then 200 years of residence on Roosevelt Island. Each member brings a record of community leadership and volunteer service.
Staff changes include the promotion Aikaterini Efthymiadou, a 20 year long resident, to Beacon Director and the promotions of Andrey Chicagov and Roy Magasisi to Assistant Beacon Directors. In addition, John Swauger, who directed a multi-service community agency for 30 years, has joined our agency as Assistant to the Executive Director. This team now has a combined 100 years of management experience in not-for-profits.
These changes strengthen the Roosevelt Island Youth Program's already impressive management capability and ensure that the agency is prepared to meet the Island's needs for a fourth decade.
The RIYP has been the operator of the Roosevelt Island Youth Center for almost 40 years.
... a not-for-profit organization or public/governmental entity1 with the appropriate experience, qualifications and capacity to submit proposals to operate and manage (“the Operator”) the Roosevelt Island Youth Center, located at 506 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York, 10044.
The Operator of the Roosevelt Island Youth Center will provide year-round leadership, educational, recreational and cultural programs of exceptional quality. These programs will target a diverse group of Island youth across the age spectrum and be provided free of charge. The Operator is expected to provide all personnel, materials and equipment to operate the facility. The successful Operator will also be expected to perform all tasks indicated in the Scope of Work to ensure the long-term stability and viability of the Roosevelt Island Youth Center.
The facility is a two-story, approximate 7,000 square foot building, comprised of several rooms of varying size. While the successful Operator will have the majority of that space to run its youth programs, other parts of the facility will be reserved for other community purposes. The successful Operator will enter into a Lease (for the facility), an Operating Agreement (to run the facility) and a $200,000 dollar Grant Agreement. Each agreement will be for an initial three (3) year period, with two, one-year extensions at RIOC’s option. The value of the Lease Agreement will be considered an in-kind grant from RIOC; and the Grant Agreement will be renewed annually, subject to the availability of RIOC funds.
The Lease, the Operating Agreement, and the Grant Agreement shall all run concurrently, and shall also be contingent upon the Operator’s compliance with ongoing reporting requirements established by RIOC as well as mutually agreed upon performance measures and contract deliverables. RIOC reserves the right to terminate the Lease, the Operating Agreement, and the Grant Agreement in the event these performance measures and other reporting requirements are not met by the Operator, to RIOC’s satisfaction, or for any other reason. Termination of one agreement may result in the termination of all three agreements....
The Operator will independently manage the Youth Center and will provide youth programs and services, including leadership development programs; sports, fitness and recreation programs; arts and cultural programs; and health/life skills programs. All programs must be offered free of charge. This programming will serve a diverse Roosevelt Island youth population and the entire spectrum of youth age groups.
The selected Youth Center Operator will be responsible for soliciting and managing youth activity by staff or independent organizations to provide high quality programs and services such as multi-media training, dance classes, computer training, art and music classes, science classes, leadership programs, high school/college/job preparation, homework assistance and other educational programs.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Executing a Lease Agreement with RIOC and securing supplemental grants
- Arranging for Youth educators, trainers and activity leaders
- Cooperating and collaborating with other entities (such as Cornell Technion) in
providing youth classes and other activities for all youth groups.
- Developing of a Business Plan that can be marketed for philanthropic purposes
- Developing annual budgets, operational costs, and fundraising strategies
RIOC interviewed the applicants to operate the Roosevelt Island Youth Center last week. According to the RFP, the applicants are to be judged by the following criteria (Page 15-16 of the RFP)
Image Of Roosevelt Island Youth Program Executive Director Charlie Defino
The Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) is a non-profit organization established in 1978 to provide free activities and services for Roosevelt Island youth. The RIYP operates a youth center at 506 Main Street, PS/IS 217 Beacon After School program and a summer day camp. RIYP also organizes Little League baseball, soccer and basketball sports leagues among other activities for Roosevelt Island kids. The RIYP Little League baseball season begins its 38 year this spring.
Charlie Defino is the Executive Director of the RIYP and has served the Roosevelt Island community for over 20 years during two separate stints in that position. I spoke with Mr. Defino recently about the past, present and future challenges of the RIYP.
Mr. Defino described the role of RIYP in bringing together the different segments of the Roosevelt Island community. According to Mr. Defino:
... there are people over the years that would not have known each other if not for the program...
... It's an accomplishment that I have and Steve Kaufman have that we're very proud of. The activities now have to change, we have to be a different type of program. That's what we're working with Cornell now, we're trying to get other agencies to come on from off-Island to partner up with us. We've done that in the past with PAL and other people but they don't have the money now either...
Roosevelt Island is home to youth from all over the globe. Many are here for the long-term, yet many will leave to go back to their countries of origin within a few short years. This means we have been given the opportunity to impact and influence the culture of families, businesses, and countries all around the world, by simply focusing on developing our youth right here on the Island. From teaching principles like "beginning with the end in mind", the importance of cultural agility, to the laws of good communication, it is our aim to come alongside schools and families to help develop high character and high capacity leaders out of our island's youth....
... Mr. Sadlier was asked what involvement the Hope Roosevelt Island Church would have in RICCD programs and activities. He replied that there would be none other than his involvement and that of his wife as well.
Mr. Sadlier also expressed a desire for RICCD to work with established Roosevelt Island organizations and did not wish to be seen as attempting to replace any existing group....
RIYP's Charlie Defino believes that despite Mr. Sadlier's expressed desire:
... not to replace any existing group....
the RICCD baseball program is a first step in an attempt to make the RIYP disappear and have the RICCD take over youth services on Roosevelt Island.
During my interview with him, Mr. Defino stated his belief that:
The RICCD and it's Little League baseball program is an effort by it's Chair, Dan Sadlier, Pastor of the Hope Church, to promote the Hope Church Youth Ministry,
RICCD Co-Chair Kim Massey is a disgruntled former Director of the RIYP Beacon Program who performed unsatisfactorily in that position,
RICCD asked the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) for grant money that currently supports RIYP to be allocated to RICCD instead,
Ms. Massey's husband, John Massey, requested RIOC to take away funds supporting RIYP and use those funds for other purposes while Ms. Massey still worked at RIYP.
RICCD members wrote letters to Council Member Kallos and other officials disparaging the RIYP.
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Acting President Susan Rosenthal has announced that the Youth Center building at 506 Main Street will be fixed up and receive a "face lift". Also, RIOC plans to issue a Request For Proposals to provide Youth Services on Roosevelt Island.
I asked the RICCD members referred to by Mr. Defino if they wish to reply to his comments and to respond why they:
.... think there is a need for another organization serving Roosevelt Island other than RIYP.
Formed by its adverse history and now facing some of its most significant changes to date, the Roosevelt Island community and the people who call it home enter an important season which is sure to shape the future of this city island. It is within this context that the Roosevelt Island Center of Community Development exists to equip and empower high capacity, high character leaders for the physical, social, and cultural flourishing of Roosevelt Island....
This spring, the Roosevelt Island Center of Community Development launches a brand new co-ed, island-wide little league. The league will include 2 different age groups; minors (6-8yrs old) and majors (9-11yrs old), with the intent of expanding to other age groups in the coming years. Children and their parents can expect a well-planned, 10 game season. In addition, the RICCD little league will include a pre-season kick-off event (pitch, hit, and run), a pre-season parent’s gathering, an all-star game, and the league will finish strong with a playoff and little league championship game. In addition, the league has focused on recruiting high character parents, young professionals, and others leaders from the community who are ready to invest much of their spring into launching this new neighborhood little-league. Cost is $50 per child with the ability to receive a full scholarship for free play if needed, based on need.
If there is one thing Roosevelt Island is not lacking, it's local residents forming community organizations to advocate on behalf of issues and to establish programs their members find of interest.
Empowering leaders for the flourishing of the Island
Formed by its adverse history and now facing some of its most significant changes to date, the Roosevelt Island community and the people who call it home enter an important season which is sure to shape the future of this city island. It is within this context that the Roosevelt Island Center of Community Development exists to equip and empower high capacity, high character leaders for the physical, social, and cultural flourishing of Roosevelt Island.
We are committed to holistic community development, one that equitably and thoughtfully integrates care and concern for the, physical, emotional, and social conditions of our neighborhood.
We have chosen to work exclusively on Roosevelt Island and within the 10044 geographical footprint. We live here, raise our families here, and will remain here to promote the value, dignity and worth of the island.
We have chosen to spend our time focused on leadership (finding and developing leaders) as much as developing programs. We believe high impact leaders will naturally lead to high impact programs.
We affirm that community development happens best when organizations step outside the shadow of top-down approaches and into to the homes, schools, and third spaces (restaurants, libraries, parks cafes, etc.) of Roosevelt island. To that end, we strive to account for the uniqueness of Roosevelt Island.
We believe that community development begins and ends with the empowerment of the families and individuals of which the 10044 footprint consists.
We are not merely about ideas, initiatives, plans or projects: we are first and foremost about people.
Roosevelt Island residents Dan Sadlier and Kim Massey are among the leaders of the RICCD Board and held a brainstorming session with concerned residents last October 22 to introduce RICCD and learn about community issues of concern.
After the brainstorming session, Mr. Sadlier reported about the meeting:
Here are some things we heard that we will take into serious consideration as we engage our first few program leaders.
Collaboration between the different parts of the island and the different entities on the island is key and is not often happening in the most effective and efficient ways.
Youth recreation is great, but we need to move from solely offering youth recreation to "youth development" as well. Higher quality programs are needed that are led by high capacity and high character leaders.
We need to engage the young professionals on the island who do not feel like they have the opportunity to invest in the island and its neighbors.
Mr. Sadlier is also the Pastor of the Hope Roosevelt Island Church. During the October 22 brainstorming session, Mr. Sadlier was asked what involvement the Hope Roosevelt Island Church would have in RICCD programs and activities. He replied that there would be none other than his involvement and that of his wife as well.
Mr. Sadlier also expressed a desire for RICCD to work with established Roosevelt Island organizations and did not wish to be seen as attempting to replace any existing group.
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
