Mother Gaston's Brownsville Corner Stories

"One day I was looking out from my stoop and watching all the children play. People were chatting on the street, and it made me think about Brownsville. Though our heritage and culture runs deep, I felt there was something lacking within our community. 

But what was it?

I realized that I wanted to empower the youth and make them proud of their common heritage. Then I knew what I needed to do: create an educational and cultural center for old and young people of the neighborhood. This idea was the seed for the Heritage House."

Mother Rosetta Gaston had a dream for Brownsville. Mother Rosetta Gaston's dream for our community was for everyone to know their culture and history. Understand, if you we do not know who we are, then what are we living for? Mother Rosetta Gaston name still lives on in Brownsville.

Brownsville's P.S.12 fighting to save after-school tutoring program

(Photo Courtesy of NY Daily News)

"A Brownsville school is fighting to save an after-school tutoring program for at-risk kids that once spared it from a state takeover."

People let's save our schools!

 Check out this article on the New York Daily News website written by Ben Chapman. Ben Chapman composed an article about how P.S. 12 is going to lose their after-school literacy program due to Citywide budget cuts. The literacy program at the Brownsville school gives students one-on-one instruction to teach students basic reading methods to students in Grades three, four and five who reads at three grades below their reading level.

Let's Save Our Schools!

Click this link to read the article in its entirety: P.S. 12 Fighting to Save After-School Tutoring Program

Brownsville Recreation Center 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Lightning Event

(Staff in Training Interns and Nia Thompson)

This past Friday, December 3rd, Greg "Jocko" Jackson, Jerry Childs, faculty and staff of the Brownsville Recreation Center held their 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Lightning Event. The event was filled with Holiday Spirit as the Staff in Training Interns entertained the youth with different activities. DJ Pleasure rocked the event with a variety of Christmas songs from Boyz II Men to Donnie Hathaway.

After DJ Pleasure did his thing on the turntables, the Staff in Training Interns became Music Producers. Some of the Staff in Training Interns had to orchestrate a small group of kids into one-hit wonders! The kids and Staff in Training interns sung Christmas Carols in the gymnasium. Their rendition of "Jingle Bells" will be sold iTunes in a couple of weeks.

Community Planning Partner Survey #1

Our Community Planning Partners, Randy Millard and Karrie Scarboro, put together a survey with questions regarding the state of Brownsville. Despite the violence and the everyday struggle a Brownsville resident endures, we must put our minds together to create a better Brownsville. Our Community Planning Partners will be in the neighborhood with the Community Planning Partner Surveys for you to fill out. The survey is only Five (5) questions. Here are the questions:

1. Describe Brownsville:
2. What are some advantages/disadvantages in Brownsville?
3. What are ways we can unite our community?
4. What are your opinions/suggestions in attracting our youth in the Brownsville Community?
5. In which direction do you see Brownsville going to within the next Five years?

These are the questions that can change Brownsville! Picture that! Our Community Planning Partners have something special in-store for Brownsville. Come along and join the Community Planning Partners in making efforts to make Brownsville a better environment! 

Brownsville, Brooklyn Facebook Page

To all of my Facebook users, there is a Brownsville, Brooklyn Facebook Group Page! Check it out! Put up some of your suggestions and opinions on how we can change the neighborhood! Most importantly, add the page to one of your favorite pages. Let's make a change now! Hope Is Inside

 Brownsville, Brooklyn Facebook Group Page

The Japan Society Visits Brownsville

November 2-3, 2010

An observation field trip to Brownsville district of Brooklyn, New York. Followed by Social design charrette by designers, social entrepreneurs, and others whose work includes addressing social issues.

Organized by Japan Society


Visit The Japan Society Website to see what they do in the Japanese Community The Japan Society


Here are some photos taken from The Japan Society. 


To view the photos as a slideshow click here: Sildeshow


To view the photos as a thumbnail click here: Thumbnail Link for Photos

Brownsville on the Water

by Shawn Brooks

The Brownsville Partnership staff cruised the Hudson River enjoying the sounds and vibes of the summer abroad the Skyline Princess. Common Ground's annual summer all staff event brought together all departments and all 350 staff members for a day of food, music, socializing, dancing, and sight seeing as we sailed across the hudson river. The Brownsville Partnership staff all came in our summer best and it was a well deserved day of fun. Can't wait til next year!