Responding to Community Needs

This came in from 11th District City Council candidate Cliff Stanton-

  

Now that President Obama's re-election victory has been sealed, I have turned my attention back to matters of local importance. Here are some of my recent community initiatives: 

4 Wheels for Good launch drive the day after Hurricane Sandy.

In October, I launched 4 Wheels for Good, a free volunteer transportation corps for seniors in the Northwest Bronx. My aim is to address a gap for older adults who cannot readily access transportation services and/or cannot afford the fare to medical appointments, senior centers, grocery shopping, the hair salon, recreation, and the like.

The service is modeled both on a Westchester-based service

Delivering groceries to homebound seniors in San Antonio, Texas with Jefferson Outreach.

and on a long-established service in San Antonio, Texas with which I consulted and subsequently visited in early October.   

Still in the pilot phase of 4 Wheels for Good, I currently transport seniors on Tuesdays from 10 am to 2 pm and Thursdays from 2 pm to 4 pm. If you know a senior who needs a ride, or would like to join the transportation corps as a driver, please call: 877.718.2338. 

In response to a series of gunpoint robberies, a stabbing, and multiple car break-ins in Riverdale, I expanded the 4 Wheels for Good program to include

Cliff heading out for Neighborhood Watch patrol.

Neighborhood Watch, which will enable us to look out for our neighbors and feel empowered by an active response to a frightening situation. I consulted with Captain Burke at the 50th Precinct to discuss how the neighborhood watch could best complement the efforts of the police department and how to train prospective volunteers. The response has been encouraging. If you are interested in volunteering, please call me at: 917.699.5241. I will coordinate the time and location of your patrol, discuss best practices, and provide you with a car door magnet for the duration of your watch.

Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

It was inspiring to see the response of the PS 24 community to

Organizing Far Rockaway relief efforts.

the Parents Association's request for donations for victims of Hurricane Sandy. We loaded four minivans with food, water, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and clothing and delivered the items to a distribution center and nearby church in Far Rockaway.  

Within moments, people were selecting items to help them through this crisis. I was moved by the scenes of devastation and the resilience of our fellow New Yorkers who are suffering an immeasurable loss.

 

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