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Ideas from People Entered into Database [2]
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87
OMNIA
QUAE
FIERI POSSUNT
CHRISTOPHER HYLAND INCORPORATED
January 22, 1993
Mr. Eli Segal
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Eli,
Enclosed please find a copy of some material sent to me by
Ron Shiffman regarding the Community Service Program of the
Pratt Institute Center for Community and Environmental
Development. I am sure you will find this of interest.
Congratulations on your new position. You deserve it most
heartily. I wish you lots of luck.
I am
Christophy Christopher Hyland
Sincerely,
President
D & D BUILDING SUITE 1714 979 THIRD AVENUE NEW YORK NEW YORK 10022
TELEPHONE 212 688 6121 TELEX 425900 SWIFT UI ATT CHH FACSIMILE 212 688 6176
Pratt Institute Center for Community and Environmental Development (PICCED)
P
379 DeKalb Avenue
January 15, 1993
Steuben Hall, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, New York 11205
718 636-3486
I
Mr. Christopher Hyland
Fax 718 636-3709
979 Third Avenue
Suite 1714
c
New York, NY 10022
Dear Chris,
c
As promised, I am sending you backup material re: The Community
Service Program. Please pass this package along to Eli Segal, or to anyone else
who it might be appropriate.
Enclosed, please find:
Community Development/Community Service Fellowship
D
Program developed by Pratt Institute Center for Community
and Environmental Development
Discussion Paper: June 1992
A description of the Community Development/Community
Service Fellowship Program we developed which seeks to
engage African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans and
women in community economic development.
Articles
A historical series of articles which highlights PICCED's work
in community service activities.
Pratt Community Economic Development Internship
Program Description
An overview of the Internship program which provides in depth
training to community-based development practitioners.
PICCED Brochure and Viewbook
Once again, thanks for your assistance.
P Ron Shiffman
Sincerley,
Director
Community Development/Community Service Fellowship Program
developed by
Pratt Institute Center for Community and Environmental Development
Discussion Paper: June, 1992
Introduction
The Community Development/Community Service Fellowship Program is planned as a
national program to prepare African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans and women from across
the country to assume leadership positions in the fields of planning, community development, and
community economic development. The Fellowship emphasizes the importance of community
service as an integral part of the education process.
This discussion paper describes the Community Development/Community Service Fellowship
Program, for implementation at Pratt Institute through PICCED (Pratt Institute Center for
Community and Environmental Development) and the Graduate Center for Planning and the
Environment. We feel strongly that this program could serve as a model providing options of
service careers within President-elect Bill Clinton's community service initiative. The Community
Development/Community Service Fellowship Program could be replicated by a great many colleges
and universities with undergraduate and/or graduate programs in Urban Planning or Community
Development.
A National Program
To assure that it is a truly national program, we would draw upon the resources and input
of several major national community development organizations, among them the Center for
Community Change, the Development Leadership Network, the National Congress for Community
and Economic Development, the Council for Community-based Development, the National
Community Development/Community Service Fellowship Program
Discussion Paper
Page 2
Economic Development and Law Center, the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the National
Urban League, the Mexican-American Coalition and the National Council of La Raza. Community
development intermediaries such as the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the Enterprise
Foundation would also be contacted. PICCED already works closely with many of these
organizations and would seek their active participation through a national advisory council for the
recruitment, selection, and placement of Fellowship candidates. The advisory council would also
participate in program evaluation and the enhancement of existing community development
education and training curriculum, nationwide.
For the PICCED program, Fellows would be drawn from the New York, New Jersey, and
Connecticut region as well as communities across the country. Recruitment meetings would be
conducted regionally to assure a representative selection pool and a diverse group of highly qualified
candidates. A portion of the recruitment budget would be set aside for participating members of
the advisory council.
Master's Degree Program
The experience in training adults through our Community Economic Development
Internship certificate and graduate level programs, combined with our experiential base of
providing direct technical assistance to neighborhood organizations uniquely position PICCED
to train the student body targeted by this program. In addition to our ongoing community
economic development certificate program, we are proposing a flexible 24-36 month master's
degree program. Graduates would receive either a certificate from PICCED or a Master of
Science in City and Regional Planning with a concentration in Housing and Community
Economic Development from Pratt's Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment.
Similar degree options could be made available at any participating college or university.
Recruitment Criteria
Prospective students for this program would be individuals who have not had access to
professional and management positions in community development corporations and related
neighborhood organizations. Recruitment would be targeted to African-Americans, Latinos,
Asian-Americans and women. While the specifics of the selection criteria are still being
developed, several important factors are shaping our ideas. The goal of the program is to
Community Development/Community Service Fellowship Program
Discussion Paper
Page 3
increase the number of people from the target populations participating in the community
development field. We wish to attract individuals who possess the intellectual capacity and social
commitment as well as the creative and risk-taking qualities necessary to advance in the field.
They would include both those who have already demonstrated high achievement in either their
education or work experiences, and those who have demonstrated ability and aptitude, but have
not yet had the opportunity to excel in leadership positions. The overall goal is to attract to the
field people who would play a critical role in the management and leadership of community
development organizations and who would influence the development of innovative community
policies. While prospective students could be drawn from a variety of sources, the following
represent target groups which would be the focus of our recruitment efforts:
graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities
veterans and returning Peace Corps volunteers
people who are underemployed and aspire to professional careers and management
positions
professionals who are considering changing their careers
Preference would be given to individuals who are living and working in low-income
communities. Before selection, finalists for each class of 30 (perhaps 35-40 in number) would
participate in a 2 week seminar in a retreat setting as a means of building community, diagnosing
individual capacities and academic needs, and screening out those not likely to complete the
program. A portion of the recruitment budget would be set aside for this preselection seminar.
The Community Development/Community Service Fellowship Program
The Community Development/Community Service Fellowship Program would contain
three components:
2-3 years of an academic course of study
Internship Placement in a community development or planning organization
3 year commitment to a professional position in the community development field
Community Development/Community Service Fellowship Program
Discussion Paper
Page 4
Academic Program
The Fellowship Program, with its internship component, can be completed in two
to three years. We recognize that the target population for the program has complex life
and work responsibilities, which too often limit academic advancement. These specialized
needs would be accommodated in three flexible study options:
Option 1: Intensive seminar plus weekend sessions held periodically over a 30
month period. Work placement would be national under this option.
Option 2: Core Program, two to three days per week over 24 to 36 months. Work
placement would be regional under this option.
Option 3: Full-time, Core Program, two to three days per week over 24 months.
Cooperative local, regional and national placements for one trimester per year
would be available under this option.
Fellows would be enrolled in a rigorous course of study on topics such as the
theory and practice of community development and planning, successful approaches to
combatting poverty, land use, environmental management, community organization,
strategic planning, financial packaging, program and staff capacity-building, leadership
and board development. Additional courses would focus on economic development
strategies, innovative loan methods, organizational management and theory, and public
policy. Course offerings at other institutions would vary.
Internship Placement
Because retention in the field is an important goal, a major component of the
Fellowship would be the experiential placement of each Fellow in a community
development corporation or related organization, during the course of their 2 years of
study. This would take place in two ways: either in full-time placements while attending
school or, in the case of full-time core students, during their trimester off. Funds to offset
the costs of employing Fellows would need to be budgeted.
Community Development/Community Service Fellowship Program
Discussion Paper
Page 5
Post-Degree Placement of Fellows
As currently defined, the Clinton plan offers community service opportunities in
the fields of teaching and community policing. Through this program, we propose
broadening that definition to include service options in the fields of urban planning and
community and economic development. Service options would be offered in the social
services that address the needs of residents of low-income communities, as well. Upon
graduation from the program, Fellows could fulfill their community service requirement
in positions with community development corporations, non-profit community
development or social service organizations, and public agencies working in community
development or the social services. We would draw upon the expertise of our advisory
council and a network of national organizations to develop appropriate placement options
around the country. The program administrators at each college or university would
assume responsibility for such placements.
Evaluation
We plan to conduct an independent evaluation of the program. Outcome measures would
be established at the front end with input from the advisory council. Mid-course adjustments
would be made in conjunction with the council. An overall evaluation report would be conducted
annually.
Benefits of Program
The Fellowship Program would graduate 30-45 Fellows with master's degrees and/or
certificates annually. The following benefits would also result for:
The Student
- career advancement through a matrix of opportunities established in the program
- increased and sustained opportunities for minorities to enter the field and to fill
staff positions in community development organizations.
- increased empowerment of local residents to participate in the revitalization of
their communities.
Community Development/Community Service Fellowship Program
Discussion Paper
Page 6
The Community Organization
- increased internal capacity
- broadening of their community base
- opportunities to share techniques and strategies with others across the country
The Field of Community Development
- new knowledge and the potential to establish community development standards
- information exchange
- increased opportunities to introduce planning and public policy concepts
Financial Assistance
Each Fellow would receive a full financial package comprised of a partial scholarship
grant (50%) and a low-interest loan (50%) for tuition, room, board, and related expenses. In
keeping with the objectives of the President-elect's proposed community service initiative, each
graduate would contract to complete three years of community service in a community
development organization upon graduation from the program. The loan would remain low-cost
with payments at no more than 5% of salary after the community service obligation is over.
Should the Fellow leave the program before completing their degree requirements, or not meet
their 3 year community service obligation, the entire scholarship grant and loan would be
combined and converted to a market rate student loan.
Implementation
Pratt's experience in educating master's degree students at its Graduate Center for
Planning and the Environment and in training professionals through its Community Development
Internship Program, as well as its direct link to communities through technical assistance and
policy initiatives positions us to take on the Community Development/Community Service
Fellowship Program it is a logical extension of our experience, our work, and our mission. We
are confident that with this depth of experience, we could get the proposed program off the
ground expeditiously. We feel strongly that the President-elect's proposed community service
initiative offers a tremendous opportunity to expand this program, and make a significant impact
in low-income communities nationwide.
PRATT COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INTERNSHIP
Program Description
January 1993
For further information contact:
Ron Shiffman, Director
Rudy Bryant, Associate Director for Training
Leslie Hewlett, Manager of Training
Pratt Institute Center for Community
and Environmental Development
379 DeKalb Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11205
(718) 636-3486
Pratt Community Economic Development Internship
Program Description
Page 1
BACKGROUND
The Pratt Institute Center for Community and Environmental Development (PICCED) is the
oldest university-based community development planning, training and technical assistance
organization in the country. Founded in 1963 with a grant from the Rockefeller Brothers
Fund, PICCED's original goal was to create a partnership between Pratt's planning department
and local organizations struggling to address issues of urban deterioration and poverty.
Working closely with community-based organizations and their constituencies, PICCED offers
an array of education, training and technical assistance services. These programs emphasize
coalition building and the empowerment of residents through ownership of the community
development process -- from planning and decision-making to development and eventual
management of completed projects.
The Pratt Community Economic Development Internship grew out of PICCED's concern in the
early 1980s about the ability of nonprofit community-based organizations (CBOs) to survive
and grow in an era of rapidly changing federal policies and sources of funding. With the
onslaught of "New Federalism," the main responsibility for social and economic problems was
being passed from the federal government to local governments and nonprofit organizations
without a commensurate shift in funds. Many of our client groups were facing a great
challenge to their survival because they were being forced to take on new roles in dealing with
the complex problems of urban, low-income neighborhoods. Their roots were in advocacy
around such issues as neighborhood displacement and the need for open space, education,
housing and health care, and they had built their skills in tenant organizing, community
planning, and lobbying their elected representatives on issues and programs affecting tenants,
homeowners and merchants. In New York City, many CBOs were gaining ground in their well
organized efforts to pressure the City to respond to the growing number of abandoned
buildings that were being held in public ownership. Yet, as the housing and economic crisis
deepened, those involved in community development efforts came to see that something
beyond the traditional advocate/service deliverer role was required if community organizations
were to have a real impact, not just on housing, but on the overall economic and social well-
being of their neighborhoods.
Pratt Community Economic Development Internship
Program Description
Page 2
In this context, the director of the Center and several other community development experts
were brought together by Public/Private Ventures to determine what skills and expertise CBOs
needed to undertake development and function more effectively in the current economic
climate. This planning effort led to the formation of the National Community Economic
Development Internship Program, which is run by the Development Training Institute in
Baltimore, Maryland.
In designing the National Internship, it was determined that there were some regions of the
country where the need for this human resource initiative was large enough to support an
intensive training program serving twenty to twenty-five participants in any given year. New
York City, because of its rich history of community development activity and the presence of
the Pratt Center, then a twenty-year-old technical assistance provider, seemed the logical
place to test this notion. With initial three-year funding support from the Charles H. Revson
Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Pratt Community Economic Development
Internship was launched.
Over 170 community development practitioners have participated in the program in the seven
training cycles that have been completed since the program first began. The organizations
that have sent their staff through the program have demonstrated remarkable success in their
housing and economic development initiatives. Through the strengthened technical skills and
management capacities of their senior staff, these local community development organizations
have undertaken an impressive array of efforts to produce low-income and special needs
housing and to create locally-based economic development enterprises.
Pratt Community Economic Development Internship
Program Description
Page 3
PROGRAM METHODOLOGY
Since the program's inception, we have placed a special emphasis on the recruitment of
minority and women participants who have had a wide range of prior experience in working
for community-based organizations and related public agencies. This focus is based on the
belief that the success of community economic development initiatives hinges on the
leadership of individuals who have a base in the low-income neighborhoods they serve. While
many participants have great proficiency in organizing and service delivery, they may not have
much experience in formal training and education. The following are the key assumptions that
underlie the design of the program:
Training and technical assistance activities must be flexible enough to respond
to the varied strengths and weaknesses inherent in the participants (both on the
part of organizations and individuals with differing skills and educational
backgrounds).
Many participants in training and technical assistance programs are working
adults who may be reluctant to engage in these types of activities unless
tangible benefits are readily apparent to them and their organizations.
Training and resource development programs must be sensitive to the fact that
some participants may have been out of school for many years, and may have
fears about immersing themselves in a formal learning environment.
In response to these parameters, PICCED bases its training and technical assistance
activities on the following educational philosophies:
Training and human resource development is most effective when it is
grounded in hands-on experience. Therefore we link training activities to the
actual ongoing work of the program participants. As much as possible,
"classroom" work is followed with "practicum" assignments that help to
elucidate and amplify the training and further the participant's work in a
practical way.
Learning is synergistic. That is, in a dynamic learning environment, program
participants learn best from each other. Therefore, whenever possible, training
is designed for and delivered in small groups that allow people to benefit from
each other's career experiences and areas of expertise.
The learning community itself can become the basis for professional referrals,
linkages and networks among practitioners and community development
organizations that broaden and strengthen their long-term organizational
capacity. Therefore our programs are designed to maximize opportunities for
participants to build working relationships.
Pratt Community Economic Development Internship
Program Description
Page 4
PROGRAM FORMAT AND CONTENT
The Internship is conducted by PICCED through five residential retreat sessions held in upstate
New York. This unique format helps to strengthen the cohesiveness of the group and enables
Interns to benefit from each other's experiences and particular strengths. The agenda during
these sessions includes immersion in coursework material, small group tasks and problems,
and discussions among participants about their personal, professional and organizational
backgrounds and pursuits. Each workshop combines skill building exercises with hands-on
technical assistance on both project and organizational issues. By making extensive use of
case studies, simulation exercises and "practicum" assignments, the program strengthens the
participant's management, financial packaging and negotiating skills. Over the nine-month
period, interns design and package a housing or commercial development initiative for their
sponsoring organizations, enabling them to apply what they have learned in the classroom to
actual projects.
The instructional material delivered during the workshop sessions is divided into the following
five core components:
Accounting: covers the principles and practices of accounting and financial
analysis for business ventures and nonprofit sponsors. Interns learn the skills
needed to interpret financial statements, prepare for audits and manage
financial accounting matters.
Commercial and Business Development: focuses on the concepts and
techniques of selecting a business development strategy and identifying,
packaging and managing business development ventures. Interns are equipped
with the tools to identify and screen venture opportunities, structure private
sector financial participation, package projects for investment and establish and
manage business development ventures.
Real Estate Development: provides interns with a comprehensive overview of
the real estate development process for housing and commercial properties.
This component covers financial analysis, financing techniques, analysis of the
legal, tax, economic and market constraints on various types of development,
the preparation of development packages, and the formation and management
of the development team.
Pratt Community Economic Development Internship
Program Description
Page 5
Organizational Effectiveness: builds the capacity of participants to diagnose
management issues and utilize appropriate intervention strategies within their
organizations. Each intern completes a management assessment which helps
them to evaluate their organization's community development strategies in the
context of their management needs.
The Integrative Workshop: is designed to encourage participants to put what
they learn in their "hard" courses - business development, housing and real
estate development --- into a physical, social, political and organizational
context. It places a special emphasis on ways that diverse community
development strategies can address issues of poverty and bring about
qualitative changes in the lives of residents of low-income communities. A
historical and policy perspective on community economic development and the
current state of the field is followed by an intensive focus on the practical skills
of planning, designing and implementing an economic development strategy.
As an open forum, it fosters networking and information sharing about the
practical application of various community development strategies to the
current environment of the intern's neighborhood.
In addition to the five workshop sessions held in upstate New York, the Internship includes
a Mid-Year Seminar which takes place on Pratt Institute's Brooklyn campus. During this
seminar, past graduates and other experts in the field are invited to make formal presentations
and engage in small group discussions with program participants. Topics have included:
worker-owned cooperatives. ownership transfer programs, housing cooperatives, and strategic
financial planning.
During the interval between workshops, interns work on "practicum" assignments that require
them to go through a step-by-step process in which they design and plan an actual project for
their sponsoring organization. Readings, written assignments, technical assistance and study
groups help to reinforce the intensive material presented in the workshops.
Throughout the year, interns are assisted by faculty and staff to achieve clearly stated goals
and objectives. During the first workshop, interns create their own learning plans, which are
reviewed at each subsequent workshop to enable them to assess their accomplishments in
the context of their individual goals.
Pratt Community Economic Development Internship
Program Description
Page 6
In the fourth workshop, interns specialize in one of two advanced courses of their choosing:
Housing Development
Commercial and Industrial Development
These courses culminate with the Simulation Exercise, which is a three-day case study in
which interns structure a housing or commercial deal by negotiating with key players in the
development process. These players are acted by actual bankers, representatives from public
agencies, community development practitioners and social service providers who come to the
workshop site for the exercise. This segment serves as the capstone of the program,
requiring the interns to use the skills developed in all their coursework in a true-to-life
situation.
Pratt Community Economic Development Internship
Program Description
Page 7
PROGRAM STAFF
The administration of the program is carried out through the strong leadership of Rudy Bryant,
PICCED's associate director for training. Rudy's 25 years of experience at PICCED, coupled
with his study of real estate development as a Revson Fellow at Columbia University, has
been particularly useful in developing the program and providing support to the interns. In
addition to his extensive experience in community economic development, Rudy has had wide
exposure to organizational development issues through his technical assistance and volunteer
experience on various nonprofit boards of directors. This on-the-ground experience has been
complemented by his study at Columbia's Institute for Not-for-Profit Management. Rudy
provides overall direction for the academic and administrative aspects of the program,
develops and teaches parts of the Integrative Workshop, and provides technical assistance
and support to interns and their organizations.
Since 1989, Rudy has been assisted by Leslie Hewlett who serves as the manager of training.
Leslie is a 1991 graduate of the Development Training Institute's National Internship Program
and has prior experience in coordinating training programs in the private sector. Her
participation in the national program has enhanced her capacity to provide tutorial support to
participants in the program.
Pratt Community Economic Development Internship
Program Description
Page 8
FACULTY
PICCED has a strong track record in attracting and retaining skilled and dedicated faculty for
the Internship. Several of the core course have been taught by long-term faculty members.
Bill Hoffman, of ETC Network, has taught the Organizational Effectiveness component of the
program since 1983. He has also developed, refined and run the negotiation and simulation
exercises. Charles Rial of Shorebank Advisory Services, a subsidiary of South Shore Bank in
Chicago, has been teaching business development in the program over the past several years.
Greg Ptucha, also of Shorebank, teaches a portion of the Business and Commercial
Development component of the program. Robert Ream, a program manager at the Low
Income Housing Fund with extensive experience in the housing development field, teaches the
Real Estate and Housing course. Joe McNeely of the Development Training Institute teaches
the Nonprofit Law and Tax curriculum. Joan Byron, director of the Pratt Planning and
Architectural Collaborative, teaches a segment on managing the development process. Ron
Shiffman, director of PICCED, has taught the History and Philosophy of Community Economic
Development over the entire course of the program.
in addition to these full-time faculty members, two assistants provide additional academic
support to the interns. These staff members are available for telephone consultation and one-
on-one tutorial sessions. Dean Zias, associate planner at PICCED, instructs interns on how
to solve real estate equations on the calculator and serves as a teaching assistant for basic
math skills, business development and accounting. Joe Weisbord, a housing planner at
PICCED and a graduate of the 1990 Internship class, serves as a teaching assistant in the
Housing and Real Estate course.
Pratt Community Economic Development Internship
Program Description
Page 9
PARTICIPANT PROFILE
Through our active recruiting efforts, we have maintained a high level of diversity -
geographically, racially and in gender - among the Internship participants. The total number
of participants who have either completed or are currently enrolled in the Internship program
is 194. Of this number, 129 are from New York City, 35 from other areas in New York State,
7 are from New Jersey and 16 are from Connecticut. A few others have been from other
parts of the country and abroad.
Over the long-run, our efforts to recruit women, African-Americans, Latinos and other
minorities have been very successful. To date, 65% of the participants have been minorities
and 53% have been women. The diversity that has characterized the Internship is one of the
great strengths of the program. Individuals with strong racial, ethnic, religious and community
identities not only work together as an integrated group, but develop personal friendships and
professional associations which extend well beyond the limits of the program itself.
In recent years we have begun to include participants from abroad. Through its South African
Career Development Fellowship Program, the Institute for International Education has provided
full scholarships for four South Africans to participate in the Internship. Other international
students from South Africa, India, and Senegal have been able to participate with the support
of various private sources. This broadening of the geographic diversity of the participants is
linked to PICCED's efforts to promote the mutual exchange of information and ideas among
community economic development practitioners working at the grassroots level throughout
the world. We believe that this exchange is beneficial not only to practitioners from abroad,
but enriches the learning experience of participants from the local New York region.
Pratt Community Economic Development Internship
Program Description
Page 10
PRACTITIONER NETWORKS
One of the primary benefits of the Internship to the community development field is the
formation of practitioner networks that have a life beyond the Internship itself. A formal
network of alumni from the Pratt Internship -- the Association for Community Empowerment
(ACE) -- has been functioning for close to four years. Another formal network -- the
Development Leadership Network (DLN), a national organization - is composed of graduates
of Pratt's Internship and the Development Training Institute's National Internship in
Community Economic Development. Both networks have helped to facilitate peer-to-peer
consultation and support. They have helped many interns to overcome the problems of
isolation, and have encouraged them to participate in policy and program development within
their organizations and on a local, regional and national level.
In the fall of 1993, ACE and the DLN will be co-sponsoring a national conference in New York
City that will focus on the state of community development and its future direction. It will
be held in a retreat setting so that participants have the opportunity to meet informally and
share information. A variety of formats, including panel discussions, policy roundtables, case
studies, practitioner interchanges, peer-to-peer counseling, regional forums and continuing
education workshops are being planned. The conference will coincide with the celebration
of PICCED's thirtieth year of operation.
Pratt Community Economic Development Internship
Program Description
Page 11
OPPORTUNITY FOR GRADUATE LEVEL STUDY
Unlike many other technical assistance providers and intermediaries, the Center is affiliated
with an institution of higher education and is therefore able to award credit and grant degrees
to community-based practitioners. Through its close working relationship with the Pratt
Institute's Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment (GCPE), PICCED is able to
provide these practitioners with a matrix of educational opportunities. In 1991, a major new
opportunity for graduates of the Internship to obtain their master's degrees was created
through the Pratt Graduate Fellowship. This program, which is conducted jointly with the
GCPE, is open to graduates of either Pratt's or DTI's Internship programs. Those who choose
to continue with their studies are awarded up to thirty credits of advanced standing,
depending on the prior academic preparation and achievement of the candidates.
The Fellowship is run in a special intensive trimester format, in which each semester consists
of a week at Pratt Institute's Brooklyn campus, followed by four to five weekends over a four
month period. This format is especially helpful in enabling participants from outside of New
York City to complete their course work for the master's degree within a year after completing
the Internship, while continuing to work for community-based organizations and other related
entities. To date, thirty graduates from the first seven classes of the Internship are currently
enrolled in Pratt's Graduate Fellowship Program. An additional twelve former interns have
successfully completed the graduate program.
One major objective of this initiative has been to enable students without bachelor's degrees
to pursue credit equivalency and to eam their graduate and bachelor's degrees simultaneously.
The program greatly expands opportunities for community advocates and practitioners in low-
income communities to build their professional careers in community development and
planning. It has also had a beneficial impact on the community-based organizations for whom
they work by providing them with a highly trained cadre of practitioners with roots and
contacts in the field and in the local community.
Uprooting Poverty
Through Community Development
It's time to rethink our notions about
the role of community development in ending poverty.
BY RON SHIFFMAN
eradicate poverty. There's another aspect as
well-the notion of uprooting some of our
ideas and thinking on these issues. As com-
"In using the metaphor of uprooting poverty we wish
munity development has grown over the past
to emphasize the need for radical action We use the
25 years into an institutionalized profession
metaphor because it suggests a paradigm of growth
with particular areas of specialization, the
idea of a comprehensive, integrative approach
rather than of engineering. Whilst it is helpful and
to rebuilding and empowering our low in-
encouraging to think of rebuilding or reconstructing we
come neighborhoods has suffered.
believe it is important not to lose sight of the extent to
Early Ambitions
which society is an organism that grows rather than a
Launched in the 1960s, the War on Poverty
structure than can be dismantled and reassembled like
was one of the most ambitious initiatives
designed to address poverty in the United
a motorcar engine. Strategies against poverty involve
States. Fueled by the civil rights movement
not only pulling up the roots of processes that impov-
and a federal budget surplus, the Kennedy
erish people but also planting (and nurturing) those
and Johnson administrations began to de-
velop major policy initiatives to eradicate
seeds that will produce good fruit. "Francis Wilson
poverty. The programs focused on commu-
and Mamphela Ramphele, "Uprooting Poverty: The
nity development as a means to bring about
social, economic and physical revitalization
South African Challenge."
of poor neighborhoods.
These initiatives were a response to the
bout this time last year, I was in South Africa
growing awareness of poverty and the recognition that
A
to assess the prospects of launching a commu-
the slum clearance projects of the 1950s and the urban
nity-controlled, community-based economic
renewal initiatives of the early 1960s had. in many cases,
development initiative that would be inde-
exacerbated the problems of poverty rather than in-
pendent of the apartheid government. While
creased opportunities for poor people in the United
there are many differences between South
States.
Africa and the United States, the sharp contrasts be-
Experience gained from urban renewal efforts, the
tween black and white. between the business districts
Marshall Plan in Europe, United Nations initiatives in
and the townships and between wealth and poverty
developing countries and the Gray Areas program of the
were painfully familiar to me.
Ford Foundation. which merged the idea of physical
A comparison between the two countries is not really
revitalization with neighborhood organizing, helped
accurate because overt racism is the law in South Africa
shape the concept of community development then
but outlawed here. Still, the reality is that racism and
prevalent in the United States. It was more than just
economic injustice has had and continues to have a
physical revitalization. Community development meant
dramatic impact on our nation's communities and the
a community's economic and social revitalization and
opportunities that are available for poor and minority
cultural growth as well. Arguing that poor communities
residents.
have the resources and the will to address their own
Following my trip to South Africa, I became increas-
problems, community development proponents called
ingly aware of the economic vitality of some parts of
for full participation of the poor along with that of gov-
New York as compared to the neglect and devastation in
ernment.
other sections of the city. When I think of the differences
Successful community development, as envisioned
between the Upper East Side of Manhattan and East New
then, was based on the idea of empowerment and recog-
York, Brooklyn, I see a reflection of South Africa's
nized all of a community's needs. It sought to develop
apartheid cities-and our own need to struggle against
opportunities for personal, group and community growth.
racism and inequality and to overcome economic injus-
"The conception was that being poor is not an indi-
tice by uprooting poverty.
vidual affair but rather a systematic disease that afflicts
The notion of uprooting poverty captures the connec-
whole communities," Stewart Perry is quoted in Neil R.
tion between community development and strategies to
Pierce and F. Carol Steinbach's book. "Corrective Capi-
8/NOVEMBER 1990/CITY LIMITS
talism." "Deterio-
At a conference
rated housing,
on community de-
impaired health,
velopment held in
nonexistent or low
Bedford
wages, the welfare
Stuyvesant on
assault on self re-
December 9, 1966,
spect, high crime
Kennedy an-
rates, low tax base
nounced the for-
and reduced po-
mation of what
lice and school
was to become the
services, child
Bedford-
neglect and wife
Stuyvesant Resto-
abuse, and always
ration Corpora-
the continuing
tion, the first
export of human
community devel-
and financial capi-
HAZEL HANKIN/IMPACT VISUALS
opment corpora-
tal-all these feed
tion in the nation.
on each other
He said: "Eight
nest together to
TES
months ago, we
create the impov-
found our views
erished commu-
on the crisis before
nity. [Thus the
us to be in close
need for] a com-
correspondence.
munity-based and
You through a
comprehensive
manifesto, and I
approach to improving the local economy rather than
in a series of speeches on the urban crisis, each proposed
trying to desperately somehow rebuild each individual
programs to meet this crisis in a comprehensive and co-
so she or he can leave the impoverished conditions
ordinated effort, involving the resources and energies of
behind."
government, of private industry, and of the community
This kind of approach is often alien to macroplanners,
itself.
grants officers and government officials, who tend to
"We argued that the necessary program begin with the
view things programmatically and categorically. But to
physical reconstruction-because it is needed for its
those who live under the crushing weight of poverty, it
own sake to provide decent and pleasant homes and
is viewed as essential. Indeed, it is at the local level that
neighborhoods, but more importantly, as a base and fo-
one feels the impact of poverty's toll and senses the po-
cus for the creation of jobs-well-paying, dignified work,
tential for comprehensive change. For this reason, the
trades and skills which will be useful for a lifetime.
community development movement and other similar
Indeed, we see our aim as a vital, expanding economy
initiatives were embraced by many people and commu-
throughout the community-creating jobs in manufac-
nities.
turing and commerce and service industries."
What Robert Kennedy outlined was a conceptual
Community Action
framework for a comprehensive and integrated commu-
Beginning in 1949, the Pratt Institute Center for Com-
nity planning and development effort. His speech recog-
munity and Environment Development worked closely
nized that the efforts of community residents combined
with a coalition of grassroots organizations in Brooklyn's
with those of the private sector and of government could
Bedford-Stuyvesant area. They were among those who
bring about the economic, social and physical revitaliza-
joined the community development movement in the
tion of some of our most impoverished areas.
early 1960s. Initially, the coalition attempted to attract
Vital to this approach is the idea that community
city support for a new approach to the renewal of the
development requires residents' participation not only
community and discouraged the acceptance of the seg-
in decision-making but also in the production, manage-
mented programs that were being offered. Arguing that
ment and control of locally produced goods and serv-
this approach would raise expectations the city could
ices.
not meet, the City Planning Commission rejected the
This type of community development also helps pro-
community's request to initiate a comprehensive devel-
mote the formation and maintenance of locally based
opment plan for Bedford-Stuyvesant.
institutions, including religious institutions, schools,
The coalition brought together by the Central Brooklyn
day-care facilities for young and old, health centers,
Coordinating Council responded by finding a way to or-
stores and recreational facilities. Strong local institu-
ganize the initiative itself. Thus, the idea of a self-
tions provide the framework for the emergence of social
incorporated group with the mission to initiate a com-
organizations and the creation of economic opportuni-
prehensive community development effort emerged. As
ties for residents of low income communities.
a result of this effort, one member of the City Planning
Commission arranged for a meeting between the Bedford-
Persistent Poverty
Stuyvesant group and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. This
The years since 1964 have brought many changes,
meeting eventually led to the creation of one of the
both in public programs and attitudes towards poverty.
nation's first community development corporations (see
But the result has been an adverse effect on low income
City Limits, October 1987).
and disenfranchised communities. The "economic sur-
CITY LIMITS/NOVEMBER 1990/9
pluses" of the 1960s have evolved into the "scarcity" of
ments have undoubtedly been exacerbated by the poli-
the 1970s and the "deficits" of the 1980s. Liberal initia-
cies of neglect that have dominated domestic policy for
tives of the early 1960s to empower low income commu-
more than a decade. These trends-both in numbers of
nities socially, economically and politically shifted by
families affected by poverty and their geographic con-
the late 1960s and 1970s to a service and maintenance
centration-are likely to continue unless significant
approach, and now in the 1980s and 1990s, to laissez
steps are taken.
faire policies resulting in neglect. These shifts have
Urban sociologists, researchers. foundations and pub-
exacerbated poverty and, commensurately, racism and
lic policy activists are again debating strategies to address
class conflict.
the persistent poverty that prevails in many communi-
As the national economy devolved from the robust
ties. To a great extent, the debate is concentrated among
'60s to the deficit-riddled '90s, there's also been a corre-
academics who focus on the nature and causes of persis-
sponding increase in joblessness, underemployment,
tent poverty. Policies to address these problems are
welfare dependency and severe social disruption marked
being discussed primarily within a narrow professional
by alarming rises in drug use and crime. These develop-
setting instead of among a broad array of professional
Poverty: The Affluent Society Keeps Producing More Poor Families
P
erhaps one of the most stunning features of Amer-
One reason for the increase in the severity of pov-
ica in 1990 is the amount of poverty that still exists
erty is cuts in anti-poverty programs. Adjusting for
despite seven years of economic growth and rela-
population growth and inflation, total spending on
tively low unemployment.
food stamps, welfare and child nutrition fell an aver-
In 1988, 32 million Americans were officially de-
age of two percent between 1981 and 1987. As a
fined as poor, an increase of 7.5 million since 1978.
result, the "safety net" is rescuing fewer people.
The rate of poverty increased from 11.4 percent to
Whereas poverty programs lifted half the poor out of
13.1 percent despite a drop in the rate of unemploy-
poverty in 1979, they lift but 42 percent today, accord-
ment.
ing to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
The actual number of poor people may be much
The cost of government simply providing basic
higher-24.1 percent-according to a study by the
necessities to the poor (food stamps, welfare pay-
Joint Economic Committee, which updates the way
ments, housing assistance, health care) exceeds $150
poverty is measured.
billion a year, according to figures compiled by econo-
The official poverty rate is based on 1955 data
mist Sar Levitan in his report, "A Proper Inheritance:
about the way American families spend their money.
Investing in the Self-Sufficiency of Poor Families."
Among other changes, families today must pay a
This figure would be considerably higher if all the
higher proportion of their income on housing (42 per-
poor benefitted from these programs (less than half of
cent versus 34 percent, with low income families
those eligible receive food stamps; less than half of the
paying an even higher percentage) and much more on
poor participate in Medicaid; only 29 percent of poor
child care (there were many fewer one-parent families
renters received housing assistance in 1985.) This
and working women in 1955.)
figure would also be higher if the programs provided
Even using the official poverty rate, the growth in
enough support to give people at least a poverty level
the number of poor children has been alarming. In
existence (the assistance given to three-person fami-
1987, one in every five was poor, a total of 12.4
lies in 32 states is less than 50 percent of the poverty
million, a 25 percent increase in a decade. One in four
line, according to a study by the Center on Budget and
children under six fall below the poverty line (a total
Policy Priorities).
of five million children). according to a recent report
But long-term studies have demonstrated that this
of Columbia University's National Center for Chil-
cost could be brought down over time if we invested
dren in Poverty.
more money now in preventative programs, such as
Nearly 50,000 of these children live in detention
preschool development, according to a Ford Founda-
centers, hospitals, foster homes and mental health fa-
tion report, "The Common Good: Social Welfare and
cilities, according to a report of the House Select
the American Future," which states, "The few exist-
Committee on Children, Youth and Families. A simi-
ing in-depth, long-term studies show that good-qual-
lar number are malnourished, according to an interim
ity preschool development programs can improve
report of the National Commission on Children.
poor children's achievement throughout the school
While many still argue that high rates of poverty
years, reduce the rates of teenage pregnancy and
among minorities drive up our overall rate of poverty
dependency on welfare."
(31.6 percent of blacks and 26.8 percent of Hispanics
are poor versus 10.1 percent of whites), two thirds of
Excerpted from, "America's Third Deficit: Too Little
the poor in this country are white.
Investment in People and Infrastructure," prepared
The poor are also poorer than they were 10 years
by the Center for Community Change. The report was
ago. In 1978, the median poor family's earnings were
written by Timothy Saasta, with assistance from Wil-
$1,930 below the poverty level. The income of the
liam Hamilton, and can be obtained by sending $3 to
poorest fifth of families dropped by 14 percent while
CCC, Publications, 1000 Wisconsin Avenue, Wash-
the income of the wealthiest fifth increased by 17.5
ington DC, 20007. For information on bulk rates, call
percent.
202-342-0519.
10/NOVEMBER 1990/CITY LIMITS
sectors. Missing
avenue of opportu-
almost entirely
nity and a place of
from this discourse
pleasure and excite-
are the community
ment for its people,
groups and the poor
then others will
themselves.
take heart from your
Limited
AND
OUT
OF
example and men
all over the United
Expectations
States will remem-
One of the most
POVERTY
ber your contribu-
disturbing legacies
tion with the deep-
of the Reagan-Bush
NOW
est gratitude. But if
era is the general
this effort-with
acceptance of the
inevitability of pov-
MARILYN VISUALS
your community
leadership, with
erty by government
the advantages of
and by many of the
participation by the
foundations that
business commu-
fund local anti-pov-
nity, with full co-
erty programs.
operation from the
There's a growing
city administration
sense afoot that our
and with the help
ability to bring
of the outstanding
about positive so-
men in so many
cial and economic change is severely limited. To the
fields of American life-if this community fails, then
extent that community groups, activists and community
others will falter, and a noble dream of equality and
development corporations accept these limitations, they
dignity in our cities will be sorely tried..."
appear to be reducing their scope and their perception of
The reality in 1990 is, despite some exceptions, that
what can be accomplished to a narrow range of activities.
"outstanding men [and women]" of business and gov-
This trend has resulted in the severe diminution of
ernment, who, by withdrawing their support and
potentially effective community-based development
resources, have failed to fulfill the commitment that
strategies that attempt to address a number of interre-
Robert Kennedy and others sought.
lated problems-from affordable housing to jobs to day
In the last 25 years, we have learned important les-
care. Given the nation's declining economy, it would be
sons about community development and poverty: that
naive to believe that a comprehensive community-based
focused, targeted development often has a positive re-
plan could significantly alter overall prospects for low
sult; that as intractable as they appear, problems of poor
income people without a healthy and equitable macro-
communities can be solved by a strong and enduring
econmic development climate.
partnership between community residents and private
Nevertheless, as the executive panel of the Ford
and public support; and, finally, that the problems are
Foundation's project on social welfare and the Ameri-
complex and multidimensional and require long-term,
can future states, "A healthy economy. while essential,
integrative approaches.
will not of itself generate the human investment and
The function of community development is, primar-
mutual caring that are necessary for a strong, just soci-
ily, to improve the quality of life for people in impover-
ety. And while America has grown properly skeptical of
ished neighborhoods. Quality of life is improved by
programs that foster dependency, it has also learned that
increasing the social, economic and political opportuni-
it is futile to ask people to take greater personal respon-
ties available. Fundamental to that effort is the empow-
sibility for their lives unless they have a real chance to
erment achieved by a range of choices, opportunities
escape from the material conditions that foster insecu-
and responsibilities.
rity and despair. The deeper issue is the need to create
Community development, as we have come to know
a fairer system in which all will share both obligations
it over the past quarter century, has been both exciting
and benefits."
and frustrating. All of the participants in this process
Proposals for the revitalization of inner-city neigh-
have learned important lessons and have witnessed
borhoods like those fostered by William Julius Wilson,
wonderful successes. We have also seen neighborhoods
a sociologist from the University of Chicago, are feasible
continue to decline and lives filled with despair. Funda-
only if they are supported by community or workplace
mental change has, in many neighborhoods, been elu-
organizing efforts. Without such organizing, it would be
sive; problems have overwhelmed progress. The most
impossible to achieve the national consensus needed to
important lesson is that there is no magic answer. Physi-
get the policies adopted that would promote economic
cal development, economic and political development
growth, job creation and housing development.
and personal development must all occur, each at its
own pace, each with its own integrity.
Avenue of Opportunity
Near the end of his 1966 speech announcing the for-
Ron Shiffman is the executive director of the Pratt Insti-
mation of the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corpora-
tute Center for Community and Environmental Develop-
tion, Sen. Robert Kennedy said: "If we here can meet and
ment and a member of the New York City Planning
master our problems, if this community can become an
Commission.
CITY LIMITS/NOVEMBER 1990/11
14
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
Wednesday. September 13. 1989
HOUSING CRISIS
Urban Homesteads Gain Ground
New York City group moved from illegal to legal status with organization's help
PHOTOS BY ROBERT HARBISON STAFF
PEOPLE
By Bill Breen
Special to The Christian Science Monitor
NEW YORK
F
OUR vears ago, Jesus Her-
Valery
nandez, spurred by a 72-
hour eviction notice,
'You need people
hacked his way into a boarded-up
with awesome
tenement in the East New York
section of Brooklyn.
stick-to-it-ness,
For months. Mr. Hernandez
motivated by a
and his wife and 10 children lived
like urban pioneers in the crum-
leader who is
bling building - among the esti-
dynamic and
mated 30.000 illegal squatters in
Christa
New York's abandoned housing.
charismatic
They heaved out piles of rubble
enough to run
to clear a living space. They
cooked meals on a propane stove,
General Motors.'
and ate by kerosene lamp. Water
came from a hvdrant across the
- Rutgers professor
street.
George Sternlieb
"I knew I was breaking the law
when we took over this place,"
said Hernandez. a school custo-
dian. "I was very scared that the
city would come down on me. But
NEW YORK: These illegal squatters (they des lined to give names) turned a city-owned. derelict building into homesteads.
I couldn't find a place for my
family anvwhere else."
steaders persuaded the city to
homesteading program has com-
York was a "young ghetto" when
Hernandez is just one of doz-
give it 58 buildings seized for tax
pleted but 24 buildings since
an ACORN organizer knocked
ens of squatters who in August
delinquencies and $2.7 million in
1980. The Department of Hous-
on her door. Organizers had
1985 broke into 25 abandoned.
grants and low-interest loans to
ing. Preservation. and Develop-
come to Brooklyn because it has
city-owned buildings and claimed
rehabilitate the buildings.
ment (HPD). which administers
more vacant. city-owned build-
them as their own.
Now. Hernandez and seven
the homesteading program. said
ings than any other part of the
Advised by a national commu-
other MHANY members are just
that processing deeds. loan appli-
city. After a year of planning,
nity organizing group called
weeks away from obtaining the
cations. and other paperwork
Stanlev took up a bullhorn and
ACORN (Association of Commu-
coveted certificate of occupancy.
cause delavs. A high turnover
galvanized a cheering crowd to il-
nity Organizations for Reform
The mutual housing associ-
among homesteaders with
legally break into and claim the
Now). the squatters justified the
ation offers money and technical
strained incomes further plagues
first of 25 buildings in East New
takeovers by claiming that the
assistance in return for "sweat eq-
the program.
York.
need for low-income housing was
uity." usually hauling garbage or
Cathie Marshall, spokeswo-
City officials. caught in an
intolerable in a city that owns
painting. The association places
man for HPD. said the CITY pre-
tion year. said the squatters were
5.000 vacant buildings and has
the title to the property in a sep-
fers to work with small developers
muscling the buildings away from
200.000 families waiting for pub-
arate trust. and retains a first op-
to rebuild its vacant buildings by
the poor. After a year of bicker-
lic housing. City officials were en-
tion to buy the building for a
1993. A variety of city programs
ing. the Pratt Institute stepped in
raged: 11 people were arrested.
price reflecting the homestead-
provide $2.4 billion in grants and
as a mediator and persuaded
Since then. the illegal squatters
er's investment. This allows the
low-interest construction loans to
ACORN to abandon squatting.
have evolved into city-sanctioned
building to be resold to another
keep the housing affordable.
Pratt also joined with ACORN
homesteaders and incorporated
low-income family
"We don't see homesteading as
and the Consumer-Farmer Foun-
as the Mutual Housing Associ-
Mutual housing has alreadv
a solution." said Ms. Marshall.
dation to form the Mutual Hous-
ation of New York (MHANY)
been tried in Western Europe
"The process is too slow. It can't
ing Association of New York.
MAKESHIFT MEAL: One of the three
the first low-income home owner-
and Canada. as well as Baltimore,
meet the kind of volume needed
Pratt. which has a long history of
squatters pictured in top photo
ship program in the city. sav orga-
Madison. Wis., and Minneapolis.
to rebuild 53,000 units."
providing technical assistance to
prepares a meal.
nizers. The collective of home-
"The association is basically a
Some housing experts are
low-income community develop-
model for developing low-in-
equally skeptical: "Homesteading
ment efforts. lent the project its
come. scattered-site housing,"
remains a very potent phrase. but
architectural and technical ex-
savs Ron Shiffman. director of the
as vet nobody has put together a
pertise. Consumer-Farmer Foun-
Pratt Institute Center for Com-
program that permits reasonable
dation stepped in as financial
munity and Environmental De-
success." said George Sternlieb, a
planner and banker.
velopment. "It provides more di-
professor at Rutgers niversity
In March 1988. the city trans-
rected aid to families who qualify
and the former director of its
ferred title to 58 buildings to
as homesteaders."
Center for Urban Policy Re-
MHANY. and reconstruction be-
"We can work on a much larg-
search. "You need people with
gan on 35 of the buildings. The
er scale." adds Peter Wood. exec-
awesome stick-to-it-ness. motivat-
greater part of the work is expect-
utive director of MHANY. "We're
ed by a leader who is dvnamic
ed to be completed by late 1990.
prepared to move on as large a
and charismatic enough to run
"The city has to be forced todo
scale as the city provides units
General Motors."
anything with homesteading it
and money for. But the city hasn't
ACORN may have found such
would rather auction off its real
released more money to allow this
a motivator in Louise Stanlev.
estate." said Louise Stanley. "But
to happen."
chairman of the organization's
the neighborhood welcomed us
Based on the its track record.
East New York chapter. She
with banners when we came in
the CIIV does not rate homestead-
watched her working-class neigh-
and took those buildings
It's
ing as an effective way to recon-
borhood deteriorate during the
not such a strange concept 10
struct its 53,000 empty. foreclosed
city's 1970s fiscal crisis.
fight for something that seems
units. The city's own urban
Stanley recalled that East New
like a right."
26 Planning May 1989
Pratt to the Rescue
Advocacy planning is alive and well in Brooklyn.
By Jennifer Stern
105
as
Some architecture
students participate in
consulting projects
done for clients of Pratt
Center, whose executive
director is Ronald
Shiffman (left). Above
a blueprint by Pratt
staffer Sidnev Shelov for
Head issumo
housing being rehabbed
in Brooklyn by the
Mutual Housing
Association of
New York.
gave the group $2.7 million in rehab loans
and assigned it $2 million in federal Section
17 funds. Assuming this first phase of rehab
succeeds, the housing department has com-
T
he slice of northeast Brooklyn known
complex that brings together unwed
mitted itself to three more phases of
as East New York is not one of New
teenage mothers and the elderly: conver-
building transfers to the association.
York City's most favored neighborhoods.
sion of a set of historic houses built by free
Pratt Center, which helped set up the
Hundreds of abandoned buildings dot the
blacks into a museum; and a plan to bring
mutual housing association, continues to
area, which covers several hundred blocks
baseball (at least college baseball) back to
assist the project. Staff members provide
adjacent to Queens. In some places, whole
Brooklyn at a Coney Island arena-stadium
architectural services under contract to the
blocks have been leveled and cleared and
complex.
city and serve on the association's board.
median family income averages less than
It was Pratt Center's executive director,
70 percent of the city median. In addition,
Ronald Shiffman, who stepped in to
Nuts and bolts
the population is overwhelmingly
mediate when the East New York squatters
The center's commitment to community-
minority-60 percent black and 35 percent
reached a standstill with the city govern-
based planning and development is an
Hispanic.
ment, which strongly opposed their ac-
outgrowth of the organization that fostered
Yet behind some of the boarded-up
tions. Shiffman says he was able to assure
it. Pratt Institute, which holds its 100th
facades, the seeds of a minor revolution are
the Department of Housing Preservation
commencement this June, has resolutely
beginning to bear fruit. An outlaw move-
and Development that the 38 occupied
stayed put at its Clinton Hill campus, refus-
ment of squatters that four years ago OC-
buildings were structurally sound-Pratt
ing to leave for greener pastures even when
cupied vacant city-owned buildings has
Center architects inspected them-and
that seemed a sensible option at the end of
become a cooperative housing association,
that the squatters were helping to preserve
the 1960s.
creating homes for some of the city's
city buildings.
The center, technically a department of
poorest families. Already 70 families are
Peter Wood, then an organizer for
the institute, has a symbiotic relationship
living in their own apartments, while
ACORN (Association of Community
with the School of Architecture, which in-
renovations continue or are soon to begin
Organizations for Reform Now), the na-
cludes the planning program. Some 118
on 110 more units.
tional group that had organized the squat-
undergraduate and 16 graduate degrees in
The catalyst for this transformation was
ters, says Shiffman's assistance "lent us
architecture, 30 graduate planning degrees,
the Pratt Institute Center for Community
credibility with the city, and his contacts
and eight urban design degrees are
and Environmental Development, which
helped move along the negotiations." The
scheduled to be conferred next month.
last year marked its 25th anniversary as a
result was that in October 1987 the city
Planning program alumni include Robert
center for architectural and planning
agreed to hand over to the newly formed
Esnard. New York City's deputy mayor for
assistance. The results of its work include
Mutual Housing Association of New York
policy and physical development: Sandy
the creation of thousands of housing units.
58 buildings. a total of 180 units. for the
Hornick, director of the city's zoning office:
Among its more innovative projects is a
nominal sum of $1 apiece. The city also
and several Pratt Center staffers. including
27
by universities in the 1960s, Pratt offers not
only architectural services but also com-
prehensive design and financing plans for
projects organized by nonprofit housing
groups. The center receives some 90 re-
quests a year for such start-up assistance.
Of those, it takes about 26 through comple-
10
tion. Center staff members then guide the
projects through final approval, working
drawings, and bidding. In most cases, the
staff stays with the project all the way
through to occupancy.
Although the center is paid for its ar-
chitectural services-usually directly by
the nonprofit group involved-it receives
associate director Rex Curry and senior
vest-pocket parks and community gardens
no compensation for project assessments
planner Brian Sullivan.
to full-blown comprehensive plans all over
and preliminary designs. Further, payment
Several center staff members, including
the New York metropolitan area.
often doesn't arrive until construction is
Shiffman, teach undergraduate and
Increasingly, though, their work has
complete, which means the center has, in
graduate classes, and many class projects
focused on housing, especially housing for
effect, as Shiffman puts it, been "fronting
assist Pratt Center clients. This spring, for
the homeless. "That's where the most need
$1.5 million to $2 million a year in develop-
example, Sullivan is teaching a graduate
is," Shiffman says.
ment costs." As a result. the center currently
planning studio, which will study the effect
Going further than many of the commu-
is about $1.8 million in debt to Pratt In-
of repopulation-the result of the mutual
nity design assistance centers established
stitute.
housing association rehabs and other hous-
ing programs-on East New York. Several
architecture students work part-time at the
Second century: Pratt Institute the home of Pratts enteran
Center each semester. (Few planning
a tixture in Brooklyn's Clinton Hill neighborhood celebrate
students are involved, says Shiffman,
its 100th anniversary this vear
because planning is an evening program,
oriented to people who hold full-time jobs.)
The center's staff of 26, including six
planners and nine architects, is housed in
an old factory building at the edge of the
Pratt campus. Shiffman, a genial, soft-
spoken man, became a graduate student
staff member when the center was started
in 1963 by planning department director
George Raymond. He has been there ever
since. He describes the organization's mis-
sion this way: "To provide technical
assistance to low- and moderate-income
neighborhoods, to alleviate poverty, to
create empowerment, giving people con-
trol over their social, economic, and
physical environments."
The Ford Foundation, which gave the
center its first grant, intended something
different. The grant was to be used to
educate communities on the benefits of
urban renewal and other government pro-
grams. But, after a series of community
meetings on a newly announced renewal
plan for Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant
neighborhood, the staff became convinced
the urban renewal plan-and top-down
planning in general-had few merits. The
meetings led to the formation several years
PRATT
later of the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restora-
tion Corporation one of the first
community-based development organiza-
tions in the nation. Since that time. Pratt
Center staffers have been involved in a
wide array of community projects. from
28 Planning May 1989
empowerment. The others are research
and education. "Our policy research grows
out of our assessment of obstacles we en-
counter in our technical assistance efforts,"
says Shiffman. Research currently under
way includes a study of the feasibility of
Stall and
cross-subsidies on the Upper West Side and
students get hands
in East Harlem: an ongoing national study
on experience with
of housing trust fund and linkage policies;
construction
and proposals for creating housing for
AIDS patients, and for permanent alter-
nouson " main
natives to the city's welfare hotels.
rocus IN
Since 1983. the Center's educational ef-
years III
forts have been formalized in the Pratt
nemes bunta
Community Economic Development In-
renar Thousand
ternship program. With a $140,000 annual
or unns tin
budget, funded by the Charles H. Revson
Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and
other private sources, the program is
designed to impart technical skills to
members of community organizations. Be-
tween 25 and 30 students graduate from the
program each year after a total of 38 days of
intensive training in accounting. business
and real estate development. and organiza-
tional strategic planning-all of it at a re-
treat center in the Catskill Mountains.
Last year, the center, for the first time,
Another Pratt project is the result of a
One intern is Peter Wood, executive
went looking for loans to help carry its up-
1986 U.S. Supreme Court decision that
director of the Mutual Housing Association
front costs. It was rewarded with a
reinstated social security and disability
of New York. He says the center taught him
$500,000 interest-free, seven-year revolv-
benefits to 14,500 mentally ill New York
how to put together complex real estate
ing loan from Chemical Community
State residents, and that required the
deals-a skill that he is using to complete
Development, a subsidiary of Chemical
federal government to pay the residents
the financing for the East New York project.
Bank. The money is being used for short-
back benefits in amounts that range from
The thread that runs through all the Pratt
term financing of projects now in the
$5,000 to $50,000 apiece. The Mental
Center programs is self-reliance for com-
pipeline, says Shiffman, and already has
Health Law Project, a national advocacy
munity groups. That's because Shiffman
helped create several hundred units of
group that represents the beneficiaries,
believes strongly in community action, a
housing. Next on the agenda is securing a
contacted the Pratt Center, which set up a
major goal of the 1960s antipoverty move-
$1 million loan for long-term financing of
mutual housing association in which in-
ment. "I believe that a long-term assessment
new projects.
dividual back payments could be invested.
of the initial antipoverty programs will
The new association's first venture will be
show many failures-but also many suc-
New ideas
a 54-unit, single room occupancy building
cesses in the human dimension." he says.
Pratt has been at the center of some of the
with support services in East Harlem. Nor-
"Of the 3,000 community-based organiza-
more innovative housing development
man Rosenberg, director of the mental
tions in operation today, I bet over 75 per-
schemes hatched in New York. For exam-
health law project, says he hopes to enroll
cent of the leadership came out of the
ple, its site-by-site feasibility study of
up to 350 beneficiaries in the mutual hous-
antipoverty programs."
Manhattan's gentrifying Lower East Side
ing association and get several hundred
Shiffman continues to believe that
helped convince the city's housing preser-
more units built in the city and state within
community-based organizations are the
vation and development department to ap-
the next two years.
best hope for the rejuvenation of this coun-
prove a "cross-subsidy" program, under
Other groups that work with the center
try. "What scares me," he adds, "is that in the
which vacant city-owned buildings will be
praise it for going beyond technical
emerging black and Latino populations,
sold to developers at market rate and the
assistance. "Probably the main way we use
those with opportunities are going directly
proceeds used to subsidize low- and
them is for information" on funding for
to the private sector. There's no infusion of
moderate-income housing.
housing programs, says Catherine Her-
new blood into antipoverty efforts."
Center staffers are now helping the area's
man, associate director of Progress of
And that's what makes Shiffman's com-
community board set up its own mutual
Peoples Development Corporation, a
mitment to community empowerment all
housing association and advising the group
branch of Brooklyn Catholic Charities,
the more important-and why the Pratt
on issuing a request for qualifications from
which has worked with the Pratt Center on
Center itself is likely to be around for a long
contractors. Construction on phase one-
housing for the homeless. "They have peo-
time.
192 units of low-income housing offset by
ple who read between the lines."
the proceeds from the sale of an equivalent
Although technical assistance to commu-
Jennifer Stern is a freelance writer in New York:
number of market-rate units-is scheduled
nity groups is a key focus of the Pratt Cen-
she is a graduate of the Hunter College urban
to begin by the end of the year. The ultimate
ter, Shiffman sees it as just one leg of a
planning program.
goal is 1,000 units of each type of housing.
tripod supporting the goal of community
16
9
CITY LIMITS
October 1988
FEATURE
Sixties Survivors
Pratt Center Brings
Planning to the People
BY EVE HEYN
T
wo architects from the Pratt In-
stitute Center for Community
and Environmental Develop-
ment walk through the rubble of a two-
story brick building in Brooklyn's East
New York. taking photos and measure-
ments and jotting notes on blueprints.
They maneuver skillfully around the
bare lath walls and piles of crumbled
plaster. avoiding man-size holes in the
floor.
Working their way to the back apart-
ment. they enter a strikingly different
world of sunny, freshly painted rooms,
complete with new furniture. pink
shag carpeting and matching
wallpaper.
"Boy, this hallway looks great. I like
the color combination." project man-
ager Darragh Brady comments to resi-
dents Avril Walters and Edward Feckel.
formerly "squatters" who have comple-
ted the work since seizing the then-vac-
ant city-owned building in 1985. After
the courtesies. they get down to busi-
ANDRE LAMBERTSON
ness: The ominous stairwell. a defec-
tive basement girder. the hallway floor.
a boiler. all have to be discussed.
Pratt architect Robert Santoriello and executive director Ron Shiffman:
The center is celebrating 25 years of services to low income communities.
The building is among 180 in East
New York that receives architectural
planning services in order to partici-
Recent projects range from architec-
services from Pratt Center. And East
pate in the revitalization of their neigh-
tural work for a single building on
New York is just one of about 40 com-
borhoods.
Manhattan's East 2nd Street that will
munities throughout the city that
The center provides direct technical
house 48 physically handicapped
Pratt's architects and planners have as-
assistance to organizations. but it also
homeless adults to a comprehensive
sisted, in varying capacities. this year.
aims to transfer those skills to com-
study and development plan for the
munities through training workshops.
Cooper Square neighborhood. which
Silver Anniversary
An intensive internship program in
involves about 650 new and 350 reno-
Located in an old factory adjacent
real estate and business development.
vated buildings.
to the campus of the Pratt Institute in
accounting, planning and marketing
"With every single one of those (pro-
Brooklyn. the center has provided help
for directors of community groups is
jects). there is an unusual and some-
to low income communities for the
held during a 36-day retreat. Pratt
times horrible background prior to our
past 25 years. There is a well-estab-
Center also evaluates government
involvement." explained senior ar-
lished notion that poor people have a
policies and programs and helps
chitect Robert Santoriello.
right to legal representation: similiarly.
neighborhood groups garner program
Pratt's involvement in East New York
Pratt Center believes that poor com-
funding. (It also was one of the original
is no exception. In 1985. squatters or-
munities deserve free architectural and
sponsors of City Limits.)
ganized by ACORN broke into 39 vac-
October 1988
CITY LIMITS
17
ant city-owned buildings. only to be
met by unyielding city officials who
ordered both squatters and organizers
arrested and the buildings resealed.
Ron Shiffman. executive director of
Pratt Center. was asked to mediate.
"We did not say we'd pass judgment,"
said Shiffman. "We did say 'let's check
the buildings to make sure they're
safe. After Pratt architects inspected
every building - finding them all
structurally sound - Shiffman met
with then-Department of Housing Pre-
servation and Development Commis-
sioner Anthony Gliedman. He con-
vinced the commissioner that the
squatters - some of whom were fac-
ing homelessness - were putting
money. work and skills into creating
homes out of shells.
"I finally got him to work with us,
and we sat down and worked out some
principles." Shiffman said. The city ag-
reed that the squatters would be al-
BRIAN ROSE
lowed to remain. and in turn ACORN
agreed to stop further takeovers of East
Permanent homes for the homeless:
Pratt worked with Catholic Charities to renovate the former St. Joseph's School in
New York buildings.
Brooklyn into SRO units.
Not only did Shiffman succeed in
convincing Gliedman to let the resi-
ment. Although Pratt's methods have
Pratt's model for neighborhood-based
dents stay. but the city eventually of-
changed over its 25 years, its basic
planning. Pratt Center held a series of
fered $2.7 million in renovation funds,
goal to provide technical assistance
neighborhood meetings on the city's
141 more buildings and began negotia-
and a broad range of services to work-
urban renewal proposal, discussed al-
tions for an additional 200 buildings
ing-class neighborhoods- remains
ternatives, studied urban renewal pro-
to be renovated and sold to East New
the same.
grams in other cities and conducted
York low income families for $250 an
classes on community redevelopment.
apartment. The new homeowners and
Beginnings
While the city's urban renewal
organizers were incorporated into the
Established in 1963 with a staff of
policies took a bulldozer approach to
Mutual Housing Association of New
two (including Shiffman. then a 25-
urban poverty, the alternative plan de-
York to develop and manage the pro-
vear-old graduate planning student
veloped by Pratt Center and the com-
ject. In addition to working with
from Pratt Institute). Pratt Center grew
munity groups "involved restoration
ACORN and the Consumer Farmer
in response to the urban renewal
and retention of existing housing, re-
Foundation in setting up MHANY,
policies of the 1950s and was fueled
habilitation and community participa-
Pratt Center is providing the architec-
by the anti-poverty and social-change
tion to a degree that hadn't existed be-
tural work for the renovations and
movements of the 1960s.
fore that," said Shiffman.
helping with the financial packaging.
Originally. it operated to educate
Bouyed by their success and the ac-
Pratt's involvement lent credibility
communities on the benefits of govern-
tive support of Senator Robert F. Ken-
to the squatters' actions. according to
ment programs such as urban re-
nedy. the Bedford Stuyvesant Restora-
Peter Wood. MHANY's executive direc-
newal and its founding director,
tion Corporation was born. It became
tor. "They've done really excellent
Pratt Institute planning department di-
one of the largest communitv-based de-
work for us." he said. "I think one of
rector George Ravmond. also served as
velopers and a symbol of neighbor-
their strengths is that they look at the
a consultant to the city on urban re-
hood self-determination. which
project for what it is. They'v been will-
newal. But its first major project. a 1964
spread to cities across the country.
ing to adapt themselves to the curious
request from a group of ministers in
Pratt Center developed during the
needs of this project."
Bedford Stuyvesant to evaluate a
1960s movement for social change, an
Flexibility and willingness to con-
newly announced urban renewal plan.
era challenging architects and plan-
sider the needs of each neighborhood
changed the center from an educa-
ners to use their expertise in a socially
are the foundations on which Pratt
tional group to an advocacy and tech-
constructive way. Associate director
Center was built. To Pratt's architects
nical-assistance provider - from an
Rex Curry, who was a Pratt Institute
and planners. local residents are the
urban renewal advocate to a staunch
student when he started working at the
real experts when it comes to under-
opponent of slum clearance policies.
center 20 years ago. recalled the "many
standing a community's needs. and
Shiffman credits the evolution to ex-
private architects who had a deep be-
they must be the kev decision-makers
tensive work done with the Beford
lief in social architecture. That in fact
in planning and shaping their environ-
Stuvvesant residents. which became
the highest level of architecture should
18"
CITY LIMITS
October 1988
Pratt Center was a product of the 1960s movement for change,
which challenged architects and planners to use their expertise
in a socially constructive way.
no comparable resource. As a result.
the staff is feeling the strain. "We al-
ways have more work than we have
people for." said architectural director
Cindy Hardin.
But if there was a constructive by-
product of the federal cutbacks. the
necessity of turning to more funding
sources to complete projects has al-
lowed for a greater degree of participa-
tion. control and decision-making on
a local level. "It takes a lot longer and
a lot more expertise to package a pro-
PHOTO COURTESY OF PRATT CENTER
gram. but the positive side is you get
participation," said Curry. And al-
though Curry believes the number of
low income units produced are far too
few. the quality is "very, very good."
There are signs of a resurgence of
the social spirit that fueled Pratt's early
growth. According to Hardin. who also
teaches Pratt Institute architecture
Pratt helps create a park:
classes. students are again showing
In addition to building housing, Pratt constructed this early vest-pocket park in
signs of idealism. Student reaction to
Bedford-Stuyvesant.
one of her class presentations indicates
that "they were starved for something
be provided for poor people as well as
tariello. who left a private firm about
socially relevant in the architecture
for rich people."
eight years ago to work at Pratt. "The
school," she recalled.
In those years of social upheaval.
pay is low. It's significantly less than
However. not all students in the yup-
more than 100 planning and architec-
in the private sector. But it's satisfying
pie years value personal rewards over
ture centers providing free technical
to know that our work is benefiting
financial success. Bill Burgos, a Pratt
assistance to poor communities sprang
people with the greatest need. I think
architecture student who also works
up across the country. estimated Curry.
you'll find at Pratt Center that the spirit
at the center. said he has no plans to
who is president of the Association for
of the '60s and early '70s just never
join an organization like the center
Community Design. These centers of-
ended." he said.
after graduation. He added that most
fered alternatives to many profession-
However. the center has adopted it
of his colleagues "are more interested
als who had come to reject "slum clear-
more '80s-style pragmatism. reflecting
in money and want to go to the private
ance" as the answer to rebuilding low
the increasing technical demands re-
sector."
income neighborhoods.
quired of the center as well as the with-
A similar ambivalence can be found
drawal of federal support. The Reagan
among architecture professionals. Last
Survivors
administration's slashing of the Depart-
May the American Institute of Ar-
The nationwide momentum did not
ment of Housing and Urban Develop-
chitects passed a resolution placing af-
survive. Todav. only about 10 active
ment budget from $35.7 billion in 1980
fordable housing among its highest
community design centers exist. But
to $7 billion in 1988 has taken its toll
priorities and calling upon Congress
at Pratt Center. the commitment of the
on Pratt Center. During that period. the
to enact a National Affordable Housing
'60s never fizzled out. A faithful core
center lost $150.000 to $200,000 in an-
Act "with the goal that every American
of Pratt's earliest professionals still
nual HUD grants. as well as its feder-
be decently housed by the year 2000."
work there. including Shiffman. who
allv funded CETA and ACTION staff
But AIA members refused to endorse
has been at Pratt for its entire 25 years.
positions. "The Reagan administration
a resolution discouraging involvement
and five of its 21 staff members have
not only dried up the pipeline. they
with development projects that would
been at the center for at least a decade.
dismantled the pipes." said Shiffman.
cause displacement.
"I'm surprised to the extent that we
The New York City scandals that
Whether or not the future brings
still do pretty much what we'd said we
erupted in 1986 pushed Pratt into
another cvcle of advocacy planning
would do in the mid-70s when I
deeper financial distress. "Not only
and architecture. the staff of Pratt
started." said senior planner Brian Sul-
did did we lose funds directly. but a
Center promises to continue its 25-
livan. "I don't think the mission has
lot of cost reimbursement contracts
year tradition of helping low income
changed markedly."
were delaved as much as a year. So we
communities redesign their future.
Given the scarcity of similar oppor-
wound up with a debt of almost $1.7
tunities for advocacy planners and ar-
million." explained Shiiffman.
chitects. Pratt continues to draw pro-
Although staff lavotfs were inevita-
Eve Hevn attends the Columbia Uni-
fessionals from varied backgrounds. "I
ble. the center continued to take addi-
versity Graduate School of lournalism
was looking to channel my career in a
tional community clients because for
and is a frequent contributor to City
socially constructive way." said San-
many local groups. there was simply
Limits.
The New York Times
THE NEW YORK TIMES, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1988
At Pratt, a Celebration
Of Community Service
When Brooklyn community groups
cials say Pratt Institute is clearly a
needed technical assistance several
leader in such efforts.
years ago to design and win govern-
ment approval for housing for poor,
Founded by the industrialist and
single mothers, they turned to Pratt
philanthropist Charles Pratt with
Institute.
profits from his Astral Oil Company,
When residents in Greenpoint and
the institute began as a no-frills
Williamsburg met more than a dozen
school for applied knowledge and
years ago to discuss how to save
practical industrial education at a
abandoned and neglected housing,
time when higher education was
faculty members at Pratt helped to
largely the province of the affluent
organize a community preservation
and concentrated on theoretical
corporation, provided the group's
training in classics, sciences, lan-
first director and used students and
guages and the liberal arts.
other teachers to create a redevelop-
ment plan.
Pratt's earlier buildings, excluding
its free library, the area's first, are
That legacy of commitment to com-
sturdy and functional, looking more
munity service - a commitment to
like factory buildings than structures
helping others help themselves,
for higher learning. Pratt's first class
particularly those from modest or
was a drawing class. and early pro-
disadvantaged backgrounds - was
grams stressed mechanical drawing,
renewed and celebrated yesterday as
wood carving, nursing and sewing.
From the beginning, the institute was
open to men and women, and in 1888,
admitted its first black student.
"These people walk
Refusal to Leave Brooklyn
"Our tradition is to help people
through nasty
from modest family backgrounds,
who need professional degrees, to get
housing with tape
that professional ticket to get a step
up the economic ladder," said Rich-
measures.'
ardson Pratt, 65 years old, the insti-
tute's ninth president and great-
grandson of the founder.
Today, the institute sits on 25 acres
and has about 4,000 students in a di-
800 men and women received under-
verse, racially mixed community of
graduate and graduate degress at
painstakingly restored brownstones,
Pratt's centennial commencement on
high-rise cooperative apartments and
the campus in the Clinton Hill section
low-income housing developments.
of Brooklyn.
Despite some pressure 20 years ago
"The quality of people you get out
to move from a gritty urban environ-
The New York Times/Sara Krulwich
of Pratt is exceptional," said Gary
ment after riots in the city and later
Hattem, executive director of the St.
the Vietnam War protests, Pratt offi-
Richardson Pratt, the ninth president of Pratt Institute and the great-
Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation
cials stubbornly refused to give up
grandson of the founder, outside the school's library with a Spanish
Corporation, a nonsectarian, non-
the institute's Brooklyn campus.
cannon that came from Havana in 1899.
profit redevelopment organization in
"Pratt by its nature cannot be a
Williamsburg and Greenpoint that re-
rural college," said Mr. Pratt, a for-
ceived Pratt Institute assistance.
mer Exxon Corporation executive
American products better designed
development projects from Pratt,
who became president in 1973. "We
and more competitive in interna-
valued at more than $50 million.
60's Advocacy and Pragmatism
have to have easy interaction with
tional markets.
"We look at how to build the ca-
"From graphic designers to archi-
professional people of the metropoli-
tan area. We cannot be out in the
Growing Respect for Pratt
pacity of community organizations to
tects, on the technical level as well as
carry on after we leave," said Ron
ideological, theirs is not just a 1960's
country, we need practicing archi-
This week, Pratt announced that
Shiffman, director of the Pratt Center
tects, designers, and engineers to
Bruce Newman, an alumnus and a
advocacy, but a pragmatic approach
for Community and Economic Devel-
come here and support full-time fac-
board member since 1983, would con-
to building housing," he said. "These
opment.
ulty as part-time instructors."
tribute most of the money for a
people walk through nasty housing
$300,000 outdoor mall and amphithea-
Through the development center,
with tape measures."
Drawing from urban practitioners,
ter project, part of a $40 million five-
the institute's community involve-
Pratt offers bachelor's and graduate
year campaign that includes renova-
ment ranges from designing or plan-
At Pratt, some of the 1960's ideal-
degrees in architecture, art and de-
ism of community empowerment re-
tion of older campus structures.
ning proposals for housing for the
sign, engineering, liberal arts and sci-
Respected within academia, Pratt
homeless to a recent proposal for a
mains, forged with hard-nosed ap-
ences and computer, information and
proaches to acquiring funds and get-
is increasingly respected in the New
new $60 million Brooklyn stadium
library sciences. The institute plans
ting things done using a long record of
York metropolitan region for reach-
Sportsplex in Coney Island for high
to build a Center for Design Excel-
ing out to community organizations.
school and college sports.
governmental approval. And while
lence on the four-square-block cam-
Over the last three years, more than
"Pratt is willing to take a leader-
other colleges and universities offer
pus that would focus on product de-
community assistance programs and
73 community groups in New York
ship role in controversial issues," Mr.
sign and development mostly for
training, urban planners and city offi-
State, including at least 20 in Brook-
Hattem said. "They are willing to get
small businesses, in hopes of making
lyn, received technical assistance for
involved in advocacy that other uni-
versities are not willing to do."
developers but never for
Not-for-profit pioneer
not-for-profits,
which
have the same need to pay
professionals," Shiffman
asserted.
By CARTER B. HORSLEY
Community development advocate
He noted, however, that
'Y
OU have to be an op-
some banks, like Chemi-
timist,
otherwise
works for 'progressive' solutions for
tract, or exact, such funds
New York Post: Don Halasy
cal, have begun providing
you burn out," declared
funds for low- and moder-
Ron Shiffman, for many
low- and middle-income housing
ate-income housing, as a
years an outspoken advo-
result of the Community
cate of local community
they must be mitigated,"
Reinvestment Act that re-
"It's reasonable to ex-
development organiza-
he said.
quires banks to provide
tions, sweat equity and
Although the center was
from developers without
such funds if they want to
homesteading housing
formed during the activist
stymieing development."
expand. "It's a drop in the
programs.
climate of the '60s and in
He is disappointed that
RON SHIFFMAN: "You have to be an optimist,"
bucket, but at least it's a
Director since 1971 of
reaction to urban renewal
the group's policy re-
says the director of Brooklyn's Pratt Institute Center
start," Shiffman said.
Brooklyn's Pratt Institute
philosophies of the '50s, it
search recommendations
for Community and Environmental Development.
He is less concerned
Center for Community and
relating to the above link-
with gentrification than
Environmental Develop-
PROFILE
ages have not been fully.
20 years and "for the last
defended rent control,
with speculation and dis-
ment, Shiffman is sad-
implemented. But Shiff-
two years has been self-
adding that he believed
placement.
dened by how "very little
man is pleased that some
sustaining," he adds.
the percentage of "over-
And he is galled by
progress" he says has been
has become more entre-
of its goals have been in-
The Pratt center is in-
income" controlled ten-
demolition of housing
made since the '60s in both
preneurial since the Rea-
corporated into Battery
volved "in a whole slew of
ants was small, perhaps
projects, as recently was
local and national housing
gan Administration began
Park City.
projects for special-needs
five percent.
done in Newark and is
policies.
slicing housing funds. It
He's satisfied too that
He said he was not en-
contemplated for part of
Since its founding 25
now works more within the
the city recently enacted
tirely opposed to the con-
the Father Panik Village
years ago, the not-for-
system than outside it.
an "inclusionary zoning"
[development]
cept of a means test for
in Bridgeport, Conn.
profit Pratt group has
Shiffman remains un-
option that gives builders
determining whether ten-
Born 50 years ago in
worked to help low- and
has adverse
flinching in his principles.
a bonus in buildable space
ants should be entitled to
what is now Tel Aviv,
moderate-income com-
"I believe in the bubble-
for providing some low-
effects on a
continued rent control
Shiffman grew up in The
munities in the city and
up rather than the trickle-
and
moderate-income
status. He suggested that
Bronx and went to Bronx
tri-state region develop
down theory," he said.
units.
neighborhood,
state income tax returns
HS of Science before re-
and organize "progressive
But he noted, for exam-
Shiffman is critical of
they must be
might be used to send a
ceiving a B.S. in architec-
solutions" to challenges
ple, "The city has moved a
the state's Housing Trust
percentage of a controlle
ture in 1961 from Pratt In-
facing them through pro-
lot more than many low-
Fund, he said, because it
fessional services and
mitigated."
tenant's taxes back to the
stitute, from which he also
and moderate-income
is based on annual appro-
building or a housing trust
received a master's in city
educational programs.
housing advocates will
priations rather than a
RON SHIFFMAN
fund if his income is above
and regional planning in
Not surprisingly, a lot of
publicly state."
strict and "predictable"
a certain rent-to-income
1966 and where he is now a
the real estate industry
The Pratt Center, which
formula.
ratio.
professor of architecture.
considers the center "all
has a staff of 22, has cam-
Initially funded by Pratt
housing for the homeless
One of his worst frustra-
A Park Slope resident
the way to the left." Shiff-
paigned for "linkage" and
Institute, the center lost
and disabled and sub-
tions, he said, is a "strong
(but still a Yankee fan),
man insists he's really
"trust fund" programs that
money for its first few
stance-abuse users."
bias by the city and the
Shiffman, who is married
more middle-of-the-road.
would require new luxury
years, but now receives
Stability is essential for
banking interests against
and has three children,
"I'm not against develop-
developments to contrib-
most of its funding
neighborhoods, and long-
not-for-profit groups."
joined the Brooklyn-based
ment, but if it has adverse
ute financing for low- and
through outside grants. It
term residents and mer-
"They permit develop-
center when it was
effects on a neighborhood,
moderate-income housing.
has broken even for about
chants vital, he said. He
ment fees for private
founded in 1963.
New York Post
NEW YORK, N.Y.
D. 751,798 SAT. 543,378
21 1988
Architecture's
Alternative Vanguard
The Evolution of the Community
Design Center
by Philip Arcidi
CRIT 20
The Architectural Student Journal
Spring 1988
wenty years ago. some of the best
terest groups. In some ways. we are less bold
T
architectural critics were students.
today: on the other hand. we may realize
Their acumen was one of cons-
more changes by working through the system
cience. more than the eye: their
instead of fighting it.
voice was loud and convincing
One route for serving the public interest that
Students recognized that the poor
operates effectively in today's businesslike at-
had hardly been helped by the architectural
mosphere is actually a survivor from the
profession. and convinced the 1969 AIA con-
1960s: the community design center. or CDC.
vention to pledge $15 million to help urban
These nonprofit collaboratives of architects
minorities Taylor Culver. President of the Stu-
and planners continue to serve those who can-
dent Chapters of the AIA (the precursor to the
not afford architectural services but their
ALAS) articulated the student viewpoint:
methods have changed over the past two
decades. Graduates interested in service-
We are not looking for any emperors to build
oriented alternatives. while working in a diver-
cities without people determining what the city
sified office. might investigate CDCs.
will be
We are talking about communities
In the 1960s and '70s architects and stu-
Graduates interested in
determining their own out-
dents established nonprofit design clinics in
come. What we really want
many of America's poor urban neighborhoods
service-oriented
you to perform is in fact the
Their atmosphere was casual. and work as-
alternatives while
definition of "architect" which
signments were ad hoc. Here architects and in-
we think you have aborted.
terns believed that they could show how to
working in a diversified
improve deteriorating housing and instill good
office might
A generation ago. our
design in grassroots construction projects.
schools helped foster the hope
They recognized that established neighbor-
investigate CDCs.
that motivated architects could
hoods were an asset. no matter how old the
save inner city neighborhoods
housing stock. and led protests to halt the
from urban renewal. racial hostility, and economic
construction of elevated highways. overscaled
inequalities. Today, architecture students. like
apartment towers. and other urban renewal
their university colleagues. are not confrontational
blunders.
activists; instead of marching in protest. we
In the 1970s. CETA and other federal pro-
are likely to join a charrette to design shelters
grams enabled CDCs to provide wages for staff
for the homeless. write articles in journals. or
workers. so that they need not depend entirely
attend a symposium sponsored by public in-
on volunteers. With a paid workforce. each
+
could provide professional services at little or
In order to. survive,
no cost. They invited clients to join the design
process. and publicized their novel work
CDCs became
methods. so that private architectural firms
financially
could learn about interactive design methods.
Students were a major force in these design
autonomous-they
centers: often they convinced their universities
balanced income-
to sponsor and fund storefront architectural
clinics. In 1973. students at Berkeley created
generating work with
the Asian Architectural Association to assist
projects billed on a
the ethnic neighborhoods of San Francisco
where they had grown up. Twenty-five years
sliding scale.
ago. the Pratt Center was started by Ron Shiff-
man. who had just graduated from Pratt In-
stitute's department of city and regional plann-
ing. At first. it was primarily an advocacy and
John Silber. architect for the Los Angeles
community information center for creating
Community Design Center. said that they sur-
alternatives to governmental urban renewal
vived the drought of federal funding because
policies. Over the years. it has expanded its
their previous efforts to save ethnic com-
architectural design services. and now accepts
munities had given them plenty of financial
fees which help support a collaborative team
know-how They pared down their staff and
of architects and planners.
restructured themselves into a two-fold service.
Maximizing their experience as planners. they
An Experiment Takes Hold
became developers for affordable housing proj-
While the ideals that generated community
ects. and sustained a high volume of work and
design centers are as strong as ever. the means
a steady income for the CDC. In the mean-
to reach them have become more refined.
time. the center continued to offer architectural
Federal programs that supported staff members
design services and act as a policy advocate.
and design contracts disappeared during the
often on behalf of those with no way to
Reagan administration: in order to survive.
pay-the homeless of skid row. for example.
community design centers became financially
At the Pratt Collaborative. the generalist ap-
autonomous-they balanced income-generating
proach they had developed in the early years
work with projects billed on a sliding scale.
proved advantageous. Cindy Harden. Architec-
5
Two rehabilitation projects
by the Pratt Institute Center
Courtesy Pratt Cener for Community and environmental Design.
for Community and En-
vironmental Development:
preceding page. Pacific
House, a residence for
adults with histories of
mental disabilities and
substance abuse. This
Resolving social issues
Today. Asian Neighborhood Design (AND).
page: existing facade
the descendant of the Asian Architectural
photographed with renova-
and working with limited
Association. has $1 million budget for the en-
tion superimposed: Project
means does not
tire agency (including $325.000 for the ar-
Outward Bound, a barrier-
chitectural component). five full time archi-
free house for the disabled.
preclude good design; it
tects. and public recognition for their renova-
designed in collaboration
promotes intelligent
tion of high density. low cost housing. Seven
with Peter Wall.
choices.
years ago. AND saw that thousands of single
Opposite page. corridor
old residents of Chinatown lived in one room
seating. Swiss-American
apartments. To make the best of their cramped
Hotel, a residence
tural Director at the center. said that the shift
living spaces. staff architects designed
rehabilitated by Asian
to self sufficiency has been difficult. but adds
economical furniture and storage systems.
Neighborhood Design.
that today. the range of their services IS com-
With the knowledge gained from this project.
parable to that of most medium-sized firms.
they launched two new programs: a Housing
Their work is professional. and their employ-
Advisory Service and a workshop for building
ment advertisements appear next to those of
furniture AND speaks on behalf of those who
New York's private firms. However. their
would be abused or easily displaced by San
clientele is distinct-they serve nonprofit
Francisco's inflationary real estate market: they
organizations and design housing for the poor
also train young people in cabinetry. and
The scope of work undertaken by CDCs has
employ them in their workshop. The youths
grown over the past decade: they expanded
get vocational training. a job. and exposure to
their services to remain solvent and to re-
a professional service group: moreover. their
spond to broadened client needs. Because they
work generates income for the center
are flexible. CDCs readily work with those
There are ironic twists to the longevity of
who are not easily served by conventional ar-
CDCs: as they have become more profes-
chitectural offices. The East Tennessee Com-
sional. there are fewer opportunities for stu-
munity Design Center of Knoxville serves a
dent voiunteers. Their job assignments are
16-county area. with 1/3 of their projects geared
organized more tightly. and there is little
towards rural clients. Annette Anderson. the
leeway to allow for part time assistance There
Director. notes that this CDC. unlike those in
are no government funds to pay for job train-
most cities. relies on volunteers. Fifty archi-
ing, and the centers cannot provide a stipend
tects contribute two to four hours per week as
that would sustain student trainees. Never-
professional advisors: their low income clients
theless. students can help on specific commis-
often help build projects designed by the
sions. and often conduct research studies. At
center's consultants and interns
Knoxviile. they can carry out university-
Architects at CDCs
acknowledge that tight
budgets limit their
options, but they have
learned to understand
good design at its most
fundamental level.
sponsored projects under the aegis of the
CDC. John Tomassi. Director of the Chicago
Architectural Assistance Center. said that it is
hard to use part timers effectively. At the same
time. he was encouraged to find students and
professionals involved in the Search for Shelter
charrette. the city's response to the homeless
crisis. He believes that emplyment at a CDC
Courtesy Lindsey Jang.
could be quite rewarding for recent graduates;
their experiences will be diverse. and they will
see their responsibilities expand quickly. The
Pratt Collaborative seeks students with
not preclude good design: it promotes intelli-
superlative design skills: Cindy Harden noted
gent choices.
that the best applicants are new graduates with
As students. we have learned that the source
talent and dedication to the public interest
of a successful design is a well-developed
ideal. In the rehabilitation projects of a CDC.
The Premiums of Good Design
the fundamental needs of the chents teaches
One should not expect all of the work in a
an architect to express an ideal concept in an
CDC to be design oriented. Tomassi stated
economical. clear way. For example. most in-
that 50 percent of the work at the Chicago
dividuals served by a CDC have little access to
CDC is basic production: there IS plenty of
the public and private spaces we take for
specification writing. because many commis-
granted. When designing an elderly
sions are for building rehabilitation. The
residence. Jones and his colleagues created
balance of projects are much more engag-
public corridors with seating areas for private
ing-design proposals for individuals and non-
conversation: they transferred the spatial layer-
profit insititutions. One may work on a health
ing of a typical main street to the hallway of a
clinic. convert a school into apartments. or
house. At AND. like any CDC. good design is
plan a day care center. Usually. the projects
a means to help people confirm their positive
are sited in a dense urban neighborhood: the
energies: to those with financial. psychological.
context and design issues would be challeng-
or health problems. a sensitively designed in-
ing to anyone: they are more diverse than the
terior can be particularly uplifting
standard commissions for a private developer
John Silber believes more students should
How do architects at CDCs compare their
study the problems generated by substandard
work to the expectations they had as students?
housing: from the poor. we can learn how im-
They acknowledge that tight budgets limit
portant It is to develop a sense of control over
their options. but have learned to understand
one's environment He explained that working
good design at its most fundamental level.
with the disadvantaged has helped him over-
Tom Jones has juried student work in the Bay
come a middle class parochialism: through his
Area and taught at Berkeley: when he works
work with people whose needs are more acute
with students. he shows them that the criteria
than his. he has revised his definition of ar-
for quality in academic projects are equally ap-
chitectural quality. Now the simple ways that
plicable to AND commissions. Resolving social
space can lend dignity to users seems more
issues and working with limited means does
important than ever.
7
New York Turns Squatters Into Homeowners
By STEVEN ERLANGER
In August 1985, squatters advised by
community organizers seized 25 va-
cant, city-owned buildings in the East
New York section of Brooklyn. City of-
ficials were furious, 11 people were ar-
rested, and the contretemps became an
issue in the Democratic primary that
year between Mayor Koch and City
Council President Carol Bellamy.
Now the New York City Board of
Estimate has unanimously approved a
program to give those same illegal
squatters - transformed into home-
steaders and incorporated as the
Mutual Housing Association of New
York - 58 city-owned buildings, and
money for technical and architectural
aid and another $2.7 million as a re-
volving loan fund for rehabilitation.
The tale of the transformation is a
happy one of struggle rewarded, of
community passion channeled
shrewdly by institutes and foundations
into paths acceptable to government
officials who themselves were eager to
show their commitment to low-income
housing as well as the letter of the law.
An Attractive Prototype
But what has happened in East New
York is interesting for another reason.
It is the first test in New York of a
much-discussed model for low-income
housing development, a neighborhood
collective of homesteaders given
money and technical help by the city in
return for restricted rights of resale. It
is believed by some to hold great prom-
ise for a city that owns 4,500 vacant
buildings and has 200,000 families wait-
ing for public housing.
Mutual housing has been tried in
various forms in Western Europe and
Canada, Philadelphia, St. Louis and
Phoenix.
"This is clearly something new -
and the city initially has committed a
Continued on Page D11, Column 1
THE NEW YORK
TIMES IS available
for home or office
delivery in most
The New York Times/ William E. Sauro
major U.S. cities
Jacinto Camacho outside the building he moved into two years ago on
Please call this toll
tree number: 1-800
Glenmore Avenue in the East New York section of Brooklyn.
631-2500
ADVT.
0354713
41
THE NEW YORK TIMES. MONDAY.
OBER 12. 1987
Continued From Page A1
'Little by little,
tremendous amount of resources into
making it work," said Felice Michetti,
I've put a lot of
First Deputy Commissioner of the
city's Department of Housing Preser-
money into this
vation and Development. "Mutual
housing is becoming more and more of
house.'
an attractive model, and it's being
looked at by neighborhood groups
across the city."
reconfirmed by the Board of Estimate
vote.
'I Knew We Were Going to Win'
Mrs. Jusino, 41 years old, and her
Galen Kirkland, vice president of the
husband, Francisco, 47, an ambulance
West Harlem Community Organiza-
driver, took over a house on Blake Ave-
tion, said: "People tend not to believe
nue two years ago with their six chil-
in new things until they have a proto-
dren and grandchildren. For the first
type. This is why East New York mat-
time, they no longer fear eviction. "I
ters so much, and why it must succeed.
knew we were going to win," said Mrs.
Well over two-thirds of the real estate
Jusino, but her husband was not SO
in Harlem is owned by the City of New
sure. "I was very nervous," he said.
York, and the way city policy goes on
"Little by little, I've put a lot of money
the disposition of that property is the
into this house, and I didn't want to lose
future of this neighborhood."
it."
Such grand thoughts are alien to Ja-
Mr. Camacho, a 69-year-old retired
cinto Camacho and Norma Jusino, two
electrical mechanic, moved into his
of the East New York residents who
house on Glenmore Avenue two years
have had their faith in themselves, in
ago this month. He spent the first six
government and in justice at last
months cleaning up the debris. Since
For a New Homesteader,
Struggle Leads to Success
By STEVEN ERLANGER
Twenty years ago, when Jacinto
family is coming," said Mr.
Camacho came to the United
Camacho, who became an Amer-
States from Ecuador, he worked
ican citizen in May 1986. "If God
two shifts a day, doing carpentry,
lets me live more, I'll work to the
painting and plastering.
last minute of my life."
Now, a month from his 70th
When Mr. Camacho took over
birthday, Mr. Camacho puts in a
the house he said: "I found about
70-hour week, but he works for
100 drug addicts running up and
himself and his family. The dere-
down the stairs. I worked from 6
lict three-family house in the East
in the morning to 8 at night, clear-
New York section of Brooklyn
ing the garbage. I was very nerv-
that he took over two years ago as
ous - they were running up and
an illegal squatter is now his.
down the whole time."
Precisely how a community-or-
Little by little, he said, "I got
ganizing group called Acorn -
them out - sometimes by talking
the Association of Community Or-
sweetly." He continued, "But the
ganizations for Reform Now -
police always came." And when
accomplished that feat, aided by
the police asked him if the house
foundations, banks and govern-
was his, Mr. Camacho said, smil-
ment officials, is of no compelling
ing, "I always said 'yes.'
interest to Mr. Camacho. He is
Among the other homesteaders
grateful to Acorn, but he said he
in East New York, Mr. Camacho
had always believed in the virtue
is known for his ingenuity. When
of work, and that virtue, in the
asked, he showed visitors the saw
end, is rewarded.
he found on the street. He man-
"I've been working since I was
aged to hook it up to a quarter-
7 years old, for my father, and my
horsepower motor, also salvaged
father made me do things serious-
from the street. He has secured
ly," Mr. Camacho said, standing
most of the doors in his house
in one of the neatly painted rooms
from the same source, but has
he has slowly resurrected from
bought ornamental iron grilles -
squalor. "In the same way, I've
$1,400 worth at payments of $100 a
tried to train my sons to be seri-
week - to protect the ground-
ous, to do serious work and take
floor windows and doors.
care of their families."
Mr. Camacho, a squatter turned
'I Was Very Nervous'
homesteader, sees no irony in
this. "Squatter is a good word,"
For his first 14 years in Amer-
he said. "But the person who has a
ica, Mr. Camacho lived alone. In
reason, has a reason. It was ille-
the last six years, he has brought
his wife here and three of his chil-
gal - four times they wanted to
evict me, and Acorn defended me.
dren, and the house at 925 Glen-
But now they can't take us out any
more Avenue is for them.
more."
Five of his 14 grandchildren are
"I'm happy, content," he said.
already here, and 3 of his 7 chil-
dren, "but they're coming, all my
"My place is here."
then, he has devoted his Social Security
check of $387 a month to the house
while living sparingly on the income of
his daughter, who works part-time.
"What I did was illegal," Mr. Camacho
said. "But if you don't try, you don't get
anything. I slept here two winters with-
out heat or electricity. I never had any
weapons - just my own hands and the
help of God.'
But he and the other residents of
East New York also had the help of a
community-organizing group called
Acorn - the Association of Community
Organizations for Reform Now. Acorn,
founded in Arkansas in 1970, has 75,000
members and branches in 27 states. A
paid organizer for Acorn, Francine
Streich, came to Brooklyn in 1982 to or-
ganize a branch that now has 4,000
members who pay dues of $16 a year.
With all the vacant buildings in East
New York, Ms. Streich said, home-
steading "was the obvious issue."
How to create low-income housing in
the special circumstances of Brooklyn,
with smaller buildings and more city-
owned vacant buildings than any of the
other boroughs, was also much on the
mind of Borough President Howard
Golden and his executive assistant,
Marilyn Gelber. "We are the largest
borough in population and have the
largest number of city-owned build-
ings, and we felt it wrong for city policy
to focus so exclusively on Manhattan,
Ms. Gelber said.
Auctions and Lotteries Opposed
But Ms. Gelber's first meeting with
Acorn did not go well. "It was quite an
introduction," she said. "They held a
sit-in in our office." Still, Acorn had
done its work in the community, she
said, and its demand for more housing
for low-income residents in vacant
buildings resonated with her.
The New York Times/William E. Sauro
"We had been pressing Housing
Preservation and Development to get
Francisco and Norma Jusino outside their home on Blake Avenue in
these buildings to local people," Ms.
the East New York section of Brooklyn. They took over the house with
Gelber said. "But the city's policy was
their six children and grandchildren more than two years ago.
to sell them, to sell them at auction."
Acorn opposed auction sales, too, as
well as a city-sponsored lottery, assert-
stinger of Acorn's confrontational and
Housing Association of New York - re-
ing that poor local residents needed
illegal tactics. That process was aided
tains title to the land. If owners choose
more directed aid and less reliance on
by the involvement of the New York
to sell. the association has the right to
fortune. Ms. Gelber said that in August
Foundation. a philanthropic organıza-
repurchase for a price reflecting only
1985 "Acorn opened up buildings and
tion, and especially the Consumer-
individual investment, not the market.
took things into their own hands."
Farmer Foundation, which agreed to
To Mr. Shiffman, mutual housing
But impressed by the sincerity of the
serve as the project's banker, manag-
represents "a new form of social con-
residents, the borough asked the Pratt)
ing the revolving loan fund.
tract between the city and its poorer
Institute Center for Community and
residents, who get buildings at a nomi-
Environmental Development, which
The vice president of Consumer-
has a long history of dealings with the
Farmer, Harold DeRienzo, was a
nal fee while giving up their right to
speculate and maximize profits." He
city and previous contacts with Acorn,
founder in the mid-1970's of Banana
continued, "The transfer of property in
to mediate. Ronald Shiffman, the insti-
Kelly, which organized housing pro-
return for the promise of housing for
tute's director, persuaded Acorn to
tests in the South Bronx. Now 34, he
low-income residents in perpetuity is a
promise to abandon squatting, "which
said he felt that organizers had learned
many lessons, not only about how to
good one."
calmed down the city." Over a year
and a half, with help from Brooklyn of-
deal with authority, but about how
At the same time, he and others say,
ficials and Ms. Michetti and her aides,
projects can be designed to sustain
the collective provides capitalization,
he negotiated the arrangement ap-
themselves.
mutual help with construction and
proved by the Board of Estimate.
With Pratt involved for architectural
economies of scale in purchasing goods
and technical expertise, Consumer-
and services. Intense community in-
"Once Acorn was willing to recog-
nize that squatting is illegal and not an
Farmer providing financial services,
volvement, coupled with the associa-
answer." Ms. Michetti said, "it paved
and Acorn's squatters transformed
tion's waiting list for more housing,
the way for a mutual sharing of ideas
into the Mutual Housing Association of
also should create pressure on the city
to continue transferring property.
and financing by the city."
New York, the project "was something
the city could live with," Mr. DeRienzo
Other experts are more skeptical,
Lessons of Community Organizing
said.
suggesting that mutual housing re-
"At least for an old-timer like me,"
In a mutual housing association,
quires a level of community organiza-
said Mr. Shiffman, 49, "the city moved
neighborhood residents form a collec-
tion and sustained commitment that
quickly. 1 suppose it's all a matter of
tive. contributing some money and a lot
will be hard to duplicate widely. To
perspective.'
of "sweat equity" to rehabilitate build-
make a significant impact, the city
If Acorn was crucial in its communi-
lings for their own use in return for pub-
would have to commit money and prop-
ty-organizing role, Pratt and Mr. Shiff-
lic support and limited ownership. The
erty on a large and ongoing basis.
man were crucial agents in pulling the
collective - in this case the Mutual
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
Students rebuild
homes, their lives
By Laurie Goering
A year ago, Hyseal Shepherd's life was crumbling
like the boarded-up mansions he walked past on his
way to school.
Teachers described the 13-year-old as "one of the
worst kids in school," a troublemaker at Price Ele-
mentary School with a bad attitude and less of an
aptitude for spelling and math than for the toughs
that ran his decaying Oakland neighborhood on the
Near South Side.
It was an attitude shared by many of his class-
mates, who felt they had nothing to look forward to
but poverty and joblessness in a dead-end neighbor-
hood.
Not any more.
This year, Shepherd, a quiet and handsome 14-
UNC
year-old in a Penn State sweatshirt, is at the top of
his class in math and spelling and hasn't missed a
day of school. He's quick to offer help to other stu-
dents and was even named Citizen of the Month at
Price earlier this school year.
"I feel like I'm somebody," he said, smiling. "I like
coming to school now."
That's because this year, he and 34 other students
have become pioneers in an unusual school program
designed to turn around the poorest communities on
Tribune photo by Carl Wagner
the South Side by revitalizing both their people and
Floyd Butler (foreground), Billy McGhee
their crumbling historic buildings.
(wearing glasses), of the National Organization
Led by Floyd Butler, 50, a Price math teacher, the
of Minority Architects, and Butler's students
See Vacant, pg. 6
stand outside a building they hope to renovate.
Vacant
Chicago Bee Building, at 3647 S.
State St.
That building is now one of eight
on the South Side considered to be
Continued from page 1
part of the historic Black Metropolis.
students have organized as the
"That's the greatest motivating
Young Urban Preservationists Soci-
factor," Butler said. "These kids
ety, the first inner-city historic pres-
thought they were bad, that this area
ervation group for youths in Chica-
had the worst people. Now they've
go.
decided they're not so bad, that Afri-
Their goals are grand and simple.
can Americans have accomplished
In an area where 42 percent of the
things. They have a great sense of
buildings are boarded up and vacant,
pride."
the group wants to rehabilitate and
protect the best, from the grand
The change in attitude has pro-
duced results in the classroom.
commercial edifices that housed his-
toric black businesses in the 1920s
Butler's students, which he says he
to the elegant greystone and brick
chose from a group of "throwaway"
mansions that line Drexel Boulevard
students at Price, now have the best
attendance record in the school, at
near their school.
93 percent. He calls them his family.
In doing that, they hope to also
rehabilitate their lives. They are al-
Their grades are up and SO is their
ready learning job skills and gaining
self-esteem. Some of the boys still
insights on careers.
want to be professional football and
"The idea is to get these kids in-
basketball players when they grow
volved SO they'll stay in the commu-
up, but they also talk about being
nity and be committed to saving this
architects, landscapers, professional
area," Butler said. "They already talk
rehabbers or real estate attorneys.
about where they'll live and where
Michael Johnson, 14, wants to be
their children will live."
an architect. As a class project, he
The neighborhoods the kids want
and friends have created a building
to save include some of the poorest
firm called Blue Civil Industries, and
in the city. In Oakland, Kenwood,
have drawn up blueprints and a
Douglas and Grand Boulevard-an
computer printout of financial pro-
area extending roughly from the
jections for their project.
lakefront to Cottage Grove Avenue
"Before I was nervous," Johnson
and 31st Street to 51st Street-per
said shyly. "Now it's fun. You get to
capita incomes aren't much higher
do your own projects."
than $2,000 a year.
The students' biggest project yet is
But those areas are rich in history.
expected to begin this spring, when
In the last century and the early part
they will try their hands, for the first
of this one, their stately mansions
time, at rehabbing a building. The
were home to the wealthy and pow-
group, which has been working with
erful, including pioneering black
the City of Chicago to get title to
newspaper and cosmetics en-
several abandoned buildings and to
trepreneurs.
win grant money, hopes to restore a
Butler got his idea of linking his-
22-room mansion on South Michi-
toric preservation and education two
gan Avenue that Butler would live in
years ago after watching as two of
and turn into a community center
the abandoned greystones he had
for kids.
hoped to renovate were destroyed by
The students are seeking the help
vandals and architectural scavengers.
of black architects and contractors
At the same time, Butler was hav-
and hope to restore other buildings,
ing trouble motivating the students
including an old school at 4545 S.
in his classroom, then at Bradwell
Drexel Ave., which would then be
School. Most of the time, they slept
resold. Eventually, the students—
in class or paid little attention.
who will continue in the program
So Butler decided to use historic
through their senior years in high
preservation as a theme to teach the
school-hope to be paid for their ef-
rest of his subjects, an idea he con-
forts.
cedes initially hit the kids as "some-
"It'll sure look good on a
thing totally out of space."
résumé," Butler said. "Here you're
Today, though, students in Butler's
14 years old and you can say, 'I've
8th-grade class at Price, where he
actually done this. I've been paid.'
moved to expand his program, prac-
The project has been aided by
tice math skills by computing mort-
agencies such as the National Trust
gages on the homes they hope to
for Historic Preservation, which sees
restore. In history class, they talk
the effort as a way to make historic
about historic buildings and the peo-
preservation relevant to more than
ple who built them.
white, middle-class Americans.
They draw blueprints of shopping
"Oftentimes, these kids don't see
malls and hotels they one day hope
where they fit in society," said Ben
to build. And they create land-use
Handy, a field representative from
maps for their neighborhoods and
National Trust's Midwest office, who
talk about why the area has so many
has worked with the students. "This
liquor stores and so few corporate
opens a new world to them."
offices.
"When they get involved in this,
are
group
protect the best, from the grand
ine change III attude
duced results in the classroom.
commercial edifices that housed his-
Butler's students, which he says he
toric black businesses in the 1920s
to the elegant greystone and brick
chose from a group of "throwaway"
students at Price, now have the best
mansions that line Drexel Boulevard
attendance record in the school, at
near their school.
93 percent. He calls them his family.
In doing that, they hope to also
rehabilitate their lives. They are al-
Their grades are up and so is their
self-esteem. Some of the boys still
ready learning job skills and gaining
want to be professional football and
insights on careers.
"The idea is to get these kids in-
basketball players when they grow
volved SO they'll stay in the commu-
up, but they also talk about being
nity and be committed to saving this
architects, landscapers, professional
area," Butler said. "They already talk
rehabbers or real estate attorneys.
about where they'll live and where
Michael Johnson, 14, wants to be
their children will live."
an architect. As a class project, he
The neighborhoods the kids want
and friends have created a building
to save include some of the poorest
firm called Blue Civil Industries, and
in the city. In Oakland, Kenwood,
have drawn up blueprints and a
Douglas and Grand Boulevard-an
computer printout of financial pro-
area extending roughly from the
jections for their project.
lakefront to Cottage Grove Avenue
"Before I was nervous," Johnson
and 31st Street to 51st Street-per
said shyly. "Now it's fun. You get to
capita incomes aren't much higher
do your own projects."
than $2,000 a year.
The students' biggest project yet is
But those areas are rich in history.
expected to begin this spring, when
In the last century and the early part
they will try their hands, for the first
of this one, their stately mansions
time, at rehabbing a building. The
were home to the wealthy and pow-
group, which has been working with
erful, including pioneering black
the City of Chicago to get title to
newspaper and cosmetics en-
several abandoned buildings and to
trepreneurs.
win grant money, hopes to restore a
Butler got his idea of linking his-
22-room mansion on South Michi-
toric preservation and education two
gan Avenue that Butler would live in
years ago after watching as two of
and turn into a community center
the abandoned greystones he had
for kids.
hoped to renovate were destroyed by
The students are seeking the help
vandals and architectural scavengers.
of black architects and contractors
At the same time, Butler was hav-
and hope to restore other buildings,
ing trouble motivating the students
including an old school at 4545 S.
in his classroom, then at Bradwell
Drexel Ave., which would then be
School. Most of the time, they slept
resold. Eventually, the students—
in class or paid little attention.
who will continue in the program
So Butler decided to use historic
through their senior years in high
preservation as a theme to teach the
school-hope to be paid for their ef-
rest of his subjects, an idea he con-
forts.
cedes initially hit the kids as "some-
"It'll sure look good on a
thing totally out of space."
résumé," Butler said. "Here you're
Today, though, students in Butler's
14 years old and you can say, 'I've
8th-grade class at Price, where he
actually done this. I've been paid.'
moved to expand his program, prac-
The project has been aided by
tice math skills by computing mort-
agencies such as the National Trust
gages on the homes they hope to
for Historic Preservation, which sees
restore. In history class, they talk
the effort as a way to make historic
about historic buildings and the peo-
preservation relevant to more than
ple who built them.
white, middle-class Americans.
They draw blueprints of shopping
"Oftentimes, these kids don't see
malls and hotels they one day hope
where they fit in society," said Ben
to build. And they create land-use
Handy, a field representative from
maps for their neighborhoods and
National Trust's Midwest office, who
talk about why the area has SO many
has worked with the students. "This
liquor stores and SO few corporate
opens a new world to them."
offices.
"When they get involved in this,
"With Mr. Butler, it's like he
they don't want to be in gangs. They
teaches one subject with everything
don't want to get into drugs," said
in it," said Shepherd. "And he
Dr. Carl Lawson, the principal at
makes us care about what we got
Price. "They're turned on to educa-
around here."
tion."
Most importantly, the students
But the most convincing endorse-
talk about the accomplishments of
ments of the program come from
other African Americans from their
the students themselves.
neighborhood, like Anthony Over-
"We keep dreaming," Shepherd
ton, a cosmetics and publishing en-
said. "Everyday we have more ex-
trepreneur who built the historic
pectations."
Vista Currents Mar/Apr 1980
PROFILE: UYA AT
PRATT CENTER
An estimated 40,000 housing units become un-
usable every year in New York City as a result of
ing in the abandonment of their apartments.
abandonment, fire, foreclosure or inadequate
Realizing the city could ease neither the housing
maintenance. The number of vacant apartments,
shortage nor the problems that accompany it,
especially those with rents below $100 a month,
hundreds of neighborhood groups have been
has dropped to a critical level. Not enough new
formed in the metropolitan area and are beginning
units are being built to replace the old. New York's
the slow process of renovating and revitalizing
housing shortage has reached a critical stage.
their communities. Many of these groups are in
Inflation has driven up the cost of buying or
low-income communities. Most, lacking the capi-
renting an apartment or house. With landlords re-
tal and knowledge to attack housing problems,
fusing or unable to pay property taxes, city gov-
have turned to public and private sources for help.
ernment has become the largest landlord in the
The Pratt Center for Community and Environ-
area. Conversion to municipal ownership has
mental Development has a long history of working
exacerbated the housing shortage for low- and
with community groups on housing rehabilitation.
moderate- income families because the city does
Advocacy Planning
not have the resources to properly maintain or
manage these buildings. At some point tenants
The Center, located in Brooklyn, is a technical
give up hope that conditions will improve result-
and advocacy planning organization that has,
The architectural planning for the renovation of these buildings has been done by UYA Volunteer Vivian Lee.
VISTA CURRENTS
3
since into inception in 1963, become more and
more involved with low-income community
groups. The major goal of the Center is to facilitate
communication between community groups-
which plan and develop projects-and the public
and private agencies, which fund them. The Cen-
ter provides technical assistance, information
services, advocacy planning and leadership train-
ing to communities requesting these services.
University Year for Action (UYA) Volunteers
have allowed the Pratt Center to increase the
number and scope of projects in the area of hous-
ing. UYA Volunteers are Pratt students who for
one year, provide technical services requested by
community groups. Presently there are 22 full-
time Volunteers working at the Center alongside
CETA workers installing insulation at Banana Kelly.
15 non-volunteers.
The walls of the large rooms which serve as of-
fices for the Center staff and Volunteers are cov-
ered with drawings and pictures of gutted build-
ings that one day will become habitable living
units. Next to them are detailed architectural plans
BANANA KELLY
for their renovation. Professional looking, hand
IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
drawn maps of neighborhoods cover drafting
Administrative Office
916 KELLY ST.
boards. The maps plot the houses, buildings,
Phone 328-1064
stores and open areas of neighborhoods.
Walls and bulletin boards are cluttered with an-
nouncements of community meetings, appoint-
ments, newspaper clippings and sayings copied
from the graffiti which decorates many New York
City buildings. On one desk is a newspaper article
describing the joys and advantages of living in the
South Bronx during the 20s and the 30s.
This boy will live in one of the newly renovated
Banana Kelly
apartments on Kelly Street.
Harry Cyrille, a current Volunteer, and Kevin
Association had a vested interest in these build-
Johnson, an ex-Volunteer serving as a consultant
ings as 21 neighborhood families would eventually
at the Pratt Center, are working with the Banana
own them. Working together the Association and
Kelly Community Improvement Association.
Volunteers planned the design and layout of the
Located in one of the nation's most blighted
apartments from the number of rooms per apart-
areas, Banana Kelly is a neighborhood of con-
ment to the position of the kitchen sink.
trasts. Debris and rubble stand where once stood a
Preliminary architectural drawings were sub-
full city block of tenements. Newly or partially
mitted to the Housing Preservation Development
renovated buildings neighbor rundown ones. Half
(HPD) of New York City and approved. To begin
of Kelly Street is being demolished. A red, white
renovation, funding was secured through a series
and green birdcage is perched on the single tree
of private and government sources. Under a sweat
on the block. Unemployed men gossip and listen
equity program, the interiors were gutted. CETA
to music on the corner. Neighborhood workers
workers began the renovation.
and their supervisors are rehabing three buildings
in the same block.
Energy-Saving Features
Entering into their first housing rehab venture,
Cyrille and Johnson revised the plans several
Banana Kelly sought the assistance of Pratt Center
times at the request of the community. Finding
UYA volunteers to draft the preliminary drawings
quality materials at the lowest costs proved dif-
for the renovation of three buildings on their street
ficult. Thick insulation and solar collectors were
that residents had already cleaned and sealed. The
installed to save on high energy costs. Every
4 VISTA CURRENTS
building will have a community garden. An open
landlords had refused to maintain. Because the
area now filled with debris will be transformed
tenants refused to pay the rents or because the
into a community park.
rent-rolls did not meet the maintainance expenses,
"The results will be worth the two years I spent
residents have gone to the courts to petition that
here as a Volunteer and consultant to Banana
they or Los Sures gain power to manage the
Kelly," says Johnson. "Three years ago these
buildings. If tenants can show proof of landlord
buildings were totally abandoned. This summer
neglect and can provide documented proof of their
over 100 people will be living in them. These
expenses, the courts have been willing to grant
apartments are not typical low-income housing
them or Los Sures, the power to do this.
units, but are spacious and well-designed. If they
When a landlord does not pay property taxes,
were located in Manhattan, the demand for them
the city can foreclose on the building. The court
would be incredible."
has allowed the Los Sures group to manage many
Cyrille goes on to say, "This small group has
of these buildings. The passing of control from the
proved that poor people can organize to improve
landlord to the city has allowed Los Sures to apply
their housing situation. These apartments were
for HUD monies. Complementing rent-rolls, these
renovated by the community-not the govern-
funds have allowed tenants to make much needed
ment or some developer. Who knows what they
repairs and at times to break even.
may be able to accomplish in the next five or ten
years?"
Though Williamsburg has not suffered the ex-
treme urban decay of the South Bronx, the
neighborhood has begun to deteriorate. Volunteer
Vivien Lee states, "Abandoned buildings are a
common site and unemployment is high." The ar-
rival of developers and the encroaching effects of
building abandonment and deterioration led to the
organization of Los Sures, the Southside United
Housing Development Fund Corporation.
Community Ownership is the Goal
Over an eight year period, Los Sures has de-
veloped from a small grass-roots organization to a
fairly powerful citizen's housing and advocacy
group. Doug Moritz, an ex-VISTA Volunteer is
UYA Volunteer, Vivien Lee plots a land usage map.
now director of development for the Los Sures
group that has an annual budget of more than four
"The goal of the community management has
million dollars, manages 37 buildings, supervises
been cooperative ownership by tenants. At this
the gut rehab of 10 buildings and is presently con-
point in Los Sures history, community ownership
structing two more. In their third year with Los
has not occurred but very possibly will in the fu-
Sures, Volunteers are providing architectural and
ture", states Moritz.
urban planning technical assistance.
Vivien Lee is working on a planning project that
Patrick Vilmenay's architectural plan for the gut
will enable the community to identify problem
rehab of a three-story building has recently been
areas in the neighborhood. Conducting a block-
approved by HPD. When funding sources can be
by-block survey, Lee checks every building for va-
found, a sweat equity program will be started and
cancy, condition, assessment value and usage. A
CETA workers contracted to rehab the building.
map is drawn of every building on every block to
"Though we have to contract for private ar-
identify and locate buildings vacant, changes in
chitects, UYA volunteers have saved the commu-
commercial activity, shifts in population and
nity thousands of dollars that would have other-
buildings that should be sealed or demolished.
wise been spent to contract even more," says
Currently Lee has finished the preliminary ar-
Moritz.
chitectural plans for two six-unit tenements that
Community ownership is the goal of the Los
will be submitted to HPD for approval.
Sures group. The process is a long one. By setting
Displacement of Low-Income Families
up an account in their name residents have as-
sumed the task of managing the buildings that
"Gentrification"-the process by which lower
VISTA CURRENTS
5
income persons are displaced from older, inner
he or she can sell or rent for a profit. Eventually
city neighborhoods when higher income residents
poor or low-income persons cannot afford the
move in-has become a major concern to Peter
rents and have to move."
Ogman, Rashid Khomailou and Steve Beals, three
Discouraged by the loss of the Wykoff Street
UYA volunteers at the Pratt Center. These Volun-
building, the Volunteers and neighborhood
teers are currently working in the Boerum Hill area
groups increased their efforts to reduce the effects
of Brooklyn, an area in which "gentrification" has
of "gentrification" in the volatile Boerum Hill area.
already begun because the neighborhood is near
Volunteers are working on a planning study to
Manhattan and has desirable, well-constructed
monitor displacement, employment shifts and
brownstones.
housing activities. Community groups and Volun-
Working with low-and moderate-income per-
teers have joined together to find another city-
sons who still predominate this area, the Volun-
owned building to rehabilitate. Ogman says, "We
teers prepared preliminary architectural drawings
are trying to develop a plan by which low-and-
for the rehab of a city-controlled building on
moderate-income people have a running chance to
Wykoff Street. Community people were cleaning
compete with middle-class people."
up the building when the landlord reclaimed it by
Volunteer and Community Interaction
paying back taxes.
In an area such as Boerum Hill and in other
Different projects require different types of as-
changing neighborhoods of Brooklyn "this is a
sistance, but the Pratt Center basically follows
fairly common occurence" says Ogman. "Land-
these steps in dealing with community groups.
lords refuse to or cannot pay their property taxes
-Solicitation: The initial contact between a
and buildings deteriorate without the proper
community group and the Pratt Center is made
maintainance. Eventually tenants abandon the
by the community group.
buildings. When middle-class people start to move
-Needs assessment: The Volunteer and his or her
into an area, the landlord then pays taxes because
supervisor participate in a series of meetings
with the neighborhood group to determine
needs of the group in relation to services pro-
vided by the Pratt Center. Often it is necessary
to refer community groups to other agencies
more adequately equipped to service the group's
needs.
-Planning: If the Center agrees to undertake a
project, the community group and Volunteers
formulate an operational plan.
-Implementation: Based on an agreed upon plan
Volunteers and the community group begin to
implement the plan which may take years and
require many revisions and modifications.
The success of the projects carried out by the
Pratt Center volunteers depends greatly on the
level of involvement of Volunteers with commu-
nity groups. Past experience has shown that proj-
ects carried out by the Pratt Center, without com-
munity input and involvement, do not succeed.
"Perhaps one of the most basic functions of the
Volunteer", according to Gary Waclowski, a cur-
rent architectural supervisor and former VISTA
Volunteer at the Center, "is to give direction to
community groups in order to help them under-
stand and find their place in terms of the future. If
you can direct their activities, they can develop
powerful clout. The problem is that energies are
often so unharnessed and misdirected that the
process (of organization) is difficult."
The role of the Volunteer varies. The Volunteer
6 VISTA CURRENTS
NORK
è is ODO.
OH
Kevin Johnson's plans for the buildings on Kelly Street.
may act as a resource person or as a facilitator in
Building Project have supported residents on the
negotiations between community groups and gov-
Lower East Side of New York City in their efforts
ernment agencies to obtain funding, building
to organize themselves around housing issues.
permits or ownerships of buildings. Volunteers
Deciding to renovate several buildings, this group
who are students of urban planning conduct mi-
solicited the technical assistance of UYA Volun-
crostudies of given areas. A microstudy may be a
teers at the Pratt Center.
survey of a building or of a neighborhood to de-
UYA Volunteers have collaborated with VISTAs
termine conditions, vacancy rate and assessment
at the Banana Kelly Association during the de-
value of buildings in that community. Volunteers
velopmental stages of their project which led to
may be asked to undertake studies to determine
the rehabilitation of three buildings in the South
how a commercial area can be revitalized.
Bronx. In April, VISTA Volunteers began assisting
Most neighborhood groups, though, solicit Pratt
established neighborhood groups in the Wil-
Center's help for architectural planning and de-
liamsburg area of Brooklyn in their efforts to
sign.
strengthen their organizations and to conduct sur-
veys of building and land usage in that area. UYA
VISTAs and UYAs Work Together
Volunteers have drawn up preliminary plans to
A reciprocal relationship exists between New
rehabilitate several buildings with a Williamsburg
York City VISTA projects and the UYA project at
community group.
the Pratt Center. The organizing skills of the
The UYA project, in its third year at Pratt, has
VISTAs are complemented by the technical capa-
proven to be rewarding and sometimes frustrating
bilities of the UYA Volunteers. For example,
to Volunteers. Many are not able to see or partici-
VISTA Volunteers assigned to the Adopt-a-
pate in the completion of their projects. Years may
VISTA CURRENTS
7
RESOURCES
BANANA
Pratt Center has published a guide entitled, The
Pratt Guide to Housing and Renewal for New Yorkers.
COMMUNITY
Though the guide is specifically geared towards
GARDEN
housing issues that affect New Yorkers, it can also
serve as a useful tool to Volunteers dealing with
housing issues in other parts of the country.
The guide describes HUD and FHA programs
which affect low-income persons and how these
programs may be utilized. Because many cities
elapse between the time an area survey is started
have housing codes and programs similar to New
and a building is completely rehabilitated. Plans
York's, the comprehensive sections relating to
may have to be revised several times to meet
tenant's rights issues can be used as a resource
standards and expectations of city or federal agen-
elsewhere. The guide is $5.00 from:
cies, and those of neighborhood groups. Some-
Pratt Institute
times a community organization cannot find
Center for Community and Environmental
enough funding to start rehabing buildings.
Development
Brooklyn, New York 11205
Real People, Real Situations
The Pratt Center will respond to specific written
request for information about the program and the
"There are people living in rehabilitated housing
services that they offer. Contact them at the above
units that were planned by us. We are working
address.
with real people and real situations-not design-
ing imaginary summer houses with unlimited re-
sources for imaginary people," says Cyrille. He
A magazine on housing and housing related is-
adds "When you come here (to the Center) you're
sues, City Limits, is published by Pratt Institute,
able to participate in all aspects of our profession.
the Association for Neighborhood Development
You learn a lot about architecture and housing and
and the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board.
even more about people."
City Limits is geared to housing issues specifically
Sergio Ocasio's reasons for being a UYA volun-
related to low- and moderate-income persons.
teer were closer to home. He is doing the prelimi-
Written for a New York audience, the magazine
nary architectural drawings for a building two
covers federal legislation and programs affecting
blocks from where he lives. Kevin Johnson is still
low-and moderate-income persons nationwide.
working with the Banana Kelly Association be-
Community development and restoration, HUD
cause "I wanted to see the completion of these
funding programs and tenants rights have been
buildings. I have worked here going on two years
explored in recent articles. The yearly subscription
and have invested a lot of energy and emotion on
rate is $6 for an individual, $20 for an organiza-
the project and the people who will eventually live
tion. City Limits is published ten times a year.
in these buildings."
Order from:
Besides offering assistance in technical areas,
City Limits
the Pratt Center also sponsors leadership pro-
115 East 23rd Street
grams and an information service. The leadership
New York, NY 10010
training program of the Center has evolved from
relatively formal efforts-such as lectures and
seminars for community residents-to one of ex-
perimental learning in which participants get on-
the-job training with Center staff. Pratt's goal is to
produce qualified and competent community lead-
ers who can deal effectively with public and pri-
vate organizations.
8 VISTA CURRENTS
Advocacy planning is alive
and well in Brooklyn
It's no exaggeration to say that Ron
ates on a $250,000 annual budget and
Ricans or women as we should into
Shiffman is part of a dying breed, the
includes a professional staff of 14 ar-
the profession. And we're not getting
advocate planner. Shiffman, 38, is di-
chitects and planners and four volun-
them from the lower income communi-
rector of the Pratt Institute Center for
teer architects. 20 or so Pratt students
ties. As a result we're not seeing that
Community and Environmental De-
working part time, and several studio
fervor that should be pushing us toward
velopment, an advocacy planning
classes from the school itself.
the solution of social problems.
wing of Pratt Institute, the Brooklyn,
Shiffman, who was born in Tel
What we were trying to do was pro-
New York, professional school. Since
Aviv, got his bachelor's degree in ar-
vide people with the resources and the
1963, when Pratt's George Raymond
chitecture and his master's in plan-
ability to make decisions about their
started the center, Shiffman-first as
ning from Pratt. Active in the civil
own environments and about the
deputy director and, since 1971, as
rights movement in the sixties, he
future life styles and quality of life in
director-has devoted his energies to
worked for consultants for a while
their own communities-based on in-
providing the poorer people of New
before coming to Pratt in 1963, even-
formation, technology, and expertise
York City with technical expertise to
tually moving up to the rank of asso-
not available to them because they
help them fight city hall and make a
ciate professor in the architecture
were poor. That lack of access to these
better life for themselves.
school.
resources still exists today, so there is
Over the years, PICCED, as it is
Shiffman was interviewed by Plan-
still demand for the advocate planner.
known, has had a number of signif-
ning's Robert Cassidy at his home
Q. But the glamour's gone? There's
icant accomplishments, including:
recently.
not much interest in advocacy?
The construction of 42 units of
Planning: What's happened to advo-
A. Yes, the same way there's not
replacement housing for families dis-
cacy planning? Ten or 12 years ago it
much interest in providing those
placed by factory expansion in the
was the rage among planners. Now it
kinds of services in the medical field
Northside neighborhood of Brooklyn;
seems there are very few people who
or the law field or wherever. However,
The formation of the Pratt Ar-
are doing it. Why?
the necessity is there, and as a result
chitectural Collaborative to provide
Ronald Shiffman: Well, first, I think
there will always be people there.
everything from preliminary sketches
a lot of the people who entered the
There is one other phenomenon,
to working blueprints for community
advocacy planning and architectural
and that is that neighborhoods have
groups involved in restoration or con-
fields confronted the realities of the
learned a lot since the 1960s. Much of
struction of housing; the collabora-
situation and were turned off by the
what planners were providing in the
tive's four volunteer architects are al-
fact that the glamour wasn't there.
sixties is now being undertaken by the
ready at work on some 22 buildings;
There has to be a lot of staying power.
neighborhoods themselves.
The completion of a 12-block
A lot of people didn't understand
Q. It's not just black neighborhoods
miniplan for the People's Develop-
what advocacy planning and architec-
learning from the civil rights move-
ment Corporation, a Puerto Rican
ture were all about. I think the profes-
ment or the OEO programs, but also
group in the Bronx: the plan includes
sions saw advocacy as a means of
white ethnic neighborhoods, isn't
funds for urban homesteading, a solar
generating work for people in the
A. Yes. The major contribution of
station, and commercial rehabilita-
field.
the civil rights movement in this
tion;
To some extent a lot of those in-
country is that it reawakened a lot of
The planned construction of 176
volved in advocacy planning origi-
the white communities as well. The
units of housing for the elderly,
nally were involved through their af-
white communities owe a debt to the
valued at $6 million, in the St. Nich-
filiation with professional groups like
black communities because they are
olas neighborhood of Brooklyn;
the AIA, AIP, and ASPO. I don't
beginning to seek out their own de-
The planned rehabilitation of
think there was ever a sincere commit-
sires and to organize. I think once
Planning Magazine
two buildings in Manhattan's Clinton
ment from these organizations or a
they do that, coalition building and
area in the West Forties;
sincere dollar commitment to the
substantive involvement with one
The publication of Street, an in-
January 1977
whole advocacy procedure.
another can take place.
formative and readable periodical
The other major flaw was that
Q. How much opportunity is there
covering local and national planning
everybody correlated advocacy with
for real coalition building?
issues; and
the black planners and black archi-
A. There's a tremendous opportunity
The formation of the New York
tects who wanted to come out and
for coalition building. If the sixties
City Housing and Community De-
practice traditional architecture and
were years of organizing, I think the
velopment Coalition, comprising
planning. Yet they were perceived by
seventies are years of coalition
some 64 neighborhood groups of vari-
everybody as advocates, and their only
building. The real difference between
ous racial and economic composition,
opportunities came to them this way.
now and when we got started is that,
to act as a unified lobbying force in
And indeed a lot of them were in-
while we haven't abandoned the
matters of citywide impact affecting
terested in what was really a social
idealism, we have a great deal of real-
neighborhoods.
form of architecture and planning.
ism. People in neighborhoods
These are just some of the accom-
Unfortunately. today we are not at-
realized that for them and their
plishments of the center. which oper-
tracting as many blacks and Puerto
neighborhoods to survive they are
20
Planning
Ronald Shiffman, director of the Pratt In-
New York, here participates in an archi-
Pratt Center has sponsored subsidized
stitute Center for Community and En-
tectural charette to help neighborhood
housing programs and architectural and
vironmental Development in Brooklyn,
planners in Birmingham, Alabama. The
planning technical assistance.
going to have to answer to coalitions
with their adjoining communities so
that they can get a piece of the pie
too. Through the coalition process
they are able to negotiate more for
their own neighborhoods than if
neighborhoods fight each other and
nobody gets anything. Coalitions
can expand the pie rather than neces-
sarily having to fight for a restricted
pie. It's a good trend, and I think it's
going to continue for the foreseeable
future.
Q. Let's get back to Pratt Center in-
self. When we talk about advocacy
planning, the common thought is of
an almost Alinsky-type approach to
community organizing. What do you
feel is your role?
A. We don't consider ourselves or-
ganizers, and to a great extent we're
glad we're not organizers. We work
with organizers. Our role basically is
to come in and facilitate the activities
of the neighborhood organizers and
the community leaders and followers.
Q. So the emphasis is on the provi-
sion of technical expertise that the
neighborhood can't supply because
people haven't been trained. right?
January 1977
21
A. That is basically correct. We are
what lessons, ideas, and concepts have
think we have to question those pre-
able sometimes to provide architec-
you learned here that could be ap-
conceptions continually.
tural plans or point to potential re-
plied elsewhere?
Q. Could you give an example of
sources for a minibus system or
A. The first has to do with advocacy
something you learned that you could
programs for the elderly. We're in
planning. Our definition of the word
not have learned without being in-
contact with government officials and
"advocacy" is derived from the legal
volved in this kind of work?
know, for example, when jobs will be
profession. We believe very firmly
A. Oh, yes. I can think of one having
available under the Comprehensive
that people have the right to have
to do with the relationship of
Employment Training Act or a public
their interests represented. The adver-
buildings to the street. One woman in
works program. Or we can provide the
sary relationship used in the legal pro-
Bed-Stuy [Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brook-
community organizers with the tools
fession is one that is well worth pur-
lyn's largest black ghetto] said that
needed to achieve some level of
suing and one in which, too often,
she didn't want to live any higher
success in their organizing efforts.
low-income black, Puerto Rican, and
than where she could yell to her kids.
The Pratt Center started in the
other minority groups-and low-
We don't have to go through all the
planning department at Pratt, but we
income whites, for that matter-have
studies to understand that what
broke away because of some dif.
not had the proper representation.
people want is a sort of a rapport
ferences. We functioned independent-
That is our focal point, to provide
between the fourth floor and the
ly of the school for quite a long time,
them with the representation. We
street.
and now we are growing together
base our approach to planning on the
Also, there are quite a few things
again, basically because the people
adversary and advocacy system of the
that we tend to forget as planners.
who now run the planning depart-
courts. Unfortunately, we don't
Some of this has to do with physical
ment are working a little bit closer to
believe there is a decision-making
design-our almost strict adherence
what we are doing. We envision what
process [for planning issues] that is
to FHA standards and formulas, for
we are doing as an educational role
even as good as the courts.
example. We forget the families we
and model for running a planning
The other lesson is that in dealing
are designing for, whether it is the
school. Our students are not the tradi-
with neighborhoods you cannot base
Italian family that doesn't want a
tional students. We have as our stu-
the provision of technical assistance
kitchen separated from the dining
dents the neighborhoods in which we
solely on volunteers or students. I say
area, or whether it is the need to set
work. We have as our students our-
this to other universities that may be
up a senior citizen housing complex
selves and the volunteers who work
looking at setting up similar pro-
for people who don't want to go to
with us, as well as regular students.
grams. What you need is a core staff
nursing homes and yet need a more
The interaction among all of us in
to provide the continuity, the tech-
supervised living environment.
learning about our urban environ-
nical backup, and the necessary super-
Let us, for instance, do a design
ment-the community resident, the
vision. Students, faculty, volunteers
after speaking to a lot of senior citi-
person who wants to become a plan-
will pop in and out. Their summer
zens and their relatives. Let us do an
ner, and the person who is a planner,
vacation, a job, or something will
approach to setting up congregate
each teaching the other-creates a
distract them. You need to have the
living and mixing that with other
unique educational experience.
continuity of a core staff, and that we
types of living. We are discussing that
We do interpret what the theoreti-
find is essential to working on any
right now in Williamsburg [a Brooklyn
cian or the abstract planner is doing,
program.
neighborhood with a large elderly
to see how it can be applied to the
The third lesson is not to have so
population], where we got a clearance
neighborhood. But what we are trying
much confidence in your own tech-
from the federal government to
to do is to demystify the planning
nical ability that you don't learn from
build. Whether we will be able to
profession, to begin to share the ex-
your clients.
build that way, we don't know,
periences and the contacts that we as
Q. You mean a little humility goes a
because we think we need a lot of
planners have with people in the
long way?
legislative and financing changes in
neighborhoods and people in city
A. A lot of humility goes a long way.
order to accomplish it.
government, so that their decisions
There is a tremendous amount to be
But we tend too often to separate
can be based on those experiences,
learned from every new group that
people from their own neighbor-
and to try as best we can to gather the
you come into contact with, and I am
hoods, to segregate them. Learning
information, the techniques, the leg-
not only talking about the nature of
about people, gaining sensitivity to
islative frameworks, and the means
their own neighborhood and some of
people, whether they are black or
for implementing and gathering
the aspects of life in their neighbor-
poor or disabled or elderly, and not
ideas so that we can transfer them to
hood, but I am also talking about the
denying them their own integrity and
others. I think the biggest problem
planning process and your own atti-
their own rights-that is something
we have in planning is in transferring
tudes and approach to problems. I
we, as planners and designers,
our knowledge and our information
think attitude is very important. Too
continually must do because our con-
to the decision makers.
often we have preset ideas on how to
sciousness is not where it should
Q. Looking back on 12 years of work,
function in given circumstances. I
be.
22
Planning
Pratt Institute's
Center for Community and Environmental Development
Art, architecture and design students
serve as Brooklyn's advocates.
PROJECT INSTANT BUILDING
22
Fall 1974
SYNERGIST
URBAN DECAY has for years
afflicted many areas of Brooklyn,
bringing with it what planners have
called "the common ills of sub-
standard housing. inadequate pub-
lic services. inadequate school and
recreation facilities and programs,
poverty. unemployment. poor
transportation. chaotic land use,
CCED
FORT
BUSHWICK
and the whole discouraging array of
social and economic problems
SOUTH
BROOKLYN
that pervade underpriviledged
areas of the city."
Pratt Institute, long regarded as
one of the nation's foremost art.
architecture. and design schools, is
Brooklyn
located in one of the decaying areas
in the northwest corner of Brooklyn.
bordered on the north and east by
Brownsville and Bedford-Stuyves-
ant. two of the most depressed sec-
BMENSONHURST
tions of the populous borough.
Only within the last 10 years has
Pratt become genuinely involved in
efforts to stop the deterioration and
resurrect some of the charm of
Brooklyn's old brick neighbor-
hoods, wide malls, and generous
parks. The vehicle for Pratt's in-
volvement is its Center for Com-
munity and Environmental Devel-
opment (CCED), formed in 1963
as an outgrowth of the institute's
Department of City and Regional
Planning. At first, the center at-
tempted a fairly abstract educa-
tional effort, attempting to arrest
Brooklyn's creeping decay by pro-
viding traditional classroom and
workshops for residents interested
in community development.
Inertia frustrated that strategy,
and center administrators later
altered the program to what CCED
founders George M. Raymond and
Ronald Shiffman call a more
directly goal-oriented approach,
best described as a participant
education process, in which the
(Continued on next page)
Four steps (left) in the construction of
an "instant building:" briefing, pre-
fabrication, assembly, completed
structure. Above, CCED's territory
and projects in Brooklyn. Hank Prus-
sing's wall mural at right depicts
people on the Harlem street below.
ACTION/NSVP
center staff takes part continu-
ously in local community organiza-
tion meetings and projects. and as-
signs students to specific projects.
In 1968. partly as the result of a
campus strike that expressed Pratt
students' desires for greater aca-
demic relevance. the center opened
its doors to all groups and evolved
STREET
into an "advocacy-planning organ-
ization." still professionally staffed.
Street, the magazine of the Center. can be subscribed to, along with all other CCED publi-
still heavily underwritten by the
cations, by contributing $5 or more to the Center at 240 Hall St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205.
institute, and still goal-oriented. but
expanded by student volunteers
communities with improvement in
reference publications in health.
whose formal connection with the
mind. Under the present setup, in-
housing, neighborhood improve-
center is an elective. five-credit
itiative originates with the com-
ment programs, and environmental
course in social action.
munity and its members. so that
protection, and a bi-monthly maga-
"Now." said Rex Curry. assist-
advice, aid, and student creativity
zine called Street, which provides
ant director of the center. "it serves
come as welcome solutions to real
practical advice on how to cope
a problem-solving function on a
problems.
with the urban environment.
request basis. instead of being a
Currently, the center. directed
In addition, the center offers
research group and information-
by Shiffman and a seven-member
Pratt students the Social Action
dispenser."
professional staff located in a
Course. which is an all-institute
The center's first move was to
converted carriage house just across
elective taken mostly by architec-
send 60 or 70 student volunteers
Hall Street from Pratt campus, op-
ture and planning students: a com-
out into Brooklyn to establish store-
erates semi-independently on a
munity design program, which
front aid outposts. The information
deficit budget. The 1973-74 budget
gives art and design students a
gleaned there from complaints,
is roughly $210,000, and $143,450
chance to work at real problem-
requests, and simple observation,
of this is covered by grants and
solving: a Federal work-study pro-
was fed back to the Central Brook-
money from Pratt itself, which
gram; and a tremendous oppor-
lyn Coordinating Council, a black
means that the center will probably
tunity to perform meaningful com-
group, which subsequently formed
wind up the year more than $66,000
munity service.
community conference organiza-
in the red. The center offers
At this writing, 25 or 30 students
tions. The center now works or has
Brooklyn residents free architec-
are working year-round at 22 social
liaison with 67 such groups.
tural aid, detailed land use and en-
action projects. including:
Neighborhood organizations are
vironmental impact surveys, hous-
Redesign and development of
the Pratt volunteers' entre to
ing studies, planning research, com-
parks in Crown Heights. Bedford-
CCED's various clients, who would
munity development conference
Stuyvesant, South Brooklyn and
otherwise be highly suspicious or
sponsorship, and community lead-
Park Slope.
even hostile toward well-intentioned
ership training. It also publishes a
Creation of alternative plans
outsiders bent on intruding into
sizable number of educational and
for development of mixed residen-
Since the Center for Community and Environmental Development can draw on the talents of Pratt applied arts students and faculty, one of the
organization's specialties is inexpensive, do-it-yourself construction. Below, and at right, are designs for pleasing, functional articles of
children's furniture- chair and a multi-purpose play device that serves as a seesaw, table, and bookcase-that can be cut our of 1/4-inch
plywood. Designs are often published in Street, but are published separately for subscribers.
ASSEMBLED
CHAIR
BACK
SIDE
A & B
SEAT
24
SYNERGIST
A central attraction at a CCED-organized South Brooklyn Waterfront Festival, the Hudson River Museum's sloop Clearwater took outing
guests on rides around New York Harbor. The Center uses such events to create interest and community pride among Brooklyn residents.
tial-industrial areas in Coney Is-
Hotel for development as senior
hood organizations in comprehen-
land. South Brooklyn, and North-
citizen housing, development of
sive community development plan-
side neighborhoods.
alternative transportation plans for
ning, housing relocation. recreation
A study. commissioned by the
senior citizens, and technical as-
area development. the conversion of
Bay Ridge Rat Committee. of the
sistance to four Brooklyn senior
abandoned buildings to residential
area's rodent lifestyle and the cause
citizen's centers in developing their
co-ops and community centers. and
of a rat population explosion.
individual environments.
reorganization of institutional sites.
Redesign of the St. George
Assisting various neighbor-
(Continued on next page)
C
0
DIVIDER A
DIVIDER B
BACK A
O
0
FOOT PANEL
BACK B
SIDE B
SEAT A
SIDE A
SEAT B
ACTION / NSVP
25
Assisting hospitals and com-
of materials, and set out according
can do things and can help people
munity groups in health services
to a statement of intent to:
and solve problems-that's what
and facilities planning.
"Unify and direct the energy and
it's all about-you have maniacs on
Aiding environmental and
talent of neighborhood youth in
your hands. They're involved in
community groups in developing
creating something of lasting value
everything at once."
recycling centers, research, day
to themselves and their community;
Happily, a current trend toward
care center development and design
"Clean up one of the many gar-
academic involvement in com-
of other facilities.
bage infested lots, pave it, and en-
munity service has reinforced that
Frequently, students find proj-
hance adjoining buildings
pro-
spirit, lent guidance, and supported
ects on their own and work at them
vide service to the community,
it with organization, structure and
individually. Hank Prussing, a sec-
"Provide the participating youths
technical skill.
ond-year architecture graduate stu-
with expertise in the latest develop-
The center, like many campus
dent from the Washington, D.C.
ments in building technology,
coordinating groups today, is in the
area, was chatting with the director
media (photography, film, printing),
vanguard of a clear movement to-
of Hope Community, Inc., a Har-
and metal workshop techniques,
ward integration of curricula with
lem neighborhood development
utilizing on-the-job vocation-
socially active volunteerism. Al-
group, and the subject of outdoor
oriented approach."
though it offers students credits
murals came up. Prussing said that
Another center project was a
and evaluates them academically,
he had done six murals on barns in
Waterfront Festival, held off the
the credits are minimal and the
Virginia, while working on a sum-
end of Atlantic Avenue in South
grades are of the pass-fail variety.
mer job with a carpenter, and the
Brooklyn, and intended to make the
The mission-which combines serv-
community group director said that
public aware of the waterfront
ice with learning-is of paramount
he had a building wall at Lexington
environment and its quality as a
importance.
Avenue and 104th Street that he'd
community asset. The sloop
In many ways, the center oper-
like to see decorated. Prussing sug-
Clearwater, which belongs to the
ates like a student volunteer coor-
gested a montage of faces seen
Hudson River Museum, came in
dinating group. Recruiting is on a
around the community; he was
for a day to take people on cruises
briefing and word-of-the-mouth
given the go-ahead, and within
around New York harbor, and sev-
basis, and training is heavily
three months had marshalled paint,
eral musical groups took turns
weighted on the experiential side.
scaffolding. and help, adapted
entertaining the crowd.
However, volunteers need a pre-
photographs in what he calls a
"Festivals can be set up and run
requisite course in community
"painterly" technique, and covered
almost single-handed," said Curry.
science before they can work with
the entire side of an apartment
"All you need is one person, a tele-
the center, and next year the center
house with a representational col-
phone, some way of reproducing
will offer another course in macro-
lection of community portraits.
posters or handbills, and a month
planning, which will give students
All materials were donated.
of 18-hour days. We put on a fes-
the opportunity to study neighbor-
In the summer of 1973, center
tival that we called "Eeyore's Birth-
hoods before working in them. In
students designed and helped con-
day Party," after the Pooh char-
general, students work on a project
struct an "instant building" as a
acter, in Prospect Park. That time,
for about a school year.
project in cooperation with the
we had no reason except that the
"The chances are great against
Central Brooklyn Neighborhood
community wanted it. But it was a
creating something at the end of a
College (CBNC) and its sponsoring
way of bringing people together
semester or a year," said Center
community. The instant building
in a space and making them aware
Director Shiffman. "Students really
was a one-story structure made of
of their environment."
must get involved with the com-
prefabricated metal components
Social involvement, of course,
munity and the government. They
bolted together. The components
is the key to all of this activity, and
often come up hard against the
were laid out on the site, and in-
it produces a spirit of volunteerism
community-but soon the com-
experienced people put the build-
that transcends and lends impetus
munity becomes adjunct faculty.
ing together (1600 square feet of
to the sophisticated professionalism
Evaluation is largely subjective.
floor space) like a life-size erector
that Pratt students pride themselves
What we want to do is train people
set.in less than 12 hours.
on acquiring at the institute.
who are biased for change. Un-
"Project Instant Building" in-
"Art and architecture students,"
biased people maintain the status
volved 20 center students, 25 com-
said Curry, "are initially very re-
quo. I am not as interested in the
munity youths, CBNC staff, and
luctant to get involved. Perhaps
product of the center's work as I
several VISTA workers associated
this is because of a lack of confi-
am in the students' involvement.
with the college. The project was
dence and identity. But when they
Involvement actually becomes a
budgeted for about $3,900 worth
do, and they discover that they
measure of accomplishment."
26
SYNERGIST
Street Magazine Fall 1974
PICCED:
a
history
By Bernard Friedberg
The Pratt Institute Center for Community and
deteriorating urban areas.
Environmental Development is a technical assistance
Until 1961, however, when a redevelopment
and advocacy planning organization. Its staff works
plan for the western part of Greenwich Village in
with civic groups and grass-roots community organi-
Manhattan was defeated by an informed and aroused
zations, providing free professional services to its
community led by Jane Jacobs, citizen participation
"clients."
had not been a reality in New York City. Following
The Center acts as a bridge between the com-
the "West Village" experience, city planners became
munity and government agencies seeking commun-
conscious of the need to consult with communities
ity-preferred solutions to the physical, economic,
on urban renewal questions, and as a result the
social, and environmental problems of the commun-
renewal process came to a virtual standstill.
ity. The services provided the client, whether a study
Citizens Helped to Participate
of land use or a complete architectural plan, are
In 1962 Pratt Institute's Department of City and
intended to balance the relationship between govern-
Regional Planning responded to a community request
ment and people by giving the community the
to prepare a plan for rehabilitating housing in the
technical expertise to share in the decision-making
Cobble Hill section of South Brooklyn. The plan was
process.
prepared as a student project, but though sound it
Center is Brooklyn-Minded
was eventually rejected by the community it was
The Center, working primarily in Brooklyn, is
intended to serve. The message was clear to the
currently providing planning and architectural design
planners: citizens were participating but needed more
assistance to community groups in Northside, Coney
information, as well as trained leadership to deal
Island, Park Slope, Red Hook and South Brooklyn. A
effectively with urgent renewal problems and oppor-
tunities.
team of environmental designers is helping a number
of areas to recycle abandoned buildings for use as
The Center Is Born
neighborhood day care and senior citizen facilities,
It was in this context of urban renewal stagn-
and a wide-ranging public education program is
ation, absence of skilled leadership, and inadequate
offering specific information on current projects and
public information that Professor George M. Ray-
general information on developments in the field of
mond, Chairman of the City and Regional Planning
housing, health, education, and the environment.
Department, submitted a proposal to the Rockefeller
Brothers Fund for a grant to establish an urban
How It All Began
extension center under the auspices of Pratt Institute
The Center, established in 1963, is in many ways
that would provide technical assistance, information
a product of housing legislation in the late 1940s and
services, advocacy planning, and leadership training to
early 1950s and social legislation of the 1960s. Much
communities requesting it. In 1963 the Fund awarded
of this legislation, such as the Federal Housing Act of
a three-year grant and the Center was created. Pratt
1954, provided for full citizen participation in all
thus became one of the few educational institutions
aspects of physical and social redevelopment of
involved in the solution of community problems and
10
is the only one still active.
pansion of a manufacturing plant. Residents were
The Center's goal then as now was to provide
faced with destruction of their homes and with
communities with tools to fight their own battles
relocation. The Center was requested by community
more successfully. These tools - information, trained
representatives to prepare an alternative plan that
leadership, ability to negotiate with government
would be a compromise between the needs of the
agencies - are augmented by the technical expertise
community and the manufacturer - allowing plant
of the Center's full-time staff, trained students, and
expansion with minimal displacement of residents.
Pratt faculty members.
The compromises reached in Northside led to
How the Center Functions
important changes in the City's methods of dealing
with relocation, replacement housing, tax abatement.
The Center-community relationship usually be-
and zoning. Area residents now have a strong voice in
gins with a request from a community group for
the redevelopment of their neighborhood and realistic
assistance in solving a critical local problem. In
options for their future.
response the Center will then provide any appropriate
combination of services within its capabilities. Often
New Regulations Applied
interconnected and overlapping, these services can be
These new City regulations are being applied in
broken down into:
solving a similar problem in Coney Island, where
Technical Expertise - The Center furnishes
residents in an older area, with the Center's assist-
skilled individuals to advise community leaders, civic
ance, have developed arrangements with the City that
organizations, and public and private agencies on their
will preserve the character of the neighborhood and
particular problems so that more rational decisions
still allow for the urban renewal process to continue.
can be made. The Pratt technical assistants function as
Another example of the Center's technical assist-
"participant educators" and work with the client
ance program is its work in the Columbia Street
group as long as necessary to develop its capabilities
Containerport controversy in South Brooklyn. Large-
for independent action. Establishment of a produc-
scale demolition of a tightly knit community to make
tive working relationship between client and assistant
room for a new port facility was effectively prevented
is the key to a successful project.
by the intervention of Center staff on the side of the
community and the development of alternative plans
Ministers Seek Help
for new housing, minimal relocation, expansion of
A specific example of technical assistance offer-
port size, and increased job opportunities for local
ed by the Center can be found in its first major
residents.
activity. In 1964 an organization of Brooklyn
Aid to Gowanus and Brownsville
ministers representing a cross section of Bedford-
Two projects are involving Center staff in the
Stuyvesant churches asked the Center to undertake a
rehabilitation of existing housing at the present time.
study to determine the effect of a nearby urban
In Gowanus, assistance is being offered in the design
renewal project on the deterioration of their own
of low-rent cooperative apartments with attention to
area. The Center prepared and published the request-
creative use of open space. In Brownsville, a compre-
ed report. Its impact was significant: a series of open
hensive program for the temporary relocation of
community meetings was held to discuss the issues
fire-displaced families includes architectural and
raised and a second request was made for the Center
interior design for housing and day care facilities and
to investigate alternatives to the City's renewal
community spaces, as well as negotiations with City
proposal.
agencies and private contractors.
The Center, in cooperation with community
Communities as Partners
organizations, conducted a series of field trips to
other cities with active urban renewal programs,
Community groups do more than merely invite
produced a flow of informational materials, and
the Center into a neighborhood: they actually serve
sponsored meetings and conferences to further in-
as partners, providing community organization skills,
form residents and community leaders. Through the
knowledge of the area, physical space, and the
Center's work, community leaders gained enough
day-to-day hard work of implementation. The Center
technical expertise to pursue their group's own goals,
has worked with such groups as the Conselyea Street
eventually resulting in the establishment of the
Education Action Center and Northside Community
Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, the
Development Council in Northside, Neighborhood
nation's first community-controlled neighborhood
Improvement Organization in Coney Island, La Casa
revitalization organization.
Neighborhood Service Center in the Columbia Street
Seeking to Save Homes
area, and Colony-South Brooklyn Houses in Gowanus
and Brownsville.
The Center's involvement with other com-
In all these efforts the work of the Center has
munities follows this pattern. The staff of the Center
resulted in public policy changes that affect not only
is currently working actively with organizations in
the communities involved but other communities that
Northside and Coney Island. In Northside, an old but
may be faced with such expansion planning in the
vital ethnic community was threatened by the ex-
future.
11
All Groups Have a Say
school curricula, and specific data gathering on
Advocacy Planning - The Center operates on
ecological problems.
the premise that all groups who will be affected by
How Leaders Are Trained
the solution of a problem are entitled to expert
counsel and to influence the final decision. In most
Leadership Training - The leadership training
instances, this means the Center is giving community
program of the Center has evolved from relatively
formal efforts - such as lectures and seminars for
groups and whole communities that technical expert-
ise to counter or supplement that of government.
community residents - to one of experiential learn-
There is a definite element of advocacy planning in
ing in which participants receive on-the-job training
the Center's participation in Northside, Coney Island,
with Center staff. Workshops are conducted on
and Containerport controversies, but advocacy plan-
specific problems as they arise. The goal of the
ners often serve other functions.
Center's training activities is to produce an informed
For example, using data gathered in a
community leadership capable of dealing with govern-
comprehensive survey of vacant land and abandoned
ment agencies and expanding private institutions,
buildings, the Center developed a program of scatter-
evaluating programs, and offering alternative
site housing and vest-pocket parks linked to com-
solutions. Many participants in this program have
munity needs. The staff established site-selection
taken major leadership roles as staff and board
criteria and design and construction techniques. It has
members of city, state, federal, and private agencies
been involved in the creation of more than 3,000
involved in community development.
units of housing and two dozen vest-pocket parks.
Good Reading for Communities
Information Service - A major deterrent to
The Story of CNBC
effective community action has been the absence of
The design and implementation of the plan for
accurate, readable materials bearing on physical and
Central Brooklyn Neighborhood College was effected
social change. To meet this need the Center publishes
by the Center working closely with area representa-
manuals, guides, and general educational and refer-
tives and organizations to meet the needs of residents
ence materials on health, housing, neighborhood
seeking a second chance at higher education. The
improvement, environmental protection, and educa-
college was community-run and had no fees or
tion. In the past the Center has published a monthly
entrance requirements. It was consciously designed to
newsletter and assisted a coalition of community
alert public and private institutions to the dearth of
groups in the production and distribution of a
opportunities for minority people in higher edu-
monthly newspaper.
cation.
The Pratt Guide to Housing and Renewal for
By the time it disbanded in 1970, it had served
New Yorkers, now in its second printing, is a major
more than 1,500 students; more than 100 faculty
contribution to civic groups, neighborhood organiza-
volunteers from several colleges and community
tions, and individuals who need to find their way
agencies had participated. Development of street
through the government maze to appropriate sources
academies, the SEEK program, open admission at the
of information and assistance. STREET, a bimonthly
City University, and a variety of special programs for
Center publication, covers a wide range of urban
adults eliminated the need for the college, but its
environmental issues and is written to appeal to a
existence had had a direct impact on individuals and
variety of interest groups. All publications except the
institutions concerned with education.
Guide are distributed free to community organiza-
tions.
Hospital Expansion Studied
Over the years the Center has sponsored city-
In the health field, the Center is working with
wide conferences on subjects of timely interest. These
the Cobble Hill, Park Slope, and Fort Greene com-
conferences have drawn a spectrum of speakers and
munities. In Cobble Hill and Park Slope the problem
participants and have had a measurable impact on
is physical expansion of area hospitals without
public policy. Conference proceedings have been
demonstrated programmatic need. The Center is
published and distributed widely.
designing alternative physical development plans and
analyzing the health care delivery systems as they
apply to both neighborhoods. In Fort Greene, the
The Center's Philosophy
Center is consulting in the preparation of a health
In all its activities the Center has attempted to
facilities study to determine necesssary expansion of
be a "third force" acting between community and
services at Cumberland Hospital.
government. The provision of equalizing expert
In the environmental field the Center assists
counsel is essential to this function as is the format-
existing and developing action groups and block and
ion of coalitions within and among communities over
tenant associations to develop environmental
common issues. Coalition building has increasingly
activities and programs. This includes aid in the
become a Center priority. A new ethnic awareness
design and operation of recycling centers, preparation
and the establishment of organizations advocating
of environmental education materials including
ethnic concerns has provided a broader base from
12
which to launch social action and community de-
work for a fee, such as the current Brooklyn-
velopment programs and achieve maximum
Cumberland Development Plan under subcontract to
community involvement.
a private architectural firm. Contract services are kept
The Northside and Columbia Street issues are
to a minimum, however, as they take valuable staff
examples of the methods used by the Center in the
time otherwise available without charge to com-
creation or reinforcement of coalitions designed to
munity groups.
seek real solutions to defined urban problems. These
Pratt Institute is committed to the Center and
two neighborhoods represent a cross section of
provides space, administrative expenses, the salaries
ethnic, racial, and economic groups whose goals -
of participating faculty, and deficit financing.
centering on improvement of the quality of urban
life - are nevertheless the same. The realization that
Where Does It Go From Here?
goals are shared has led to the formation of inter-
The Future - As government agencies assume
community coalitions focusing on issues of common
the responsibility for day care, drug rehabilitation
concern.
senior citizen activities, and educational alternatives,
the role of the Center lessens in those areas. But new
needs and problems continue to arise, and the need
for technical assistance and information parallels
these new developments. Health care, housing,
WILLIAMSEURG
revenue sharing, and environmental issues continue to
FORT
warrant attention. New organizations are forming to
BUSHWICK
deal with these problems, and new leadership must be
SOUTH
trained so communities can be adequately represent-
BROOKLYN
ed in the decision-making process.
CROWN
EASY
NEW
YORK
The Center will continue to provide professional
expertise to minority communities and to expand
services to working class ethnic communities. It will
Brooklyn
continue its community education services and its
publications. It will continue to act as a third force,
CANARBE
independent of government and committed to solu-
tions to the problems of urban decay, substandard
housing, inadequate public services, unemployment,
poor transportation, chaotic land use, and limited
recreational facilities.
CENTER MARKS FIRST DECADE
In celebration of its first decade of service to the
community, Pratt Center put on an exhibition June
11 - July 5 featuring some of its accomplishments.
Makeup of Pratt Center
The show at the Pratt Manhattan Center, 46 Park
The Center Staff - - The Center utilizes a unique
Avenue, included continuous videotape and slide
combination of professionals and pre-professionals to
presentations and photo displays, notably a collection
staff its array of programs. These resources include a
of photos of Brooklyn's Northside community taken
permanent staff of eight, 30-40 Pratt students each
by free-lance photographer Janie Eisenberg.
year, and Pratt faculty members. Professionally
In addition to the visual offerings, the Center
oriented students-are attracted to Pratt, and those
also sponsored three workshops at the Manhattan
working with the Center, whether in work-study
Center, bringing together experts in various fields and
programs, social action courses, or on special class
community workers who wanted to share their
assignment, are well qualified as participant educators
expertise. The first workshop was on Communities
and capable of providing quality assistance to their
and the Press, with such media people as Peter
assigned groups.
Freiberg of the New York Post, Gary Gilson and
Volunteers from the Pratt faculty provide
Roseann Allesandro of Channel 13, and Celene
specific consultative assistance - short and long term
Krauss and Barbara Bingham of Brooklyn Heights's
to community organizations and represent the
Township newspaper, as well as members of the Pratt
spectrum of academic disciplines at the Institute.
Center staff and community people.
Dealing with Communities and Foundations, the
Where the Money Comes From
second workshop investigated ways in which com-
Funding The Center was created with a grant
munity organizations can seek funding. Participants
from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in 1963 and has
included Kathleen Roberts of the Fund for the City
been funded by a variety of foundations, corpora-
of New York, Coco Eiseman of the New York State
tions, and government agencies in its ten-year history.
Council on the Arts, and Nathaniel Harris of the First
In addition, the Center occasionally accepts contract
National City Bank.
13
NEW YORK POST. THURSDAY. MAY 3. 1973
New York Post
FOUNDED BY ALEXANDER HAMILTON IN 1801
DOROTHY SCHIFF Editor-in Chief c-1 Publisher
PAUL S.I.V.V
Excentive Fillor
JAMES .t. 1; ECHSLER
Editorial Page Editor
ROBERT SPITZLER
Managing Editor
Published daily 1=11)1 Sunday. Owned by the New Yort Post Corporation, 210 South St., New York,
N.Y. 10002. Derothy Schiff, President Mortiner 18. Hell, Ireasurer. Byren S. Greenberg, Secretary.
Planning and Communities
When the city mars out community able for community organizations with
development projects, it is not uncom-
such needs from the Pratt Institute
mon to find that the plans as drawn
Center for Community and Environ-
have certain familiar features. It often
mental Development. Its client is the
turns out that they follow the bound-
public.
ary lines of least resistance.
"Community action" is 2 familiar
In other words, an organized neigh-
phenomenon by now; some politicians'
borhood with a coherent development
allegations that it has failed are, in
plan of its own stands an infinitely
fact, an indication of its success. The
better chance in challenging proposed
Pratt planning center is prod ctively
"improvements"-under either private
serving similar purposes.
or public auspices-than an area lack-
When a neighborhood is told that
ing the am munition to fight City Hall.
changes are going "according to plan,"
As this newspaper reported yester-
it is important that the neighbors share
day, professional consultation is avail-
in the trafting.
=
THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1967
Volunteer Staff Gives Slum Students Second Try
Karen Stein had never met
courses ranging from math-
It is hard to visualize Ful-
affairs and a native of West
anyone like Andres, or
ematics and biology to Afri-
ton Street, a shabby, crowd-
Africa, began her Saturday
Gene, or Gus or Reggie be-
can culture and computer
ed thoroughfare that runs
afternoon class in African
-fore. The young people were
theory, wherever space is
through Bedford-Stuyvesant,
Culture and History.
[seated with her around a
available.
as the main walk of a college
Mrs. Sangare wore a flow-
Stable littered with napkins
A student at the non-ac-
campus. At night, it is full
ing African dress, and the
tand coffee cups in a class-
credited college may want to
of the dazzling lights of neon
combination of her poise,
room at Pratt Institute the
obtain a High School
signs, the aroma of frank-
beauty, and soft french ac-
other night, discussing poe-
Equivalency Diploma (for
furters and pizza, and the
cent held her audience spell-
try and reading their own
which there is a special pro-
sound of young men kick-
bound.
poems.
gram), or he may want to
ing broken glass, scattered
"We're going to learn
"When a poet writes."
learn a specific job skill,
on the sidewalks.
about the Africa that the
Andres was saying, "accord-
such as photography, or he
Desire to Learn
black man left behind when
ing to Carl Jung he brings
may need the extra educa-
he came to America," she
out his own neuroses. He
tional background required
But in one of the dark
said as she opened a discus-
for admission to the City
side streets that lead off
can't help it." Andres
sion of the complex tribal
University.
Fulton Street, inside a run-
dropped out of school two
traditions that traced chil-
down brownstone house that
years ago, when he was 15,
Life of the Student
dren back through the blood
displayed the sign of the
but Miss Stein knew enough
of the mother, rather than
One Neighborhood College
"Young Mothers Center" a
not to question the authen-
the father.
student, dressed conser-
local community project, a
ticity of his reference.
"I guess I don't like that
One night a week, Miss
vatively in a suit and tie,
tired-looking mother of three
tribe," said Henry Bryant,
smiled as he watched the
Stein, who works as an as-
opened up her notebook and
a plumber.
blue-jeaned Pratt students on
looked expectantly at the
sistant at the Modern Lan-
"But who's been telling us
their way to evening classes.
teacher, Dr. Paul Cooper, an
guage Association, goes to
all this time that these peo-
"I want to learn enough to
instructor of English at Pratt.
Pratt to hear Andres. Gene,
ple are primitive?" asked an-
Gus and Reggie tell her what
be able to dress like that,"
"We're going to learn how
other student, who was wear-
he said.
to speak, read, and write
poetry is all about.
ing long African styled ear-
Her course, Poetry, is of-
The college's educational
better English," he began.
rings.
fered by the Central Brook-
policy is formed by the stu-
"That's what you're here for,
There was coffee and cake,
#lyn Neighborhood College, a
dents, faculty members, rep-
right?"
and a last comment by one
resentatives from community
There were murmurs of
tuition-free "college of the
young man in sunglasses,
organizations, parents, and
assent. "So," continued Dr.
Estreets" developed last sum-
who had remained silent the
several members of its own
Cooper, "the thing for us to
imer by local community
whole session.
staff. They meet once
to do is to write as much as
groups as an experiment in
"You know," he said, "I
a week.
we can and speak as much
Thelping slum residents fill
was just thinking that it's
The administrative offices
as we can."
gaps in their schooling.
those who live at a sub-
are in space donated by the
"I really need that," the
sistence level who will be
Second Try at School
Pratt Center for Community
woman said.
the ones who survive this
Nearly 500 residents of the
Development, agency of the
The necessity of establish-
century-not us, the civilized
Bedford-Stuyvesant section
institute at 21 St. James
ing a new relationship be-
ones."
of Brooklyn are making a
Place. The Pratt Center also
tween teacher and student
Bedford-Stuyvesant's streets
Isecond try at school in
gives the college about $200
is the main concern in the
were thickening with the
*classes like the one held at
a week for its expenses.
minds of everyone partici-
evening crowds as the stu-
"Pratt, or in nearby store-
Additional funds are being
pating in the Neighborhood
dents walked out of the
fronts, churches, private resi-
sought from foundations, in-
College.
studio. "See you next week,"
dences, and community cen-
dividuals and the city's Hu-
"The fact that teachers
called Mrs. Sangare.
*ters.
man Resources Administra-
aren't paid," said Barry
"Oh, don't worry, we'll be
Reggie, a 20-year-old high
tion.
Schwartz, an instructor of
there," answered one of the
school dropout, who is taking
Ron Shiffman. assistant di-
humanities at Pratt. and di-
students, "Where else would
several Neighborhood Col-
rector of the Pratt Center,
rector of educational
we go?"
lege classes, wants a dif-
said of the college: "The
planning at the new college,
-ferent education. "When I
most pressing problems are
"makes for a unique trust
Awent to Alexander Hamilton
insufficient space to hold all
and concern on the part of
"High." he said. "you just
our classes and inadequate
students."
"knew you weren't supposed
funds for books and equip-
African History Taught
"to study there. Guys would
ment."
At Studio O, an art gallery
*ask me 'you here to study?
Operating on a minimum
operated by young Negro
Come on, man!' Let me tell
budget, the Neighborhood
artists at 10 Claver Place in
you, you could get your head
College hopes to obtain fi-
Bedford-Stuyvesant, African
broken that way."
nancing with the help of
drums were throbbing on a
An unpaid faculty of col-
private donations. foundation
record player in the back-
lege teachers, professionals,
grants, and, possibly, anti-
ground as Mrs. Yahne San-
and community leaders teach
poverty funds.
gare, a lecturer on African
Central College
Triples Students
Almost five hundred students one of the cooperating insti-
began classes last week in the
tutions in the Neighborhood
second session of Central
College program.
Brooklyn Neighborhood College,
Courses range from the
a community-run experiment in
Homanities to African History
education,
and Culture to Discovering
Neighborhood College was
Bedford-Stuyvesant. More than
organized last spring, after
a; quarter of the students
tions and local educational insti-
Community leaders hailed the
tutions, as a cooperative effort
success of the College program.
Mrs. Constance McQueen
BROOKLYN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1967 B
conferences between central
registered for two courses in
Brooklyn community organiza-
computer technology.
with no fees and no entrance
requirements.
executive director of the Central
Students range from 15-year-
Brooklyn Coordinating Council.
old high school pupils to middle-
said it proves the need for an
aged community residents. One
educational Institution located in
EDJTION
hundred-fifty central
central Brooklun.
Brooklynites enrolled in 28
Faculty
courses for the College's first
Among the volunteer faculty
sessions, held this past summer.
members teaching in the fall
So successful was the program
session are Jack Robertson of
that the fall sessions has more
New York University; William
than tripled in enrollment and
Birnbaum, former provost of
the number of courses has risen
Long Island University, now
to 65, taught by 75 volunteer
working with Senator Kennedy
instructors. Neighborhood
and the Restoration Corporation
College's current enrollment is
on the development 01 educa-
larger than the number of
tional programs in Bedford-
students at Kingsborough
Stuyvesant; Charles E. Wilson,
Community College's downtown
free-lance writer who contri-
campus.
butes to many New York area
Curriculum
magazines; Charles Russell,
Fall curriculum was developed
editor of Onyx, a new Afro-
at an all-day conference held
American magazine; photo-
last week between students and
grapher Bill Mackey; and Jack
volunteer faculty. The
Minkoff of Pratt Institute.
conference included individual
The Pratt Center for
counseling sessions, group dis-
Community Imprrovement is
cussions, and general meetings
coordinating the administrative
between faculty and students.
functions of Neighborhood
It was held at Pratt Institute,
College.
N. Y. AMSTERDAM NEWS, Sat., Nov. 26, 1966 o
Pratt Extends Leader
Training Program
Because of the unexpected Foundation and the Rockefeller
response, the leadership training
Brothers Fund.
program offered to Central
5 Seminars
Brooklyn residents by the Pratt
Under the program five
Center for Community
classroom seminars and three
Improvement will be extended
field trips will be offered. The
in the Spring, it was announced
trips will be to Baltimore, New
by Pratt Institute.
Haven and around the
The leadership course was
metropolitan area. Noted
limited to 40 participants, but
experts in the housing, planning
more than 75 applications were
and renewal fields will conduct
received. The second session in
the classroom seminars.
the Spring will be conducted in
Films and other visual aids
order to accammodate those
as well as a specially-prepared
who applied after the participat-
manual and a publications kit
ion limit was reached as well as
will be used for the course.
to receive additional applicants
A $15 program fee covers
for the course.
classes and field trips and
Mrs. Constance J. McQueen,
registration at the Dec. 10 one-
executive director of the Central
day Community Conference on
Brooklyn Coordinating Council,
Community Development
hailed the community response
sponsored by the Central
to the program.
Brooklyn Coordinating Council
Community Desire
at PS 305, 344 Monroe St.
"This response," she said,
"indicates the community's
desire to participate fully and
knowledgeably in the planning
and revitalization of Bedford-
Stuyvesant."
The purpose of the leadership
training program is to provide
expertise in problems of
housing, planning urban
renewal, and the public and
private programs available to
help solve these problems. It
will detail government
structure, and sketch alternative
programs available under
present legislation.
The program was sponsored
by the 4 Federal Government
under Title I of the Aid to
Higher Education Act with
assistance from the Taconic
NEW CENTER AIDS
NEW CENTER AIDS
AREA REPLANNING
AREA REPLANNING
Pratt Unit Gives Guidance
Continued From Page 1
on Community Problems
meaningful terms with the peo-
The New
ple on the street corner worry-
ing about their neighborhood.
By LAWRENCE O'KANE
"When George Raymond
The value of involvement of
came along with this idea, it
seemed to us a useful way to
professional planners in the
see whether this dialogue can
problems of disadvantaged
be improved. Of course. it has
areas at the grass-roots level
to be a private rather than a
is being tested in an experi-
governmental effort and it has
ment financed primarily by the
to aim at disadvantaged areas."
The nearest thing to the
Rockefeller Brothers Fund,
Center for Community Im-
The planning organization
provement is ARCH-the Ar-
that is exploring ways of cre-
chitects Renewal Committee in
ating a meaningful dialogue be-
Harlem. Inc.
tween neighborhood and gov-
ARCH. which was formed in
York
ernment is the Center for Com-
1964 at a meeting of the New
munity Improvement of Pratt
York Chapter of the American
Institute. The nonprofit center
Institute of Architects. is a
is an outgrowth of Pratt's De-
volunteer group of architects
partment of City and Regional
and city planners that offers
Planning.
free professional services to
The center's efforts at com-
neighborhood organizations in
munity education have included
Harlem and upper Manhattan.
the organization and sponsor-
These services included advice
ship of community-wide confer-
on Federal, state and city pro-
ences on several urban topics.
grams of renewal, rehabilita-
publication of a neighborhood
tion, urban beautification and
newsletter and of a guidebook
rent supplements to the needy.
Times.
to the municipal agencies that
Mr. Raymond became inter-
control the city environment, a
ested in the creation of a plan-
detailed study of one commu-
ning assistance group after his
nity and face-to-face planning
firm was named consultant to
guidance to local organizations.
the city's Community Renewal
The center's director is Prof.
Program in 1961.
George M. Raymond. chairman
"I soon found out," he said,
SUNDAY, JULY 31, 1966.
of Pratt's planning department
"that it was almost impossible
and a partner in Raymond &
to make progress because of
May Associates, a firm of plan-
serious friction between the city
ning consultants. Assisting Mr.
and neighborhood groups. The
Raymond with the center's
neighborhoods were suspicious
work is Ronald Shiffman.
of both urban renewal and the
municipal authorities.
Private Effort Stressed
Sponsored Planning Conferences
In pursuing his objective of
"A true dialogue between
furnishing neighborhood groups
community leaders, citizens in
with the technical expertise
general and the city was im-
they need to enable them to
possible," Mr. Raymond added.
take meaningful action on their
"Neither the community lead-
own behalf. Professor Raymond
ers nor the neighborhood people
sees his role as only that of a
knew what they could right-
teacher and advisor.
fully expect from the city's
"We do not get involved in
housing and urban renewal pro-
politics." he explained. "and we
grams. And they didn't know
do not act as leaders-only as
how to participate effectively in
the city's governmental proc-
Brooklyn Coordinating Council
on a tour of rehabilitation and
consultants to leaders."
these programs."
esses."
These activities have been
The Center for Community
A year after its formation,
renewal projects in Baltimore,
supported with grants totaling
Improvement was launched in
the center began to take part in
New Haven and Philadelphia.
$229.000 from the Rockefeller
January 1963 with the help of
grass roots activity in the Bed-
Support for renewal of Bedford-
Brothers Fund. $30,000 from
an initial grant of $94,000 for
ford-Stuyvesant section of
Stuyvesant began to grow.
the Taconic Foundation and
a three-year period from the
Brooklyn. Several clergymen
Mr. Shiffman aided its growth
$15,000 from the Federal gov-
Rockefeller Brothers Fund. A
grouped under the name of
by helping to edit the Central
ernment. The Federal grant.
second grant will carry the cen-
Church Community Services
Brooklyn Coordinator, a news-
made under the Aid to Higher
ter through 1968.
asked the center to act as its
paper that has a 10,000 distribu-
Education Act, was given to
The center's first work was
consultant.
tion.
help establish a leadership
in the field of community edu-
Fulton Park. a deteriorated
The center also conducted
training in institute.
cation. Annual Pratt Institute
section of Bedford-Stuyvesant,
tours of parks in all boroughs
"We are very pleased about
planning conferences have in-
was facing urban renewal and
for Bedford-Stuyvesant block
the way this is working out,"
volved community leaders in
the clergymen were fearful that
leaders. Block associations were
a spokesman for the Rocke-
four citywide conferences de-
the displaced families would
helped in their efforts to obtain
feller Brothers Fund said last
voted to such topics as parks,
move into the nearby middle-
land for two vest-pocket parks.
week. He explained how and
the neighborhood in relation to
class Stuvvesant Heights area,
Advice was given on planning
why the foundation had become
the over-all city and the rela-
tipping the balance toward its
the parks and charitable foun-
involved.
tionship of city to the metro-
deterioration and driving out
dations were solicited for as-
"The physical renewal of the
politan region.
community leaders.
sistance.
city." he said. "is one of the
The center also prepared and
Pratt students were enlisted.
The first park, on Quincy
biggest problems we face. But
published the "Pratt Planning,
They produced a 60-page report
Street. was opened last Janu-
the dialogue breaks down be-
Housing and Urban Renewal
that urged treating Stuyvesant
ary with grants totaling $10,000
cause the people at the grass-
Guide for New Yorkers," writ-
Heights and Fulton Park as a
from the New York Foundation
roots level do not know how
ten by Robert Alpern and
single renewal-rehabilitation
and the Avalon Foundation. The
to 20 about it. And the city
edited by Astrid Monson and
area.
second park. on Lefferts Place.
is unable to communicate in
Mr. Raymond.
In order to create under-
was built with a $10,000 grant
The book was designed as an
standing of the urban renewal
from the J. W. Mays depart-
Continued on Page 9. Column 1
assault on "the complexity, in-
process. the center hired buses
ment store. Both parks were
definiteness and deviousness of
and took leaders of the Central
designed by M. Paul Friedberg.
PROPOSAL FOR A GRANT UNDER TITLE I OF
THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT - 1968-69
THE PROBLEM
The complex issues which comprise the urban crisis have received
widespread attention and notoriety in the past few years. However, despite
the proliferation of programs spurred by this attention, there are - still few
examples of meaningful action on the local level where the problems are
real and where they must be ultimately resolved. Solutions must be provided
not for, but with and by the affected local communities, and these commun-
ities require knowledge and expertise in order to develop and implement
these solutions.
Individual citizens and various neighborhood groups and councils,
intent on seeing their needs met and their problems alleviated, find them-
selves confronted by a bewildering multiplicity of agencies and programs.
When the citizen and the agency meet, with confusion on the one hand and
rigidly inflexible bureaucratic procedures, expressed in virtually unintell-
igible jargon, on the other, the result is too often a series of clashes and an
exacerbation of hostility rather than constructive cooperation toward the
solution of problems at hand. The citizen attempting to improve his circum-
stances thus often feels increasingly frustrated by the political system, and
seeks other means to achieve his goal.
The level of frustration is most acute in lower-income areas where,
because of the urgency of the community's social and physical needs, resi-
-1- -
-2-
dents are more likely to seek assistance frequently from the government
than are middle-income residents. At the same time, effective participa-
tion by residents of low-income areas in programs which are intended to
affect their lives is essential if we are to bring about truly meaningful
results.
-
The multiplicity of programs and agencies established in low-income
communities as a result of the social and political turmoil of this decade
have provided a unique opportunity for a number of individuals, particularly
from minority groups, to participate in local school boards, poverty
boards, councils, community corporations, etc. For some, this is an
entirely new experience; for others, it is not unprecedented. But all such
participants are concerned with questions about how to increase their
effectiveness, how to further the organization's work, how to best represent
the total community's interests - - and this requires knowledge and skill.
The needs of leaders and potential leaders are particularly acute in
relation to programs which require a great deal of technical knowledge.
Leadership itself is an acquired talent, and leadership techniques can be
taught, so that leaders can be more effective. But in some programs,
particularly the new Model Cities community boards, and school boards faced
with decentralization and community control, leadership skills are not
enough. Detailed knowledge must be acquired about the intricacies of pro-
grams and procedures if these boards are to fulfill their mandate of govern-
ment. And similar technical knowledge about highly complex subjects is
-3-
required by para-professionals who will staff Model Cities and other new
community agencies.
Many disadvantaged communities contain institutions of higher
learning which are repositories of the knowledge and technical expertise
required. Unfortunately, too often there is little or no communication
-
between these two community elements; in fact, the relationship is often
a hostile one. The union of the institution and the community could create
the combination of initiative and skills which would bring about truly con-
structive community development. This collaboration, which is similar
in some respects to the rural agent system which has operated effectively
for many decades, would constitute an urban action program for needy
areas.
THE POPULATION
Central Brooklyn* comprises the largest contiguous poverty pocket
in New York State, and the second largest in the country. It contains close
to 5, 000 acres, and houses upwards of 500, 000 people. At least seven
percent of the area's labor force is statistically unemployed, and an even
greater number of jobless is not even considered part of the labor force.
This unemployment crisis hits particularly hard at the area's young people;
estimates range as high as 40% for unemployed youth between 18-25.
* Including Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, East New York, Bushwick,
Fort Greene, Crown Heights, Williamsburg, and South Brooklyn.
-4-
The plight of the Central Brooklyn resident with regard to social
and economic immobility, poor housing conditions, overcrowding, disease,
and social disorganization is similar to that of the Negro living in any of
the nation's major ghetto communities. On the other hand, available data
also indicates that Central Brooklyn is different from other ghettos in that
a large segment of the population owns or leases their own homes, and
exhibits other characteristics indicative of residents' investment in their
area.
As a result of persistent local efforts, the area has recently become
the target for a number of City programs designed to upgrade the entire
community. These programs include active urban renewal programs in the
Fulton Park, Atlantic Terminal, Brownsville, and Williamsburg areas; a
code enforcement project in Crown Heights and the Children's Museum area;
a demolition program for the elimination of unoccupied substandard buildings;
a political-industrial-community coalition to develop the recently-closed
Brooklyn Navy Yard; and, most recently, approval of the area by the City
and Federal governments as a Model Cities area, accompanied by a City
program for construction of vest-pocket low- and moderate-income housing.
Private local efforts to improve the community are being undertaken in Fort
Greene, Park Slope, and elsewhere, particularly in areas which are in the
throes of rapid racial transition. These new programs provide a unique
opportunity not only for better housing and environment, but for training and
-5- -
employment at all levels, from para-professional to construction workers,
and for responsible leadership by community residents, providing that
training and informational opportunities exist which will prepare community
residents for this new role.
Perhaps most significantly in the recent history of Central Brooklyn,
under the co-sponsorship of Senators Robert F. Kennedy and Jacob Javits
and that of Mayor John V. Lindsay, the initiative of the Bedford-Stuyvesant
community has been wed to the resources of the private business sector in
parallel corporations the Bedford-Stuyvesant Renewal and Rehabilitation
Corporation (since joined by the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation)
which handles the community segment, and the Bedford-Stuyvesant Develop-
ment and Services Corporation, which represents the business sector. These
agencies are presently undertaking an extensive program aimed at tackling
many of the area's problems, including housing, employment, social oppor-
tunity, business development, etc.
Since its founding in 1963, with the assistance of the Rockefeller
Brothers Fund, the Pratt Center for Community Improvement has been
working intensively with the community to bring about these developments,
through technical assistance, informational services, consultation, training
programs, and more recently, through special training for board members
of umbrella and delegate agencies, corporations, etc. The Center has devel-
oped and refined a highly effective "Participant Education Process" (PEP)
-6-
in pursuit of the cooperative approach to community planning. The program
staff of the Center participates in meetings and projects of community
groups, and the Center's Assistant Director is a board member of the two
major community action agencies, the Central Brooklyn Coordinating Council
(CBCC) and Bedford-Stuyvesant Youth-In-Action (YIA), while the Center's
Director serves on the consulting board of CBCC. The community educa-
tional process thus has become imperceptibly merged and integrated with
community needs and activities and, consequently, is much more responsive
and readily accepted than would be the formal instructor-student relation-
ship. In essence, the Participant Education Process seeks to achieve:
1. A basic understanding of program objectives, including
alternative programs and the estimated end results of each, so as to allow
the community greater voice in determining its future;
2. An agreement among community representatives and pro-
fessionals working with the community as to the specific steps believed
necessary to achieve those end results determined to be optimal for the
specific project;
3. A merging of the interests of principal community groups
and those outsiders volunteering their professional services, and the elimin-
ation of conflicts within the community and between these groups (i.e.,
mutually exclusive goals, local biases vs. professional biases, etc. ); and
4. The discovery of latent talent within the community, the
-7-
input of these skills into community improvement, and resultant increased
participation by the community on all levels of its own improvement.
The Participant Education Process has been highly successful.
Within its own staff, for example, the Center has employed and upgraded a
high school drop-out with an equivalency diploma, who now coordinates all
educational programs, including the administration of the Central Brooklyn
Neighborhood "College" (see following pages); a college drop-out who has
since returned to college and continues to work part-time in developing new
programs and handling significant portions of the community relations pro-
gram segment; a 14-year-old high school student, employed for the summer,
who supervised the construction of a multi-service park complex; a junior
high school student who received special drafting training which led to his
admission to a specialized high school; three Neighborhood Youth Corps
girls who received scholarships to secretarial school; a Neighborhood Youth
Corps youth whose training in drafting led to his employment by a top archi-
tectural firm and his enrollment in Pratt Institute's School of Architecture,
etc. etc. The Participant Education Process has also guided the Center's
relations with community agencies - for example, the Center has worked
closely with the ad hoc group which developed the Model Cities program,
and will continue to work with the group as it grows and its status has been
formalized.
As new programs for the area have come into being, community needs
-8-
and therefore the demands on the Center's services, have increased. Pratt
Institute's various schools and departments have become more and more
involved in assistance to the community, both on a general and on a one-to-
one basis, and the Center has encouraged other area institutions to do like-
wise. The Center is now consulting with the New Jersey Training Institute
-
to develop means of coordinating and supplementing these efforts in the most
effective possible way.
PLANNING
The Center's approach has never been that of patronizing benefactor.
Rather, its philosophical basis - the Participant Education Process - has
been a. conviction that an institution of higher learning has a responsibility
to participate in the life of the community of which it is a part. Thus, as
noted, the Center has entered into partnership with community agencies,
organizations, and residents, and has worked with them toward the accomp-
lishment of the mutual goal of community improvement. The Center's repre-
sentation on the boards of local umbrella agencies is matched by a corres-
pondingly close relationship of community residents to the planning and exe-
cution of the Center's program. The bulk of the Center's staff is resident in
the community, and is comprised of individuals who exhibit, rather than
academic expertise, a great degree of indigenous skill which can be comple-
mented by supervisory staff. The Center also makes its facilities available
to the community on a regular basis, and is accorded use of community
-9-
facilities in like manner.
The Center's ability to be responsive to community needs stems from
a built-in flexibility in the Center's approach to community problems. Pro-
gram outlines and directions are evolved through constant consultation, con-
versation, formal evaluation by both staff and community, and ultimately, by
mutual perception of needs and potential means for meeting them.
The first program for which the Center received funding under Title I,
in 1966, was evolved in just this manner. Because of impending housing and
planning programs in which the community intended to take an active part,
and because of pilot programs which indicated that the Center's approach to
this problem could be effective, the Center worked with the community to
develop a Leadership Training and Community Information Program. This
Program, intended to provide formal classes, technical assistance, and infor-
mation about housing, planning, and urban renewal, received a $15, 000 Title
I grant.
Following evaluation by participants, community consultants, and staff,
the Program was broadened in 1967-68 to consider the nature of effective
leadership, as well as additional fields of interest, primarily education. (See
Final Report.) The Title I funding for 1967-68 amounted to $30, 000.
In 1967-68, the Center, using Title I funds in part, worked particularly
closely with the citizens' groups directing the vest-pocket housing programs in
Central Brooklyn, and acting as ad hoc groups in the initial administration of
-10-
the Model Cities program. This assistance included joint sponsorship of
public information meetings; briefing and informal training of ad hoc board
members and organizations in the procedures and objectives of Model
Cities; production and/or distribution of educational and informational
materials; and particularly, an all-day seminar to provide information and
intensive orientation for prospective sponsors of housing under the vest-
pocket program. This seminar attracted over 150 people representing ap-
proximately 100 different potential local sponsoring groups.
Another major program conducted during 1967-68 involved a project
in Ocean Hill, a severely blighted area between Bedford-Stuyvesant and
Brownsville. Working closely with a vigorous community group, Project
Method, the Center helped develop and design, in conjunction with Neighbor-
hood Youth Corpsmen and staff assigned from Project Method, a comprehen-
sive plan for a one-block multi-service program - a Head Start Center, am-
phitheater, basketball court, swimming pool, adventure playground, and,
hopefully, a neighborhood service center. The Center helped coordinate City
efforts - involving more than 20 City agencies - which made this unique
project a reality. The swimming pool and basketball court were built by the
Parks Department in time for summer use in this highly volatile area. The
Center entered into formal contract with the Parks Department for construc-
tion by the Center of the adventure playground and amphitheater, which are
now almost completed, utilizing Neighborhood Youth Corpsmen and local
unemployed laborers in their construction. The Board of Education has
-11-
begun work on the Head Start Center. The community is now involved in
planning for new and rehabilitated housing in the blocks surrounding this
project area. And the Center is working with board members of prospective
sponsoring groups for this housing, and developing programs which would
involve local Neighborhood Youth Corpsmen in one-to-one relationships with
Pratt Center personnel and Pratt Institute students, geared toward technical
training in drafting, architecture, planning, and other skills.
These two programs, among the many in which the Center was engaged
last year, serve particularly to emphasize two new trends in the community
served. One is increasing community influence - a movement which affects
many complex programs, from decentralized education to Model Cities, and
which, therefore, requires more and more expertise on the part of commun-
ity residents, particularly board members and para-professionals. The
second is the comprehensive, coordinated approach ( as envisioned in Model
Cities), which can have a multiplier effect on the effectiveness of individual
projects, by their being planned in harmony with other, related programs.
The problems of education are becoming increasingly important, since
decentralization and increased community responsibility are on the verge of
becoming a reality throughout the city system. These problems, which will
be the concern of local governing boards, involve physical plants and planning,
curriculum, community involvement, employability, and many other factors.
As it became more and more involved in education during 1967-68, the
Center channeled its efforts in work with community individuals and groups
-12-
particularly interested in the multi-faceted problems of education. In a series
of informal discussions, it became evident that while existing educational in-
stitutions, practices, and procedures needed to be changed, very constructive
results could be achieved by mobilizing community resources - both of the
community itself, and of the many educational institutions located in and about
it - to launch a new, experimental educational program.
-
These discussions resulted in the creation of the Central Brooklyn Neigh-
borhood "College", a community-run, unique educational venture with no fees,
and no entrance requirements beyond that of age (15 years old or more). The
Neighborhood "College" was not designed to compete with existing educational
programs, but to supplement them. It coordinates the efforts of local educa-
tional institutions in a coalition with the community, using borrowed classroom
space throughout the community and volunteer teachers from the community
and the various institutions. It seeks to evolve new, innovative educational
programs which will provide an experience geared to the needs of the community's
young adults and adults, and which will counter the largely negative feelings local
residents have about education, because of their experience with inadequate
schools, poor teachers, and the system's generally negative tone. It provides a
full range of subjects, from computer programming to poetry, from photography
to cultural history, and high school equivalency programs, which will assist in
overcoming educational deficiencies standing in the way of increased educational
or employment opportunities. In addition, the Neighborhood "College" provides
the mechanism for a confrontation between the various institutions and the
-13- -
community, which will work to create institutional changes to make the various
institutions more responsive to community needs.
The "College" had 150 registrants in its first, Summer, session. in
classes. Its Fall and Spring sessions have enrolled about 500 students each,
in 60 classes. The Neighborhood "College" is directed by a Steering Committee
-
composed of community residents, Neighborhood "College" students and
faculty, and representatives of cooperating institutions. It is administered out
of the Pratt Center's offices, and the Center also makes staff and services
available. Cooperation between the Center and the "College" is extremely
close in all educational matters, but particularly in the area of guidance and
counselling, and in innovative programs to involve local residents on all levels
of poverty, Model Cities, and education programs - on governing boards and
in employment.
The "College" places great emphasis on guidance and counselling. A
guidance and counselling course, intended to train para-professionals in thes,
skills, is part of the curriculum. In addition, every Neighborhood "College"
student is given individual guidance and counselling, both to insure that the
Neighborhood "College" structure fills his needs, and to assist him in getting
into college or jobs and job-training programs. A high proportion of Neighbor-
hood "College" students are already employed in the community as para-
professionals with public or private agencies, and take "College" classes to
increase their sensitivity and technical expertise, either for use in their present
positions, or to assist in advancement within or outside the agency. However.
-14-
the "College" seeks to improve its services for those who are not so satisfac-
torily employed or educationally advantaged. Close contact is maintained with
the State University Urban Center, and with City programs such as SEEK and
Upward Bound, to channel "College" students into these programs. Liaison is
maintained on a continuing basis with various Manpower Development and
-
Training programs, with Training Resources for Youth and similar agencies,
and with other public and private programs, so that students can use basic
skills acquired in the "College" structure in more elaborate. extensive training
programs. The "College" and the Center have joined in an application for funds
under Title IV to open a College Opportunities Center, which would allow for
centralization and intensification of these guidance and counselling services,
which could then be opened to the community at large. After the first year's
operation, it is anticipated that this Opportunities Center would be supported by
the various cooperating institutions, operating as a "consortium". In addition,
the Center has applied for:
1. A grant from a major foundation to establish a training program
for the development of entrepreneurs capable of managing their own businesses
or holding high management-level positions in larger firms;
2. A comprehensive Upward Bound program;
3. A grant from a major foundation to operate, in conjunction with
Local School Board 16, the Governing Board of P.S. 129, and others, a project
to develop a comprehensive plan for a community school, including architecture,
curriculum, etc; and
-15-
4. A grant from a major foundation (now nearing funding) filed in
conjunction with the Department of City and Regional Planning, for scholar-
ships and working fellowships for minority group students, who would also work
for the Center, and for curriculum revision to provide for greater responsive-
ness to community problems.
The Center has also widened its range of operations in relation to Pratt
Institute. At its inception, the Center was an arm only of the Department of
City and Regional Planning. It has increasingly assumed that role for the In-
stitute at large, so that now the Center can draw upon expertise from a variety
of disciplines and assist in setting up cooperative student research and other
projects for the various schools and departments throughout the Institute. The
Institute's new President, Dr. James B. Donovan, has directed that wherever
possible, student projects and the curriculum center around the needs of the
Central Brooklyn community, and this directive, which was partially motivated
by the success of the Center's program, will result in a significant increase in
the Institute's role in the community.
PROGRAM
The proposal for Title I funding for fiscal 1968-69 has been drawn up with
these new developments in mind. It seeks to incorporate them in an effective,
coordinated, but still highly flexible program which will be of maximum benefit
to community residents. The program contains both existing components,
modified to respond to developing community needs, and new programs to encom.
pass the Center's and the community's enlarged and evolving fields of interest.
-16-
Continuing Programs
In the category of continuation of existing programs, the following is
contemplated:
1. A Leadership Training Program. In its origins, the Leadership
Training Program was developed to evolve innovative techniques for providing
-
technical information to community groups and residents on housing, planning,
urban renewal, and general community problems. Community developments
have caused a continuous re-evaluation of the program's emphasis and orien-
tation.
As far back as four years ago, the Center saw a need to equip community
leaders with the wherewithal to function effectively within the context of urban
renewal, poverty, education, and other programs where citizen participation
was both a requirement and a demonstrated necessity. Recent developments
have brought to the fore a need for training local government leaders and para-
professionals so that they may more fully participate in community development
programs - their planning, the process of production and operation, whether
these programs are concerned with housing, shopping centers, education, etc.
These recent developments include designation of Central Brooklyn as a Model
Cities area, with resultant requirements for trained local directive board
members and for para-professionals to staff local offices; initiation of a City-
organized vest-pocket housing program, which also requires both formal and
informal training of local directive board members and para-professionals, as
well as members of non-profit sponsoring groups; a new Congressional directive
-17-
requiring a housing programs information clearing house to be established in
each poverty agency, with the resultant need for trained para-professionals
and professionals to operate these centers; and other, similar, programs.
Thus, the original program of providing broad general knowledge is no longer
enough. Both board members and para-professionals require specific know-
-
ledge about the complexities of various government programs, means of filing
applications, availability of public funds, implications of government programs
on community development, etc. Non-profit organization boards will also, as
they begin to undertake program sponsorship, require technical and organiza-
tional information about a variety of subjects to an extent greater than before.
Thus, the focus of the Leadership Training program has shifted to precise.
technical information, which is applicable to those already in leadership and
para-professional positions, as well as to those contemplating entry into these
fields of endeavor.
Additionally, however, "leadership training" has been broadened in its
concept. The multiplication of poverty boards, school boards, planning boar :-
community corporation boards, etc. has brought to light the need for general
training in the mechanics of leadership and followership - - how to be effective
as a leader, how to conduct a meeting, how to run an organization, how to
negotiate, etc. A pilot program, consisting of a three-lecture series with one
follow-up lecture, is presently being conducted by the Center, and is being
evaluated on a step-by-step basis, including evaluation by instructors, testing
responses of enrollees, enrollee evaluation, etc. A special instructional manua.
-18-
has been prepared for this program, and periodic follow-up programs are
being planned. Indications are that the course fills a strong local need, and
the 1968-69 program includes establishment of the Board Leadership program
on a regular cyclical basis.
Education has also become of increasing importance within the community.
Recent moves on the part of the City to decentralize the school system and admit
of community control over some schoolfunctions has vastly increased the impor-
tance of the heretofore largely ceremonial local school boards. Parents' groups,
as well, are becoming increasingly active in school affairs, setting up district
councils and other quasi-official organizations. The complexities of the New
York City educational system demand an intensive training program if these
local leaders are to be effective in their new directive roles. For this reason,
the Center is developing a prototype Education Leadership program, to consist
of 10 seminars with sensitivity training, role playing, field trips, etc. The
course would range from general principles of leadership to specifics on the
lines of authority and procedures of the Board of Education as they are today and
the ways in which they may evolve, with resultant consequences.
This contemplated revision of the Leadership Training Program has a special
relation to Priorities #1 and #2 in the Title I guidelines, being designed both to
train local governing board members, and to train para-professionals.
2. A Community Information Component. A formal class structure,
such as that of the Leadership Training Program, of necessity limits the number
of those who can be reached. In addition, those who have "graduated" from the
-19-
Program have difficulty keeping abreast of new developments, especially in
the context of continual legislative and operative review and reorganization
For this reason, the Community Information component is important to the
over-all program's effectiveness, because it establishes a continuing education
process with local governing officials and para-professionals, as well as with
those who will, in a very short time, play similar roles in the community.
In this case, too, the original program has evolved from a broadly-based
one, reaching out to the whole community with generalized community develop-
ment information, to a more program- and goal-oriented one geared to the
community's evolving needs. The result has been the increasing reprinting,
summarization, analysis, and dissemination of materials and information on
new legislation and public and private programs which are of primary concern
to local government officials, community leaders, and para-professionals:
the preparation of special research studies, reports, and compendiums on the
various issues affecting the community, etc. This information, which is directed
primarily to agencies, organizations, and groups dealing with the application and
administration of programs in the various fields, is also distributed to the comm.
unity as a whole. The information component, therefore, serves several simul-
taneous functions:
a) It provides information for those para-professionals, leader
and others who cannot avail themselves of the more formal programs;
b) It provides supplementary information and continuing educa.
tion for those who have participated in the formal programs;
-20-
c) It informs the community at large of the availability of
the Center's services and programs. (This informational network has proved
to be highly effective.)
d) It provides an information bridge between leaders and the
community at large, so that the community can participate more effectively
in the various programs.
-
The mainstay of the Community Information component is the Community
Information Bulletin, published on a weekly basis, and distributed without cost.
The 1968-69 program envisions continuation of this service with a minimum
charge to help defray costs.
Under previous Title I grants, the Center published a Community Information
Manual for Central Brooklyn, listing various problem areas and public and pri-
vate agencies and groups available to help in their solution. The Center is now
talking with agencies from other areas of the city, including Morrisania, the
South Bronx, Williamsburg, and Brownsville, in conjunction with the Community
Development Agency of the City's Human Resources Administration, about pub-
lishing manuals directed to these areas. This would be undertaken outside the
province of the Title I program.
Last year, the Center also published, partly with Title I funds, a compre-
hensive guide to college written by community residents and published by the
Center. This guide will hopefully be revised and made bi-lingual, and distrib-
uted free under the terms of a Title IV grant applied for.
3. Technical Assistance to Community Groups. The Center has,
-21-
during the past few years, assisted a great number of community organizations
in dealing with housing and community development problems, including the re-
lationship between social, economic, and physical factors. This program com-
ponent has been closely related to the Leadership Training and Community Infor-
mation components, enabling a continual relationship to be established between
the Center and the various community governing boards. The recent growth in
the number of governing boards has increased demands on the Center to provide
technical assistance to professionals, para-professionals, and board members
The Center views its technical assistance program as accomplishing two objec-
tives:
a) It provides detailed technical information and consultation
to the groups.
b) The technician is encouraged to advise his client and at the
same time to function as a Participant Educator - - to make sure that the client
can in the future make more educated and rational decisions without assistance
We have found in the past that this innovative approach to educating adult
groups is worthy of further exploration. In the future, the ongoing technical
assistance program will be even more closely tied to the Leadership Training
and Community Information components, to provide technical assistance to
governing boards and para-professionals as a bridge to the establishment of
community-controlled technical assistance programs. (This is particularly
true of the housing and planning area, where, as noted, anti-poverty agencies
are now under mandate to establish technical assistance offices.) The Center
-22-
will assist in training para-professionals to staff community-controlled pro-
grams, and will, in the interim, provide technical assistance to board mem-
bers and para-professionals throughout the community. Negotiations on
various levels are already underway with local agencies regarding this bridging
function.
New Programs
All the above programs are modifications of existing continuing programs.
However, new developments have fostered both a need and a potential for new
programs which would bring about effective cooperation, not just between the
Center and the community, but also between the various local educational in-
stitutions (with their variety of disciplines) and the community. These pro-
grams are particularly related to Priority #3 in the Title I guidelines (although
they are also intimately related to Priorities #1 and #2), for they provide for
bridging the gap between higher education and the community, and the creation
of innovative programs, both formal and informal, by the educational establish-
ment in an area which is grossly educationally deprived. These educational pro-
grams would be geared to provide local residents with the means and ability to:
1. More readily participate in the higher education process by
acquiring Associate and Bachelor and higher degrees;
2. Pursue educational and vocational goals within the sphere of the
aspirations and inherent abilities of the individual; and
3. Participate in programs geared to the development of para-
professional, professional, and/or vocational skills.
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In addition, the program would attempt to:
1. Create more participation by the poor and unaffiliated in an
active role in governing bodies, as well as in undertaking para-professional and
(eventually) professional roles.
2. Encourage the development of systems which are more responsive
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to and reflective of local area needs.
Coordination and intensification of general and specific cooperative programs
between the major area institutions and the community, both within and outside
the Neighborhood "College" framework, is the primary goal of these programs.
The various institutions, between them, could provide training for local govern-
ing boards and para-professionals, as well as continuing technical assistance in
every conceivable discipline. Such cooperative programs are becoming increas-
ingly important as Central Brooklyn's Model Cities program moves into its
planning phase. They include:
1. Establishment of guidance and counselling efforts to open up educa-
tional opportunities for local residents, utilizing innovative outreach and motiva-
tional programs, as well as establishment of an in-service training program to
equip employees of operating agencies in the community with basic guidance
skills, and training local residents as para-professional guidance counsellors.
This program would be supplanted by the Title IV proposal, noted above, if and
when it is funded.
2. Establishment of student- and faculty-community cooperative pro-
grams which would include student-community projects, and tutorial, guidance,
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and other programs geared to opening opportunities and providing services for
local residents and broadening the experience of students and faculty, so that
they can be more responsive and responsible to community needs. In pursuing
these objectives, the Center is presently working in revising the curriculum of
Pratt's School of Architecture, as well as other departments, so that all student
projects focus on Central Brooklyn. It is also working with Pratt students - to
help develop broad-based cooperative student-community projects. The potential
for such cooperation is virtually unexploited, and could be of significant value.
A joint student-community youth board has been established, intensively assisted
by the Center, which is seeking funds from the Department of Labor.
3. Development of community service and training programs which
would seek to provide technical services to local community groups while, at the
same time, utilizing a "buddy-type" educational program to encourage and train
local residents to become para-professionals and professionals in the various
disciplines. Potential action areas include architecture and planning aides, field
surveyors and interviewers, draftsmen, building and code inspectors, etc. Pro-
grams such as these would cover a broad, exciting potential range. They would
include tutorial efforts; one-to-one relationships to train para-professionals by
students; directed research and other projects in cooperation with and to assist
community groups; scholarship programs; joint cultural programs, etc. The
projects would aim ultimately to assist community development activities, raise
the educational level of community residents, and broaden employment opportun-
ities available to local groups.
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The proposed program has been developed with special attention to the
three priorities established in the Title I guidelines. They are related in the
following manner:
1. The need for improved training programs for local government
officials. In New York City, the trend is for the creation of a "second layer"
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of government, that of supervising community boards for such programs as
Model Cities, housing, education, mental health, etc. These boards have far
more than ceremonial functions. They are involved in planning and decision-
making, as well as, in some cases, administration. Their function is similar
to that of the elected directing boards of community residents in the poverty
agencies. The urgent need in New York City is, therefore, not for training
of government officials as normally defined, but for training of community
residents who now participate in, or are contemplating participation in, this
"second layer" of government. The entire program, as outlined above, is
aimed at this large body of local government officials, and is intended to in-
crease their effectiveness through sensitivity and technical training programs
and advisory assistance.
2. The need to train para-professionals for effective service in
public human service agencies. The majority of participants in the Center's
programs have always been from the various agencies, corporations, organiza-
tions, and groups which comprise the "human service" segment of the community
The need for specialized training for these para-professionals is becoming in-
creasingly intensified as they staff the action programs which will carry out
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Central Brooklyn's projected revitalization. The training required here is
similar to that for governing boards, except that para-professionals need
more intensive technical training and administrative skills. The program
outlined above is designed to address itself to that need.
3. The need for innovative programs for adult groups who histor-
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ically have been bypassed or not serviced by higher education. The program
as outlined above provides these programs in a variety of ways. It provides
formal instruction, both through the Neighborhood "College" and in training
classes and one-to-one student-community and "buddy system" cooperative
programs. It provides more generalized information and assistance through
broader-based programs. And it seeks, above all. to open channels of com-
munication between the institutions and the community, so that the potential for
innovative programs can be further explored, and a tradition of cooperation can
be established which will lead to even greater cooperation and innovation in the
future.
RESOURCES
As noted, the program concentrates on making effective use of personnel
resources already available within the Institute (particularly the Center, the
School of Architecture, and the Departments of City and Regional Planning,
Interior Design, Humanities, Food Management, etc.) and other institutions, as
well as a range of program consultants. Some of these consultants are:
Professor George M. Raymond - Chairman of the Department of City and
Regional Planning, Director of the Pratt Center for Community Improvement,
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and Partner in Raymond and May Associates, Planning Consultants.
Ronald Shiffman, Assistant Director, Pratt Center for Community Improve-
ment, and Instructor in the Department of City and Regional Planning.
Luther Seabrook, Human Relations Unit, Board of Education; Manhattan
Coordinator, African-American Teachers Association; and author.
Clarence Funnye, Director, Idea Plan Associates, Inc., an advocate
planning non-profit organization; author; and Director of Comprehensive Plan-
ning Programs for Region I, Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Charles E. Wilson, Author; Rehabilitation Counsellor; Unit Administrator
Designate of I. S. 201 in East Harlem.
Jack Krauskopf, Assistant to the Administrator, Human Resources Admin-
istration, and Lecturer, Department of City and Regional Planning.
Dr. Josef Garai, Professor of Psychology, Pratt Institute, and Director of
Guidance, Central Brooklyn Neighborhood "College".
Roger Starr, Author; Executive Director, Citizens Housing and Planning
Council of New York, Inc. ; Lecturer, Department of City and Regional Planning.
Barry Schwartz, Instructor, School of Humanities, Pratt Institute, and
Director of Faculty, Central Brooklyn Neighborhood "College",
and Daniel Ashe, Frank Montero, Frances Levenson, Eugenia Flatow,
Donald F. Benjamin, etc., as well as a wide variety of community resource
people on a professional and para-professional basis.
Physical resources include classroom, meeting room, and administrative
space, etc. at Pratt Institute and other institutions and community organizations
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As also noted, the Center has had long-term and intensive involvement
with the problem, population, and program activity over a period of years.
EVALUATION
Evaluation will continue to combine formal and informal evaluative tech-
niques. Formal evaluative judgments of participants will be particularly use-
ful (see attached sample of evaluative questionnaires used in Leadership Train-
ing Program and the Central Brooklyn Neighborhood "College"). Cooperating
community agencies and groups will also assist in providing formal evaluation
in a similar manner. An "alumni" club of former Leadership Training Program
participants (formed at the initiative of Program participants themselves) will
also be helpful both in long-range evaluation and in follow-up programs.
The staff will also provide periodic on-going evaluation, making program
modifications where necessary, in conjunction with community groups. These
evaluations will be formed through in-depth interviews, post-program follow-up,
informal discussions, etc.
In addition to its on-staff personnel and volunteer team, the Center will
have the services of a multi-disciplined team of consultants, who will advise and
direct, in conjunction with the Center, each of the program's various components.
Consultants will also be responsible for periodic evaluation of each component
and particularly the contribution of each component to the functioning of the total
program. A system of responsibility and accountability will therefore be estab-
lished in the program.
Records will be kept on all phases of the program, although emphasis will
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be on production and action rather than research. Follow-up will be conducted
by the staff for all program contacts as an integral part of the program.
The staff and consultants will employ four main methods for program eval-
uation. These will include:
1. Staff rating sheets.
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2. Participant rating sheets.
3. Periodic program evaluation sessions, including all program par-
ticipants trainees, staff, agency and institutional personnel, etc.
4. Reports from agencies and participating institutions concerning
measurable changes in performance of and opportunities available to participants.
It is anticipated that the program has now reached the stage where a compre-
hensive summary, in book form, can be constructive. This book would be distrib-
uted throughout the community, and to other institutions throughout the city and
state, to serve as a guide for those wishing to establish similar programs.
DEVELOPME NT OF INSTITUTIONAL INVOLVEMENT
As noted, involvement in the community on every level has now become the
official policy of Pratt Institute. This program will serve as the primary vehicle
for such involvement, which will be significantly enhanced thereby, both in its
quantity and quality.
FUTURE FUNDING
As noted (see Page 14), the Center is now actively involved in developing
proposals for future funding from public and private sources, or has already
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made such application. For this purpose, the program has been designed so
that components can be "spun off" to constitute separate programs for individual
funding, although the various funded programs would continue to be vitally
complementary to each other.
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March 15, 1968