“Empowering.” “Necessary.” “Change.” These were three ways that UB’s first Family Dinner was described by attendees on April 12 at the Morris Koppelman Center in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
With great food from Halsey Street Grill and better conversation provided by the participants, the dinner was a chance for mothers, fathers, grandparents, and other caregivers from the community to share a meal and learn more about United for Brownsville, the Family Advisory Board (or FAB), and the application process. The FAB is a part-time, paid leadership position in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and there were many leaders already in the room.
Everyone at UB knew that the community was passionate and creative, but it was powerful to see this concentrated in one room. On April 12 and at a second session on April 26, we heard ideas that exemplified that solutions to improving outcomes for infants and toddlers lie within Brownsville residents themselves.
When asked to envision actions that would support language and social-emotional development in the neighorhood, we heard ideas like strategically-placed service kiosks, block parties that are actually book parties, and ways to turn locations like movie theaters and laundry mats into libraries.
Our recruitment for the FAB is nearly complete, so if you are interested in finding out more, come to our third and final Family Dinner on May 10 from 6-8 pm at the Morris Koppelman Center (click through to RSVP). Food and childcare are provided.
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