One of Many 2011 New Year's Resolutions for Strycker's Bay

Happy New Year All (again)!

I am just getting back to posting here on NEIGHBORHOOD COMMONS. As I mentioned in yesterday's post,  relocating and organizing our administrative offices and program operations at two different locations has taken up most of my time. But now that I have settled in and the dedicated staff of Strycker’s Bay are running their programs, activities and services, I can share with you Strycker’s Bay’s New Year’s Resolution…wait for it….are you ready? …

THIS YEAR WE ARE 

GOING TO ASK!

Yep its that’s simple, it seems that we take our roles and work here so personally we may have been just too proud to ask…well of course that is silly and it took a new mentor of mine (who shall remain nameless but he knows who he is) to make me realize that “…if you don't ask, you don't get.”

It’s really that simple. We are doing grassroots charitable work and we need help. It’s not only financial contributions we need. We need access to resources, strategic partnerships, corporate sponsorships and supporters that can help us leverage the kind of financial (corporate, private and public) support we need to keep our doors open.

WE HAVE LOST MORE THAN $70,000 IN FUNDING THIS FISCAL YEAR; however, we have used our limited resources wisely and have accessed the energy, knowledge and passion of others to help get us through a very difficult time. We will get through this difficult period but the plan is to get through it and come out stronger than ever…and therefore we plan on ASKING, ASKING, and then ASKING SOME MORE…we know that our supporters will do what they can, but we have to let you know what we need.

Right now I am going to ASK that you think of ways you can help make Strycker’s Bay stronger than ever by looking at a list at our TOP TEN LIST OF NEEDS:

• 1.      WE NEED A SUB-TENANT IN OUR NEW LOCATION ON WEST 109^TH STREET to help defray the cost of our new rent which is more than twice what we have been paying over the past five years. For further details please contact me or Ramon Cuevas at 212-874-7272
  
  
• 2.      IN-KIND PUBLICATION DESIGN AND PRINTING – We are doing wonderful things, but we need to share our story to help leverage support and resources. We have NO BUDGET LINE for printed publications such and brochures and annual reports. 
  
• 3.      OFFICE SUPPLIES – Donations of paper, pads and envelops are needed year-round. We welcome with open arms anything you can contribute in the way of office supplies.
  
  
• 4.      VOLUNTEER LITERACY TUTORS – Many of the children we work with could benefit greatly from additional help in the area of reading. Our Learning Steps Literacy Program is looking for tutors age 14 and older that can volunteer between the hours of 3:30 and 5:30. Training will be provided.
  
  
• 5.      INTERNS – College Interns interested in working with in the nonprofit field
  
  
• 6.      PRO- BONO LEGAL ASSISTANCE for low income tenants in need of representation in and out of housing court or corporate matters related to Strycker’s Bay.
  
  
• 7.      EVENT PLANNING ASSISTANCE – We could sure use some help planning fundraising events that would help us generate funds, friends and visibility.
  
  
• 8.      FREE OR LOW COST EVENT SPACE for upcoming Photography Exhibit and fundraiser.
  
  
• 9.      CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS – If you work for a corporation that provides grants to non-profits, please consider connecting Strycker’s Bay to the grants officer.
  
•  10. PRO-BONO PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTING -- We need professional assistance and advice on how to get the many stories surrounding the work of Strycker's Bay Neighborhood Council out to the public. Volunteer advisers, writers and access to media resources are all welcome.

If you have ways you would like to help Strycker’s Bay that we didn’t think of, please feel free to contact me at 212-874-7272 or kwilliams@stryckersbay.org.

Okay, I got the first ASK of 2011 over…whew!…that wasn’t so bad…now all I have to do is wait for everyone to come knocking down our doors to help! (Smile)…

I look forward to seeing you at our COMMUNITY MATTERS event next week on Thursday, January 20, 2011. You will have an opportunity to meet the great board, staff, volunteers and interns that keep Strycker’s Bay going and other folks from other organizations doing the great work that keeps things at the “grassroots” of this city alive. 

Until the next post...

Kelley