Community Corner
🌱 No Sleep For Runaway Youth + BQE Expansion + Charter Schools
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Brooklyn.
Hello and happy Sunday. I'm back in your inbox this winter morning to walk you through the most important things happening these days in Brooklyn. In today's issue, you'll read about these stories and more:
- Mayor and officials unmoving despite please against 'no-sleep' policies at youth drop-in centers
- DOT members are asking for New Yorkers' opinions on the BQE expansion
- Brooklyn mom speaks out in favor of charter schools after they "saved the life"of her autistic daughter
But first, today's weather:
🌤 Warmer with clouds and sun. High: 51 Low: 33.
📈 Interested in reaching our highly engaged readers with targeted messaging that drives proven results for local businesses? I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Brooklyn who want to build awareness, connect with customers, and increase sales. If that's you, click here to learn more.
Here are the top stories in Brooklyn today:
1. Despite pleas, the city is sticking to it 'no-sleep' order in youth drop-in centers. It seems city officials are not backing down on a new order that aims to prevent youth from sleeping overnight at support facilities around the city, despite concerns that the policy is pushing young people back on the streets. Last month, the Department of Youth and Community Development directed the five youth centers in NYC to remove cots and beds from their facilities. On Monday, service providers paid by the DYCD to run the youth centers met with officials to change the no-sleep directive, but, according to people who attended the meeting, no changes were made. Meanwhile, Mayor Adams is blaming the migrant crisis for a shortage of beds: "That's not where children should be [...] We would have done far more than that [754 bed operated by the DYCD], but you know, we are dealing with 47,000 people that showed up at our doorstep that we need to care for — but our focus is on our runaway youth and we're going to be there for them." At present, "being there for them" does not include giving youth a place to sleep.
2. The Department of Transportation is asking New Yorkers to give their input on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway revamp. Despite below freezing temperatures and a touch of snow Saturday morning, DOT members and NYC residents gathered under the BQE in Williamsburg to discuss what locals want out of the BQE expansion. DOT will continue to hold similar gatherings during the next few weekends, aiming to collect opinions from Brooklynites and other BQE frequenters on the expressway's expansion effort.
3. A Brooklyn mom is defending charter schools, arguing that they are a "life saver" for children with disabilities. Marcia Ward-Mitchell's 14-year-old daughter has autism and ADHD, and despite a troubling start to her education at the district school in Bed-Stuy, Mitchell claims that her daughter's life has been saved by the charter school system. Mitchell credits the one-on-one time allotted students at her daughters charter school is vital for her education. "Switching from a district school to a charter school was a breath of fresh air. I'm serious when I tell you, it literally brings me to tears sometimes when I think about it because I really was at a point where I didn't know what to do," said Mitchell. The concerned mother chose to speak up about her daughter's success amid Gov. Hochul's push to allow dozens more charters to open in the city in coming years, despite objections from progressive Democrats and teachers' unions. Read more at the link below.
Today in Brooklyn:
- Family Bowl, Brooklyn Bowl, Today @ 12:30 p.m. | Details
- Flight Facilities Rooftop DJ Set, Superior Ingredients, Today @ 2 - 10 p.m. | Details
- Roots Reggae Sundays, The Rogers Garden, Today @ 4 - 9 p.m. | Details
- School of Rock Brooklyn Adult Bands Showcase, Groove, Today @ 5 - 7 p.m. | Details
- A Night of Poetry, Releasee Café, Today @ 5 - 7 p.m. | Details
More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!
Featured businesses:
- Cool Hand Movers — (Visit website)
- Add your business here
Featured events:
- 1ST OPEN HOUSE!! Semi Attached Forest Hills 2 Family Townhouse (February 26)
- OPEN HOUSE!! Forest Hills Brick Van Court Beauty (February 26)
- Marble Community Gospel Choir to Celebrate Black History Month at Marble Church (February 26)
- Canterbury Choral Society French Romantic Concert (February 26)
- Bereavement Group (February 27)
- Isabel Hagen presents: ON A STRING: THE MOVIE: THE SHOW! (February 27)
- Greene Hill Grows Family Program (February 28)
- Buying Into Brooklyn - February 2023 (February 28)
- Legal and Justice Studies Pathways (February 28)
- Free Sneak Peek of Puccini's "Il Tabarro" (February 28)
- As Quiet As It's Kept, We Thrive: Stories & Portraits from the Heart of BedStuy (March 4)
- Comedy Special Taping (BYOB + Free Dinks) - Nick Hopping (March 4)
- Success Academy Presents: NYC Elementary School Admissions Webinar with Alina Adams (March 8)
- The Bloody Mary Festival - NYC (March 18)
- Add your event
You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!
— Carlie Houser
About me: I'm a recent grad based in Brooklyn, NY. I love to write, run, read, and find new restaurants and venues around the city.
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Brooklyn Patch newsletter? Contact me at brooklyn@patch.com
