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Honorees Welcome The P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. team would like to take a moment to thank you, our friends, generous supporters, neighbors and sponsors for joining us tonight. What we do for our community, the residents of this city who benefit by our counsel, would not be possible without your unwavering support. For eight years we have worked tirelessly and have seen many successes but as you know there is still much work to be done. As most of you here know, the goal of P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. is, was and will always be to empower low and middle income residents in New York City, to preserve and increase New York City’s affordable housing stock and ensure tenant safety and rights. We are proud to be top-rated nonprofit by GreatNonprofits for the fourth consecutive year and we hope this demonstrates our dedication to our mission. The P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. team, comprised of a small full time staff and dedicated volunteers, continues to fight for tenants rights by providing clients with the knowledge and tools needed to hold negligent landlords and property managers accountable for unsafe living conditions through community advocacy, outreach, organization of effective tenant associations, providing long-term technical assistance, and connecting individuals and tenant groups to free or reduced-rate legal services and housing benefits. Since the start of this non-profit organization in 2008 we have helped tenants recover some $2.9 million dollars in rent overcharges, saved or preserved more than 157 city-owned buildings, provided free legal assistance through our clinics to nearly 700 individuals while our lawyers have also represented more than 252 families in housing court.

Welcome (CONT’D) We deliver results. Just ask the tenants at 161 West 140th street. 37 families live at that address, more than 90 individuals including children, seventeen seniors in the building, four of whom are over 90 years of age, while 2 more seniors are legally blind and a veteran, who is an amputee. They were without heat or hot water for more than three weeks, until we stepped in; tens of thousands of viewers saw or read the media reports about the housing problem that threatened the health and well being of the residents. Even the Mayor’s office got involved. So tonight we most humbly thank you for helping us, for none of these victories would be possible without your belief in our mission and your financial support. Landlords are still exploiting tenants, apartments are still neglected and in need of repairs, families are still being evicted from their homes and forced to live in shelters or worse, on the streets. So as we take a break tonight, enjoy this meal together, to reflect on the year. P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. still has a lot of work to do. That’s alright because we know you are standing with us and our team remains steadfast, passionate and committed to the mission. With our must sincere thanks,

Elsia Vasquez CEO & Founder P.A’L.A.N.T.E. Harlem

Evening Program 6:00 PM

Cocktail Reception

7:00 PM

Welcome Remarks Hon. Keith L.T. Wright New York State Assembly Member

Demystifying the Other Housing Crisis: Giving a Voice to the Voiceless Video Presentation

Keynote Speech Elsia Vasquez Founding Executive Director

8:00 PM

Awards Ceremony Good Citizenship Cal Snyder Siegel, Teitelbaum and Evans

Outstanding Community Service Jamillah Richards New York City Council

Edward Torres Community Leader

Leader of the Year Norman Siegel, Esq. Civil Rights Attorney : Siegel, Teitelbaum and Evans

Dinner 9:00 PM

Closing Remarks & Party 5

Honoree

Cal Snyder

Cal Snyder started his adult life in service to our country as a Marine during the Vietnam War. A man of many interests, Snyder is also a biologist, writer, historian, and civil rights advocate. An Upper West-Sider for nearly 30 years, Cal and his wife, Manhattan Borough President, Gale Brewer feel blessed to have raised a number of wonderful foster children in this great city.

Snyder is currently working as a writer and researcher with New York law firm, Siegel, Teitelbaum and Evans, LLP, focusing on privacy, due process, equal protection, and other matters that involve the defense of human and constitutional rights. Cal Snyderâ€™s efforts in these pursuits continue to be an enormous help to P.A.â€™L.A.N.T.E. as we strive to ensure our most vulnerable neighbors have adequate housing.

Honorees Honoree Edward Torres is a survivor. Raised and living in Washington Heights when he was overcome by clinical depression, Torres found himself homeless and on the streets of New York City. For 10 years in the mid-80’s, Eddie was subjected to an institutional catch and release policy never receiving the mental healthcare he needed. It was only at one of his darkest moments that he found the Edward Torres strength within to pull himself up. Torres credits religion, a particular soup kitchen, and a dedication to helping others as his salvation. He is now a chef at NYC Love Kitchen, the very place that helped save him. We learned of Torres’ story when he came to P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. as a client a few years ago. After surviving those dangerous times, years on the streets, the Tenant Interim Lease (TIL) Cooperative Program building he called home was at risk. The building was saved, but we also worked with Eddie and NYS Assemblyman, Keith Wright, to ensure that all tenants in TIL buildings across the city were granted succession rights for their families. We thank Eddie Torres for helping to feed and provide sustainable housing for our neighbors. He is an inspiration and an example of how we are all responsible for delivering Wings of Justice.

Master of Ceremonies In 1992, Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright, a lifelong resident of Harlem, was elected to represent the 70th Assembly District. Since then, he has earned a reputation for getting results for his constituents and for improving the quality of life for new Yorkers all across the state. Over the years, he has chaired several standing committees in the Assembly among them, election law, social services, labor and his current chairKeith L.T. Wright manship, of the housing committee. He has proven himself to be a true champion for civil rights and social justice having also sponsored key legislation including bills to: create affordable housing; raise the minimum wage and to strengthen the stateâ€™s wage and hour laws to provide essential protections for the hardworking men and women of New York. In his current capacity as Chair of the Housing Committee, Assemblyman Wright has maintained his commitment to ensure the preservation of programs that provide critical services to neighborhoods across the City of New York as well as those geared at empowering and increasing higher education and employment opportunities for underrepresented communities and at-risk youth. He has also authored numerous pieces of legislation to strengthen the rights of tenants against unscrupulous landlords. Assemblyman Wrightâ€™s priorities cover a wide variety of issues, among them: a fair minimum wage; the DREAM Act; improving access to historically underrepresented industries for women and minorities; raising the age of criminal responsibility so that 16 and 17 year olds will no longer be inappropriately prosecuted as adults in New York State; and, access to quality education for all children. A graduate of Rutgers Law School and Tufts University, he credits his parents for teaching him the importance of strong values, commitment to community and defense of civil rights. He is the son of legendary New York State Supreme Court Justice, Hon. Bruce Wright and his mother Constance Wright- served as a long time educator and former principal in the New York City public school system. Assemblyman Wright lives in Harlem with his family. 9

Honoree

Jamillah is a native New Yorker who grew up in a family of civic-minded professionals and business owners where topics like the apparatus of government, religion and social issues dominated conversation at the family’s table. Conversations almost always ended with tools and strategies to be a change agent, combating inhuman social conditions. It was probably destiny then that Richards chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in PsyJamillah Richards chology and Sociology, later obtaining a master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in social and economic policies. Prior to earning her master’s, Jamillah worked at a series of afterschool programs as a program director where she developed and implemented lesson plans for professional development for staff as well as plans to improve academic performance for students. After years of work in underserved communities across New York, understanding their needs and the structural shortcomings, Richards realized that having a seat at the table was more potent than being on the sidelines. And with that, Jamillah entered public service working with the New York City Council, swiftly rising to deputy chief of staff and budget director for Council member Inez Dickens. Richards oversees the administrating of discretionary and capital funding to some of the most vital programs and projects for those in need. She is also charged with evaluating program performance employing various NYC productivity metrics.

Honoree Honorees A born and raised New Yorker, Norman Siegel has served as a civil rights and liberties attorney for almost 50 years. Siegelâ€™s commitment to social justice and civil rights began at the American Civil Liberties Union, where he fought to gain equal jury representation for African Americans and women. He would go on to work at MFY Legal Services, where he assisted Manhattan residents living below the poverty line. Norman Siegel

By 1985 Siegel was working at the New York Civil Liberties Union where he spearheaded the passage of the New York Equal Rights Amendment. Siegel continues to be a vocal and visible advocate representing those members of our society that have been either circumstantially or systematically disenfranchised. In private practice since 2002, P.A.â€™L.A.N.T.E is indebted to Norman Siegel for the time he dedicates and the decades of experience he brings to the table.

Honorary Committee

Hon. Andrew Cuomo Governor, State of New York

Hon. Bill DeBlasio 109th Mayor of New York City

Hon. David N. Dinkins 106th Mayor of New York City

Hon. Charles B. Rangel United States Congressman

Hon. Keith L.T. Wright New York State Housing Chairman

Hon. Bill Perkins New York State Senator

Hon. Scott M. Stringer New York City Comptroller

Hon. Gale A. Brewer Manhattan Borough President

Hon. Mark D. Levine New York City Council Member

Hon. Helen Rosenthal New York City Council Member 13

Our Mission & Values

Mission To reduce poverty and advocate for safe housing by organizing, educating and empowering residents. We are committed to supporting communities and to preserving quality of life, health, and personal safety by assisting rents and homeowners when their rights have been violated and by holding unresponsive property owners accountable.

Values An obligation to Move it Forward: P.A.â€™L.A.N.T.E. A demand to live in safe and affordable homes The right to advocacy, group assembly and freedom of speech A commitment to promoting and protecting under-represented low income residents and seniors Desire to instill a sense of community and pride in our youth Productive cooperation between tenants, property owners, and numerous City, State and Federal agencies Effective collaboration between funders and community residents

Effective programs and activities that meet meaningful needs Effective use of all available resources

Event Committee

P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. Harlem extends a special thanks to those who have made this year’s gala a smashing success.

Beverly Alston

Thomas Michaelsen

Michael Bell

Huascar Muñoz

Gabriel Bencosme

Christopher Padron

Pin Bencosme

Jennifer Paulson

Francesca Castellanos

Eric Psihoules

Christian Cruz

Steven Reyes Torres

Sharase DeBouse

Kito Kai Noni Risbrook

George Fernandez

Luisa Rodriguez

Ayoka Foster-Bell

Rosalba Rodriguez

David Hanzal

Katherine Rostoff

Victor Maldonado

Edward Torres

Scott E. McDowell

Katherine Welnhofer

Stand & Deliver

Every year, a select group of teens are selected to intern at P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. Harlem. They work in a professional office environment and learn about housing, marketing, grassroots organizing, and most importantly, they engage with the community. This year, our Stand & Deliver program focused on conducting outreach for Demystifying Housing: a free 3-day housing conference that provides housing legal clinics, round-table talks and 50 technical and poster sessions on cutting edge issues for renters and homeowners. With this conference, P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. brings industry experts including tenant attorneys, developers, financial institutions, motivational speakers, and senior managers and commissioners from governmental agencies, together with elected officials, community leaders, and NYC residents. Due in large part to the hard work of this year’s Stand & Deliver participants more than 500 residents attended the conference. The interns knocked on doors, made calls, and travelled the five boroughs to drive attendance. This group was integral throughout the conference- doing everything from event set-up, registrations, guest relations and problem solving. This year’s group once again shows that our community is in good hands because of our engaged and committed youth.

Christian Cruz P.A.'L.A.N.T.E has really helped me grow as a young adult and an individual. I began my journey at P.A.'L.A.N.T.E through the NYC Summer Youth Program in 2013 at the age of 16. Before P.A.'L.A.N.T.E, I was never aware of the ongoing war between tenants and their slumlords. My first day on the job I was introduced to the founder Elsia Vasquez, who showed me and the other young men and women at the office what the real world is, the challenges that we'll overcome, and the harassment many tenants face. My first few days made me realize that this wasn't just an ordinary summer job. It was an opportunity to make a difference in lives for the greater good, it was an opportunity to better me as a person and increase my knowledge as a tenant and in the field of housing. Most importantly it was an opportunity to prepare me to protect my future and the future of my generation's tenancy rights in the NYC. I took advantage of the opportunity to help me start on the right path and Elsia took me under her wing, mentored me, and we have built a mother-son relationship. What I love the most about working at P.A.'L.A.N.T.E is being able to go on the field , head into buildings and rally up the tenants and educate them on their power as tenants and help them build their Tenant Associations. The best part of it all is really seeing tenants taking that piece knowledge they once never had and really strive with and unite together to better their buildings and take on these predatory adequate landlords in our city. I have worked with buildings' residents early on, watching and learning the process of how it starts when organizing them, conducting inspections and reporting them to 311 and DHCR. Currently, I'm the Field Coordinator at P.A.'L.A.N.T.E where I would go out organizing tenants, preparing them to fight, and setting up meetings so tenants can discuss their building issues and put them to an end. Working with Elsia has truly been tremendous and P.A.'L.A.N.T.E continuously grows each year spreading awareness and empowering tenants to fight for their rights and homes. We shall no longer allow these predatory landlords to tear this city a part, we must continue to strive and fight for affordability in the city and grow as one. This is only the beginning of an amazing non-profit organization that's going to leave a stamp in New York City's history, PALANTE!

Christopher Padron After a countless number of setbacks this past year I remained optimistic within the midst of adversity, and then came the opportunity to become an intern for a housing and tenant advocacy organization P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. Harlem and I've never looked back. My good friend Christian Cruz who is an intern at P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. told me about the organization. Christian referred me to Elsia Vasquez after she needed help with the gala. Elsia called me in for an interview that same day and I made sure to do my research to gain a clear idea on the organization’s mission. My objective coming into P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. was to fundraise and coordinate our gala, make calls and inform potential supporters on the event. My experience at P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. has truly been inspirational. I have been given the chance to meet elected officials, be a part of effective tenant meetings, and empower New York City residents to fight against gentrification and injustices through community advocacy. Through P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. I have gained a new perspective. Moving forward and progressing is the vision I’ve implemented daily, just like P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. This organization has motivated me to go back to school in January and create a stepping stone to put me in a position to succeed in my future endeavors. If there's one thing I learned from P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. Harlem is no matter the obstacle one must improvise and overcome because the odds are always against us. Thank you P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. for helping me to expand and flourish as an individual, we will continue to rise up until we receive the justice we deserve and push for.

Summary of Our Work

Rent Overcharge Rent Reimbursements (177 Applications)

$2.9 Million

Legal Assistance

694 Families

Pro Bono Legal Representation in Housing Court

252 Families

Apartment Rents Frozen (Due to lack of repairs)

462 Apartments

Secured Succession Rights in City-Owned Buildings

2,422 Apts./ 1,525 Families

Honorees Upcoming Events

January 2017

June 2017 27

Scott E. McDowell

For me, P.A.â€™L.A.N.T.E. was an unknown gem nestled in the heart of Harlem. From the moment I walked in I saw a small, tight knit team dedicated to serving the community, fighting for the men and women struggling to house their families in livable, safe places they can call home. As someone who has found a passion, fighting for social justice and civil rights, and lucky enough to do the same in my career, I knew I was going to commit to the P.A.â€™L.A.N.T.E. team as a volunteer. I have seen with my own eyes lives changed, deplorable living conditions fixed, depressed and scared tenants renewed and reinvigorated. I am proud to say that I am now standing with the P.A.â€™L.A.N.T.E. team as the communications director, exposing these injustices, giving voice to the silenced and downtrodden. I have worked to see that the media highlight the plight of residents we support, fighting for the humane living conditions we all expect, finally living without the fear of unlawful eviction or given thousands of dollars they were due in back rent from slumlords. I am proud to be just one feather in our Wings of Justice.

Yvette Rivens

My name is Yvette Rivens and I am a resident of a HPD owned apartment located at 161 West 140th Street. My building has suffered greatly since October 4th after we lost heat and hot water in the building. This bad situation proved to be particularly detrimental to the residents who were suffering from ailments and medical issues related to the lack of basic utilities. At some point, I decided things had to make a change for the better. During my advocacy for my building, I found a connection with the organization P.A.’L.A.N.T.E and their goal is to improve living conditions for all residents and educate us about our rights as a tenant of a New York City building. After reaching out to P.A.’L.A.N.T.E, the organization took immediate action to help me and my building solve our crisis and other issues. Furthermore, P.A.’L.A.N.T.E has helped me continue my late mother's mission of igniting a flame under HPD and my building's board of directors and pursue my goal of becoming a shareholder. For years now, my mother has dreamed of being able to purchase her apartment to pass onto me and my children. Now I carry the responsibility to pass down to my children. Not only would I like to achieve this but I wish the same for my fellow tenants. With the continuing assistance of P.A.’L.A.N.T.E I believe it can happen.

Alexis

Hello, my name is Alexis, ten years-old, born in Harlem, where I live with my mom and dad. My parents are from Mexico; my father speaks Spanish and Mistec, a Mexican indigenous language, while my mom can only speak Mistec. I am the only one in my family that can speak English, in addition to Spanish and Mistec. We used to live in an apartment on the second floor and while it sometimes needed repairs it was a comfortable home. Last year, my dad asked the landlord for a job and was told that he could be the super of the building but we would have to move to the basement apartment in return. The apartment we had to move down to was much worse than what we were giving up. My dad was told that we would have to fix the apartment, including the largest leak I’ve ever seen in the bathroom. There was a lot of work to do to make the apartment nice since paint was peeling while rats and other strange bugs were always getting in. But then things got even worse for us. The new job arrangement meant rent would be taken off of his entire pay and having to pay cash for the balance so he really wasn’t making money. It wasn’t long before trouble with the landlord started. The landlord wouldn’t even pay a plumber to fix that giant leak, not to mention the black-like worms coming out of the floor and the toilet. We had no lock on the front door because he said we couldn’t have one … (Cont. on page 47)

Alexis (Cont.)

...because he demanded access to the security cameras whenever he wanted. There was even a second door that we didn’t know about at first, that didn’t lock either, so had to put one in. The landlord was never happy with my dad’s work, yelling at my dad, who can’t understand him, so I had to translate what he was screaming about. I hated Saturdays because those were the days the landlord would come into the building and the shouting began. I would go into my bedroom and hide myself under the blanket. One day the landlord came in yelling and pushing my dad telling him he was fired and he needed move out. We didn’t want any troubles but my parents didn’t know what to do. One day I was talking to my teacher and she asked me how everything was at home and I told her what was happening. She spoke to the school counselor and she found a place called P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. Harlem. In only 2 weeks they have done so much, telling us that by law, we could have locks making us feel safe for the first time. We are learning about our rights as tenants, how to find the way to get through these problems and pointing us to places in the city that can help us. I finally feel hopeful because of P.A.’L.A.N.T.E.

Elianny Flores

One day I went to buy my daughter’s graduation dress. She was graduating from Kindergarten. When I returned, the Marshall had gained possession of my apartment and the locks were changed. I was not allowed to retrieve any of our immediate belongings. Standing outside my door, I called the Marshall’s office. They told me that I needed to go back to court. I then called my neighbor since I knew that she has been fighting the landlord for repairs and she recommended that I call P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. immediately. She said that if there was anyone that could help me it is going to be them. So my daughter and I took the bus to P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. I explained to the housing specialist what had happened and right away he started to assist me. The Executive Director came to meet with me and contacted tenant attorney John Gorman who works closely with the organization. Mr. Gorman met with me and told me that I didn’t have to give him anything except my smile. I was simply unaware that the owner had initiated 2 court cases against me: A Holdover because the lease is under my brother’s name and the other one was for non-payment, although the owner refused to accept my rent. I had all the money owed but not enough to pay for the legal and Marshall’s fee so I contacted P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. while I was still in Court and they helped me secure a one-shot deal from the HRA in just a couple of days. When we returned to my apartment, the super refused to help me change the lock to my front door. I contacted P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. again and one of their members who is also a client came to my home and installed a new lock and gave me 2 keys! I am very grateful for the work that P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. Harlem is doing in our community and for Mr. Gorman commitment to the organization. My story would have been a lot different had it not been for P.A.’L.A.N.T.E.’s help.