Grassroots of Change

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About PA’LANTE Harlem

PA’LANTE Harlem organizes and empowers New York City residents to hold negligent property managers and landlords accountable for unsafe living conditions through community advocacy, outreach, organizing effective tenant associations, providing long-term technical assistance, and connecting individuals and tenant groups to free or reduced-rate legal services and housing benefits.

PA’LANTE’s goal is to end tenant exploitation in order to enable low-income community residents to remain in their homes and to ensure that those homes are safe and affordable.

Our Core Programs Tenant Organizing & Leadership Development We help residents to organize formal tenant associations and empower community residents to hold landlords accountable.

Mediation, Legal and Referral Services We provide direct legal and mediation assistance to residents of Northern Manhattan by acting as a tenant or tenant association representative.

PA’LANTE Kids We support the development of academic and social skills of the children residing in the buildings we represent.

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Evening Program 7:00 PM

Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction

8:00 PM

Welcome Remarks Grassroots of Change Charles B. Rangel, U.S. Congressman

Roots & Wings Elsia Vasquez, Founder-PA’LANTE Harlem

The Movement of Grassroots Asfaha Hadera, Founder-African Services Committee

8:30 PM

Annual Awards Good Citizenship Honorees Shatina Brown Florence M. Rice Rosa Williams Outstanding Community Service Honorees Gabriel Bencosme Jeanne B. Mullgrav David Rodriguez Leader of the Year Honoree Kofi Boateng

Dinner 9:00 PM

Closing Remarks & Silent Auction Announcement

Live Performances

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Welcome

Welcome to PA’LANTE Harlem’s 5th Year Anniversary CelebrationGrassroots of Change.

Seven years ago, 55 vulnerable families living in three dilapidated buildings in Harlem took their landlord to court for emergency repairs and demanded inclusion in the City’s 7A Administrative Program. After countless days in court and numerous delay tactics, the landlord was stripped of his management rights; a 7A Administrator was installed and all three building were rehabilitated.

Thus in 2008 PA’LANTE Harlem was born and since then, we have assisted thousands of families and senior citizens with their housing concerns and legal representation in Housing Court. Our programs have a recognized track record of success. We have touched the lives of thousands of people both young and old. Simply put, PA’LANTE’s efforts have resulted in thousands of positive outcomes, from habitable apartments, increased number of New York City’s affordable housing stock to stable employment and stronger families.

Our reputation is built on helping NYC residents with their housing concerns and mediating with landlords to achieve satisfactory outcomes.

As we continue to fulfill our mission, we are faced with the challenge to enhance and expand our programs. We need to evolve from a solely volunteer-driven organization to one that includes paid staff. Consequently, over the next four years, we plan to incorporate salaries by ramping up our fundraising and board engagement efforts. By developing stability and continuity, PA’LANTE can be even more effective in serving our constituents. We encourage you to read, reflect and reach out with your questions and ideas. If we have learned anything from our experience since our founding, it is simply that it takes a community to end homelessness. With your support, we shall achieve these worthy goals.

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Master of Ceremonies A lifelong resident of Harlem, Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright has earned a reputation as a dedicated and thoughtful public servant who gets results for his constituents. Active in his Harlem community, Wright has helped grow small businesses, create affordable housing, and increase economic opportunities for all New Yorkers.

Wright was elected to the Assembly in 1992, and currently serves as the Chair of the Housing Committee.

Among other legislative accomplishments, Wright, as a member of the Housing Committee, was a co-sponsor of the critical legislation which protected rent controls. Wright also chairs the Subcommittee on Public Housing, where he champions the rights of tenants through extensive hearings and legislation.

A member of the Correction Committee and the Task Force on Criminal Justice Reform, Wright is a strong opponent of the death penalty and the Rockefeller Drug Laws and an advocate for criminal justice reform.

As chair of the Harlem Community Development Corporation (CDC), Wright has leveraged limited resources to make a substantial, tangible impact on economic development in Harlem, developing and renovating properties to create hundreds of units of affordable housing, grow small businesses, increase services for children and seniors and expand cultural venues.

A graduate of Rutgers Law School, Tufts University, the Fieldston School and the Ethical Culture School, Wright credits his parents for teaching him the importance of strong values, commitment to community and defense of civil rights. Wright is the son of legendary New York Supreme Court Justice Bruce Wright and mother Constance Wright – a long time educator and former principal in the NYC public school system.

Keith Wright lives in Harlem with his wife, Susan, and children, Jared and Jordan. He is a board member of Tufts University, and attends St. Phillips Episcopal Church.

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About the Founder Born in the Dominican Republic, Elsia Vasquez is the founder of PA’LANTE Harlem.

In 2006, she witnessed firsthand her landlord’s neglect and blatant abuse. The buildings in which she lived simply was not fit for human habitation and the owner failed to provide the essential services like heat and hot water.

To impact change, she strategized; researched and visited all of the buildings owned by her landlord and successfully organized the 55 families living in three buildings in Harlem to address the substandard living conditions. The group, under her leadership as President, created a tenant’s association, deposited their monthly rents in Escrow, hired attorneys and took the landlord to housing Court to force him to make repairs. The monies held in Escrow were later given to the NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD) when the Court enrolled the building’s in the 7A Program in accordance with the New York State Law Article 7A. She also initiated a $5 million lawsuit in the State Supreme Court for illegal rent registrations, missing security deposits and rent overcharges for the tenants.

Today, the buildings are completely rehabilitated and the tenants settled their rent overcharge claims. In 2008, she founded PA’LANTE Harlem to assist her fellow neighbors.

Elsia’s organizational skills which she acquired during her 18 plus years in the financial services industry brought the tenants the unwavering support of the local elected officials who advocated to the New York City agencies to take a more active role in addressing the hazardous conditions that existed in the building such as the cascading leaks, black mold, lead and lack of heat and hot water.

As the Director of Product and Strategic Marketing at Prudential and as Vice President of The Advisor Institute at AllianceBernstein, she trained the sales team and high-net worth financial advisors from top tier financial firms on how to maximize their business, deliver effective client seminars and developed turnkey tools to ensure that advisors met their fiduciary responsibilities and created capacity for growth for their business.

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Keynote Speaker Honorees Born in Ethiopia, Asfaha Hadera is the founder of the organization known as the Committee to Aid Ethiopian Refugees in May of 1981, which evolved to become African Services Committee in 1993. As Co-Executive Director, Mr. Hadera has been recognized by many political, social and public health institutions as a major influence behind the oldest and largest African health services organization in the United States.

The organization serves over 10,000 African and Diaspora clients each year through its Harlem-based health and social services programs. Under his leadership, African Services Committee has developed operations in Africa and established a groundbreaking HIV testing and care programs in Ethiopia, providing free VCT services to over 30,000 people per year.

Asfaha’s vision has motivated African Services Committee to collaborate with a variety of other African community-based organizations in the U.S. and Africa to further democratization and human rights. In May 2010, Asfaha was the recipient of a Distinguished Service Award given by the Ethiopian Community Development Council. He is also a 2009 Public Health Advocate Award recipient, a 2004 winner of the Emigrant Foundation Award and recipient of the 2005 Ronald Reagan Gold Medal. He has been recognized by the Congressional Black Caucus for his successful advocacy for increased African refugee resettlement quotas in the U.S. He also received a proclamation from the New York City Council, Manhattan Borough President & Brooklyn Borough President for outstanding service to the community.

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Honoree Kofi Boateng has been the Executive Director of West Harlem Development Corporation (WHDC) since April 2012. Under his leadership, WHDC has scored several successes in a very limited time. These include breathing life into the Community Benefits Agreement that was signed with Columbia University in 2009 To date, WHDC has awarded $3 million in grants to 112 nonprofits to deliver services to benefit West Harlem Community District 9 in the areas of arts and culture, community facilities, education, environment, housing, historical preservation, and workforce development. WHDC has funded 900 youth for more than $1 million to get summer employment and in 2013, initiated a very popular senior’s summer employment program. Kofi’s vision is to create collaborations to create a model service delivery system. He wants to leverage the resources from the CBA to bring in additional funds, and make WHDC a permanent institution in the life of Harlem to make a difference in the lives of all residents.

Prior to coming to WHDC, Mr. Boateng was the COO and Acting CEO of the World Trade Centers Association where he brought several members from Africa, China, and Latin America to join that organization within one year of his tenure. He had previously served as the COO of The Africa-America Institute that funded advanced degree education for Africans to study in the USA. He was the Executive Director of the National Puerto Rican Forum. In five years at NPRF, he grew the organization from near bankruptcy and three employees, to a staff of 110 and offices in three cities with millions of dollars in the bank. A CPA, Mr. Boateng worked for KPMG as an auditor, and then for Prudential Insurance Company. He has started and ran a few businesses of his own along the way.

Mr. Boateng is a graduate of Yale University with a Master’s degree from Northeastern University. He is a few months away from earning his doctorate degree from Walden University.

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Honoree Honorees Jeanne B. Mullgrav was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) in April 2002 by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. As New York City’s lead agency for administering youth and community programs, DYCD invests in community-based organizations that provide after-school programs, train young people for jobs, help immigrants achieve citizenship, and enhance individuals’ literacy skills, among other goals.

Since becoming Commissioner, Ms. Mullgrav has played a major role in launching a wide range of innovative programs and activities that have improved the lives of thousands in the New York City community. Her department has established the nation’s largest Out-of-School Time Program and implemented Teen ACTION (Achieving Change Together in our Neighborhoods), a service learning program that encourages civic engagement among young people living in disadvantaged communities.

Commissioner Mullgrav helped create the Young Adult Internship Program; enhanced the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP); launched Ladders for Leaders, which offers teens private sector experiences and employment preparation services and workshops. She has helped lead an effort to improve literacy among adolescents and also shaped the DYCD Fatherhood Initiative, which encourages increased father-child engagement. Under her leadership, the department launched the Cornerstone Initiative in 2009, which offers year-round services for youth and adults in 25 New York City Housing Authority community centers.

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Honoree Born in Elmhurst, Gabriel Bencosme moved to Hamilton Heights (Manhattan) in 1976. Gabriel is the President of the 569 West 150 Street Tenants Association and has assisted his fellow neighbors with obtaining quality building-wide repairs and rent refunds totaling more than $300,000. Gabriel also serves on the Board of the Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership and is actively involved in the community.

Gabriel’s passion has always been to help others. At the tender age of 15, Gabriel was the Program Assistant for Project Basement’s afterschool program. While attending high school, Gabriel also held various part-time positions at St. Catherine of Genoa School and Church. Following his passion to assist our youth, Gabriel was named the Manhattan Borough President for the Catholic Youth Organization in 1988.

In 1990, Gabriel tutored and proctored Computer Aided Design (AutoCAD) classes while studying architecture at New York Institute of Technology. He tutored over fifty students during two consecutive semesters.

In 2001, Gabriel founded GABAC Inc. an architectural services firm.

Some of his clients include Mohegan Sun Casino, Garden State Plaza Mall, and the New York Presbyterian Hospital. In 2013, Gabriel expanded his services to offer businesses including not for profit organizations graphic design and illustrations.

Gabriel graduated from the New York Institute of Technology with a B.A. in Architecture.

He is married to his lovely wife Guseul and together they’re raising Subi and Gabe in Hamilton Heights , New York.

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Honorees Honorees David Rodriguez was born in Brooklyn to Puerto Rican parents and moved to the Bronx at the age of eight. David started in the construction trades at the age of 17, and joined the United Hispanic Construction Workers in the early 1980's. He quickly worked his way up through the ranks and, in 1988, was elected president. Since then, he has been the chief steward and spokesman for an organization that has placed thousands of people to work in the construction industry.

Mr. Rodriguez’s tireless efforts and determination to help those in need has deeply inspired the members of his organization in their front-line struggle for equality and economic parity in the labor force. Mr. Rodriguez envisions the day when his efforts, and those of the organization he leads, are recognized as a platform for social and economic progress.

Shatina Brown is the Secretary for the 133 West 140th Street Tenant Association. Born and raised in New York City and a Harlem resident since 1999, Ms. Brown works for the City of New York Human Resources Department, and is involved with providing financial assistance and other aid to families in need to help promote self sufficiency.

Ms. Brown has worked in the social services field for more than 20 years helping individuals with developmental disabilities, caring for elderly clients, assisting medical professionals with patient treatment, and seeking job opportunities for people on public assistance.

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Honorees Rosa Williams, affectionately called Mama Rosa, attended Boggs Academy in Keysville, Georgia. She moved to New York City where she has resided for over 60 years. Rosa was the administrator for the Dave Winfield Foundation, a sports organization for disadvantaged youth. She was responsible for the day to day operation of the foundation in the Bronx community.

From 1984 to 1988, Rosa was the director of the Rory Sparrow Sports Foundation for the youth. She was responsible for the day to day operation of the foundation, recommending and hiring staff, as well as organizing an advisory board for fundraising purposes.

Rosa served as the president of the board of directors of 1886 7th Avenue Housing Fund Development Corp. in 1998 and 2000.

Rosa volunteers for PA’LANTE, a housing advocacy organization working on behalf of tenants and shareholders who would otherwise have no voice.

Florence M. Rice is the founder of the Harlem Consumer Education Council. She has held several state, national and international positions and is a lifetime member of Consumers Union, official member of the U.S. Delegation to the World Congress of the International Women’s Year in Berlin, and representative to the United Nations Congress of Non-governmental Organizations. In 1991, Ms. Rice was recognized on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to receive the Frederick Douglass Award at the New York Urban League’s 26th Annual dinner. She currently hosts a television program on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network, Channel 34.

Ms. Rice has spent much of her life dedicated to advocating for those who could not advocate for themselves. After living in the same building on 158th street in Harlem for over 61 years, Ms. Rice must now advocate for herself as she exposes how she was constructively evicted from the place she calls home.

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Board of Directors

Alex J. Cruz Tony Hasbun Carmen Perez Basil Smikle Elsia Vasquez Mark Weinstein

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Art by Visionary Myztico Campo

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Silent Auction Honorees Please take a moment to read through this fantastic list of auction items.

Be sure to get your bid in before time is up! All items are numbered and bidding sheets are located at the tables around the perimeter of the ballroom. Winners will be notified from the podium during this evening’s program. Following the gala, you must purchase your item(s) using Visa, Mastercard or by check and take them home this evening. A convenient checkout table is located near doors to the ballroom. Or if you prefer, you can come to PA’LANTE’s office, beginning Monday, November 25 through Thursday, December 5 for pickup.

Himalayan Salt Crystal Lamp are made of salt crystals from within the Himalayan mountains, home of the world’s purest and most colorful salt. Its natural glow of orange give off a natural calm, bringing the mind and body to a sense of tranquility and well being. This lamp has been proven to work like and air purifier. When the lamp is fit, it emits negative ins that fights against positively charged particles that causes us to feel stuffy and sluggish. It helps with allergens, smoke, dander, pollens and other pollutants. It dilutes odors, so that we can breathe easier. People with asthma often find it helpful in reducing their symptoms and medical practitioners recommends having these lamps to help relieve depression and fatigue.

The Industrial Portfolio Bag was created from recyclable mesh used at construction sites. The outside pocket is a small quilt hanging of the Statue of Liberty by Valerie Deas.

Valerie Deas, local textile artist and children’s book illustrator, recently retired after 30 years as an arts educator for the New York City Board of Education. Deas created a quilt commemorating George Washington Carver which was exhibited in Brazil. Deas is also an illustrator of children’s books. Two of her book illustrations were exhibited at the National Museum of Catholic Art & History. Her quilts and other textiles have been in touring exhibitions throughout the country. Deas is also part of the Harlem Girls Quilting Circle and teaches quilt making at SoHarlem; Creative Outlet.

Visionary Art by Myztico Campo on Canvas: Peyote Healing , Shamanizing , and Interdimensional Kiss

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PA’LANTE Kids

2013 SYEP Interns meet with Scott Metzner and his staff of Janus Partners.

Every year, a select group of teens intern at PA’LANTE Harlem.

They work in a professional office setting where they learn marketing, segmentation, tenant advocacy and most importantly, they engage in community service.

This past summer, in partnership with the West Harlem Local Development Corporation, DYCD, Janus Partners, and Catholic Charities/Alianza Dominicana, PA’LANTE became a worksite for the 2013 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).

Our 2013 Project focused on helping our youth understand the many complexities around housing. Together, they interviewed local community residents, landlords, developers, and community activists. As a result, they produced a video— PA’LANTE TMZ which can be viewed on YouTube: Palanteharlem1 Channel

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2013 Gala Sponsors

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2013 Top-Rated Award

PA’LANTE Harlem has been honored with a prestigious 2013 Top-Rated Award by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations.

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Dhyanna Castro

My experience as an intern at PA’LANTE Harlem has been wonderful experience so far. I joined the organization through the 2013 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and when the program ended, I became PA’LANTE’s first salaried part-time intern. I work five days a week after school.

At the beginning of my internship through SYEP, I was expecting an easy job and not having to do much. On the very first day here I found out what was expected of me and what PA’LANTE was about. I just remember thinking to myself, “what is this? I don’t want to work with anything that has to do with housing.” But then I gave it a try and it was the total opposite of what I imagined. I had so much fun during my first week- induction program. I met with tenants and landlords andI learned a lot of things that I didn’t know.

PA’LANTE has allowed me to be able to teach myself about housing and also teach the people around me. It has also allowed me to strengthen my weaknesses. For example, my communication skills, writing skills, management skills, etc.

PA’LANTE Harlem is such a dedicated organization. They thrive for success. Within working here, I’ve noticed how we have progressed from when the organization first started until now. You could surely say it’s been an amazing journey so far but the end is never here as we move ADELANTE CON PA’LANTE!

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Tonya Parrott-Carlisle

I joined PA’LANTE Harlem on October 25, 2012 through the FEGS program. I have come to care a great deal about how landlords treat their tenants. As an intern, I’ve seen the tremendous work that PA’LANTE puts toward tenants being treated fairly and not letting the landlords take advantage of them.

PA'LANTE Harlem is an organization like no other.

They really care about their clients and the community. How they help the tenants and their families is astounding!!!

Each and every person deserves a good quality of life and that includes decent affordable housing. PA’LANTE Harlem helps the people in and out of the community to achieve this with their heads held high. Their understanding of the rent laws and regulations with the help of the elected officials is phenomenal. They are dedicated and are with you from beginning to end. WATCH OUT LANDLORDS, PA'LANTE HARLEM IS A POWERHOUSE (for the tenants) TO BE RECKONED WITH!!! I truly believe in the power of pay it forward. And as long as PA’LANTE Harlem needs me I am there.

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Event Committee PA’LANTE Harlem extends a special thanks to those who have made our gala a smashing success.

Gabriel Bencosme Pin Bencosme Darryl Beltron J. Myztico Campo Tonya Parrott Carlisle Dhyanna Castro Vanessa Lopez DeAngelo Muñoz Fendi Muáoz Patricia Parris-Jenkins Monique Parley Darren Rigger Jerson Sosa Andre Veloz 36

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Performing Artists

Andre

DeAngelo

Fendi

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HOW IT ALL BEGAN The True Story of Poochy Vasquez…

It was frigid city night in September of 2006. Harlem seemed void of the usual and bustle of the kids on the block and families having barbecues by the stoop.

Elsia was just coming back from yet another business trip to "you-pick-acity". With all this out of state travelling every city starts to look like every other city. The only place that still retained any sense of originality and refuge was "home". As she got out the cab you could hear a loud sigh. "Ahhh...home."

As she made her way to the fifth-floor walkup she could already hear Poochy rubbing against the door and meowing quite sternly. Anyone could have understood the cat's tone . The cat might as well have said, "What took you so long! Don't you know I need round-the-clock affection!" After fumbling for the keys Elsia made her way in. Poochy's groans subsided and there was a quiet stare from the hallway floor. "There you are!" was the look on Poochy's face. As Poochy began to do the dance- weaving through Elsia's legs- Elsia noticed a disturbing scab on Poochy's back. It looked something had bitten her and left a nasty cut. 'Pooch" paid it no mind. She was all too happy to have her roommate-slash-servant back home. Elsia, though, couldn't let it go. These weren't the usual flea or tick bites. Off to the animal clinic she went to get answers! The vets agreed something bit Poochy...just no idea what.

Unsatisfied, Elsia started to inquire from other tenants in her building to see if anyone else fell victim to these mystery bugs. The results were more than Elsia could ever have imagined. Tenant after tenant began to show Elsia how their children had been bitten by the same mystery bug. Down the rabbit hole she went and discovered that a majority of these apartments not only had nasty bedbugs but also , roach infestation, and rat droppings.

The tenants all began to tell her how they had told the landlords about the conditions only to be shooed away. The landlord was only interested in getting their rent money...in cash! Elsia couldn't believe what she heard. This landlord demanded the rent payments in cash only for many of these tenants. This was the story she heard from many Spanishonly tenants who simplify forked over the money to avoid any trouble of being evicted.

They were being harassed to pay $1300 and $1400 rents in cash and then neglected when they needed essential repairs to their apartments. This was the last straw!

Could this really be happening at the same time as Harlem’s alleged “second renaissance”? She began drafting up flyers to hold a meeting with the tenants. She explained to them that in order to be taken seriously by the landlord they would have to form a unified group…a tenant’s association. The first order of business was to get legal counsel and then freeze all rents to the landlord. Within a month, 80% of the occupied apartments were on board and so began a long battle against L.K.H. & Associates, a real estate group run by Ilan Zinner. The tenant’s association is now more than a year into the legal fight to get a 7A Administrator appointed to the three buildings. Out of this association we formed Pa'Lante. On December 18th Judge Pamela Jackman Brown ruled that the buildings met the criteria for 7A administration. This marked a major, if not the most significant milestone in getting much needed stabilization and repairs. It all began with a black cat named Poochy. The end.

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J. Myztico Campo is a Multi Media Visionary Artist, born in Cuba raised in Hell's Kitchen, NYC. This self taught artist is a medium for creative transmissions, His art is collected internationally by collectors. His murals grace clubs, restaurants, office buildings and private residences.

He has been commissioned for book and CD covers. His art style is informed via Vision Quests, Meditations and Sacred Medicine Circles. He currently resides in New York City and is available for private commissions. Myztico can be reached via email: myztico13@yahoo.com

Visit: www.myzticocampo.com Give the gift of art visit his shop at: www.zazzle.com/lucidshaman

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