PA’LANTE ¡Siempre!

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Welcome

Welcome to our annual benefit gala!

PA’LANTE’s goal is to preserve and increase affordable housing stock in New York City and to ensure tenant safety and compliance with housing regulations.

PA’LANTE organizes and empowers residents to hold negligent property managers and landlords accountable for unsafe living conditions through community advocacy and outreach. We organize effective Tenant Associations, provide long-term technical assistance, and refer individuals and tenant groups to free or reduced-rate legal services and housing benefits.

We are especially proud of our PA’LANTE Kids Stand & Deliver Program, which supports the development of academic and social skills of children and teens.

I’m eternally grateful for your generous support. With your help we continue to expand our professional housing representation. Your contribution helps us make a difference in the lives of our clients, so that they can live in a safe affordable place that they can call home.

With sincere appreciation, Elsia

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Evening Program Honorees

7:00 PM

Welcome Remarks Keith Wright New York State Assembly Member

8:00 PM

Awards Ceremony Good Citizenship Luisa Rodriguez Community Advocate

Outstanding Community Service Mark Levine NYC Council

Woody Pascal NY Homes & Community Renewal

Richard White NY Homes & Community Renewal

Leader of the Year John Samuelsen Transport Workers Union

Dinner 9:00 PM

Closing Remarks & Party

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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 chairmanship, 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 state’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 Wright’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.

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Honoree Luisa Rodriguez retired as a Field Resource Specialist at the NYC Department of Education Region 10 Learning Support Center. Before that, Luisa worked at the DOE Division of English Language Learners as a curriculum writer, translator/interpreter, staff developer and customizer. In this position she participated in writing several Native Language Arts teacher’s guides in Spanish, including EL SOL (El Sistema de Observación de la Lectura) to assess early literacy in Spanish. She also worked in the translation/adaptation of state assessments from English to Spanish taking into account the end user’s background and in the customization of the New York City Language Arts Performance Standards.

She translated several DOE documents, participated in Steering Committees and Focus Groups, improving instructional practices. Earlier, Luisa taught Spanish native language and foreign language at a middle school in Manhattan. In her country of origin, the Dominican Republic, Luisa taught high school Spanish and Algebra for twelve years.

Since retiring, Luisa has been an independent consultant for Voyager Learning providing support on the implementation of intervention programs for struggling students in reading and math.

Luisa received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Applied Linguistics, Cum Laude, from the Université de Franche Comté, Besançon, France. She also has a dual MBA in Banking and Finance & International Business from Pace University, NY. Currently she volunteers at PA’LANTE, is a catechist at Santa Rosa de Lima Parish to prepare students to receive the sacraments, and is Chair of the Maintenance and Repairs Committee of her Tenant Association.

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Honoree Honorees New York City Council Member Mark Levine took office in January of 2014 and serves as Chair of the Parks & Recreation Committee. He has been a vocal advocate for equity in New York City’s parks system, and pushed for additional resources to improve the safety and operations of parks.

Council Member Levine sits on the Education, Finance, Governmental Operations, Housing and Buildings, and Rules, Privileges and Elections Committees. He is also Chair of the Jewish Caucus and a member of the Progressive Caucus.

Council Member Levine has fought for New York to be a place where everyone can get ahead, find an affordable place to live, send their kids to a good school, and earn a job that pays a living wage. In the City Council, Mark is the sponsor of Intro 214, which would establish a right to counsel for lowincome tenants in housing court. Because of his outspoken advocacy, Mark is seen as a leader in the movement to expand access to free legal services of life-altering civil proceedings.

Mark began his professional career as a bilingual math and science teacher at JHS 149 in the South Bronx where he was inspired to found Upper Manhattan’s first and only community development credit union, Neighborhood Trust, after seeing how many families at the school lacked access to standard banking. He later served as Executive Director of Teach for AmericaNew York. He continued his education leadership as Executive Director for the Center for After-School Excellence.

Council Member Levine is a longtime resident of Washington Heights with his wife Ivelisse and their two sons. He is an active member of the Hebrew Tabernacle Synagogue.

Mark earned a Bachelor’s degree in physics from Haverford College, and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University. He is fluent in Spanish and Hebrew.

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Honoree

Richard R. White has had a distinguished career in the public sector that spans over 20+ years.

In 2012 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the appointment of Richard R. White to lead the new Tenant Protection Unit (TPU) at New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). TPU is a unique statewide unit which proactively enforces compliance with rent regulations and imposes strict penalties for failure to comply.

TPU launched by taking the unprecedented step of proactively auditing owners, requesting proof of work done as part of apartment improvements that significantly raised rents which had been used in the past to move units out of regulation. Additionally, subpoenas were sent to owners who failed to comply with the TPU’s requests for the required proof of these apartment improvements. In just over two years, because of TPU’s efforts over 4,500 buildings and approximately 50,000 apartments returned to rent regulation, saving New York close to $2 billion dollars.

Prior to working for Governor Cuomo, Richard R. White served as Of Counsel to Cyruli Shanks LLP. Previously Commissioner White served as Deputy Commissioner for Investigation, Trials & Litigation at the New York City Department of Correction and Deputy Commissioner of Operations at the New York City Department of Probation and for over a decade, as a senior trial attorney in Manhattan for District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Franklin & Marshall College, his law degree from Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware and was an Executive Education Graduate at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Commissioner White is admitted to practice law before the courts of New York, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, the United States District Courts of the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and before the United States Supreme Court.

Commissioner White is married to Dinorah Nuñez-White and is a father of two children, Christian and Samantha.

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Honorees Honoree

Woody Pascal is the Deputy Commissioner of HCR’s Office of Rent Administration where he oversees the day-to-day operations of the office’s four bureaus and ensures effective intra-agency coordination. Mr. Pascal led the office’s recent efforts to introduce online services and expand access to applications, and upgrade communications with owners and tenants.

Mr. Pascal joined the Division of Housing & Community Renewal in 2009 as a Special Assistant to the Commissioner. In this position he developed a new web-based data system and cross training opportunities with the Department of Housing Preservation & Development. He also served as Acting unit head for the Office of Fair housing and Equal Opportunity; monitoring the progress of access to Fair Housing initiatives.

Mr. Pascal’s long record of public service includes working in senior staff positions in the New York State Senate, New York State Assembly, and the New York City Council. Mr. Pascal also served as Chief Executive Officer for the NYS Liquor Authority.

Mr. Pascal is a Haitian American and a founding member of the Haitian Roundtable. The Haitian Roundtable (HRT), founded in New York in 2008, is an organization comprised of Haitian-American professionals who are committed to civic engagement as well as philanthropic endeavors benefiting Haiti, Haitian organizations and causes.

Mr. Pascal is a resident of the Bronx, a graduate of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is the proud father of a daughter who is in college.

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Honoree

John Samuelsen was elected the International Vice President at the 24th Constitutional Convention on September 24, 2013 and is also the President of the 39,000-member Transport Workers Union Local 100.

He was born, raised and still resides in Brooklyn, NY, but the indomitable spirit of the Catholic minority of Derry, Northern Ireland on his mother’s side, and his Norwegian ancestry on his father’s side, course through his veins.

John hired on with the New York City Transit Authority in 1993 and was assigned to a Track Gang working in Brooklyn. It didn’t take him long to see that something was not right on the job. He and his brother union members worked under difficult and unsafe conditions, managers ignored safety regulations and routinely disciplined workers who stood up against their abuses. Disrespect for the workers and the union was rampant, as well.

Before he was even off probation, his co-workers voted him a Shop Steward and he fought vigorously for their rights. That was the start of John’s life in the union.

From 2001 to 2006 he served as Chair, Track Safety Committee, and Chair of the Track Division. From 2002-2005 he worked as Acting Vice President of Local 100’s Maintenance of Way Department--7,100 workers providing essential services to the New York City Transit Authority in Track, Line Equipment and Signals, Power and Structure. During those years he also served as Lead Negotiator for all safety related issues in contractual bargaining between New York City Transit Authority and TWU Local 100.

In 2004, he authored the Comprehensive Track Safety Bill, passed by both houses of the NYS Legislature. He was elected President of the 38,000-member Local in December 2009 and assumed office in January 2010. He also served as the Administrative Vice President of the International Transport Workers Union of America.

John is guided in his union beliefs by the teachings of James Connelly and TWU Founder Michael J. Quill, and is an ardent believer in industrial trade unionism.

John and Lisa are married with three children, and are raising their family in the Borough of Churches.

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Our Achievements

PA’LANTE Secured $1.5 Million in Rent Refunds to Tenants

Lease Renewal Procurement 25%

Rent Overcharge Complaints 68%

$1.4 Million

Preserving Our Affordable Housing Stock

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Steven Reyes Torres

PA’LANTE has truly been one of the greatest experiences in my life as of yet. I was introduced to this Magnificent organization by a third party program called “Sep: Pathfinders”. The goal of the program was to connect youth with internships that will help them decide their future careers. The Pathfinders program did that exactly in my case. Although I never thought of pursuing a career having to do with housing now that I have had the chance to experience what it's like, I am seriously considering taking this path. At first I was in charge of updating PA’LANTE’s Client Relationship System. I had never had any experience with it but Elsia took her time to explain to me what to do and how to do it correctly, which I am grateful for. I slowly started to work my way up the ladder and got put in charge of their web development.

Web development is crucial in my life because I am pursuing that career as well and working with PA’LANTE. has helped me learn more about it.

Elsia has also taken time to mentor me to become a manager. During the summer I was put in charge to manage the youth. That is one of the most useful experiences that I will ever learn and will be able to apply to the real world. I am also occasionally translating in Spanish for meetings that we have, as well as helping our wonderful lawyer John Gorman take some cases and organize them. I really can't complain about PA’LANTE it has helped expand my horizons on what I want to do once I get out of high school. It has truly been a wonderful opportunity and I can't wait to see what the future holds for me and this organization.

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

Gabriel Bencosme

Wendy Olivo

Pin Bencosme

Jose Pastrana

Emely Cabral

Alejandro Rivera

Sharase DeBouse

Rosalba Rodriguez

George Fernandez

Katherine Rostoff

Angel Gomez

Susan Schwartz

David Hanzal

Andreina Torres

Dona Hettinger

Martha Lisi

Lamarr Little

Steven R. Torres

Katie Vernal

Huascar D. MuĂąoz

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Special Update

PA’LANTE helped implement program changes for 157 City-owned properties (2,892 units).

Over 2,000 family members enrolled in Tenant Interim Lease (TIL) and the Affordable Neighborhood Cooperative Program (ANCP) buildings now have the right to succession not granted since program inception in the 1970’s.

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Martha Lisi

From the moment I walked into PA’LANTE, I felt an energy that gripped my heart. To be a part of something that gives a voice to those who feel afraid, lost and unable to speak for themselves is the greatest gift I could ever ask for. PA’LANTE fights for tenants’ rights with dignity and compassion, reminding the community that their lives matter.

The struggle to maintain and preserve affordable housing is a huge undertaking. Elsia Vasquez, along with her staff and volunteers, works tirelessly to educate tenants and stand for what is right and humane. I applaud PA’LANTE for the good work they do. I am blessed to be a part of this organization that stand up for the little guy.

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Stand & Deliver

PA’LANTE Stand & Deliver Kids with Deputy Commissioner Woody Pascal of NYS Homes & Community Renewal and the Director of the Upper Manhattan Borough Rent Office Deneane Brown

Every year, a select group of teens are chosen to intern at PA’LANTE. They work in a professional office setting where they learn marketing, segmentation, tenant advocacy and most importantly, they engage in community service.

Our 2015 Stand & Deliver program focused on helping our youth understand the many complexities around housing. Together, they interviewed local elected officials, community residents, tenant leaders, and with senior management staff at governmental agencies including the New York City Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) and New York State Homes & Community Renewal (DHCR). The group also met with Deputy Commissioner Pascal and Borough Rent Office Director Deneane Brown to learn more about rent regulations and careers in community service.

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Honorees Upcoming Events

TIL/ANCP/TPT Tenants Coalition February 2016

Community Leaders Roundtable March 2016

Demystifying Housing 2016 June 2016

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Special Update

PA’LANTE has organized a coalition of tenants living in City– owned buildings in an effort to assist them in becoming homeowners. Tenants living in these City Owned properties (TIL , TPT, & ANCP) have been waiting, on average, 15 years, for the opportunity to own their apartments.

We continue to nurture and empower these vulnerable residents so as to ensure that they become homeowners and that their homes are truly affordable.

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Special Update In the Beginning Rats. Toxic mold. Bedbugs. Collapsed ceilings. Peeling lead paint.

Leaking pipes and backed-up sewers. More than 2,500 health and building code violations in all. That was the reality facing the 70+ families living in three buildings on 225 and 235 W. 146th Street and 301 W 141st Street almost ten years ago. It’s become an old story in this city—greedy slumlords letting their buildings fall apart so that discouraged rent controlled tenants give up and leave. When the building empties out, the landlord renovates and then charges sky-high market rates to the new tenants.

Not this time! In September of 2006, the tenants of those three buildings banded together to fight back against their landlord and assert their rights to live in safe, functional, and affordable housing. They called their Tenant Association P.A.’L.A.N.T.E., which stands for People Against Landlord Abuse and Tenant Exploitation.

The Long Haul What the tenants didn’t know at the time was that they had a long fight on their hands. They took their landlord to court for both immediate repairs and to fight for inclusion in the City’s 7A Administrative program. This program, which had been granted to only 37 other buildings citywide, removes the landlord from management control and sets up a system where the landlord is billed for costs of repairing and managing the property. After countless days in court and numerous delaying tactics, the landlord was stripped of his management rights, a 7A Administrator was installed and all three building were fully rehabilitated.

What’s Next?

As uplifting as this story is, the sad fact is landlords usually win these battles. As real estate prices continue to soar, our mission is even more urgent. Tenants continue to fight and send a strong message to unresponsive landlords to force them to change their poor business practices.

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Cont’d As we continue our struggle and collaborate with key community representatives, elected officials and activists, news of our success has spread. PA’LANTE has been named the top Not-ForProfit for the past three years. We face increasing demands to broaden the scope of our activities beyond our original base in Harlem. Tenants throughout New York City face similar unsafe living conditions and unresponsive landlords.

A Plan of Action We built our reputation as PA’LANTE Harlem, but we are rapidly becoming known throughout New York as simply PA’LANTE. We are still a grass roots tenant advocacy rights organization located in Harlem, but we strive to support the rights of all tenants and to address the consequences of abusive landlord behavior. We educate and empower tenants. Our expertise has been effectively applied in coaching tenants and representing them in Housing Court. To date, we have organized, nurtured and represented over 57 different Tenant Associations in New York City.

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