Bringing resources closer to residents
Urban Upbound marked a major milestone on the Rockaway Peninsula with the grand opening of a new service center inside the Hammel Houses, expanding access to workforce, financial and mental health services for NYCHA residents and the surrounding community.
The new office will provide neighborhood-based support through programs that include workforce development, financial counseling, tax preparation and filing, small business assistance and mental health counseling. The May 29 opening ceremony highlighted the organization’s long-term investment in Far Rockaway and public housing residents.
“This expansion represents a continued investment in the people and communities of the Rockaways,” said Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor, CEO and cofounder of Urban Upbound. “By bringing services directly into the Hammel Houses, we are removing barriers to accessing the tools residents need to build long-term economic stability and escape cycles of poverty.”
The service center is designed to offer residents easier access to critical services without having to leave their neighborhood. Officials said the office would also serve as a hub for community engagement, featuring space for job fairs, financial literacy workshops, wellness programs, entrepreneur seminars and resident meetings.
NYCHA Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble said the new office would help provide direct pathways to opportunity for residents of Hammel Houses and the wider Rockaway community.
“The new Urban Upbound service center guarantees NYCHA residents at Hammel Houses have direct access to the resources and opportuni -
ties they deserve — in their community and close to home,” Trimble said.
Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson, Councilwoman Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, representatives for Rep. Gregory Meeks, local clergy members and community leaders, including Hammel Houses Resident Association President Lisa Johnson and Rev. Evan Gray Sr. of Macedonia Baptist Church of Arverne, attended the ceremony.
State Sen. James Sanders Jr., who grew up in the Rockaways, reflected on his personal connection to the community and the significance of the investment.
“Today marks a proud moment for the Rockaways as we celebrate the grand opening of Urban Upbound’s new office at Hammel Houses — a community that I know well and hold close to my heart,” he said.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. emphasized the importance of bringing financial services directly
to NYCHA residents.
“NYCHA families deserve the same access to critical financial services, like tax prep and counseling, as any other family in this city,” Richards said. “I’m grateful to Urban Upbound for bringing a litany of financial resources directly to the residents of Hammels Houses.”
Brooks-Powers called the new center an important investment in Far Rockaway families and praised Urban Upbound’s continued work in helping residents achieve economic stability.
“Today’s grand opening is a powerful investment in the people of Far Rockaway and the residents of Hammel Houses,” Brooks-Powers said. “Urban Upbound has long been a trusted partner in helping families achieve economic stability through workforce development, financial counseling, tax preparation assistance, and pathways to long-term financial independence.”
Urban Upbound’s expansion
builds on its years of work in the Rockaways following Hurricane Sandy. After the storm devastated many public housing communities, Taylor began visiting residents door-to-door, particularly seniors who had been heavily impacted by the disaster.
Seeing similarities between the Rockaways and the Queensbridge Houses community where he grew up, Taylor established Urban Upbound’s first office in Downtown Far Rockaway. The organization focused on delivering workforce development programs, financial counseling and tax preparation services to residents facing economic hardship.
Since then, Urban Upbound has continued to expand its
partnerships with resident associations, nonprofits, elected officials, clergy members and local businesses to strengthen access to services across the peninsula.
Officials at the grand opening said the Hammel Houses office reflects a broader effort to bring resources directly into underserved communities and remove barriers that often prevent families from accessing support programs.
The new center is expected to serve as both a service hub and gathering space for residents seeking financial stability, career advancement and long-term economic opportunity within the Rockaways.
–Jeffrey Bessen
Courtesy Dhrupad Mamun Urban Upbound
Urban Upbound opened a new service inside the Hammel Houses in Far Rockaway on May 29.
Lawrence representation down Fifth Ave.
Village of Lawrence Mayor Samuel Nahmias, accompanied by his wife, Monica, their children and Village Trustee Steven Gottesman, marched at the front of more than 50,000 participants during the annual Israel Day Parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.
Joining them were Fourth Precinct South Auxiliary Inspector Danny Gluck, Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Howard Kopel, Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, NCPD Chaplain Rabbi Elie Weinstock, Town of Oyster Bay Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey P. Pravato, Assemblyman Ari Brown, radio host Sid Rosenberg and social media influencer Gabriel Boxer.
In a social media post that garnered widespread attention, Nahmias said he was proud to march alongside his children while celebrating the bond between the United States and Israel. He said the parade sent a clear message of support for Israel and the Jewish people, while standing against antisemitism.
— Melissa Berman
News brief
Brandeis salutes Israel
Students, families, faculty and community members from Brandeis Hebrew Academy joined thousands of participants at this year’s Israel Parade, celebrating their connection to Israel and the Jewish people on May 31.
The school’s delegation marched together in a spirited display of Jewish pride and unity, waving Israeli flags and showing support for Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael. Participants described the event as a meaningful opportunity to stand together with the broader Jewish community and demonstrate their enduring bond with Israel.
The parade brought together people of all ages from across the region for a day of celebration, music and community spirit. Brandeis Hebrew Academy students marched alongside parents, teachers and supporters, reflecting the school’s commitment to Jewish identity, heritage and values.
School officials said the event served as a powerful reminder of the strength of the Jewish community and the importance of maintaining a connection to Israel. The day was marked by enthusiasm, pride and a shared sense of purpose as participants celebrated their heritage and expressed unwavering support for the Jewish homeland.
— Melissa Berman
Courtesy Village of Lawrence
Village of Lawrence Trustee Steve Gottesman, left, and Mayor Samuel Nahmias, right, along with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman marched in the annual Israel Day Parade on May 31.
Mayor, trustees unopposed in June election
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
Residents of the Village of Lawrence will head to the polls on June 16 to elect village officials in the first election held under a newly adopted term structure that extends elected terms from two years to four years while limiting officials to two consecutive four-year terms.
Mayor Samuel Nahmias and Trustees Aaron Felder and Steve Gottesman are all seeking re-election and running unopposed. If elected, each will serve four-year terms under the revised village law, which was approved unanimously by the Board of Trustees earlier this year.
“Your employees are the most critical thing to the village infrastructure, and they need to know there is stability in their government,” Nahmias said. “In order to finish initiatives, you need the time to do so.”
Nahmias, who was first elected mayor in 2024, said he is seeking another term to continue projects that began during the current administration. He cited public safety enhancements, infrastructure improvements and longrange planning efforts among his priorities.
“Our mission isn’t over,” Nahmias said. “We have more to deliver to the community with security cameras, enhanced security, beautification programs and bringing the community back to the core basics of what it should be. It’s no fighting, just delivering.”
Among the initiatives he highlighted are the installation of security cameras throughout the village, the creation of a command center linked to Nassau County police, additional road repaving projects and a coordinated infrastructure plan with utility providers.
Nahmias said village officials have worked with Liberty Water and National Grid to synchronize water main replacements and utility upgrades with future road paving projects.
“Lawrence has one of the oldest water infrastructures,” he said. “This is something that the community has constantly complained about. In the next four years, the Village of Lawrence’s water is going to be clean. It’s not going to be orange.”
He also pointed to ongoing improvements at the Lawrence Yacht & Country Club, including plans for expanded event facilities and lodging accommodations, as well as a FEMA-funded dredging project.
Felder, who has served one term as trustee and currently serves as deputy mayor, said his roots in Lawrence run deep. A resident for nearly 50 years, he owns several healthcare-related businesses and a residential real estate company.
“My favorite part about being a trustee is being able to serve my friends, neighbors and all residents in helping to improve our collective quality of life in a place we all share and love,” Felder said.
He said he is seeking re-election because several ini-
tiatives remain unfinished and because experienced leadership is important for maintaining efficient government operations.
“There is so much on our agenda that still needs to be effectuated,” Felder added. “Having people on the Board of Trustees that have an intimate knowledge of the village and its residents’ needs, as well as strong business backgrounds, is extremely helpful in making village government run smoothly, effectively and in a fiscally responsible way.”
If re-elected, Felder said he plans to focus on public safety, beautification efforts and infrastructure improvements throughout the village.
He also credited his late father, former Lawrence Mayor C. Simon Felder, as his inspiration for public service.
“My example for public service has always been my father,” Felder said. “I hope to continue to have the opportunity to follow in his footsteps and devote my time and efforts.”
Gottesman, a mortgage finance professional who has lived in Lawrence since 1995, said the past two years have reinforced his commitment to serving the village.
“I love the village, and I wanted to give back all the wonderful things that I have received from it,” Gottesman said. “These two years have flown by. I feel like I’m only just getting my feet wet.”
Gottesman said one of the most rewarding aspects of serving as a trustee has been addressing everyday quality-of-life concerns, from overgrown vegetation and street lighting issues to sanitation and public works matters.
“It’s the little things that affect people’s daily lives,” he said. “Those are the things people appreciate the most because they see the difference every day.”
Voting is on June 16, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Lawrence Yacht & Country Club, 101 Causeway, Lawrence.
Photos courtesy of the candidates
Village of Lawrence Mayor Samuel Nahmias, Trustee Aaron Felder and Trustee Steve Gottesman are running for re-election in the upcoming village vote on June 16.
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More about homes close to the water
Q. We’re looking for a house, and have run into a pattern where every house we see has some real problems. We’re wondering, after our home inspector looked at a house recently and found major foundation cracks, how we can figure out what to negotiate for the repairs. The house is on a canal, and also has other additions that have no permits (we checked). How do we go about discussing this with facts, and try to resolve what it will really cost if we buy the house?
A. I have a sinking feeling about the house, as you described. Some of the homes I have seen in high water tables, next to canals, in what are known as flood plain areas, are expensive and require a lot of engineering work to repair. Unfortunately, time doesn’t heal all wounds, and many people looking in areas adjacent to water don’t realize what they’re looking at.
The history of these close-to-the-water neighborhoods is an interesting study in civil engineering. Most of the areas, especially along shorelines, were previously swampland that was “reclaimed.” This means that tall reeds were often plowed under and covered with sand, dredged to make the adjacent canals deeper and more navigable while shooting the sand with water cannons, in a process called hydro-fill, to stabilize and level out the land for construction of developments.
At the time, unfortunately, there wasn’t the same level of scrutiny in issuing permits, and testing from those eras is sometimes questionable. One of the most obvious test reports I have ever seen was one in which every soil boring taken on a single property was written on a chart so that every number on every line was the same. A trained professional would realize that is nearly impossible. I imagine the person just filling in each line with the same ditto information just so they could get past filing the required report.
It’s all too common to see record plans, taken from building departments, showing standard foundation walls with no spread footing, and therefore no piles. Piles are the large, long poles or large helical screws that are jammed down into the earth until they reach a point where they can’t be jammed any farther. If you really love the location, you should hire an experienced engineer or architect, who will need to investigate the old records on file and also look at the foundation conditions.
If it turns out the house has either no underground pile report or a certified pile log, which is not unusual, then the foundation cracking can be caused by the continued settling of the house into the less stable ground. Will the settling stop at some point? Not for a long time — several lifetimes, predictably. There are ways to insert pile supports around the foundation, utilizing brackets and angled piles, to stop the settling. At that point, you need a professional’s plan and a pile company estimate to negotiate. Good luck!
© 2026 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to
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Agree
At Mount Sinai South Nassau, patient safety isn’t just a priority— it’s a standard, one we work on every day. And the experts agree.
We’ve earned national recognition for patient safety, including an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group and the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award.
That means better outcomes for our patients with lower risk of infections or hospital acquired conditions.
When it comes to your health, nothing matters more than knowing you’re in a place where patient safety matters most.
Learn more at mountsinai.org/southnassau