Marty Joins Interfaith Medical Center in Announcing Mental Health Clinics, Jobs Will Stay in Bedford-Stuyvesant

On March 31st, Marty joined Interfaith Medical Center Chairman of the Board of Trustees The Right Reverend Orris G. Walker, Jr. and Interfaith Medical Center President and CEO Michael Kaminski in announcing that Interfaith Medical Center has taken over four mental health clinics formerly run by the Bedford-Stuy-vesant Community Mental Health Center. "This is a very important day for the Bedford-Stuyvesant community that desperately needs all of the vital mental health services being provided by Interfaith Medical Center," Marty said. "These clinics are a lifeline to those in need. Even during these difficult financial times, it is crucial to make sure that all Brooklynites have access to the critical care they require to lead healthy and productive lives. I am so pleased that Interfaith Medical Center stepped in to ensure that the community's mental health care needs are being met now and in the future." Marty worked aggressively with the State's Department of Mental Health to make sure that the community's mental health needs would still be served after the Bedford-Stuyvesant Community Mental Health Center surrendered its license to operate the clinics last year. Interfaith Medical Center is running the four clinics, which serve 300 children, adolescents and adults daily. It has also hired more than 70 former employees of the Bedford-Stuyvesant Community Mental Health Center.

Brooklyn Children Still Waiting Even With Open Daycare Slots

A recent report by New York City Comptroller William Thompson highlights that 830 city-funded Brooklyn daycare slots are open, even though Brooklyn has almost 6700 children on waiting lists - the largest of any borough. Comptroller Thompson estimates that empty daycare slots are costing the City $17.3 million annually. "Even during these very difficult times, we must ensure that the City is doing everything it can to take care of those most vulnerable," Marty said. "Not only are Brooklyn parents being shortchanged, and potentially deprived of the ability to work, but this is also costing the City millions at a time when every single dollar must be spent as efficiently and effectively as possible." City contracts provide a budget to the center based on the number of children the center has the capacity to serve. The BP is calling on the City to investigate the causes for underenrollment of Brooklyn daycare centers. Also, he wants to make sure that the Agency for Child Development has adequate staffing to carry out its duties. Marty also believes the City must put systems into place to streamline government operations in order to eliminate unnecessary levels of bureaucracy, so that eligibility paper work will be processed efficiently and tracking systems improved.

Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Celebration Honors 30th Anniversary of Met Council

On April 3rd, Marty and the Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Committee celebrated Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Night at Borough Hall in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. Met Council Executive Director William Rapfogel and Brooklyn's nine councils were all recognized for their invaluable contributions to the betterment of the borough. "Dedicated to the alleviation of social, economic, housing and related problems of the Jewish poor, working poor, elderly, and recent immigrants, Met Council's mission has not changed since its founding three decades ago: to ensure that the hungry are fed, that the weak and frail are cared for, that the homeless are sheltered, and that those who are able to work can find work," Marty said. Bensonhurst COJO Executive Director Shirley Fineman, Borough Park JCC Executive Director Rabbi Yechiel Kaufman, Canarsie JCC Executive Director Avrohom Hecht, COJO Flatbush Executive Director Rabbi Ezekiel Pikus, Crown Heights JCC Executive Director Daniel Botnick, JCC of Greater Coney Island Executive Director Rabbi Moshe Wiener, JCC of Kings Bay Director of Adminstration Elie Rubinstein, Shorefront JCC Director Malya Gross and UJO of Williamsburg Executive Director Rabbi David Niederman were also honored for their incredible dedication to improving the lives of thousands and thousands of Brooklynites. A very special thanks to Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Committee Co-Chairs Judith Shapiro and Steven Cohn for all of their hard work. State Senator Seymour Lachman, State Senator Kevin Parker, Assemblyman Jim Brennan, Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein and Councilman Lewis Fidler were also on hand to honor Met Council. Marty kicked off his day by speaking at Brooklyn Salutes Israel day at Kingsborough Community College, which was also sponsored by the Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Committee.

Bravo Brooklyn!

On April 3rd, Marty attended a ceremony honoring Donald Zucker, Abraham Lincoln High School class of '49, for generously giving back to his alma mater to allow the school to remodel and renovate its library media center. Brooklyn Children's Museum recently was awarded a multi-year $2.3 million grant to support the design and installation of a 6,000 square-foot natural science learning center scheduled to open in the fall of 2006.

Brooklyn Mourns

On April 1st, Marty visited the family of Marine Lance Corporal William White from Bushwick, who was recently killed in Iraq. "All of Brooklyn is sharing your pain during this incredibly difficult time. Corporal White loved his family and his country. His loss will never be forgotten," Marty said. Dedicated Brooklynite Luther Mook, Chairman, Coney Island Hospital Community Advisory Board, founder of the Greater Southern Brooklyn Health Coalition and Chairman of Homecrest Community Services passed away last week after a courageous battle with cancer. Brooklyn also lost Marion Howard, who was an active member of the National Council of Negro Women. And Jere Jones, husband of Wendy Weller-Jones, also passed.