Ending The Year With A Donation? Consider Supporting These Ditmas Park Organizations

Photo via Sustainable Flatbush

If you’re thinking of ending 2014 with a charitable donation, there are many groups doing great work in Ditmas Park to consider supporting. From tenants’ rights to animal advocacy, here are organizations that support our neighbors and improve our community. If there are other local groups you’ll be contributing to, let us know! You can comment below or email us at editor@ditmasparkcorner.com.

• The Bonnie Youth Club, has for more than 60 years been an all-volunteer group that serves more than 400 local youth, most of whom come from economically disadvantaged families, through baseball training and educational opportunities. “A major objective is to reach many young people who are often very difficult to engage in positive activity.  Our year-round program uses baseball as a catalyst for imparting academic, social, and emotional skills to our youth,” BYC states on its website – which you can check out for info on making a tax deductible donation via snail mail or online.

• CaribBEING, started by neighbor Shelley Worrell, is a multidisciplinary nonprofit dedicated to illuminating the Caribbean experience, and its impact in New York City and Diaspora communities, through film, art, culture, and more. You can make a tax deductible donation here.

• CAMBA has since 1977 helped thousands of New Yorkers annually in the areas of economic development, family support services, HIV/AIDS services, legal services, education and youth development, and housing services and development. From its food pantry, which gave out hundreds of Thanksgiving meals and serves more than 4,300 neighbors a month, to employing local youth, the nonprofit has a ton happening in our area. See the great stuff CAMBA clients will receive thanks to your generous donation–and then give it!–here.

• Compost for Brooklyn keeps a garden on the corner of Newkirk Avenue and E 8th Street, and is dedicated to ecological restoration, composting, and green education in our neighborhood. Learn how to make a tax deductible donation to help support their eco-friendly and educational efforts here.

• COPO works from their Coney Island Avenue office to assist low income immigrant families in our area, helping them reach their full potential as New Yorkers and stand up for the rights to which they’re entitled. They also aim to bridge gaps between Muslim and non-Muslim communities as well as government agencies. Learn why donating is good for you, then donate here.

• There are many religious organizations around the area that offer soup kitchens (as well as other services, like homeless shelters and GED or English Language classes) for our neighbors, including the Flatbush Reformed Church (718-284-5140), Our Lady of Refuge (718-434-2090 ), Flatbush-Tompkins (718-282-5353), and Immaculate Heart of Mary (718-871-1310). To donate, give them a call.

• The Flatbush Development Corporation has since 1975 worked to improve our neighborhood through a  huge number of programs addressing economic development, housing, youth, immigration, and much more. If you’ve ever enjoyed a day out at the Flatbush Frolic, spent time with your child at the Cortelyou Tot Lot, eaten amazing food during Cortelyou at Twilight, or enjoyed the festive holiday lights on Cortelyou Road – you’ve been able to do all of that because of the FDC! Help the FDC continue to support our neighborhood by going here to donate.

• The Flatbush Tenant Coalition is made up of tenant associations from all over our area, empowering locals through education, legal services, mentorship programs, and more. Members of the coalition recently coordinated with Governor Cuomo’s office, leading to the subpoena of documents from Yeshaya Wasserman, a Brooklyn landlord alleged to be withholding repairs and overcharging tenants. See what your tax deductible donation will go toward, and help the group keep standing their ground here.

• Masbia of Flatbush opened in November 2009 as part of the Met Council and UJA response to the economic crisis, which left many Brooklynites seeking food at soup kitchens. Known as the “free restaurant,” Masbia services a three-course meal five nights a week in a restaurant-like setting that offers neighbors privacy. To learn more and to donate, go here.

• Sean Casey Animal Rescue is a no-kill shelter that has been coming to the aid of local dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and reptiles since 1998. They care for and rehabilitate strays as well as surrendered animals, providing vet care and love for as long as they need. Besides volunteering, adopting, and giving your gently used linens to the shelter, you can make a tax deductible donation here.

• Sustainable Flatbush has a hand in everything, and a name that couldn’t be said any better. From offering free herbal workshops to advocating for a greener world, the organization is constantly showing its love for our neighborhood – and world. Show you love them back with a donation online or by snail mail–details on both here.