Generations Rally Outside 966 Fulton, Call On City To Renew Lease For Day Care And Senior Center

There were dozens of stories, all unique yet all sharing the same conclusion: if the Young Minds Child Care and Grace Agard Harewood Senior Center were to close, the families and older adults would not have anywhere else to go.

“I don’t know what I would do without them,” said Clinton Hill mom Tavia Lloyd, whose three- and four-year-olds attend the day care along with their cousins. “It’s the only thing here for us. I tried every day care in the neighborhood, but they weren’t taking kids younger than three. Here, within one week, they said yes.”

“I’m a single parent and have had dinners with the seniors here and our children perform for the seniors here,” said Marcia Edwards, who noted that four generations of her family have been a part of the centers at 966 Fulton Street. “We’re a community. We’re a family.”

That family came out in force for a rally last Thursday afternoon, April 10, forming a river of people on either side of Fulton Street at Putnam Triangle Plaza — the older adults in front of 966-972 Fulton and the children and parents on the triangle — all of them chanting and holding signs calling on the city to “Sign Our Lease,” ‘Save Our Building,” “Save Universal Pre-K,” and “Honk If You Support Us.” Between the two camps was a stream of cars, trucks and buses, driven by drivers who honked loudly and in tune with the rallying cries.

“People are working hard to save our buildings,” declared Sam Pinn of the Fort Greene Council, which has operated both programs for over 42 years, but whose fates remain uncertain as the city has yet to approve the renewal of the Council’s lease at the space.

That delay — followed by the recent addition of a “For Lease” sign in front of the building, hanging next to banners advertising health workshops, computer literacy classes, jazz events and more — has left young families and older adults anxious and in limbo, calling on local elected officials and community organizations to rally for a swift and sustainable resolution.

Pretty much every local official — Assemblymember Walter Mosley, Councilmember Laurie Cumbo, Public Advocate Letitia James, and Congressmember Hakeem Jeffries — have expressed their support and have stated that they remain hopeful for a positive outcome. Money has reportedly also been redirected from other neighboring districts to help keep the centers open until a lease agreement can hopefully be worked out, according to Cumbo. Elected officials who have given money include Councilmembers Inez Barron, Robert Cornegy, and Jumaane Williams.

Community organizations have also voiced solidarity. Community Board 2 voted unanimously at their April 9 meeting to support the Fort Greene Council’s desire for a lease renewal and the Fulton Area Business (FAB) Alliance also expressed their support for the lease renewal effort, noting that:

Our friends at Fort Greene Council have served Brooklyn for 40+ years and now is the time for the City to act. These City-funded programs must continue at this location so the Seniors and Children can continue to be served right here in the neighborhood.

According to mom and after-school employee Michelle Smith, whose kids also attend the pre-K and after-school programs, the building and its programs are “essential” for the community, across generations, cultures and need.

Clinton Hill senior Theodore Gaston agreed, telling us that “there is a universal need by all colors and races” for the services provided by the Fort Greene Council. Asked whether it wears on him to keep attending rallies and other events every time there is a funding issue, he said “of course it’s tiring. But we make our rounds.”

And what is it that keeps them going while making those rounds?

“It’s important because if you stay at home, you’re lonely and people can get Alzheimers,” said Delia of East Flatbush “You have to build relationships. I’m happy to associate with other seniors. We use the computer, do exercise, dance. . . the people here are very nice and help you. And it’s only a $1 for lunch and $1 for transportation from your home.”

The rally was just the latest in an ongoing campaign in support of the Centers and their programs. Back in August, seniors held a walk-a-thon to raise funds and awareness of the impending lease expiration, and since then, hundreds of letters have been sent to Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services.