Bridge Street Development Corporation

BRIDGE STREET DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION'S MISSION IS THREEFOLD: (1) DEVELOPING AND UPGRADING HOUSING IN LOW AND MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES IN THE BEDFORD-STUYVESANT AREA; (2) ENCOURAGING THE FORMATION OF BUSINESSES IN, AND RECRUITING PROSPECTIVE AND EXISTING BUSINESSES TO, BEDFOR-STUYVESANT; AND (3) DEVELOPING MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY THAT WILL ALLOW FOR THE CENTRALIZED PROVISION OF SUCH SERVICES TO THE SEVERAL CORPORATIONS AFFILIATED WITH BRIDGE STREET AFRICAN WESLEYAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND YOUTH WORKFORCE - BSDC'S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND YOUTH WORKFORCE PROGRAMS BUILDS AND SUSTAINS VIBRANT AND EQUITABLE NEIGHBORHOODS WITHIN CENTRAL BROOKLYN, BY BRINGING TOGETHER THE TALENTS, RESOURCES, AND SKILLS OF ITS RESIDENTS. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY THE FOLLOWING: (1) PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS TO LMI TENANTS; (2) YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT INTERNSHIP AND CERTIFICATE TRAINING PROGRAMS SUCH AS OVER 1100 SYEP INTERNSHIPS FOR 14 - 24 YEAR OLDS, YEAR ROUND WPP INTERNSHIPS AND MOTIVATED YOUTH BUILDING ALL SELF-EMPOWERMENT (MYBASE) CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS; AND, (3) ORGANIZING AND CONVENING BLOCK AND TENANT ASSOCIATIONS ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

BSDC'S HOMEOWNERSHIP, PRESERVATION AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT - THE GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE BEDFORD-STUYVESANT COMMUNITY BY REHABILITATING FORMER CITY- OWNED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES AND SELLING THEM AT PRICES BELOW MARKET VALUE. IT CREATES HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME BUYERS, INCREASES THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND UPGRADES THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF EXISTING RESIDENTS. PROGRAM EXPENSES WERE 256,111. BSDC'S SENIOR SERVICES PROVIDES QUALITY HOUSING AT BELOW MARKET RENT FOR SENIORS,AND VARIOUS SUPPORT SERVICES ON SITE, SUCH AS MEAL ON WHEELS, WORKSHOPS,HOME HEALTH AIDES, MEDICARE ASSISTANCE AND OTHER EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. PROGRAM EXPENSES WERE 189,016.

BSDC'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM HAS FOUR OBJECTIVES: A) TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND PLANNING ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESS START-UPS B) DEVELOP COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR BUSINESS C) IMPLEMENT NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL INITIATIVES TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN BUSINESSES AND JOBS D) OFFER EMPOWERING FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMS AND BUSINESS PLANNING COURSES, AS WELL AS FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER WORKSHOPS.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE - BSDC'S RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM, PROJECT RESTORE BEDSTUY (PRB), IS AN IMMERSIVE, YEAR-LONG, INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO ASSIST YOUNG MEN IN NEED OF SUPPORT DUE TO THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN STREET FORMATIONS. THE PROJECT IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN MANY COMMUNITY AND CITY STAKEHOLDERS. PRB PROVIDES ITS PARTICIPANTS WITH MENTORSHIP, WRAP-AROUND SUPPORT, AND THE RESOURCES TO HELP THEM REGAIN CONTROL OF THEIR LIVES. CORE COMPONENTS INCLUDE ACCESS TO SOCIAL RESOURCES AND SERVICES, PAID INTERNSHIP EMPLOYMENT, TARGETED EDUCATION, AND IMPORTANT LIFE SKILLS. ADDITIONALLY, THROUGH RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND TRAUMA-INFORMED PROGRAMMING, IT ALLOWS PARTICIPANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY HARM CAUSED, WHILE ALSO HEALING FROM ANY HARM THEY MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED THEMSELVES.