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CONTACT: Marsha Gordon, LCG Communications
718.853.5568
marshag@lcgcommunications.com

NEW YORK CITY ACTIVISTS RECEIVE $750,000 IN AWARDS
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UNION SQUARE AWARDS RECOGNIZE COMMUNITY LEADERS
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November 3, 2005

Fifteen grassroots community-based organizations represented by twenty-four New Yorkers will be awarded $750,000. from the 2005 Union Square Awards Program. Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, each organization will receive a grant of $50,000. The awards realize the donor’s dream to honor individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to addressing social justice issues across the city. These community leaders are recognized by the Union Square Awards for their tireless work on issues that are otherwise overlooked, neglected or inadequately addressed.

"Facing the dire circumstances for so many in our city, award winners are individuals who are
moved to action. They work in underserved communities providing services, organizing and
bringing attention to critical social and economic issues. With minimal resources, they build
organizations that get results and make extraordinary contributions to the educational, economic
and cultural life of New York City,” says Iris Morales, Director of the Union Square Awards
Program.

Established in 1998, the Union Square Awards has granted more than $8 million to support projects and organizations that have not received either substantial funding or public accolade. The program is named after the park on 14th Street where New Yorkers have organized and raised awareness about contemporary social issues since the nineteenth century. Known as a forum for the poor and disenfranchised, Union Square is identified with strong commitments and highlights the essential qualities embodied in the award.

The awards will be presented at a special ceremony on November 11th to the following organizations and founders being honored for their work. For more information about the winners, click here

BRONX

• The Green Worker Cooperatives fosters environmental and economic justice by developing worker-owned and environmentally friendly manufacturing businesses in the South Bronx. Omar Freilla, Founder.

BROOKLYN

• The Brooklyn Childcare Collective works with pregnant and parenting teenagers to provide legal information, advocacy training and social services support. Benita Miller Johnston, Founder.
  
  
• Groundswell Community Mural Project engages youth, community members and artists to voice their social concerns through the large-scale venue of a mural project. Amy Sananman, Founder.
  
  
• Tamkeen: The Center for Arab American Empowerment provides health and advocacy services to the Arab

MANHATTAN

• The African Hope Committee provides health education, immigration and support to newly arrived immigrant populations with an emphasis on the African population. Clarisse Mefotso-Fall, Founder.

• Esperanza del Barrio is a membership-led organization that assists low-income Latino/a immigrants and their families and defends street vendors’ right to work and to develop economic alternatives for survival. Lidia Calleja, Nayeli Tobon, Aide Burgoa, Carmen Vera, Oliveria Gonzalez & Flor Bermudez, Co-Founders.
  
  
• The Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition is building alliances between the faith community and the labor movement organizing low-wage and immigrant workers. Rabbi Michael Feinberg, Founder.
  
  
• Jews for Racial and Economic Justice is a membership organization that works to end all forms of hatred and oppression while fostering a Jewish identity with justice at its core. Melanie Kaye Kantrowitz & Esther Kaplan, Founding Staff.
  
  
• Sauti Yetu Center for African Women seeks to prevent and respond to gender-based violence toward African immigrant women in New York City. Zeinab Eyega, Founder.
  
  
• The Sikh Coalition defends civil rights and liberties, educates the broader community about Sikhs, promotes local community empowerment and fosters civic engagement among Sikh Americans. Prabhjot Singh & Amardeep Singh, Co-Founders.
  
  
• Sylvia Rivera Law Project works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence. Dean Spade, Founder.

QUEENS

• African Center for Community Empowerment, a resource center in St. Albans that offers educational programs for youth and their families. Saywalah Kesselly, Founder.
  
  
• Jovenes 24 Horas is a housing facility that serves Latino residents affected by the disease of alcoholism and chemical dependency. Jose Morales, Founder.
  
  
• Turning Point for Women and Families is an organization for Muslim women and girls specifically dealing with issues of domestic violence. Robina Niaz, Founder.
  
  
• Voces Latinas is dedicated to reducing the HIV transmission rate among Latina immigrants. Nathaly Rubio-Torio & Rosa Bramble Weed, Co-Founders.

The Union Square Awards is a project of the Tides Center whose mission is to actively promote change toward a healthy society—one founded on principles of social justice, equal economic opportunity, a robust democratic process and environmental sustainability.

Find out more about the Union Square Awards: www.unionsquareawards.org