In the Ground: We're Building Again!

January, 2010 Health, Homes and Jobs for Homeless New Yorkers

In This Issue

CATP

Dining for a Difference

Demand for Housing Fuels Exansion

A Fish Story

Quick Links

Culinary Arts Training Program

Want to learn more about our Culinary Arts Training Program?
Click here!

Dining for a Difference Participating
Restaurants

Interested in Dining for a Difference? Click here to see which of your favorite restaurants are particpating!

Demand for Housing Fuels Expansion

"Our residences are full. Our treatment programs have waiting lists. The shortage of affordable housing is hurting our clients." CEO Ed Geffner responds to this urgent refrain with a solution that delivers more services to homeless and formerly homeless New Yorkers: more construction!

We're in the ground for our newest project: two programs in one building with two residential wings around a shared courtyard. One wing includes studio apartments for homeless men and women living with mental illness. The other has a dormitory layout and is a therapeutic community for formerly homeless men recovering from addiction or substance abuse. Combined, the project offers the best of supportive housing to 105 residents. On-site services include psychiatric and medical care, substance abuse treatment, job training and placement assistance, individual case management, and social activities to foster community-building.

Ed Geffner and architect Chris Benedict, RA (pictured Right) are especially proud of incorporating energy efficient, ft washington2

green building design into the project. Windows for the residents' rooms face into a mulit-level courtyard, creating a light-filled interior environment. Rainwater on the site is managed to keep the plants in the courtyard watered. The building is designed for maximum energy efficiency and with an eye toward durability and low-maintenance. Non-toxic, natural, and recycled materials are used in the design and construction.

The Washington Avenue project continues a Project Renewal tradition of transforming once-vacant lots into attractive residences appealing to tenants and neighbors alike. Stay tuned for our opening date: Spring 2011!

Dining for a Difference

This February, if you like to dine out, then why not Dine for a Difference?

Purchase a Dining for a Difference Discount Card for just $40 and save $20 off your total dinner bill at over 20 New York City Restaurants throughout the month of February! Use the card just twice and it pays for itself!

All proceeds go to Project Renewal.

To purchase a card visit: www.projectrenewal.org/diningforadifference.html

A Fish Story: Culinary Arts Students
Cook 100 Pounds of Tilapia!

Professor Dr. Martin P. Schreibman has been raising fish for over 10 years now as part of the Aquatic Research and Environmental Assessment Center (AREAC) at Brooklyn College. Dr. Schreibman is a believer in urban aquaculture, a sustainable system for raising large quantities of fish for food, with minimal water and land use. His fish live in tanks that employ a very green maintenance process called "Recirculating Aquaculture System" or RAS, which filters the water rather than wastes it, while also enabling Dr. Schreibman to closely regulate feed, temperature and salinity.

However, because Dr. Schreibman can't sell the fish he raises, he gives them away. And so, Brooklyn College donated 100 pounds of tilapia to our Culinary Arts Training Program.

The school's Chef Instructor, Anthony O'Connor, is always excited to use the tilapia because he says it is the freshest and most beautiful fish he has ever seen. Not only do the CATP students learn to clean and prepare the fish, but the men at the 3^rd Street Shelter get to enjoy eating the tilapia after the students have put in the hard work. Thanks to Dr. Schreibman and AREAC, Project Renewal was able to receive a donation that not only fed our shelter residents, but taught our students as well. Truly something to be thankful for!