In 2010, The Baisley Park Houses community coped with the very devastating decision that closed our community center. A decision that meant no more summer camp, no more after school programs, no more dance classes, no more karate classes and much more. Our community center was one of the most effective means that united this community. Many people of this community, young and old, benefited tremendously from its operation. Unfortunately, due to lack of funds, it has since been closed. We are now faced with a sense of urgency to reopen the center but we need your help to do it.

Living in an urban community, our children can easily be exposed to dangerous things and engage in risky behavior if they don't have a safe environment to turn to or a center to keep them engaged. Our PAL center is said to close this coming September. Our children don't have a place to go after school, to do homework, for recreation, or just to stay until their parents get home from work. Our community center keeps the children off the streets and keeps them safe.It is a place where the kids are free to be themselves, to congregate and enjoy each other's company and it is an outlet for them. 

There are many areas that we are lacking in the community and this center could provide these things and make a major improvement. If re-opened, the community center could offer dance classes, health workshops, an after school program, homework help, arts and crafts, a trade program for people 18 and over, as well as classes on time management and financial literacy. These are all programs that can be effective and would be received well by the people in this community.

Currently, we don't have a place providing any of the above stated resources. At present, our children don't have a place to go after school or during the summer to occupy their time. There are more young people resorting to joining gangs, fighting, stealing and much more because they don't have anything constructive to do or the appropriate guidance. We have not, however, lost hope. Our community (Baisley Park Houses in Jamaica, Queens, NY) can still be saved if we can get our center back. 

Don't turn your back on us. Help save our children. Help save our community.

Thank you in advance. Every signature counts!