Categories: New York City, Openings
06.03.2024
On a sunny May 31st morning, partners, supporters, and staff of The New York Foundling gathered to celebrate the opening of their new supportive housing complex part of the Urban Empowerment Center (The Center) located in central Harlem on West 125th Street.
The 51-unit residence provides homes and supports to 70 young adults leaving foster care and the shelter system. Onsite services are funded by NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Administration (OTDA) through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative. The Center will house the National Urban League’s new headquarters, museum and institute as well as offices for One Hundred Black Men of New York, the Studio Museum in Harlem, the United Negro College Fund, and Virginia Union University as well as retail, including a Target and a Trader Joe’s.
The New York Foundling’s Senior Vice President for Community Based and Education Programs, Reïna Batrony, introduced the organization’s President and CEO Melanie Hartzog who congratulated the many private and government partners who had made this day possible. She spoke of the importance of the project and how her own background had informed her passion for helping others: “To be able to provide stable homes and critical services, including job training and support to 70 young people brings so much joy to my heart.”
The star of the morning was unquestionably Venessa Riley who started her address by announcing her name, that she was a resident and “I am a college graduate” earning her whoops and applause. She went on to say “As a youth in foster care, you never know where you’ll end up or how you’ll end up. But now, with support from The New York Foundling and New York State, I have a safe space to lay my head – and in the heart of Harlem where you walk outside and are instantly inspired. I’m grateful for this wonderful opportunity and I plan to make the most of it.”
New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas followed saying “This is what makes me want to get up and go to work every day.” She thanked OTDA for their support on bringing the project to fruition. She also noted with a smile that not every supportive residence has the Urban League and a museum next door!
Senator Cordell Cleare spoke next saying “I am so inspired by this! And Venessa, I’m so inspired by you!” Senator Cleare spoke about her own experiences with homelessness and referred to being part of the ‘early fights’ to get this project open. She ended by pointing out that projects like these are only possible through political will.
Other speakers included Assembly Member Al Taylor who commented “this looks like excellence.”; Tabetha Wilson from OTDA, Manhattan Deputy Borough President Keisha Sutton-James, and Cathleen McCadden Benjamin from HCR.
Dennis Serrette, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer at National Urban League closed out the program saying, “I visited here every week as this was going up…I have a sister who struggled with mental illness and homelessness and is now with a stable treatment provider, so this work is really important to me.”
Onsite services are provided by The New York Foundling and include comprehensive support services, mentorship, and job training. Building amenities include a fitness center, laundry room, resident lounge, outdoor terrace, and bike storage.
The project’s development partners are BRP Companies, L+M Development Partners, Taconic Partners, and The Prusik Group. Financing for the project came from New York State, Goldman Sachs, Santander Bank, and Redstone Equity Partners.
The Center was designed by Beyer Blinder Belle and Congress Builders was the general contractor for the property.