THE POINT

Attend the 2012 Hunts Point Big Read!

2012-03-02

THE POINT is proud to announce that is has been awarded renewed support by the National Endowment for the Arts to lead the 2012 Hunts Point Big Read! In honor of National Reading Month in March 2012, THE POINT will encourage literary reading in the South Bronx and organize the Hunts Point community to read In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. THE POINT is partning with El Museo del Barrio, La Casa Azul Bookstore and the Hunts Point branch of the NY Public Library to plan for this community-wide event. Learn more.

POINT Paneling for American Planning Association

2012-01-17

THE POINT's Executive Director Kellie Terry-Sepulveda is participating in a panel for the American Planning Association on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012, 6-8pm at Cornell University Design Studio, 50 W. 17th Street (at 6th Ave), 2nd Floor, Manhattan. The discussion will focus on the first goal of Vision 2020: New York City Comprehensive Waterfront Plan, which is "Expand public access to the waterfront and waterways on public and private property for all New Yorkers and visitors alike."

Project Reach Honoring Sharon De La Cruz

2012-01-13

THE POINT is pleased to report that Project Reach has selected THE POINT's W.O.M.E.N. (Where Our Minds Empower Needs) Project Mentor Sharon De La Cruz as an honoree for their 2012 gala! Project Reach is interviewing Sharon for a five-minute video featuring honorees that will be presented at the event on February 9.

POINT students present at RISE conference

2011-10-21

On October 22nd, THE POINT's W.O.M.E.N. (Where Our Minds Empower Needs) group is presenting at the 2011 RISE Conference, a space for progressive and radical social workers and activists to gather, build coalitions, and develop new skills. W.O.M.E.N. is dedicated to increasing awareness of HIV/STIs and teen pregnancy among young African American/black and Latina/Hispanic girls and young women and empowering them to get involved in prevention and advocacy programming.

POINT students travel to Rimini, Italy!

2011-10-21

Students from THE POINT's Cirque du Monde social circus program traveled all the way to Rimini, Italy for We Free Day on October 15, 2011. Focused on drug prevention and rehabilitation, We Free gathers over 2,000 high school students each year to participate in forums, workshops and performances.

POINT featured at OJJDP national conference

2011-10-21

The US Office on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention selected THE POINT to present at its 2011 Conference for Children's Justice & Safety in October.

POINT student wins Brower Youth Award!

2011-09-20

POINT student Victor Davila is one of seven winners of the Earth Island Institute's 2011 Brower Youth Awards! He has been recognized for his exceptional work engaging youth in local environmental and health issues through skateboarding.

http://www.broweryouthawards.org/

Sign up for the 2011 Fish Parade!

2011-06-08

Visit THE POINT's Calendar of Events to learn more.

THE POINT is looking for Site Leaders

2011-04-27

President�s Art & Activism Award to Maria Torres!

2011-02-23

Congratulations to THE POINT's Co-founder & President Maria Torres for receiving The President's Art & Activism Award from the Women's Caucus For Art! The mission of the Women's Caucus for Art is to create community through art, education, and social activism.

Student wins Scholastic Art and Writing Awards!

2011-02-23

THE POINT is proud to announce that David Yearwood has been awarded a Silver Key for an individual work in drawing from The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Congratulations, David!

A.C.T.I.O.N. student wins POSSE Scholarship!

2011-02-23

A.C.T.I.O.N. student Makela Elvy has been awarded the POSSE Scholarship, which will cover her full tuition for all four years of college! Makela is the third A.C.T.I.O.N. student to win a POSSE Scholarship in the past four years. Congrats, Makela!

THE POINT presents in Lisbon, Portugal!

2011-02-23

THE POINT's Executive Director Kellie Terry-Sepulveda is presenting this March in Lisbon, Portugal at the International Congress on Social Intervention in Urban Areas in the 21st Century! THE POINT's work reaches around the globe!

2011 PASEsetter Earl Skinner!

2011-01-25

THE POINT is extremely proud to announce that the Partnership for After School Education (PASE) has awarded our Youth Development Programs Coordinator Earl Skinner a 2011 PASEsetter Award! The PASEsetter recognizes youth development professionals who have made outstanding contributions in the field of after-school education. Congratulations, Earl!!!

JOB OPENING - Young Men's Group Coordinator

2011-01-12

Coordinate the implementation of a New York Foundation funded Young Men’s group including recruitment of up to 20 young men 13-24 who will meet once a week to identify and campaign on issues pertinent to young men in the Bronx. Read the full job description.

New Circus Coach Coordinator

2010-07-12

THE POINT is pleased to announce our new Cirque du Monde Coach Coordinator! Jill Maglio is an Occupational Therapist, whose published thesis was on Circus & Occupational Therapy (Dec. 2008), and circus performer who comes to THE POINT with a fresh perspective and passion for social circus from around the world. She has worked with a variety of programs internationally with responsibilities varying from program development, program facilitation/co-facilitation and evaluation. These include: M’loptapang Center for Street Children, Circus Oz Disability Project, Epic Arts Cambodia, Holistic Circus Therapies, Westside Circus - JUMP JET program and R.E.A.C.H (which she created from the ground up). Welcome to the team, Jill!

NYC Business Express

2010-04-14

NYC Business Express is the one-stop online tool for the license, permit, tax, incentive information and applications you need, for any business in NYC. The NYC Business Express Incentives Estimator can even provide a customized list of City, State, and Federal incentives for which your business may qualify.

www.nyc.gov/BusinessExpress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - NYOFCo

2010-03-23

For a Better Bronx • Mothers on the Move •

The Point CDC • Sustainable South Bronx

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bronx community groups and residents gather outside NYOFCo to issue a collective response to the DEP’s plans to cease the City contract with NYOFCo later this year

______________________________________________________________________________

March 22^nd, 2010 (Bronx, NY)-

Members of local community-based organizations and residents gathered outside of the New York Organic Fertilizer Company (NYOFCo) today to read a statement containing the community’s response to NYC DEP Commissioner Holloway’s plans to terminate their contract.

Cerita Parker, a member of Mothers on the Move, stated, “The City has taken an important first step to ending the odors caused by NYOFCo in our community. Regardless of what happens, we intend to continue our litigation against NYOFCo to ensure that the community is freed of these long-standing odors.”

"We acknowledge the critical impact of this vital issue on the future of Hunts Point and view this a tipping point, not only for our community but for all Environmental Justice communities,” said Kellie Terry-Sepulveda, Executive Director of The POINT CDC. “We are cautiously optimistic and look forward to continuing working to ensure the most environmentally just and sustainable resolution possible is reached.”

Jaime Stein, Environmental Policy Analyst of Sustainable South Bronx commented, “The recent events present an opportunity for a new relationship between the City and the Hunts Point community. One in which we can work openly and collaboratively toward finding the most environmentally and socially just treatment of New York City sludge.”

"For A Better Bronx celebrates the work of the Hunts Point Awareness Committee, the students, parents and teachers of PS 48 and St. Athenatius Schools, and the persistence of the people of the Hunts Point and Longwood communities that have led us to this moment of hope that our people may finally breath a deep sigh of relief" says Marian Feinberg. "We hope this marks a new day in which the DEP will listen to the wisdom of our experience and work with us to assure that the burden of NYC sewage waste will not harm any other community."

The following statement was read by those present at today’s gathering:

For years, the NYOFCo facility released noxious and offensive odors and other chemical releases leading to increased asthma and other respiratory distress, headaches, nausea, conjunctivitis (pinkeye) into the Hunts Point and surrounding communities of Longwood and Soundview with little regulation or oversight by the City and the State. For many years DEC allowed this plan to operate without the stack tests required by the permit with no penalty. As absenteeism from asthma increased among our children and school staff (one school nurse at PS 48 had to leave her job due to asthma exacerbation), schools had to cancel recess as children became acutely ill on the playground, the community had petition drives (including the signatures of cloistered nuns), held speak outs, many protests and filed many complaints during that time hoping for an end to the odors. An odor scientist hired to assuage the community found that many odors were due to lax maintenance and engineering at the plant. Other odors were also traced to DEP plants nearby. There was community objection to the current contract, Title V and solid waste permits, and finally a filing of a federal Title 6 action. The community has always had to fight for its democratic right to have public meetings and hearings so its voice and experience could be heard.

On July of 2008, the community’s frustration with the facility led to the filing of a nuisance lawsuit against NYOFCo to stop the odors. The lawsuit also was against the City’s Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) to address the odors generated by the City’s own Hunts Point Sewage Plant. Shortly thereafter, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (“DEC”) finally issued long-awaited new air and solid waste permits, as well as a community monitoring plan for the NYOFCo facility.

On March 8^th, Commissioner Holloway announced DEP’s intention to deny NYOFCo an extension contract and to terminate NYOFCo’s current contract on June 30, 2010. If this action leads to the permanent closure of NYOFCo, we believe this is a major step to resolving this long-standing environmental justice struggle in the community. We understand that the DEP is expected to finalize its decision in the next several months. We support DEP’s action as long as the following issues are resolved:

1. The termination of the contract actually occurs and leads to the permanent closure of the NYOFCo facility.

2. DEP consult the Hunts Point Monitoring Committee (“HPMC”) for all future actions regarding issues that affect the Hunts Point area and that the DEP Commissioner meet directly with HPMC for a question/answer session on the NYOFCo contract open to the public. Although we appreciate the attempt by DEP to save the City substantial amounts of money by cancelling the NYOFCo contract, we were disappointed that this decision was not made in a transparent manner with meaningful community input. Without community notification and input you continue the undemocratic practices that have been a core issue in environmental justice.

3. DEP provide the community with more information on what the potential impacts of landfilling the sludge may have on new host communities. DEP announced that when the termination of the NYOFCo contract occurs, it will temporarily landfill the sludge while it investigates other alternatives to beneficially reuse the sludge. We do not believe the environmental justice problems posed by the sludge in the Hunts Point community should be pushed off to another host community, and would welcome the opportunity to share with DEP environmental health information that we already have.

4. DEP restart the process of identifying vendors to handle the long-term beneficial reuse contract for the sludge or alternative methods that are safest and healthiest for all concerned with meaningful input from the community. We understand that DEP issued a Request for Interest (“RFI”) to potential vendors to beneficially reuse sludge and DEP has identified two vendors which responded with sludge-to-energy processes, in or view, incineration. We are disappointed that DEP issued those RFIs without community input and would like to receive as many details as possible on the potential vendors prior to the City bidding out the contract. We would like to be meaningfully involved in shaping the bidding process to ensure it does not result in new environmental justice problems in Hunts Point or elsewhere.

5. The City pursues a long-term solution to the sludge issue that is ecologically sustainable and respects principles of environmental justice.

6. DEC reconvene the stakeholder groups immediately to discuss the impacts of these recent developments as it pertains to their role as the permitting agency.

Green Collar Job Opening at TSB-- Immediate Need

2010-03-10

New York Biodiesel Company Seeks Sales &

Recruitment Representatives

Position Type: Full and part-time positions available

Compensation: $3400/month total target comp after 2 months ½ work for full-time position

Hours: Flexible, but to include weekday afternoons

Description: We are looking for friendly, outgoing, environmentally-minded salespeople to visit local restaurants and speak with management about our waste cooking oil recycling service. Applicants must have professional appearance and attitude, be self-motivated, and have excellent communication skills. Training and promotional materials will be provided.

Qualifications:

· Sales/marketing experience required

· Dependable, strong work ethic

· Excellent interpersonal skills

· Ability to work independently

· Solid sense of commitment and responsibility, with a desire to be proactive and take initiative

· Ability to work in a fast-paced, target oriented environment

Please email your resume with cover letter to careers@tristatebiodiesel.com. Please attach your resume in Word format. Use the job title as the subject line.

About Tri-State Biodiesel: Tri-State Biodiesel, LLC is a New York City based subsidiary of The Sustainable Biodiesel Company LLC. The Sustainable Biodiesel Company (TSB) is a national company which is focused on the development and implementation of urban-based biodiesel projects utilizing non-food crop biodiesel feedstocks such as Used Cooking Oil, Jatropha Oil and Algae Oil. Founded by life-long biodiesel activist Brent Baker, TSB believes that the use of sustainably-produced biodiesel in combination with demand reduction measures such as mass-transit and transportation alternatives and in concert with technological advances such as diesel hybrids and light rail systems, can create an America that is both energy independent and sustainable.

Job Post - Hose Operator - Depot Technician

2010-03-10

New York Biodiesel Company Seeks Hose

Operator / Depot Technician

Position Type: Full time

Compensation: $14/hr

Hours: Flexible

Description: We are looking for professional, honest, hard-working and dedicated hose operators to work with drivers in our waste cooking oil collection trucks. Responsibilities include oil collection from restaurants, assisting with safety inspections of vehicles, pump operation for deliveries/collections, customer relations, and assisting with administration of necessary paperwork. Applicants with plumbing, welding, mechanical, and construction experience will be given first consideration. Must have professional appearance and attitude, and be extremely reliable. Training will be provided.

Qualifications:

· Dependable, punctual, strong work ethic

· Basic knowledge of and ability to execute plumbing and welding

· Mechanical aptitude or high school training in automobile mechanics welcome

· Physically fit, 7-9 hours of physical labor; ability to lift 50-70 lbs. minimum

· Professional customer service bearing

· Conversational English proficiency

Please email your resume with cover letter to careers@tristatebiodiesel.com. Please attach your resume in Word format. Use the job title as the subject line.

FRAUD ALERT!

2010-01-27

Dear Community Members,

It has recently been brought to our attention that a man has been seen near several social service and employment agencies in the South Bronx claiming to be a job recruiter for THE POINT and other nonprofit organizations. PLEASE DO NOT ENGAGE HIM. HE DOES NOT WORK FOR THE POINT!

He is seeking your personal information, including your social security number. DO NOT GIVE HIM ANY INFORMATION OR COMPLETE ANY EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION HE MAY PROVIDE. He is part of an identity theft ring and does not work for THE POINT or any other community organization.

This man is described as a tall Hispanic male in his mid 50's with dark brown eyes and short dark brown hair.

If you believe you have been a victim of this scam, please contact the 41st Precinct at (718) 542-4771. If you have any further questions, please contact THE POINT's main office at (718) 542-4139.

Thank you,
THE POINT CDC

City Year Recognizes Our Youth Programs Coordinato

2009-11-18

On October 3rd, City Year NY recognized THE POINT's Youth Programs Coordinator Earl Skinner with their highest honor. Earl received the red City Year jacket, presented at Danny Kaye Theatre at Hunter College. Along with five principals, Earl was the only out-of-school-time provider to receive this distinction!

A.C.T.I.O.N. Anti-Tobacco Victory!

2009-11-04

On October 14th, the NYC Council passed Intro 433-A, prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products in NYC, including cigars, little cigars and smokeless tobacco. A.C.T.I.O.N. in partnership with the American Lung Association (ALA) of New York originally introduced this bill in 2006. This is among the STRONGEST and first bills of this kind in the nation! The Council's bill goes further than the recently enacted federal FDA regulation of tobacco (which only banned flavored cigarettes) and yet it passed with a vote of 46-1. Go A.C.T.I.O.N.!

Afterschool Ambassador

2009-10-14

The Afterschool Alliance has selected THE POINT's Director of Arts and Education Danny Peralta to be an After School Ambassador! The Afterschool Alliance's Afterschool Ambassador program identifies afterschool providers and advocates of special achievement and helps them raise their voices in support of afterschool.

New A.C.T.I.O.N. Program Assistant

2009-10-14

THE POINT is pleased to introduce our new A.C.T.I.O.N. Program Assistant Sharon de la Cruz. Sharon is not only a Cooper Union graduate and Fulbright Scholar, but also a former A.C.T.I.O.N. student!

NEA American Recovery & Reinvestment Act

2009-08-05

THE POINT is a proud recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Grant Award!

THE POINT's New Director of Arts and Education

2009-07-29

THE POINT is proud to introduce Danny Peralta as its new Director of Arts & Education. Danny comes to the position with an arts background and experience as a Department of Education certified teacher with a BA in Education from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education.

The Hunts Point Big Read

2009-07-29

THE POINT is proud to announce the National Endowment for the Arts has selected it to lead the Hunts Point Big Read! In honor of National Reading Month in March 2010, THE POINT will encourage literary reading in the South Bronx and organize the Hunts Point community to read Sun, Stone, and Shadows: 20 Great Mexican Short Stories edited by Jorge F. Hernández.

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.