CM Mealy questions OPHC on seed grants in Brooklyn neighborhoods

And how will we find out who got those seed grants?

So let me just discuss two things.

The community project grants, their applications go out every year.

So we have everyone, this past year, we had applications increased by 300% from the previous year.

Could you name one, for example, in...

Sure.

Bed-Stuy, Brownsville, anywhere in Brooklyn.

Julia Keto, the new, the Red Lotus.

We have Christina Blackin.

These are all African-American individuals who live in Brooklyn.

New organizations, too.

New organizations, because the idea is innovative work, right?

Don't forget the old for the new, also.

Absolutely not.

So anyone applies.

I mean, we'll meet, we'll talk more, and we want to expand these programs to make sure that we are giving every New Yorker who have an idea an opportunity to be part of the solution.

Thank you.

I will be part of that.

Thank you, Chair, for extending that time.

I don't know.

My pleasure.

I think that this is important, too, because oftentimes what we've been finding, I think this is probably throughout all of our districts, is that there's been a little bit of a mystification of how to get through the process.

And so we want to make sure that those organizations that have been doing the work without being funded

at least get the education that allows them to be able to apply and participate with regards to city funding?

I mean, I'll add really quickly that just by the mere fact that after the first year we had a 600% increase in applications,

That means that we're making sure that every New Yorker we meet everywhere knows how to apply for these grants.

And our office takes an extra role to make sure we educate even those who don't know how to apply.

We have info sessions say, here are the how to break down the red tape and how you can apply for these seed grants and also the community project grants that's ongoing every year.

Thank you.

Councilman Bacar?