RDRC’s Virtual 34th Annual Community Builders Tribute & Awards Gala – Friday, May 14th 4pm-6pm. Register via Zoom here.
Almost one year to the day, RDRC will be hosting its first-ever virtual event to honor the Class of 2020 Community Builders Award and Chairwoman’s Award. Join us as we recognize:
Yvette Greene-Dennis, The Crescent Companies, Hersh K. Parekh, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Randy Hall, Influence Active Wear,
Jason Pierre, Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School, Palmina Whelan (retired), American Airlines, Reverend Evan D. Grey, Sr., Pastor Macedonia Baptist Church, and Elaine Short (retired) Far Rockaway NACCP. The event held free-of-charge remotely on Friday, May 14th, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
Registration is required: (click here). For more information about the event, contact LaVerne Jeffrey at 718.327.5300 or ljeffrey@rdrc.org
RDRC In-Partnership: The Howard Memorial Fund – The Rockaways Youth Bound College Scholarship
I am pleased to announce that we have awarded $35,000 in two and four-year scholarships to 20 college-bound students for the 2020-2021 academic year through a partnership with the Howard Memorial Fund. RDRC & HMF will provide Rockaway high school seniors enrolled in our College & Beyond and Afterschool Learn & Earn programs the opportunity to apply for two and four-year college scholarships, which will now increase to $2,000 per academic year beginning in the Fall of 2021. RDRC and HMF make a limited number of scholarships available every year to US African American citizens from low and moderate-income homes.
Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Facebook Live
On Tuesday, April 20th, with Congressman Gregory Meeks, FB Live Townhall meeting, I had the opportunity to discuss what RDRC is doing to assist struggling Rockaway businesses with Congressman Gregory Meeks and NYC City Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers. This was an excellent opportunity to introduce the Rockaways Business Resource and the services we provide to local businesses that have resulted in grants totaling over $150,000 awarded to Rockaways businesses. Second, to highlight the partnerships we have created with the following entities that are free and available to local businesses: NYC Small Business Services, York College Small Business Development Center, NYC Business Solution Centers, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Interise, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, Queens Chamber of Commerce and Queens Economic Development Corporation. For more information on what we are doing during COVID-19 to assist Rockaways businesses, visit our website at www.rdrc.org. If you are a Rockaways business and need assistance, contact us at helpdesk@rdrc.org or 718.327.5300.
UPDATES: JFK Redevelopment Project Workforce & Career Development Committee Updates
As the Workforce & Career Development Co-Chair, it was my honor to invite Rockaways own, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, to discuss what his office has been doing during their first 100+ days to assist anxious job seekers. QBP Richards and his team have committed to hosting monthly virtual job fairs, creating new opportunities for businesses such Bartlett Dairy that have relocated outside of NYC to return and hire locally, and his efforts along with Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey to commit $1.5B to jumpstart the JFK Redevelopment Project that will result in hundreds of jobs for Rockaways and surrounding area residents. To learn more about the JFK Redevelopment Project, employment and training opportunities, visit www.anewjfk.com
The CBO’s website is the primary source of news in the Downtown Far Rockaway neighborhood. It provides information on community happenings, business opportunities, invitations, and information on our programs and services. Join our weekly electronic newsletter for upcoming happenings and business resources; subscribers will also receive periodic invites to special RDRC events.