Sign petition Here.
Dear Senators,
The American Indian Community House, Inc. (AICH) was founded in 1969 as the first Urban Native American community resource, and represents the largest Indigenous community presence in the New York Metropolitan Urban area. The organization provides vital health and social services to the neediest Native Americans, who hail from every Native Reservation in the United States. This assistance is vital to help stop the dramatic loss of life experienced by the Native American community, who have the highest health and social problems compared to other Americans.
AICH represents the first people of this land who were here when the European colonists set foot here, yet the organization is in danger of losing the ability to continue to provide services. This is due to the high rents and limited program space available for AICH to continue to provide services. To prevent the closure of the only program helping Native Americans access health and social services, we are asking for your assistance for AICH to receive a Public Benefit Conveyance space allocation at One Bowling Green, or amenable General Services Administration (GSA) managed federal property. Please do everything in your power to help AICH access this vital opportunity, which will guarantee help for Native Americans for generations to come.
We have enclosed a petition in support of this and hope that you are able to join us in our struggle to remain here as the First people of this great city.
We are asking for the following supportive actions:
1. The American Indian Community House, Inc. be granted a Public Benefit Conveyance lease at One Bowling Green or an amenable GSA managed federal property for the cost of $1 a year for 30 years, with the option to renew.
2. Space be large enough to provide program health and social services as well as social cultural gatherings (10,000+ square feet).
3. The space be made available immediately for occupation with renovation funding as well as building support to be provided by the GSA, as well as technical support to support unrestricted community access for space use.
4. AICH be provided unrestricted 24 hour access to utilize the program space for program and agency operations to help Federally Recognized and State Recognized Native Americans.
5. Operational funding of $1,000,000. to help AICH provide community support services, and cultural programming for federally recognized and state recognized trip
I have enclosed a copy of the AICH non profit (501 c 3) status for your review as well as our strategic plan. Thank you for your support ensuring our community will receive the help needed for generations to come.
Sincerely yours,
Ben Geboe, LMSW
Interim Executive Director
Rick Chavolla
Board Chairperson