From NYers4Parks

With thanks to Tommy Loeb and other organizations for FOIL’ing the report.

East Side Coastal Resiliency Elevated Park Alternative

Value Engineering Study

Congratulations all! Especially Alysha Coleman long time neighbor and leader here!!

Our condolences to Pam and Julia and Claire on the loss of husband and father John Cannizzo.

He was a stalwart, knowledgeable and generous member of the M’Finda Kalunga Community Garden.

September 20, 2020 John and Pam working on their plot 

On this day, he had offered to prune my (K’s) poor Apple and Apricot tree in the spring. He knew his trees and was generous with that knowledge.

To you John, with our gratitude:

Coming to Worship the 1000 Year Old Cherry Tree

Life is good. Goodness is its character;

all else is defamation.?

The Earth is good. Goodness is its nature.?

Nature is good. Goodness is its essence.

People are also good.

Goodness is our offering;?our predictable yet unfathomable flowering.

Thankful and encouraged?

Infused with our peaceful inheritance,

Our peaceful inheritance,

May we not despair.

– Alice Walker

His work with Green City Force

From friend of the family Barbara: “I am the administrator of a gofundme account for the benefit of Pam and her daughters, and I know many of the gardening community have rallied, but I wanted to post a link so more people can donate, as Pam is avoiding social media so it is not as easy to pass the word.Pls see the link below:

She suggested people choose “other” for the tip and input $0 otherwise gofundme will get 2.9% automatically, and the family wd not benefit; gofundme gets income from credit card fees etc.”

By Governor Jay Inslee May 2019

A Call to Action for a Climate Conservation Corps

“The Climate Corps will organize the greatest renewable resource of all – the talent and energy of the American people – to work together in cities and rural communities, in our great parks and public lands, and all around the planet. It will give young people the opportunity to serve in the domestic and global effort to secure a healthy future, and will provide Americans of all ages and backgrounds with education, skills, job-training and employment opportunities to thrive in building our new clean energy economy.

 3 Elements to the Climate Corps:

1. the National Climate Service Corps, will give young Americans the opportunity to serve in creating sustainability solutions in their own communities. They’ll get right to work changing the world with their hands, even as they earn new skills to assist in future employment…recovering and rebuilding resilient communities in the face of increasingly devastating climate disasters.
2.  a Global Climate Service Corps will give Americans the opportunity to conduct a tour of service overseas working side by side with local partners, as they build expertise in climate mitigation and resilience, clean water, and sustainable economic development.
3. a Green Careers Network, which will build on national service to focus on the challenge of permanent job creation in a clean energy economy. This effort will expand investments in skills-training, apprenticeships and on-the-job education to award credentials and build career ladders for long-term employment in good jobs.

No one feels the urgency of this mounting climate crisis more acutely than young people.

The concept of a Climate Corps is one that appeals to Americans of all ages – receiving over 60 percent support, including majorities of both Democrats and Independents, according to polling done by the think tank Data for Progress.

“It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
Anne Frank

“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.”
Pablo Neruda

Tips for Communicating with a Deaf or Hearing Impaired Person

“Have you ever interacted with a Deaf person in your surroundings? I bet you wondered how do they survive in a world without the ability to hear. In Pakistan, more than 10 Million people have some level of hearing loss and they are still discriminated against.

Our CEO, Azima Dhanjee, is a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA). Growing up, she was the interpreter for her parents at all instances and her unavailability led to her parents’ missing out on opportunities. It always bothered her to witness her parents’ not being able to communicate independently. This became the motivation behind starting Connect Hear “

Tips for Communicating With Deaf People

Blog for Communicating with a Deaf Person

12 Tips for Communicating with a Deaf Person (But really you should go to their website it has picture and is much clearer!) Connect Hear 

1. Use a normal speaking pattern. Over-enunciating makes it hard for a Deaf person to read your lips.
2. Write it down if necessary. Some people are better at reading lips than others
3. Look directly at the person you are communicating with. If you look away, a Deaf person may miss what you are saying.
4. Speak in a normal tone of voice. Since a Deaf person cannot hear you, raising your voice doesn’t help.
5. Try to find your own way to communicate. Although you can’t talk to one another, there are many other ways for you to communicate. You can use a pen and paper or even text to have a conversation.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask a Deaf person to repeat themselves. The goal is clear communication and understanding. Asking to repeat something has better results and less frustration – for both parties.
7. Be patient and inclusive. Imagine you are trying to understand a conversation that you want to be involved in, but are unable due to the conversation’s speed, number of people talking at the same time, and/or not being able to share your ideas with the group. By allowing enough time and considering the communication needs of everyone in the group, you ensure that everyone can participate fully.
8. In a group conversation, take turns speaking. A Deaf person can only look at one individual at a time.
9. Be clear and concise. Saying “I’m fine” can have many different meanings with subtle differences. For example “I’m fine” can mean
   • I feel well
   • I feel the same way I always feel
   • I’m way too busy to know how I feel
   • Don’t bother me
   • Did you want to know about my emotional or physical well-being?
   • You don’t care how I feel or would have stopped walking to listen
10. Use body language and gestures. Deaf and hard of hearing people who use sign language are accustomed to using their hands and face to communicate. Gesturing and using clear facial expressions when speaking to a person with hearing challenges can help them understand what you’re saying. “Miming” is also acceptable if it helps to get a certain point across, but remember that mime is not the same as sign language.
11. Accept that awkward moments happen. Even if you follow all of the above tips while speaking to a Deaf or hard of hearing person, they’ll probably still misunderstand you at some point. Don’t feel bad or stop. Just repeat yourself and continue the conversation. If they’re having trouble understanding a certain word or phrase, try using a different word, rephrasing what you said, or typing it on your phone.
12. Resist the urge to give up when misunderstandings happen. A little effort on your part can make a big difference to someone, and chances are that you’ll benefit from the experience, too.

HSDC Services 

No matter who you’re interacting with, the most important thing to remember is that you should work together with the other person to create an accessible environment. Keep in mind that deaf and hard of hearing people who are part of the Deaf community may have certain cultural and etiquette differences that appear while communicating.

Never say “I’ll tell you later”, “never mind”, or “it doesn’t matter” to a deaf or hard of hearing person. Almost all deaf and hard of hearing people have heard these phrases, or variations of them, countless times while being excluded from information or conversations. Make an effort to include everybody.

How Should I Communicate?

Don’t assume anything. Not all deaf and hard of hearing people prefer to communicate in the same way. Some might prefer to speak, some might prefer to sign, and some might prefer to write. Ask them how they want to proceed. They probably know exactly what they want from you.

If you speak out loud and they don’t understand, try writing on a piece of paper or typing on your phone. If you write or type with a deaf person, do not look down on their English skills. Remember that many deaf and hard of hearing people are deprived of language as children and that English is a second language for many Deaf people.

If you know American Sign Language and you’re talking to a deaf or hard of hearing person who uses sign language, you should try to sign yourself. Even if you feel nervous or unskilled, the person you’re talking to will appreciate your effort, and they’ll let you know if they prefer to communicate a different way.

Want to learn American Sign Language? Check out our Resources page.

Get Their Attention

Deaf and hard of hearing people process information visually, and it is much easier to communicate if you wait until they look at you before you begin. Get their attention. That way they can see your mouth, facial expressions, and body language.

If you need to get the attention of somebody who can’t hear you, try the following:

• Wave your hand in their line of sight. This is how Deaf people get the attention of one another.
• Tap them lightly on the shoulder.
• If they have their back turned away from you, get the attention of somebody in their line of sight, and have that person point at you.
• If you know the Deaf person well, you can take advantage of the power of vibration. Tap a table or stomp on the floor. Use this method only if necessary.
• If you need to get the attention of many deaf and hard of hearing people at once, turn the lights in the room off and on a couple times.

Body Language and Gestures

Deaf and hard of hearing people are visual. Those who are a part of the Deaf Community, especially, are experts at reading body language. Gesturing and using clear facial expressions when speaking to a person with hearing differences will help them understand what you’re saying.

Miming is also okay if it helps to get a certain point across, but remember that mime is not the same as sign language.

Using Spoken Language

Establish the topic

People who are deaf or hard of hearing sometimes miss individual words or phrases during speech and rely on their knowledge of what’s being discussed to fill in the gaps. However, conversations often change subject without warning, especially in groups.

If the topic of conversation changes, pausing to acknowledge the change and state the new subject can be a big help. Something as simple as, “Speaking of the weather…” is often enough.

Lipreading

Do not ask a deaf or hard of hearing person if they can lipread. Many deaf and hard of hearing people are reluctant to say that they can lipread because of the myth that it allows for 100% understanding.

According to the National Association for the Deaf, “On average, even the most skilled lipreaders understand only 25% of what is said to them, and many individuals understand far less. Lipreading is most often used as a supplement to the use of residual hearing, amplification, or other assistive listening technology. Because lipreading requires some guesswork, very few deaf or hard of hearing people rely on lipreading alone for exchanges of important information.”

If you know that lipreading is happening, make sure that the other person can see your face, and follow these tips:

• Don’t forget the importance of body language.
• Keep your mouth and eyes visible. Don’t cover your mouth with your hands. Don’t eat or chew gum while you talk.
• Maintain eye contact; try not to look around the room too much.
• Face forward while speaking; don’t turn your back.
• If you have a thick mustache or beard, keep in mind that you will be much harder to lipread.

Lighting is an important factor in making sure the other person can see your face. If possible, try to communicate in bright spaces. Do not sit or stand directly in front of a light source, as that will create a shadow over your face that makes lipreading extremely difficult.

Speak clearly and enunciate

Speaking clearly and enunciating can help a deaf or hard of hearing person understand you. However, it does not mean shouting and speaking extremely slowly. Why?

• Understanding speech is not always a volume problem. Many people with hearing differences can’t understand speech well even if the volume of the voice they’re listening to is satisfactory. This is because of damage in the inner ear that causes distortion, which loudness can’t fix.
• Changing the way you speak makes you harder to understand. Many people with hearing differences use common speech rhythms to help them anticipate what other people are saying.

Group Conversations and Meetings

Conversations with more than three or four participants are difficult situations for deaf and hard of hearing people. The back and forth nature of a group conversation can be hard to follow and mentally exhausting.

If you are planning a formal meeting, be proactive in planning for accessibility.

If your conversation is informal, be proactive in asking the participating deaf or hard of hearing people how you can make the situation accessible for them. You may want to do this in private so they feel comfortable being honest. Three easy tips to make any group conversation more accessible:

• Established the topic, as explained above.
• Speak one at a time.
• Raise your hand before you speak, and wait for any deaf or hard of hearing people to look at you before beginning.

Awkward moments

Even if you follow all of the above tips while speaking to a deaf or hard of hearing person, they might still misunderstand you at some point. Don’t stop. Just repeat yourself and continue the conversation. If they’re having trouble understanding a certain word or phrase, try using a different word, rephrasing what you said, or typing it in your phone.

Resist the urge to give up when misunderstandings happen. A little effort on your part can make a big difference to somebody else, and you’ll benefit from the experience, too.

Working and welcoming and Keeping Safe Practices. Thank you volunteers!

A GREEN PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAM FOR NYC: 40 IDEAS FROM EXPERTS

Full plan here

A Green Public Works Program for NYC: 40 Ideas from Experts To understand how New York might take advantage of federal investment to create jobs and help the city mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, CUF asked city leaders in coastal resilience, environmental justice, urban agriculture, renewable energy, and more for sustainability and resiliency project ideas. by Laird Gallagher, Safiyyah Edwards, Cameron Haas, and Jonathan Bowles

Some of the ideas include:

• Construct stormwater storage structures in low-lying neighborhoods
• Deploy a climate corps to install energy retrofits
• Develop “Ecohubs” in every NYCHA development
• Create green jobs through resilience retrofit certifications
• Build energy resilience through community solar
• Convert vacant storefronts into temporary hydroponic food production facilities.
• Boost green roof installation, starting with city property
• Design and distribute curbside organic waste containers
• Protect coastal communities and infrastructure by investing in wetlands restoration
• Build floating farms on barges in NYC waterways

Jeffrey Raven
Principal
RAVEN A+U

Build a network of energy hubs
The city should build neighborhood energy hubs to store energy in large-capacity smart grid batteries, and secondarily act as recharge stations, bike storage, drop-off centers, civic spaces, or last-mile freight hubs. Placing energy hubs throughout New York City’s neighborhoods would not only build energy resiliency within communities but act as colorful and aesthetically important symbols of each neighborhood. These colorful iconographic structures would be designed to reflect New York City’s neighborhood identities and needs, instantly becoming 21st century icons on the urban landscape.

Pat Sapinsley
Managing Director of Cleantech Initiatives
Urban Future Lab, NYU Tandon

Repurpose public land into renewable power plants, microgrids, and energy storage
Replacing fossil fuel-based power plants with renewable energy plus long duration energy storage facilities has been shown to result in significant cost savings in healthcare as well as job opportunities for the surrounding communities. Rikers Island is especially well-suited for this conversion, and has growing support as evidenced in the Renewable Rikers Act.

Clare Miflin
Founder
Center for Zero Waste Design

Develop neighborhood-scale composting infrastructure
Equipment in large buildings can reduce odors, pests and the volume of organic waste by up to 90 percent, making it easier for understaffed and space-constrained buildings to manage. Investments in local composting infrastructure can increase processing capacities greatly, and excess organic material could be returned to the regional farm system.

Hildegaard Link
Chair, Resilient Red Hook
Director, Sustainability, SEBS Rutgers University

Build energy resilience through community solar
Neighborhoods served by above ground power lines are especially vulnerable to extreme weather. Constructing a microgrid powered by community solar would allow the neighborhood to power residents, businesses, and essential public services during emergencies that often plague the low-lying, coastal communities like Red Hook. Constructing a community grid of solar energy sources would also work to unify neighborhoods. A community solar grid could help to foster a shared sense of ownership within the neighborhood and also respond to the unique needs of local small businesses.

Hana Kassem
Principal
Kohn Pedersen Fox

Revise East Side Coastal Resiliency Plan to leave park intact
The current East River resiliency proposal calls for raising the majority of the park above the 100-year flood plain, but that requires cutting down many of its trees and the phased decommissioning of large portions of the park. But given how vital the park is to multiple neighborhoods for exercise, social gathering, and informal cultural activities, especially during Covid-19, it may be worth revisiting the earlier version of the plan, which left most of the park intact by creating a flood barrier wall with flood gates along the east side of FDR. This resiliency strategy could be taken up again for the majority of the park, thus saving the park trees and maintaining its accessibility in some form during construction.

Reconfigure flood protections under FDR Drive to provide new, Covid-safe uses
What if we rethought the underbelly of the elevated sections of the FDR to become a series of raised outdoor covered rooms that allowed for a variety of safe uses? These raised platforms would be combined with barrier walls and flood gates, positioned astutely to provide the necessary flood protection. To extend their use into the colder months, these outdoor rooms could be outfitted with solar-powered outdoor heaters and lighting. This large-scale project would foster social interaction and community spaces, boost the local restaurant and retail industries, reignite the city’s cultural life, promote health and wellbeing, all while addressing resiliency, sustainability, wellness and creating jobs.

Justin Green
Founder and Executive Director
Big Reuse

Construct reuse centers in every neighborhood
Material reuse can both help the environment and create local economic growth. Instead of buying a dresser that was made in another country from recently cutdown trees and shipped around the world—we can reuse locally. In addition to the initial labor needed to build reuse centers, these facilities can create jobs for workers to manage and operate the facilities. Reuse and repair centers not only keep materials circulating within the community; they also keep the money exchanged for goods, repairs and refurbishment within the local economy, too. In the long term, these centers also encourage sustainable shopping behaviors. Reuse centers can create jobs, keep materials out of the landfill and become close to self-funded with some additional support for transitional workforces.

Repurpose portions of public space & parkland into community composting sites
Constructing composting sites would generate jobs not only from site development but from running the pickup and composting programs. This will encourage local composting and generate compost to divert materials from waste streams going to landfills.

Paul Gallay 
President and Hudson Riverkeeper
Riverkeeper

Invest in community-driven, nature-based coastal resilience projects
With sea levels rising, New York City must support community-driven, nature-based solutions for coastal resilience. Rather than focusing on expensive offshore storm surge barriers, the city should construct onshore environmental infrastructure such as berms, living shorelines, salt marshes, and wetlands which provide cheaper, more adaptable, and less ecologically destructive protection against sea level rise. Projects such as stormwater retention gardens and salt marsh restorations have already been successfully completed in other northeastern cities like Boston. Native plants and trees that can survive both dry and flooded conditions should also be prioritized in coastal communities. A workforce tasked with plant stewardship can be responsible for the long term care of these plantings. In designing and executing these climate-smart projects, front-line communities should be central, especially historically disempowered and BIPOC communities.

Candace Damon
Vice Chairman
HR&A Advisors

Support maintenance projects
The default progressive response to economic downturn is to invest in capital projects that can be advanced quickly and that address other contemporary policy priorities—today, resilience, climate adaptation, and equity. Virtually by definition, however, shovel-ready capital projects are those which have already been funded; directing stimulus funds to them replaces one source of funds with another.  While New York City should certainly welcome any expansion of its investment capabilities, the shovel-ready projects for which there is no other source of funding, indeed for which there is vastly diminished funding, are maintenance projects.

I would prioritize restoration of parks—despite being, as always, the first operating budgets cut, parks have once again demonstrated their value as critical infrastructure—and clean and efficient energy projects, including weatherization of homes and tune-up of building systems. But we should also support repair of major infrastructure, operating subsidies to strengthen regional food distribution and launch local agriculture, and a host of other maintenance projects that can be initiated within weeks of funding. These projects will all renew the aims of the Civilian Conservation Corps, this time ensuring that women and Black men get equitable access to jobs that are both less likely to be automated in the near term and offer career ladders.