• On January 12th, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to designate West Park Presbyterian Church as a New York City landmark – against the congregation’s will.
• On January 26th, the Presbytery of New York City voted to condemn this action by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Attend the Tuesday, April 20 hearing before the NYC Council Subcommittee on Landmarks – in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
   • The hearing begins at 11 am….ARRIVE BY 10:30 am!
   • If you would like to make a statement, contact Annie Rawlings for Talking Points and instructions.  212-870-2221, ext. 4249
2. Contact members of the Subcommittee on Landmarks by phone and email to let them know you are opposed to the landmarking of West Park Presbyterian Church against the will of the congregation, and are opposed to this happening to any other house of worship – against a congregation’s will.
   • A list of Subcommitee members, along with their districts and contact information, is included below.
3. Contact your representative on the City Council by phone and email to let him/her know you are opposed to the landmarking of West Park Presbyterian Church against the will of the congregation, and are opposed to this happening to any other house of worship – against a congregation’s will.
   • Here is a link to the roster of City Council members, with further links to their web sites and contact information:council.nyc.gov/html/members/members.shtml
   • If you do not know who represents you on the City Council … use this same link and enter your address at the top of the page to find your City Council member.
4. Ask colleagues in your community to also contact the Subcommittee on Landmarks, as well as their representative on the City Council.

Read on below for a list of the members of the Subcommittee on Landmarks…

NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL – Subcommittee on Landmarks

Brad Lander
District 39 – Brooklyn
Email: lander@council.nyc.gov
District office phone: (718) 499-109
Represents: Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Columbia Street, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Boro Park

Maria Del Carmen Arroyo
District 17 – Bronx
Email: jotero@council.nyc.gov or caquino@council.nyc.gov
District office phone: 718-402-6130
Represents: Woodstock, Hunts Point, Port Morris, Mott Haven

Rosie Mendez
District 2 – Manhattan
Email: mendez@council.nyc.gov
District office phone: 212-677-1077
Represents: Lower East Side, East Village, Gramercy Park, Rosehill, Kips Bay; southern part of Murray Hill

Annabel Palma
District 18 – Bronx
Email: apalma@council.nyc.gov
District office phone: 718-792-1140
Represents: District includes the neighborhoods of Soundview, Castle Hill and Parkchester

James Sanders, Jr.
District 31 – Queens
Email: jsanders@council.nyc.gov
District office phone: 718-527-4356
Represents: Rosedale, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, Far Rockaway, Arverne, Bayswater, Edgemere

Jumaane D. Williams
District 45 – Brooklyn
Email:Williams@council.nyc.gov
District office phone: 718-629-2900
Represents: Flatbush, East Flatbush, Flatlands, parts of Midwood and Canarsie in Brooklyn

Daniel J. Halloran III
District 19 – Queens
Email: dhalloran@council.nyc.gov
District office phone: 718-631-6703
Represents: Queens communities of College Point, Auburndale-Flushing, Whitestone, Bayside, Bay Terrace, Douglaston and Little Neck

PDA has already committed over $500,000 to Haiti for projects being undertaken by on-the-ground partners, which include:

• international partners Church World Service and Action by Churches Together and
• Haitian Institutions such as the Episcopal Church of Haiti, Service Chretien d’Haiti,  the Lambi Fund (a highly respected micro-credit organization), and the Farmers’ Movement of Papay (the oldest and largest farmers’ organization in Haiti).

Funds allocated to date have helped to provide:

• Basic humanitarian relief:  temporary shelter, food and health assistance; along with ide water and sanitation engineers, equipment to construct water purification systems and latrines.
• Over 20,000 tents.
• Over 35,000 hygiene kits. More are needed (see instructions below).
• Mission personnel trained to serve and work with people with disabilities and their families.
• $200,000 to the Hôpital Sainte Croix (Holy Cross Hospital), and the Faculte des Sciences Infirmiere l’Universite Episcopale d’Haiti (FSIL) nursing school – both in Leogane (near the earthquake’s epicenter). Hôpital Sainte Croix — a historical Presbyterian-supported hospital in partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti — has served as the primary medical facility in Leogane and is the teaching facility for the nearby FSIL nursing school.

The PCUSA WASHINGTON OFFICE asked Presbyterians to contact our President to ask for:

1. massive assistance to Haiti for relief and reconstruction in the form of grants, not loans; and
2. 2.  cancellation of the rest of Haiti’s debt.

The PCUSA OFFICE OF IMMIGRATION ISSUES and PCUSA WASHINGTON OFFICE advocated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, allowing them to remain in the United States for at least 18 months as part of a comprehensive response to the current humanitarian crisis. .

Haitians wishing to apply for TPS are advised to seek legal counsel as there are important eligibility requirements and filing deadlines that must be met.  TPS Registration Sites can be found online here.

The PRESBYTERIAN HUNGER PROGRAM (PHP) is also responding to the disaster in Haiti by sending money for the purchase of critically-needed seeds for beans and corn.  The seeds will be shipped by March 10.  Food grown from the seeds is expected to be ready in July.  In addition, Mission Co-Worker Mark Hare is working on sustainable agriculture with the Farmer’s Movement of Papay.  You can read his blog here: markandjenny–pcusa.blogspot.com.

Continue reading with the link below to learn about how you can help.

Assessment for Ongoing Commitment

PDA and PHP have both sent personnel – experts in disaster relief and recovery, and in food security – to Haiti as part of an assessment team. The PCUSA plans to remain involved in Haiti for many years to come.  All monies donated to Haiti that are earmarked for Haiti will help support this effort.

It is a hallmark of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance that it remains involved – long after other organizations have packed up and gone home. For example, PDA’s response to Hurricane Katrina remains ongoing – you can read about it here: www.pcusa.org/pda/response/usa/katrinafouryears.htm.  You can read about other PDA engagments, nationally and internationally, at www.pcusa.org/pda.

Getting Involved

GIVING MONEY IS STILL THE BEST WAY TO HELP, along with assembling Hygiene Kits and Baby Kits.

Collecting clothing is not recommended.  Money used for transport can be better spent on-the-ground in Haiti.  Clothing donations often present an unwanted burden, using up scare resources of personnel, storage space, and money.

Mission trips to Haiti are also not recommended – perhaps for many months.   Providing food and shelter for volunteers puts an even greater strain on the already-strained infrastructure.

Volunteers with specialized expertise can sign up, and find links to non-Presbyterian volunteer networks online here.

DONATIONS can be sent to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance using the secure PCUSA web site or by check:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA  15264-3700

Please include the special designated giving account DR000064 – Haiti.

DONATIONS can be sent to the Presbyterian Hunger Program using the secure PCUSA web site or by check: with the special designated giving account H000014.

Learn more about hygiene kits and baby care kits through Church World Service.

Local Haiti Relief Programs

New York Haiti Earthquake Family Center

NYS State Armory:  1579 Bedford Avenue, between Union and President Streets in Brooklyn
Hours: Mon-Fri; 10AM-8PM  ● Sat 11AM-4PM ● Closed Sunday

Services:

• Creole-speaking interpretation services;
• Assistance with completing Temporary Protected Status applications and other immigration-related assistance;
• Access to telephones to contact appropriate federal and Haitian officials;
• Use of computers for consulting a broad range of websites, including New York State’s Registry of New York Citizens in Haiti;
• Child guardianship and custody services;
• Legal information; and
• Grief counseling.

Haiti Family Support Center

Haitian First Church of the Brethren: 1783 Flatbush Avenue (Between Ave J & K)
Hours: Mon-Fri; 10AM-8PM  ● Sat 10AM-4PM ● Closed Sunday

Contact Info: Phone: 917-284-7938 ● Email: haitiFCS@gmail.com

Services:

• Emotional and Spiritual Care for families with deceased or missing relatives in Haiti.
• Internet-equipped computers for families to register missing relatives online.
• Referrals for TPS Clinics
• Legal Aid Referrals
• Adoption Referrals to get related orphaned children in Haiti to the U.S.
• Hot Meals