TriBeCa to Brooklyn

If you recall, I work for a small architecture firm in TriBeCa, NYC.

My first project I worked on consisted of creating a set of as-built drawings for a mixed use building in the flatiron district.

Approximately 3 weeks ago a new project came into the office and I received the luxury of being assigned to it. This project consists of another set of as-built drawings in which myself and one other architect go out to the job site and measure the building. This project is located in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. On our first day to the site neither myself nor Andre (the architect) had been to the site. We exited the G train & hoped we were walking in the right direction. The walk was beautiful; neither of us had been to this part of Brooklyn but we both enjoyed it. After what seemed like an hour walk we arrived. On this day we were to measure the entire first floor. We walked inside and introduced ourselves to the woman who was running the antique store, and then we began our process. Andre went around to each room and took photos, while I began hand-drawing floor plans for each space. The store was quite large and seemingly consisted of 5 apartments that had their doors removed and were now 5 different rooms within the store. Each space was fun, unique, and different from the rest. Each space had a rest- room, what seemed to have been a kitchen, and a lofted space that was now being used for storage purposes. The antique store used every inch of their space to display their merchandise.

After I completed the hand drawings it was time to begin measuring. We begin by getting the over all dimensions, followed by the dimensions of each column, then the dimensions of anything and everything else that is within the space. On this particular day the measuring portion took us about 1.5 hours to complete. Once complete we made our way back to the office, where I drew each of the spaces in Archi-CAD, the computer-drafting program we use. The computer drafting consumed the remainder of my day.

The following week we measured the basement and all of the corridors and staircases; and last week we measured 4 apartment spaces. I believe we will make 2 additional trips to the site, one to measure the last 3 apartment spaces and the final to measure the roof space. I am quite enjoying this project, and not looking forward to it coming to an end; however, when it does I’m sure I will have a new project equally as exciting.

http://www.runnerskitchen.com/2010/06/brooklyn-bridge-to-brighton-beach/

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/sections/fort_greene/31/1/

The Power of the People

Interning at Domestic Workers United has provided a wide array of experiences for me - I truly had no idea what was in store. Ranging from tedious (stuffing envelopes, comparing prices on needed items, answering the phone) to enlightening (policy briefing, member meetings, rallies) I enjoyed a solid opportunity to see what a member-operated grassroots organization looks like up close.

I have really valued the informal interactions with members/workers who - despite their busy schedules and exhausting workloads - took time to organize and fight for their rights for many years. And now they finally get to see the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights enacted next Monday (11/29/10). Hearing member stories and seeing their positive, upbeat take on life and seemingly insurmountable situations has really challenged me on a personal level and removed some of my skepticism about implementing new and changing existing labor laws.

Members and supporters of DWU really have a reason to walk with their heads held high- they are everyday people who used persistence to make concrete and lasting change. They proved, just as was said at a recent rally for justice for a member who was abused by her employer that “there ain't no power like the power of the people 'cause the power of the people don't stop.”

Yes, there is celebration in the air with the enacting of this legislation and the organization’s recently held 10th anniversary gala. But members are concerned about what exactly the new law will mean for them and how it will be enforced. There is an underlying preoccupation with the many provisions that were not included in the Bill, and the resulting work that lies ahead. Yet the determination that has brought DWU thus far shines through, and members are wasting no time to continue the struggle for the dignity of their work to be publically recognized and formally protected. I will miss the special months I have been able to share with this organization and hope to maintain the unique relationships I have established.

"Its right up my alley, which is less of an alley and more like a feild"

As I sit down to write this I hear the bells of an ice cream truck and the hum of it's generator as the truck passes under my 3rd story window in Brooklyn. I can't help but wonder if they're coming for me.

Up until about 2 months ago I drove and ice cream truck for well over a year (I served coffee all winter) and before that I worked in a holistic health center and before that in several restaurants. I had been a model, which is to say I didn't eat. I had been a vegan, which is also to say I didn't eat, and I had hoped to eventually work on an organic farm. I have clearly been heavily involved with food for quite some time. Many would say obnoxiously so.

So how does a 24 year old ice cream truck driver with a food-obsessed history end up interning with the New York City Council Speaker? As I have expressed once before, I came to understand the power of government through ice cream. Yes, I had been working for an amazing company that contributed to the sphere of "good" food in our great city (albeit a treat), but it was painfully obvious that a lack of "good" food was available to the masses long before I entered the biz. With a few Urban Studies classes under my belt it became clearer to me that public policy, even on a city-level, could shape the way people eat.

Mind-blowing, I know.

When I first interviewed at the Speaker's office I was terrified. For starters I couldn't remember submitting my resume, which was obviously sprinkled with hopes of finding myself working in a garden or farm all fall. My other concern was that the City Council might not be for me because I had an ice cream scoop's chance in hell in getting to work on something food policy-related, which was all I really wanted.

I guess hell is pretty cool this time of year, cause only a few weeks in to my internship I got assigned to work on the Speaker's FoodWorks Initiative. Most of the heavy lifting had been done, the reports for the launch nearly completed. I helped put some finishing touches on the big report to be released on November 22nd and soon began the invitation process, an intense task that lasted 2 weeks. A fantastic showcase of my networking abilities presented itself, it turned out I personally knew a lot of the right kinds of people to be inviting to such an event. I'm glad to have gotten in at the right time.

I'll post the official report once it is released on Monday, but I'll say its quite exciting. Until then- goodnight!

(Subject quote from a Blue Kid song.)

All Good Things...

As my time with the MTA comes to an end, I am becoming less and less comfortable with the prospect of leaving. None of the projects I've been working on is done, and I know that, given the TOD Group's significant lack of resources, my departure will spell the end for some of them.

The toolkit I've been compiling-- a research repository complete with best practices, opportunities for project financing,and case studies-- is one of those low-priority, give-it-to-the-intern undertakings that will die out unless an intern is there to take it on. Not to mention that a bunch of that research still needs to be entered into their internal system so it can be stored.

Some assignments, like a mapping project meant to identify the owners of plots of land in neighborhoods targeted as prime for development, were in progress before I arrived and are too important to be at risk of falling by the wayside.

Still I fear that, without an intern in the office, priorities will shift to make up for the loss of twenty percent of the people in the office (there are only five of us) and projects will be dropped.

That's why, in my last few weeks here, I'm making it my duty to replace myself. I couldn't leave in December knowing that the work I put into this position was for naught. I've been reaching out to friends all over the city, hoping to find someone to take my place. I hope that someone out there is as eager as I was to join one of the most innovative and forward-thinking branches of the MTA as they embark to increase access to transit, lower the city's ecological footprint, and spur development to make our city as sustainable and as economically competitive as it can be.

There's still a bunch of things that still need to be done and I'm dreading having to leave it all behind, but I remain grateful for the wonderful experience this internship has afforded me. I feel that I've taken a glimpse into a future in transportation policy and, as difficult as it might be, I have to take my time in order to get there.

Greening America, One Block at a Time

Being an urban intern has many benefits. Not only are there an array of internships to choose from (though there may be some stiff competition), but interns are able to work in an urban environment which is a benefit within itself. I am interning as a research assistant on a project named Sustainable Yards. I first heard about the opening through a posting from CISC, Cuny Institute for Sustainable Cities, and long-behold, I got the position!

The concept of Sustainable Yards is to conduct research in the backyards of private apartment buildings in order to gather data on the benefits of having a "green yard". I am an environmental fanatic! So for me to work with a group of people who are dedicated to the environment and are trying to use simple cost-effective methods in order for other New Yorkers to follow the green concept, is a privileged opportunity.

Now what is a "green yard" and how do we measure the yards? It is simple: the program coordinator, three other interns , and myself measured the amount of grass and/or cement in each yard. These measurements also included flowerbeds, trees, gardens. etc., and once we completed the measurements of each yard in the neighborhood we were studying, we were able to further research what these findings meant to us. Further research included, storm-water management and costs; measuring temperature differences depending on the amount of permeable surface (green area); identifying the specific types of trees and soil in the yard; as well as drainage flows or lack thereof. I will spare the in-depth scientific proponents of the internship but the goal is to gather all of our data and organize it into a paper explaining the benefits of having more green space in a private backyard. An ideal yard can simply have grass throughout which is easy to maintain and can absorb more rainwater than say, a large slab of cement in a yard which results in more stormwater run-off which may then result in back-up overflow in sewage lines as well as the city spending more money treating this water. Sounds like a simple solution right? Well, that it's not and the Sustainable yards Project is trying to prove why this method is better than any of the other methods suggested for an urban environment like New York City.

The program has further broadened by developing an "ecobloc" concept which definitely excites me because it has to deal with planning and designing exactly what it say: an eco-block. This ideal ecobloc will include the most cost effective products that can make a street more sustainable and I am leading this part of the project.

In the end, being an urban intern means using your surroundings in order to make the best out of your internship. Not every person can say they are able to use their environment to conduct their research during their internship but as long as you are doing what you enjoy the most, that is what is most important. And I can say i am doing just that...

Community Concerns in Lower Manhattan: NYU Expansion and Sex-Trafficking

Since beginning my internship with a Lower Manhattan District city councilmember(CM), I have had the opportunity to explore some of the most controversial issues affecting the communities in Manhattan’s District-1. Consisting of major neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Greenwich Village, Washington Square, Financial District, Little Italy, Tribeca, Noho, Soho, Governor’s Island, South Street Seaport, and much of the Lower East Side and the Financial District, the District 1—in many ways can be looked at as a magnified region demonstrating some of the most prevalent conflicts New York City is currently facing.
For instance, one of the greatest landuse and gentrification dilemmas presented in District-1 is the proposed ‘New York University Framework 2031,’ which entails NYU’s plan to expand six million square feet of property into Greenwich Village; making space for an NYU-affiliated hotel and additional residential housing. Expected to be finished by 2031 (NYU’s 200th year anniversary), NYU is hoping to occupy space on Laguardia and Bleeker near Silver Towers, with a 40 story tower (400 ft tall) building, rather than locate in the financial district, where building height would not make a significant difference to the historic preservation of that neighborhood (unlike Greenwich Village). This project is upsetting to much of the Greenwich Village community, as this would make for the tallest building in the entire neighborhood, on top of violating present zoning regulations which allow residential building only.
In response to NYU’s planned occupation of many spaces in her district (18th St/ 8th Avenue to Chinatown, most of Washington Square, as well as Governor’s Island), my CM has joined forces with community members, including Andrew Berman and the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP), a 30-group coalition to protest the 40-story tower. As an intern, I have been active in responding to emails and calls, writing letters to community members, and taking notes on meetings between my councilmember’s staff and key activists/knowledgeable actors in the struggle.
Another important and widespread issue facing District-1 residents, as well as many in the New York City region, is the growing problem of sex-trafficking, primarily of young women age 13-15, (though also some young men). I had the pleasure of listening to District Attorney Charles Hynes speak at a women’s caucus meeting a couple weeks ago, when he introduced a new campaign to address this problem. The sex-trade across the country targets mostly immigrant women (60 percent-born outside the U.S.; 40 percent in the U.S). Referring to a specific case in Bushwick, Brooklyn, a pimp abducted a girl in a middle school recently, revealing the close proximity of the problem. Hynes explained, often these predators will pretend to be a boyfriend/close friend, flourish young women with gifts, and make promises to run away together (targeting vulnerable adolescents, often facing language barriers or family troubles). Through this campaign, Hynes has gotten celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Gabourey Sidibe to be spokes persons for the cause, posting flyers/posters all over Brooklyn, creating a hotline for victims (718-250-2770), and reaching out to council members all over NYC to do outreach in their neighborhoods. Learning about these vital issues firsthand, is possibly the most beneficial aspect of my city council internship experience so far.

A Force to be Reckoned With!

The AccessAbility center in Hunter College is a department that that tends to the matters of students with disabilities. Interning at the AccessAbility Center in Hunter College has been self-gratifying for me and has opened my eyes to the world of disabilities. I find myself assisting many students with anxiety related towards computer usage, and class work, but my main objective interning with the AccessAbility center is to create a periodical. My position as an intern has given me the ability to work with a group within the AccessAbility center called the PossAbilities club. My project is to combine student’s writings on topics of disabilities and problems they encounter while living in the grand city of New York. Many students have responded positively to this periodical project and feel that it can relay their voices within the Hunter community. This gives students creative leeway to express themselves and be heard.

I feel that working with the AccessAbility center has made me in to a disabilities awareness advocate. The plethora of students with disabilities and concerns has really given me a genuine idea of their academic lives. Students in many schools might not know this but it is quite possible that they attend classes with other student with learning disabilities. Now lets get this straight… a disability is not always physically noticeable. I feel that people can sometimes stereotypically categorize disabilities with people who have physical challenges, and that’s not always the case. Disabilities include and are not restricted to, medical, physiological, and neurological conditions. For example, Cancer, HIV-AIDS, Depression, Schizophrenia are all examples of disabilities beyond the typical notion that a person is only disabled if they are blind or in a wheelchair.

So far it has been difficult to find students who can add to the publication. Due to this difficulty I am starting to advertise within Hunter community for students who want to add to the periodical. A student does not have to be disabled to contribute to the publication. As of yet I have had some students that are registered with the AccessAbility center wanting to artistically draw out interpretations of their obstacles. I greatly encourage the students to be creative when adding to the periodical because this can attract readers. I love that this publication can be a multidimensional piece because this can be eye-catching. We want to reach out and communicate to create a relationship among all student body groups. The support from Hunters student body can help change negative ideals on disabilities.

My experience with the AccessAbility center has been very good. I have learned many things about individuals with disabilities, and how to approach a problem. Not all disabilities are the same, and it is important to learn the different kinds of disabilities to understand this group. Discrimination towards this group of people is still prevalent because people are not educated on laws such as the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act. These laws help protect people with disabilities but unfortunately people with disabilities are still being discriminated. Ultimately I feel that this periodical is a great way to show that people with disabilities have a right to be heard and can accomplish many admirable things. It can also show that people with disabilities are a force to be reckoned with!

If any one would like to add to the AccessAbility periodical please feel free to contact me through here. Thank you!

Cancer and Careers Gives Hope and Help to Employees with Cancer

Cancer and Careers: Living and Working with Cancer

I am doing my internship at Cancer and Careers a program part of the CEW Foundation. The CEW foundation is the charitable arm of Cosmetic Executive Women, Inc., a New York-based non-profit trade organization. Cancer and Careers is committed to changing the face of cancer in the workplace. Work doesn’t stop once you’ve been diagnosed with cancer. About 80% of cancer survivors return to work after treatment. Cancer and Careers provides women living with cancer with a comprehensive website, free publications, community seminars, support groups and educational events.

I have been at Cancer and Careers for about two months and everyday that I am in the office it’s always something new and different. This is one of their busiest time of the year as they prepare for several projects, fundraising events and community seminars. One of the biggest events is their annual 2010 Beauty of Giving Luncheon & Live Auction at the Waldorf Astoria on December 10th. I’ve had to create the VIP list, put together the invitations that are provided by Shiseido (one of their main sponsors ) and other projects will come up as the event approaches. I have also been doing a lot of research and outreach work looking for other cities throughout the country that can be a 2011 prospect to host a Balancing Cancer and Careers Community Seminar. I have also made phone calls to other non-profit organizations, hospitals and Clinical Social Workers asking if they were interested in participating and helping us spread the word about our Beauty of Caring Event. Cancer and Careers also just started a new Young Adult Support Group being held by Laura Mosiello, a LCSW-R ( Licensed Clinical Social Worker-R).

http://www.facebook.com/CancerandCareers

Navigating Social Change with NYPIRG

I am doing an internship at NYPIRG(New York Public Interest Research Group).
NYPIRG is a public interest group that has chapters all over New York State which promote student advocacy. This Interest group has been around since 1973 and in that time has been

apart of the creation of 120 public laws and executive orders. NYPIRG is

in 20 college campuses in New York State that are both CUNY and SUNY.

Student advocacy in governmental matters such as transit services,tuition hikes, and voter registration (NYPIRG has no party affiliation).
So far in my internship I have done clothing drive work at a Presbyterian Church, and been trained in a Strap Hangers service
in which i am now capable of rating and grading transit services of the MTA.
throughout my internship i will be involved in matters surrounding Hunter College,
I hope to do advocacy for tuition reduction and to be better trained in matters of public speaking about that certain issue.
I am scheduled to do some homeless outreach on night runs in which we go to certain spots in the city and hand out food and drink to people in need.
NYPIRG also presents itself in clubs and Initiatives going on in Hunter College, So far i have sat with the Green Initiative Fund(dedicating itself to the greening of Hunter College)and the Black Male Initiative(Dedicated to giving black male students at hunter tools and opportunities towards graduation and beyond).Both being strong representatives of the social and world consensus on public policy in progressive styling that is constantly put forth by NYPIRG.

Workspace

At my architectural internship my workspace is what I would call ideal. The office is set up so there are no walls separating one another, we all (all five of us) work in a studio space. The firm is located in TriBeCa and the walk to work every week is one of my favorite things this semester.

Below are a few photos of my space.