2018 was another successful year of supporting young leaders and Brooklyn non-profits through our Summer Fellowship. In our seventh year we’ve had another wonderful group of Fellows, bringing our total count of Hope Fund Alumni to 35. These incredible college students continue to work to create a better world, and many of them stay in touch and support the Fund for future generations of Fellows. All of them have made an impact in Brooklyn and are now part of the family of activists and leaders that Hope continues to bring together.

Nashany Rodriguez Brooklyn Community Services is one of the oldest service organizations in Brooklyn and one of our long-term partners. Nashany had the opportunity to work closely with community members on special events and providing family services such as mental health, early childhood education, and workforce development.

This experience has indeed been very eye-opening. I got to see and do many different things that I probably would not have gotten done at any other place. This fellowship has shown me to go through life going beyond my senses.

 

Jerrell Gray Bed-Stuy Restoration is the nation’s first Community Development organization and partners with residents and businesses to improve the quality of life in Central Brooklyn. During his internship, Jerrell focused his attention on closing the racial wealth gap through asset building.

Restoration hosts a success event monthly for people that have used their services and have had a positive outcome. It was amazing to celebrate people from every age group that have come to Restoration and made progress with their lives. There is so much help out there for people and this was a testimony that people can succeed with a little bit of guidance.

 

Aliza Khan Brooklyn Defender Services provides high quality legal representation and related services to people who cannot afford to retain an attorney. While interning with BDS, Aliza worked on several initiatives in the Policy Department including working on an alternative to incarceration program for minors.

We have more power than we think. I used to believe that making progress in the grand scheme of things was a slow process with a lot of push back. And in many ways it is, but in my short time here I’ve seen how impactful it can be when organizers and activists and the public push for things they want to happen. I’ve met the people impacted by organizations like BDS, and seen them go on to advocate for change themselves.

 

Rasna Ekra Safe Horizon empowers victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking to move from crisis to confidence. The highlight of Rasna’s time with Safe Horizon was answering the hotline to assist clients who were victims of crimes and needed help.

Hope for Brooklyn for me means that through the work of passionate social justice activists, organizers, and social workers, we can make Brooklyn a safe space for everyone.

Jeanette Castillo Uprose is an intergenerational, multi-racial, nationally-recognized, women of color led, grassroots organization that promotes sustainability and resiliency through community organizing, education, leadership development and cultural/artistic expression in Brooklyn, NY. Jeanette enjoyed working closely with the community on important initiatives such as testing the air quality for Sunset Park Residents.