By COLlive reporter
Undaunted by a recent burglary, and moving into the age of Hi Tech, the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council’s social service center, now called Crown Heights Central, continues to improve its appearance and level of service.
With free legal counseling in a wide range of areas, such as Consumer Debt, Immigration, and Family Law, and with a new exterior look, Executive Director Rabbi Eli Cohen hopes that community members will feel even more welcome than before to make use of its services.
“The name ‘Crown Heights Central’ sends out the message that this is the place to come to for assistance with a whole range of services,” Cohen said.
“We hope that the change will not be just cosmetic, but that people who drop in to Crown Heights Central will feel more confident about getting the assistance they need.”
Now, not only have the stolen computers been replaced, but a new computerized display has been installed in the window to give details of all the services offered inside.
This change is only the latest in a series of improvements begun in the summer. The waiting area of the social services center has been completely cleaned up, with new seating and lighting replacing the old dusty furniture and bulletin boards. A brand new awning declaring Crown Heights Central, the new face for the social services arm of the CHJCC, has gone up as well.
The online presence also has been upgraded: The new website www.crownheightscentral.org, gives overviews of the services being offered and also includes a listings of community resources and useful information.
GONE SOCIAL
Crown Heights Central plans on utilizing social media to share relevant information and to start a conversation with the community via Facebook.
“We’re just starting on this journey and want to hear from the community on how we’re doing,” Cohen said. “If there’s something we can do to improve our services, please let us know.”
The Crown Heights Central is also working on beefing up their current list of services – the newest program, Legal Services, provides free legal advice and representation in the areas of immigration, custody or child support, credit card debt, foreclosures, evictions and fair hearings on denial or reduction of benefits.
Currently, a volunteer program is in the works, hoping to connect local organizations with volunteers looking to give back to their community.
The work on the storefront and website was completed by entirely Crown Heights businesses, including Adar Construction, for the storefront renovations, the new awning done by Sign It INC, and website done by Star City Media.
you-know-who. And, as far as starting a new community, why on earth would you put in the run down dump called Brooklyn?? Put it in a nice pretty suburban area where children can run and get exercise, the air is clean, the grass is pretty, and you have a place to park your car.
The situation in Crown Heights is so out of hand that there
is no choice but to start a new Lubavitcher community in an
area where housing is affordable. Crown Heights is not
affordable to the average family. By the way how come the
new building on East New York between Troy and Schenedtady is for single moms and ex convicts. Why
can’t we get such housing for our young families?.
this is awesome go ch!!!!!!!
All we can do is cry…and cry more. I stand corrected, in between the crying we can criticize and degrade the guys that are doing something.
How can you compare CH to Williamsburg or other areas??
Did you see what CH looked like on Shabbos Blee Ayin Horoh?
We have two to three thousand families OUT THERE in the Diaspora.
Two to three thousand families make a VINT of five thousand families…..
Let’s also talk about the Tznius in Williamsburg, while we are being envy of that community!!!!!
they are aware that the person who bought the building on nostrand and montgomery, wants to buy associated in 2 years when the lease is up, and turn into the same type condos. the community council said they were not interested , because they claim no one would live there. If anybody can stop this from happening that would be great or better if we can get hold of that land and build affordable housing for our newly weds.
There are many many young families within our community looking for clean affordable homes. It appears the owners [with some exceptions] of recently built condos or renovated buildings do NOT have our community in mind. Maybe the ‘upgraded’ CHC should take a look at the tremendous efforts and beautiful spacious condos built for the communities in Williamsburg and Boro Park and do something about the severe [shortage of] housing situation in OUR neighborhood? The ‘yuppies’ really do not mind living anywhere………….
dear jr. calm down its all good what do you have against yuppies they need homes too
i emailed them about something few weeks ago no one got back to me yet
It’ll take a lot more than fancy windows and a new name to change public perception of this organization.
NOW ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS START CARING AND DOING FOR THE PEOPLE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. ARE THEY EVEN AWARE OF THE FACT THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE FROM OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS ARE BUYING UP PROPERTIES HERE (SUCH AS THE APARTMENT HOUSE ON PRESIDENT AND ALBANY) AND REDOING THEM SPECIFICALLY FOR YUPPIES???? IF YES, WHAT ARE THEY DOING ABOUT IT????????????/