Organizers and Community Partners
City Life Is Moving Bodies (CLIMB)
City Life Is Moving Bodies (CLIMB) was established in January 2004 and held its first Hike the Heights community event in June 2005. The mission of CLIMB is to increase the physical, social, and civic activity in the communities of northern Manhattan. CLIMB is composed of a diverse group of individuals and organizations working together as the CLIMB consensus group.
Inwood Academy for Leadership
Inwood Academy for Leadership is a tuition-free, 5-12 public charter school serving primarily first and second-generation Hispanic families. Our mission is to empower students to become agents for change through community-focused leadership, character development, and college preparedness. Our founding staff and board members saw the need to provide access to a college-preparatory education for children from economically disadvantaged and largely immigrant families in northern Manhattan, and this vision took us beyond the classroom to Albany, where we successfully lobbied for a change in New York State law that allowed our school to give lottery preference to students who speak English as a new language. Each year, we reserve 50% of the seats in our enrollment lottery for English Language Learners, and we are uniquely equipped to meet the needs of students with diverse learning styles and backgrounds.
Urban Outdoor Adventurers 718 (UOA 718) is sponsored by The Heights Urban Empowerment, Inc. a 501(c)(3) based in Washington Heights. Our mission is to work with underprivileged inner-city youth and young adults who are first-generation Americans, English is their second language, and do not have access to the outdoors. Through the use of outdoor activities, our youth members obtain skills and values that will inspire them to invest in themselves through education and pursue better opportunities that can lead them to a more stabilized socio-economic life. UOA 718 is lead by Lizzette Perez and Antonio A. Camacho.
UOA 718 can be reached @ info@718nyc.org | 631-729-1786 | www.718nyc.org
Center for Comprehensive Health Practice
Located in East Harlem, the Center for Comprehensive Health Practice (CCHP) integrates high quality primary care, substance use treatment, behavioral health and supportive services all under one roof. We aim to provide family-focused, affordable, community healthcare regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexuality, age or ability to pay.
CHALK (Choosing Healthy & Active Lifestyles for Kids), a collaboration between Community Pediatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and our community. The goals of CHALK are to reduce over time the prevalence of childhood obesity and its related morbidity in Northern Manhattan (with a focus on school-aged children), and to promote a culture and create an environment in which healthy lifestyles are integral to the lives of all children.
What would it take to improve your neighborhood? Whether it's painting a mural, organizing a farmer's market, installing a compost bin, or launching a dance camp, we can help make your idea a reality. As one of the nation's oldest micro-funding organizations, we at Citizens Committee for New York City raise money from foundations, corporations, and individual donors—then award it to projects we believe in. But we don't stop there. We're also here to inspire new ideas, and to offer active, hands-on help. That means we're in your neighborhoods presenting workshops, meeting community leaders, even weeding the occasional garden. We're here for you, helping make your neighborhoods greener, friendlier, and more resilient.
City Harvest: Healthy NeighborhoodsAn initiative of City Harvest, Healthy Neighborhoods is a suite of programs designed to improve healthy food access and knowledge in five neighborhoods within New York City. Working directly with residents, businesses, and community organizations, City Harvest’s goals are to relieve food insecurity, build nutritional knowledge at the individual, family, and community levels, and increase the access people have to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables.
Columbia Center for Children's Environmental HealthThe Center strives to create a world in which every child has a healthy start. Grounding our work in extensive research and close partnerships with community organizations, we are ambassadors of preventive measures to protect children from environmental threats. The results of our work provide evidence in support of measures to protect children's environmental health, with potential to yield long-term benefits for future generations.
Concrete Safaris Concrete Safaris empowers youth to become healthy leaders through green exercise programs that enrich the mind, body, community, and environment. During year-round, high-energy workshops, youth (ages 7-11) address environmental health issues through outdoor service-learning projects. They decide how they want to improve their health, and create that change through year-round, experiential education based green exercise programs.
Since 1986, Cre
Creative Art Works has worked to enhance the lives of under-resourced youth in Upper Manhattan and around the City. The organization empowers young people with arts programming—incorporating academic enrichment, creative expression, workforce development and community engagement—encouraging them to develop the personal and professional skills that can help shape their futures for the better.
Dorothy K. McGowan Memorial Garden
The gardens mission is to improve community health by increasing the social capital of neighborhood residents and providing access to engage in educational workshops, culturally diverse food histories, sustainable gardening practices such as organic gardening and on-site composting, healthy living practices and the engagement of youth in programs surrounding conservation, civic planning and the love of gardening.
The Friends Committee is the community voice of the Fort Tryon Park Trust and is dedicated to encouraging use of the park and supporting the Fort Tryon Park Trust. The Trust's mission is to promote the restoration, preservation, and enhancement of this historic and scenic landmark for the benefit and use of the surrounding community and all New Yorkers.
Dominican Women's Development Center
The Mission of DWDC is to empower all women and communities to advance gender equality and social justice.
Ecomundo is a worker-owned business that offers green cleaning services for homes, offices and businesses in the New York Metropolitan area.
Greater Community ReachGreater Community Reach is a student group at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. GCR's mission is to connect Mailman School students with northern Manhattan and the city beyond in order to create a model for community engagement. GCR promotes an urbanist perspective in health by integrating concepts of space, place and cultural history into patterns of health and disease.
Incarnation Children's Center (ICC) ICC is New York City's only skilled nursing facility that exclusively provides specialized care in a nurturing environment to children living with HIV/AIDS. ICC's unique combination of expertise and support provides the child and his/her family with an interdisciplinary service designed to meet the challenges of pediatric HIV/AIDS and minimize its effects on the quality of their life. We are dedicated to serving as advocates for these infants, children and adolescents in all matters pertaining to their health care. An internationally recognized model of family and community-based care, ICC is a not-for-profit corporation that is affiliated with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York.
ioby
ioby stands for "in our backyards" and the belief that environmental knowledge, innovation, action, and service begin and thrive at the neighborhood level. ioby combines the tools of online microphilanthropy and social networking to foster citizen-let, neighborhood-level grassroots environmental action. In our online marketplace, community-based groups with limited or no resources can describe their local environmental projects, and New Yorkers can explore the site, find meaningful projects, and make donations or volunteer. ioby connects vetted, well-planned NYC-based environmental initiatives with the support they need while raising public awareness and building partnerships for new solutions.
Mosholu Montefiore Community CenterMMCC is a vital community resource that changes the course of lives of Bronx and Manhattan residents to a degree not otherwise possible. Each year, we serve more than 35,000 preschoolers, school age children, teens, adults and senior citizens through our support, enrichment, education and recreation programs, expanding their opportunities to live full, productive lives. Our committed and well-trained staff consistently steps forward to guide and nurture people of all ages –often on an individual basis and frequently when they have no other place to turn. We open up entirely new possibilities for individuals, strengthening families and reshaping the neighborhoods we serve. Together, with MMCC’s help, the Bronx and Manhattan will continue to evolve as a dynamic, vibrant, safe community. For more information visit our site mmcc.org or call us at (718) 652-0282.
Nancercize was founded by Nancy Bruning, and has been leading our hikes and training our hike leaders for 14 years. Nancercize provides free outdoor fitness programs throughout Northern Manhattan.
NannyBee is Upper Manhattan’s only childcare service owned and run by nannies! We provide part-time, full time, nanny-shares and occasional babysitting to private families and childcare during events, meetings or conferences. You can learn more about us at nannybee.coop or contact info@nannybee.coop.
New York City Commission on Human Rights
The NYC Commission on Human Rights enforces the City’s anti-discrimination law, known as the NYC Human Rights Law. The Commission also conducts community education campaigns to combat prejudice and uplift the diverse communities of our city.
New York City Department of Parks and RecreationParks & Recreation is the steward of about 29,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual
properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 550 tennis courts, 66 public pools, 48 recreational facilities, 17 nature centers, 13 gold courses, and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 600,000 street trees, and two million more in parks. We are New York City's principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.
New York Restoration Project (NYRP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming open space in underserved
communities to create a greener, more sustainable New York City. In partnership with the City of New York, NYRP is also leading MillionTreesNYC – an initiative to plant and care for one million new trees throughout New York City’s five boroughs by 2017.
NMIC is a community-based, not-for-profit organization serving the Washington Heights and Inwood communities. Our mission is to serve as a catalyst for positive change in the lives of the people in our community on their paths to secure and prosperous futures. NMIC's client-centered programs minimize evictions; improve the most hazardous housing stock; educate and train residents to get better jobs; expand quality childcare by creating family-run businesses, assure clients of entitlements and intervene to bring lasting peace and stability to women and children subject to domestic violence.
Partnerships for Parks Partnerships for Parks is an innovative joint program of City Parks Foundation and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation founded in 1995. Because active and involved communities are essential to vibrant parks and neighborhoods, and to a healthy city, Partnerships for Parks helps New Yorkers work together to make neighborhood parks thrive. We strengthen a diverse, growing network of dedicated park volunteers and groups by creating opportunities for them to celebrate their parks and accomplishments, access resources, become more effective leaders in their communities, and work with government to affect decisions about their parks.
P.S. 5 / Children's Aid SocietyThe Ellen Lurie School opened in 1993 as a Children’s Aid Society Community School. It is a public school that supports learning and achievement for the entire family. P.S. 5 strives to engage all children to achieve academic excellence. With the collaboration of The Children’s Aid Society and the home, our children will develop strong educational, social, and developmental skills. It is our vision to provide the school community with the support, resources, and learning environment that will create life-long learners. Providing quality education will develop the whole child to become a productive, responsible, accountable, and active participant in our school and SOCIETY.
ArchCare TimeBankArchCare believes that fellow community members are often the best resource when you’re in need. The brand new ArchCare TimeBank is a free, innovative service exchange program that allows people to trade their time and skills within their community in a compassionate way. When someone needs a helping hand, the TimeBank makes a member-to-member connection to fill that need. Time volunteered can be “redeemed” at any time for services from any TimeBank member. In this way, members support one another and know that the TimeBank community is there for them when they need it.
Urban Health Plan (UHP), a network of federally qualified community health centers based in the South Bronx, Central Harlem and Corona, Queens, has served the community since 1974. Our mission is to continuously improve the health of communities and the quality of life of the people we serve by providing affordable, comprehensive, quality, primary and specialty health care and by assuring the performance and advancement of innovative best practices. We have ten clinical sites, eleven school-based sites and six administrative and program sites. In 2018, we served more than 87,000 patients, through more than 411,973 patient visits. UHP is Joint Commission accredited.
For more information, visit www.urbanhealthplan.org.
Venture Prep is a program for girls at the ages of 9 to 14 years old. The purpose of this program is to encourage girls to think independently, gain self-confidence, and acquire an appreciation for the community and the environment. Girls learn from this program that volunteerism and engagement in community life are lifelong commitments that can enrich and inform all involved. Venture Prep provides a safe haven away from the scrutiny and self-consciousness of the girls' everyday world. The tools that our girls develop should serve them well in high school, college, and beyond. You can contact Venture Prep 729 at ventureprep729@gmail.com.
Washington Heights/Inwood Network (WIN) for Asthma ProgramWIN for Asthma is a hospital-community program developed to address the burden of asthma in the Washington Heights/Inwood community. Families of children with asthma are invited to participate in WIN for Asthma to learn how to manage their child's asthma, to address environmental triggers and to decrease preventable hospital visits and missed school and work days. Bilingual community health workers serve as the single point of contact for families and provide comprehensive education, home environmental assessments, clinical and social service referrals, and on-going support. To refer a child with asthma - or for more information - call 212-305-2076.
Columbia Community Partnership for Health (CCPH) promotes health research that contributes to the health and well-being of our Upper Manhattan communities. CCPH fosters community partnerships and participation in health research through educational, funding, and outreach opportunities. Our goal is to offer services and resources that contribute to the health of our local communities. Underlying our work is the belief that community involvement leads to health research that can potentially improve community-level health indicators.
Walk it Out! Harlem Hospital CenterWalk It Out! is a comprehensive physical activity program for older adults, aged 50 and forward, in Central Harlem located at Harlem Hospital Center. This innovative and exciting program seeks to improve access to public spaces for physical activity, and develop activities to promote holistic health and prevent disease among Harlem seniors. Walk It Out! has peer-led walking clubs, collaborating with several community-based organizations, to engage our community in physical activity to help them live a healthier life.
SOMOS Community Care is a network of over 2,500 physicians in the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn who have come together to ensure better health care for Medicaid members. We are one of 25 networks across New York State that have been chosen to lead this statewide health care initiative. SOMOS Community Care is the only physician-led network. Our doctors are in your community. We speak your language and understand your culture.
Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling and Broadway Housing Communities
Located on 155th st and St. Nicholas Ave. The Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling is cultural capstone of the Sugar Hill Project, built by Broadway Housing Communities, leveraging the synergies of housing, education and art to improve outcomes for underserved children, adults and entire communities. The museum uses art and storytelling to foster the creativity and cognitive development of young children. By encouraging and enhancing a child’s innate curiosity and competence, we nurture the skills that lead to personal and academic success, and a lifetime love of learning.
Visit www.facebook.com/sugarhillmuseum
New York Road Runners (NYRR)
New York Road Runners is a non-profit community running organization, founded in 1958, whose mission is to help and inspire people through running. NYRR serves more than 430,000 people - including 215,000 youth - annually. The NYRR Striders program offers free, weekly group walks in senior centers, parks, and neighborhood facilities throughout the five boroughs. For more information, visit: www.nyrr.org/striders or call: 212-548-7357
Washington Heights & Inwood Development Corporation has been strengthening the communities of Upper Manhattan since 1978 by encouraging the development and retention of businesses and jobs. WHIDC offers micro-loans and business counseling to small businesses in Washington heights and Inwood and runs a childcare business development program in addition to managing the plaza de las Americas and organizing the annual Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park.
WE ACT for Environmental Justice
WE ACT for Environmental Justice is a Northern Manhattan community-based organization whose mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low-income participate meaningfully in the creation of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices.
400 Years of Inequality
400 Years of Inequality is a diverse coalition of organizations and individuals calling on everyone - families, friends, communities, institutions - to plan their own solemn observance of 1619, learn about their own stories and local places, and organize for a more just and equal future. We are dedicated to dismantling structural inequality and building strong, healthy communities. Visit: www.400yearsofinequality.org to learn about holding an Observance for a Just Future in your community.
