In February, the Polish-Slavic Center hosted Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, representing District 50. The meeting was dedicated to a momentous occasion.
Thanks to the support and tireless efforts of Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and her office, the Polish and Slavic Center has been awarded a grant in the amount of ONE million dollars from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York!
This generous funding will enable us to undertake crucial renovations in the building at 176 Java Street, including the upgrading of the 2nd floor, installing a new HVAC system, and implementing a comprehensive alarm system throughout the building. Part of the grant will also go towards completing the long-awaited renovation of the roof, which has been leaking for several years, damaging the ceiling, walls and floor on the second floor. Once these renovations are complete, we will be finally able to utilize the 2nd floor for community programs, such as the potential addition of a childcare program to serve young families in Northern Brooklyn.
“This historic grant marks a significant milestone in the life of the Polish and Slavic Center, as it’s the first time our organization has received such substantial support from the state” – said Agnieszka Granatowska, PSC Executive Director during a meeting, which was held with the participation of a large group of members of the Krakus Senior Club, one of the two Older Adults Centers operated by the PSC.
“We’d like to express our deepest gratitude to Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and her staff for inviting the PSC to apply for the funding and then providing invaluable assistance throughout the application period” – said Aleksandra Słabisz, grants manager.
Earlier, the Polish-Slavic Center, thanks to the help of Senator Chuck Schumer and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, obtained a $750,000 federal grant from the federal Housing and Urban Development Agency, which is intended entirely for roof repairs.
It is worth emphasizing that these grants are subject to several federal and state regulations that outline a very rigorous process for procuring contractors and dictate the requirements that these contractors must meet.
In addition, the funds awarded to the Center must be used only and exclusively for the project for which they were intended, i.e., replacing the roof, renovating the second floor, and installing an alarm system. They cannot be used for any other purposes, such as equipment purchases, program needs, or utility bills. When drawing funds from these grants, the Center must provide detailed documentation, including receipts and even photos, that clearly show that the money was spent in accordance with its intended purpose. After the renovation projects are completed, the Center will still have to undergo an audit, in which all documentation will be scrupulously reviewed by federal and state authorities.
What’s more, as Director Agnieszka Granatowska emphasized, the fact that the Center received both grants does not mean that the money was immediately transferred to our organization’s account. It will be paid in installments, after each completed stage of work, which will be properly documented.
The celebratory event with Assemblymember Gallagher ended with a short but very professional performance by the Krakus Senior Club Choir conducted by Katarzyna Drucker.
