Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation

Mission: Our goals are to attract investment, improve the business climate, foster the economic self-sufficiency of families, enhance family stability, and promote the arts and culture. Through these activities, we seek to spur resident's economic stability and transform Central Brooklyn into a safe, vibrant place to live, work and visit.

About: Created in 1967 through strong grassroots activism and the bipartisan support of Senators Robert F. Kennedy and Jacob Javits at a time of racial unrest and community disinvestment, Restoration has built a track record that spans close to half a century as an advocate, coalition-builder, and direct service provider. The nation's first community development corporation, Restoration reaches 50,000 annually with a focus on the predominantly minority and low income Central Brooklyn communities of Bedford Stuyvesant, Ocean Hill/Brownsville and Crown Heights. Our programs include workforce development, benefit enrollment and social supports, financial empowerment, small business services, education, health, weatherization assistance, and the arts and culture. Last year alone Restoration placed 440 in jobs, helped reduce $5 million in personal debt, and secured over $10 million in income supports such as benefits and earned income tax credits. Through our Center for Healthy Neighborhoods, we also helped bring farm fresh produce to 1,460 preschoolers across 24 head start centers, supported the work of six local farmers markets, provided free weekly exercise programming reaching 1,500, and led efforts to promote rider equity in bike share which have resulted in a 56% increase in Citi Bike membership within Bed Stuy. Our award winning, evidence based programming continues to win us accolades. We were named Data Driven Service Provider of the Year for two years in a row by the NYC Center for Economic Opportunity, three of our financial counselors were voted Best in NYC, and The City and State Institute of New York acknowledged us with their Corporate Social Responsibility Award, to name just a few.

Partner Since: 2017

Founders (year established): Restoration was founded in 1967 with the bipartisan support of New York Senators Robert Kennedy, Jr. and Jacob Javits.

Website: http://www.restorationplaza.org/