The Action Center for Education & Community Development, Inc.

11/06/2016

As we count down to our 15th year anniversery to be held on the 19th, each day we will provide a video retrospective from a particular year at the Action Center. Today the Action Center circa 2002-2003

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KSMP6uBE7U

The Action Center is the largest Rockaway-based Supplemental Education Services (SES) provider. The Action Center's SES program is called ACT+ and provides f...

10/14/2016

So proud to be a judge and panelist today for the 1st Annual Faces of Hunger Short Film Festival. Is is the first and only film festival to focus on food insecurity, quality and waste in the United States, FOH is spurring a nationwide dialogue about the everyday realities that millions of Americans face. In addition to the Action Center The panel of judges includes Academy Award nominee filmmaker Griffin Dunne, The Cove producer Fisher Stevens, Katie Finneran from Bloodline, and Darren Goldstein from Showtime’s The Affair. Academic food studies experts include Krishnendu Ray andDomingo Pinero from NYU and Fabio Parasecoli from The New School. Media activists
include Joey O’Loughlin, photojournalist of the Hidden in Plain Sight: Portraits of Hunger in NYC exhibition and filmmaker Sanjay Rawal, recipient of the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Film. Representatives from the NY Mayor’s Office, NYC Food Bank,
Hunger Free America, The Alliance to End Hunger, Teens for Food Justice,

09/22/2016

I am a mother first; a (black) mother, and now more than ever it is critically important that the difference be distinguished. I have had diverse friends all my life, many I love as brothers and sisters...with race not being an issue between us, for my part I have not had these conversations...I am saying it is time. For those who consider themselves my friends and see the news of what is happening in my community of color, no I am not immune..., nor some sub segment of black that an't them, because they had to have done something to recieve the treatment they are receiving...while we are not monolithic, though many try to corral us into manageable pods, and choose who we follow by who the media decides we do, or decides who is acceptable or to be demonized, ironically, though as my friend placing me in the "good black pod" racism is non-discriminatory...I have been called ni**er enough to at one point wonder if it were my middle name; I remember segregated movie theaters, and drinking out of our own special fountains as my parents tried to make it a more palatable game; my failure as a friend was in not discussing it with you, I didn't because you were not doing the it to me, My lack of understanding was as a child and adult loving you for who you were and not deeming it necessary. Because i look for my fault in things first and try to correct them before moving on to yours, i cannot fault you because i did not tell you...HOWEVER please listen because I am telling you now; like Beyonce who the world seemed to be "shocked' was black...I carry hotsauce in my bag, I sweat hay, and my son gets 2 seconds for a cop to react, to the 30 minutes your son is given...unlike being gay...where you might have to know a person, have "radar" or ask...before poison is spewed ---the reaction to me and mine is instant...not even 60 seconds of thought; the uniform I wear, the uniform my son wears...though he did not sign up for the military or to be a police officer where the risk is assumed...the uniform he wears is the black skin I and his father gave him, a conscripted soldier not of his own choosing...I did not bring him into the world for this, pour all my heart and soul into his life for this, did not hope, put my body on the line for him to reach his full potential for this, and I am tired, I am angry, i am focused and I am a force because I am his mother. If you in all the years you have known me...did not know this...you do now...I just told you...do with it what you will...i love you, but I love him more...i will hope as mothers you can feel me...as friends...what is happening in the world is now less remote and you find a point to relate, and as human beings say enough...not Aria's son, not anyone's son--mothers not only rock the cradle...we rule the world, when we have the will to.

09/06/2016

Please Join Us in the Rockaways on Sept. 8th as all movements concerned with a just world for our children comes together...https://www.facebook.com/events/1654374328225855/

Why: UNITY! CONNECTION! POWER! Because we all love our children; and their Lives, Home and Environment is in peril. Even more so with a 2016 predicted active hurricane season, a record warming and flooded earth, such violence in the streets and division in the world. It doesn’t matter if you come from Bell Harbor, or Far Rockaway, are Liberal, Conservative, Progressive, what is your hue, religion, or orientation, or the movement you are a part of...we all love our Children,

On September 8th we celebrate that connection, while discussing how we can better understand eachs perspective and find a way to have a more safe, just and environmentally sound world for our children.
Speaking in one voice, because it is truly “Up to Us” and It is essential that front line communities not only participate, but lead the change.

On the 8th, the Action Center and participants of the hope to inspire climate action, engage young people in the political process, solarize and create sustainable economic development and bolster resilience in areas that are most vulnerable to climate change.

Please join us...we need your voice as part of the conversationl

https://www.facebook.com/events/1654374328225855/

08/10/2016

So proud to be a part of the change...we are the people we have been waiting for...

Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Josh Fox shares what you can do to fight for a better world -- and what a changing climate can never take away.

07/24/2016

Today my heart and mind will be on the Action Center residents, the Superfund groups in Fla, Ala, and NOLA that have linked with us, the community of coastal cities, in marginalized communities facing the deaths of our sons, the poisoning of our waters and soils and the neglect of our needs during disasters and times of crisis. We are in a perpetual crisis that effects not only our communities but us all.../we must come together as a community of man, one force for good and the protection of those that are most vulnerable. I am humbled to speak for you, and will not stop, cannot stop until our voices are heard and needs acted on.

06/27/2016

Tonight on HBO 9pm "How to Let Go of the World" and Love ALL the things Climate can't Change. Please don't miss it. It practically begins and ends at the Action Center. In between Academy Award nominated director Josh Fox travels to 12 countries, and 6 of the 7 continents visiting some of the areas hardest hit by climate change and is transformed by the front-line soldiers and grassroots communities who are fighting back with love and core values who are "Armies of Resilience".we are so proud to be a part and know you will be moved to Action as well.

06/16/2016

In 5 short days the Action Center Network helped complete a laundry for the lower 9th ward community, and laid the foundation for a community center. Doing in 5 days what its taken years to do. In two short months its linked Superfund groups across 5 states working to clear a path for Joint National Action, in two short months the Network has done what some have been told for decades can't be done and we are just getting started. We can't thank Josh Fox enough for collaborating with us, letting his light shine on our community.