Looking Forward to 2009

Dear Neighbors

2009 will be NAG's 15th anniversary working with our neighbors and friends to create a healthy, equitable, and more livable Williamsburg/Greenpoint community.

This has been a whirlwind year of change and progress for NAG. In 2008 we:

• Launched our tenant anti-displacement program in collaboration with six other local non-profits
• Were awarded the rights to develop the Engine 212 building as a community and cultural center jointly with the People's Firehouse
• Held a town hall meeting in October that was attended by over 100 people
• Launched our 2009 organizing agenda to save affordable housing, create more parks, improve local transportation, increase our local quality of life, and save our community's diverse character
• Launched a new blog, NAG Neighborhood Watch, which is spreading the word about important local issues
• Co-sponsored Williamsburg Walks, a weekly pedestrianization of Bedford Avenue in August

We look forward to working with you and our other neighbors in 2009 on:

• NAG's 2009 Organizing Agenda (click here to find out how you can participate)
• Kicking off a capital campaign to raise the $2 million we need to renovate Engine 212 (more to come on this shortly)
• And much more!

Support Our Work

We know budgets everywhere are tight, but it requires considerable resources to support our work. We would like you to consider making a year-end contribution to support our civic work in the community. Donations to NAG (a 501(c)3 organization) are tax-deductible and can be made online or by check. (click here to donate)

Thank You

None of this would have been possible without the participation of our many volunteers, especially a number of new organizers who have brought energy and fresh perspectives to the organization.

We would also like to thank the many partner organizations and supporters that we collaborate with and, in particular, the New York Foundation, Councilmember David Yassky, and Assemblyman Joseph Lentol for their financial assistance.

But most of all, we would like thank our staff, Peter Gillespie, Michelle Rodecker, and Ryan Kuonen whose hard work and dedication to the organization keep us running

Happy Holidays!
Michael Freedman-Schnapp and Susan Albrecht
NAG Co-Chairs