Lawmaker Gets More Sanitation $$$
City Council Member Karen Koslowitz and The Doe Fund jointly announced the renewal of supplemental sanitation services in the legisllator’s district for the current fiscal year.
Doe Fund workers clean the sidewalks and pick up trash along commercial strips in the district. The Doe Fund services the commercial hub centered at Austin Street and Continental Ave. in Forest Hills; 63rd Drive from Queens Boulevard to Alderton Street in Rego Park; and most of Metropolitan Avenue from Lefferts Boulevard to Woodhaven Boulevard in Kew Gardens and Forest Hills.
The Doe Fund is a not-for-profit organization that provides transitional work, housing, counseling, educational opportunities and career training to people with a history of homelessness. The men and women in blue shirts that are seen cleaning neighborhoods are participating in the nine- to 12-month work component of the transitional program.
“Cleaning the streets is the first step the ‘men in blue’ take to transform their lives and become productive, tax paying members of our society,” said Doe Fund President George McDonald. “They’re Ready, Willing & Able to give back to our city and we’re so pleased that, thanks to Council Member Koslowitz’s compassion and leadership, they get to do it by servicing this wonderful district.”
McDonald was presented with a check for $27,122 from Jon McMillan, representing Tiebreaker Productions, the promoter of the musical concerts at the West Side Tennis Club. The $27,122 is the result of Tiebreaker donating 50 cents from every ticket sold this past summer at the tennis stadium.
Additionally, Tiebreaker committed to make the same 50 cent donation from future ticket sales of concerts at the tennis club.
The $27,122 donation will supplement the $123,000 that Koslowitz had secured from the city council budget to support the Doe Fund in her district.
“I am so pleased that we are able to continue using the Doe Fund,” stated Koslowitz. “Commercial strips are being cleaned by men and women who are transitioning from difficult circumstances to productive lives. This is a win-win situation for everyone. I would also like to acknowledge the concert promoter, Tiebreaker Productions, for their commitment to the community. Their generous support accounts for 20 percent of the scope of Doe Fund activity in my district.”
