After seeing Sen. Persaud setting up a food drive across the street from the school, Nakia Yates, admissions representative at Brooklyn Scholars, was motivated to get involved. To build strong connections for the school throughout the community she vigilantly searches for community partners and decided this collaboration would be a perfect fit.
“I called the senator’s office and asked, ‘how can we help?’,” reflected Yates.
The food drive was a collaboration of several organizations, including the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and Pink Houses Resident Association. The mission of NYCHA is to increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers by providing safe, affordable housing and facilitating access to social and community services. NYCHA joined forces with Pink Houses Resident Association and Senator Persaud to bring valuable resources to residents in District 19.
Yates contacted the senator’s office and offered to donate her time and resources to the event, along with Yvette Hutson, parent action committee secretary. Principal Roxanne Thomas also popped by the event to lend a hand. Community members lined up to receive the food essentials, passed out by several members of Brooklyn Scholars’ staff, Sen. Persaud, and others.
“It is important to give back to our community because the secret to living is giving,” said Nakia Yates, admissions representative at Brooklyn Scholars. “True fulfillment doesn't lie in material possessions. The real meaning of life is not about what others can do for you but what you can do for others.”
Sen. Persaud was elected to the State Senate in November 2015 after serving in the State Assembly. Her legislative priorities for the 19th District include providing safer communities, affordable housing, funding for schools and libraries, supportive services for youth and seniors, and quality healthcare.
About Brooklyn Scholars Charter School
Brooklyn Scholars Charter School is a tuition-free, public charter school in Brooklyn, New York, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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