Friedrich Donates 150 Air Conditioners to Cool 38 Cornerstone Programs at NYCHA Sites

Contacts:
Mark Zustovich/DYCD, 212-676-8208
Zodet Negrón/NYCHA, 212-306-3731

New York, NY – To help keep young people and families cool on the hot summer days and nights still to come, the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced Friedrich’s donation of 150 air conditioners for Cornerstone programs in Community Centers now operating extended evening hours at NYCHA buildings in all five boroughs. The announcement was made at the Butler Community Center in the Bronx, one of 38 Centers citywide to receive new units.

“With the doubling of available Summer Enrichment seats and expanded evening hours at Cornerstone programs this summer, this generous donation couldn’t have come at a better time,” said DYCD Commissioner Bill Chong. “Friedrich is a wonderful example of how public- private partnerships can have a dramatic impact on thousands of New Yorkers, and it’s our hope that other community partners are inspired to step up to the plate.”

“We appreciate the helpful  upgrade to facilities in NYCHA buildings, and also the example Friedrich is setting here about partnering with government to improve people’s lives,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. “All of these pieces link together: the Centers will be more comfortable, so more kids will hang here; there’s supervision and things to do; and we will be collectively working toward the goal expressed by the Mayor, Council, NYPD and NYCHA residents of making communities safer.”

“For over 60 years the people of New York have supported Friedrich Air Conditioning—you can see our units keeping New Yorkers cool across the City,” said Wink Chapman, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Friedrich Air Conditioning. “It is a privilege for us to work with the City on its mission to improve the quality of life for thousands of New Yorkers this summer and throughout the year.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity to bring some comfort into spaces that are occupied for over 15 hours per day,” said Dennis Carter, Executive Director of Directions For Our Youth, which operates the Butler Community Center’s Cornerstone program. “We appreciate Friedrich’s generosity, and thank the City for partnering with us to provide much-needed services in a community that our agency has been serving for the last ten years.”

The 38 Centers were selected based on their need for air conditioning or replacement of their existing units:

DYCD’s Cornerstone Programs provide engaging, high-quality, year-round programs for adults and young people at 70 NYCHA Community Centers.

Earlier this month, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a $210.5 million comprehensive, citywide plan to make neighborhoods safer and reduce violent crime in NYCHA developments, through more targeted law enforcement efforts, immediate physical improvements, aggressive community engagement and outreach efforts, and the expansion of work and education programs.

As part of the initiative to help build stronger individuals, families and communities, summer hours have been expanded until 11:00 PM during the summer months (July 7 – August 29) at a total of 107 community centers at NYCHA developments. In addition, the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) includes an additional 850 NYCHA youth (ages 14-24) who live in 15 targeted developments. These young people will gain valuable work experience and skills training from entry level jobs in nonprofit, government and the private sector.

Expanded Summer Enrichment programs are being offered at more than 300 middle schools and
Beacon and Cornerstone sites across the five boroughs through August 29. This summer, the

number of Summer Enrichment seats available was doubled to more than 34,000. Activities range from dance, music and sports/fitness to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), literacy and service learning.

DYCD supports New York City’s afterschool and youth workforce development programs throughout the five boroughs. The agency also oversees funding for anti-poverty programs, such as adult literacy and immigrant services.

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)’s mission is to increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers by providing safe, affordable housing and facilitating access to social and community services. More than 400,000 New Yorkers reside in NYCHA’s
334 public housing developments around the five boroughs.

Friedrich is a leading manufacturer of air conditioners and other home environment products. Founded in 1883, Friedrich has manufactured room air conditioners since 1952.