Begun in December 2011, the Lindenwood Alliance was formed by concerned residents of the small community in response to a spike in crime and other quality of life issues.
Lifelong Howard Beach resident and community activist Joann Ariola partnered with Lindenwood resident Christina Gold and set about forming the group to work with elected officials, community organizations and the NYPD for the betterment of the community.
They quickly organized meetings, got the word out to residents and began monthly meetings in the early part of 2011 at the Rockwood Park Jewish Center.
As early as March of 2011, the group was already hosting meetings crowded with residents from the area who brought their complaints and concerns to the Alliance in hopes of getting some answers.
During their first year, the Alliance succeeded in bringing many agencies to address problems in the community for monthly meetings. They have continually provided a conduit of services from various city agencies.
Guests range from personnel from the 106th Precinct, Claudia Filomena of the Mayor’s Community Assistance Unit, FBI Special Agent Jim Capozzi, who also serves as the New York Metro Chapter InfraGard Coordinator, agency representatives from the Department of Transportation, Buildings Department, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Health.
In their short history, the Alliance has come to be much more than just a valued and trusted source of information for the Lindenwood Community. In April, less than six months after being founded, the Alliance partnered with the Community Education Council at PS 207 in Howard Beach to host a successful health and safety workshop which drew more than three hundred residents.
The group has offered candidates forum for local elections, participated in the efforts of the River Fund, a for choice local food pantry, collected toys for local children and joined the efforts of the Richmond Hill Civic association in their $1 million coupon drive to help military personnel to buy food from commissaries.
But perhaps their proudest accomplishment to date is their contribution toward stemming the wave of crime involving vehicles in the neighborhood constantly targeted for their tires, rims and airbags. “You can feel the difference this group has made,” says Lindenwood resident Margie Morocco who lives in an apartment complex in the community. Morocco says while the Alliance isn’t out there rounding up criminals, she and many of her neighbors feel the group is responsible for bringing the problems to light and raising awareness.
Alliance co-founder Joann Ariola says the group has many plans for the upcoming year. “We have been very fortunate to have had such a remarkable response from the community,” Ariola claims. “We have a responsibility to this community now and we intend to meet it head on in the upcoming year.” Ariola and Christina Gold both say there is much work to be done around Lindenwood and they both intend to be
t the helm of the organization doing whatever they can. “We’ve made a lot of progress in one year,” says Gold. “People know who we are and they trust us.”
According to its organizers, the focus for the future of the Alliance is on raising neighborhood awareness. “Whether it’s about crime, politics, education or charitable efforts,” says Ariola, “if it’s about Lindenwood, we’re gonna be there.”
The Lindenwood alliance meets on the second Monday of the month at the Rockwood Park Jewish Center at 7:30 PM. For information about monthly meetings or other issues you can call Joann Ariola at 516-498-7524 or Christina Gold at 718-844-4743.
