Thank you to the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Association and all you do for the community.
This week, in this hallowed space, we’d like to single out the consistent, tireless work of the civic’s NYPD Community Partner Maria Asaro.
A persistent presence in the neighborhoods that comprise this beloved patch of South Queens, Asaro is a liaison between her neighbors and the dedicated members of the 106th Precinct. Just like the cops with whom she works closely, her focus is public safety.
Asaro is also a fierce protector, defender, and supporter of our city’s Finest. That has been on display over the past few days as she issued a challenge to her fellow area residents:
“As you may be aware, an “NYPD Blue Ribbon Challenge” has been created due to recent events discriminating and endangering our fellow men and women in blue,” Asaro wrote on Facebook. “I am respectfully requesting you place blue ribbons around your trees in your community in support the New York City Police Department. Thank you!”
Follow her lead.
Thank you for your service, Maria!
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We also love to hear when a successful native of The World’s Borough gives back to the community that helped raise them.
In partnership with the City Department of Education, the Paul Simon Music Fellows Program was established with a donation of $1 million from vaunted recording artist—and Kew Gardens Hills native—Paul Simon to the DOE and Fund for Public Schools to invest in music programs, and promote comprehensive musicianship for the city’s students through advanced teacher training and collaboration with professional musicians. The financial donation is the result of all net proceeds from the final hometown concert of Simon’s 2018 Homeward Bound – The Farewell Tour, which culminated in New York’s Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
The Paul Simon Music Fellows Program for early career music teachers, serving students in grades 6-12. The program partners 20 fellows from across the five boroughs with veteran music teachers for one-on-one mentorship and skills training over the course of a school year. Each school will also receive an 11-week “artist-in-residence,” as well as a guest artist, curated by Simon, who will lead master classes for students. The fellowship launched in September for the 2019-2020 school year with a first cohort of 20 middle and high school teachers citywide. Applications for the next cohort of up to 20 fellows will open in summer 2020, to begin in the fall of the 2020-21 school year.
“School arts programs like the Music Fellows Program, when carefully guided and nurtured by dedicated teachers and gifted musicians, have the capacity to change and enrich students’ lives,” Simon said. “As a graduate of the NYC public school system myself, I look forward to seeing the flowering of musical talent, and hearing what our city’s kids give us, as they take advantage of this new program.”
Thank you so much for giving back, Paul!
