ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS

Strengthening Local Communities Through Purposeful Service

The 1906 Project, Inc. is committed to supporting meaningful community-service initiatives that improve lives, uplift neighborhoods, and create lasting impact where people live, work, and play.

OUR PARTNERS

Stronger Together. Greater Impact.

Our partners, among others, include:

EDUCATION

Investing in the Future of Young Leaders

The Project believes education is essential to our children reaching their full potential as productive, global citizens.

We are committed to supporting a variety of education initiatives, including:

We are proud to feature our The Project’s David F. Bluford Education Award and our Youth Chess Training Program initiatives.
 

Youth Chess

YOUTH INITIATIVES

Creating Opportunities for Students to Learn, Lead, and Grow

Since its inception, The 1906 Project has invested time and resources into youth-focused initiatives that support education, personal growth, and future opportunities for students.

Through programs like the Youth Chess Initiative, The Project helps motivate students in the classroom while encouraging focus, confidence, critical thinking, and leadership development.

We are proud to support programs that prepare young people for success in school, career, and community life.
 
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Support programs that strengthen communities, inspire students, and create brighter futures.

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The 1906 Project
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY TOY GIVEAWAY

The Project has given out more than 1,500 toys to children in Southeast Queens during the past eight years.

Since 2008, more than 1,500 toys have been given out to children between the ages of 2 to 11-years-old living in Southeast Queens during the holiday season.

Many of these children and their families live in local homeless shelters. They are also treated to books, face painting and a magic show as part of The Project’s Annual Christmas Toy Giveaway Celebration.

One of our key partners is The Saratoga Family Inn, the largest family homeless shelter in New York City serving as temporary home to more than 250 families and 375 children.

The 1906 Project
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

REAL ESTATE: COMMUNITY HUB/HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE

The Project purchased its first property in 1997. The 10,000 square-foot building is located in the heart of Cambria Heights at the northeast corner of Linden Boulevard and 220th Street.

The building was completely renovated. In 2007, the Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Citizens Center – which has served the community for more than three decades – became its first tenant. 

The Senior Center operates out of 6,000 square-foot space. The remaining 4,000 square foot space is available for commercial lease.

The building has become of hub for community-based organizations serving Senior Citizens.

The Project remains committed to seeking new opportunities to expand its community reach and asset base by pursuing a diverse array of financial resources, including grants, loans, donations and increasing revenues. 

The 1906 Project
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

FEEDING FAMILIES INITIATIVE

We are committed to serving Children, Families and Senior Citizens.

The Project has provided more than 1,000 Thanksgiving Meal Baskets to residents in the Southeast Queens community since 2008. 

We work with several local not-for-profit partners to help identify and distribute the meals to help needy families through the holiday season.

Since its inception, The Project has purchased the meals from local vendors, including Fresh Direct and Thomasina Caterers located on Linden Boulevard in Southeast Queens.

We are proud to partner with the Sheltering Arms/Safe Space to help distribute the Thanksgiving Meal Baskets.

Sheltering Arms/Safe Space has been a force in the greater New York City community since 1831 working to ensure that vulnerable children and youth receive the care they need to remain free of violence, abuse and neglect.

The 1906 Project
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

Foreclosure Prevention Program

In 2009, New York State awarded The 1906 Project, Inc., a $300,000 grant to administer a Foreclosure Prevention Program in the Southeast Queens community of New York City. 

The Project provided outreach and education services to the residents of Community District 12 by conducting foreclosure and prevention workshops and informational seminars.

We are proud to say the program was a success.

Several homeowners were saved from foreclosure, including one case where the foreclosed property was returned to the homeowner. 

The outreach was done primarily through the cooperation of local churches, schools and community boards. In addition, we partnered with Neighborhood Housing Service, North Bronx, who administered foreclosure counseling and prevention services.

Another key partner in administering the Foreclosure Prevention Program was The Hopkins Law Group L.L.C., which has been serving the targeted Southeast Queens community for more than three decades.

The Hopkins Law Group provided free legal services for the assessment/consultation phase for all participants.

The grant was from NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal.

The 1906 Project
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

Community Resources

The 1906 Project continues to raise public awareness and support local fundraising efforts to build stronger communities.

We partner with various local businesses, not-for-profits, government institutions, neighborhood associations and corporate community initiatives by volunteering, offering technical support and financial assistance.

Our partners, among others, include:
NAACP
The Links
One Hundred Black Men, Inc.
Eta Theta Lambda Education Foundation

Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation, Inc.
The Hopkins Law Group L.L.C
NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal
The Saratoga Family Inn
Sheltering Arm/Safe Space

The 1906 Project
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

COVID-19 Community Outreach

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a devastating impact on our communities.

The 1906 Project is working with health professionals, not-for-profit organizations, local civic and businesses leaders to help ensure the Southeast Queens communities that we serve receive the necessary resources to combat the virus.
On April 27th and 28th nearly 400 local residents received free COVID-19 testing at York College Performing Arts Center parking lot as part of a local effort sponsored by The Project, to help provide Southeast Queens residents with the necessary information to help combat the virus.

Only by working together can we defeat it.

The 1906 Project
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

International Outreach

In February 2010, a devastating earthquake in Haiti changed the course of the country and result in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of citizens.

The Project donated $2,000 to the Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund established by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., to assist with direct recovery and rebuilding efforts.

The 1906 Project
EDUCATION

The 1906 Project, Inc., David F. Bluford Education Award

David F. Bluford, ED.D has worked at every level of public education from teacher to assistant superintendent and college professor. He has personally impacted the lives of thousands of New York City school children, their families and communities.

In honor of this legendary educator The Project, established the David F. Bluford Education Award in 2010.

The Award recognizes high school seniors who have demonstrated excellence in academic and extracurricular achievements. The student must be pursuing their college degree to qualify. 

The Project awards one deserving student $1,000 during the first year and $1,500 during the next three years if they continue to meet the eligibility requirements. Students can receive a maximum of $5,500.

The Project’s Education Award recipients are currently attending Hofstra UniversityVassar College and St. John’s University. Currently, all enrolled award recipients maintain 3.2 or above grade-point-average.

In addition, the second and third place recipients (currently attending Binghamton University, Spellman College, University of Wisconsin and John Jay College) received a one-time $500 book awards.
Bluford is a member of The Project’s Executive Board.

The 1906 Project
EDUCATION

HBCU College Tour

The Project annually sponsors deserving high school students on the HBCU College Tour of historically black colleges and universities. 

The Tour, sponsored by the Eta Theta Lambda Education Foundation, also includes several academic developmental workshops.

The 1906 Project
EDUCATION

Alpha University Seminar Sponsorship

Every summer for nearly the past two decades, the Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation, Inc., hosts a rigorous weekend leadership seminar for the fraternity’s incoming chapter officers.

The Project has partnered with the Foundation and underwritten registration fees for college brothers to attend.

The Project
 firmly believes that the lessons learned through the interactive workshops during the leadership seminars helps develop future leaders and further advances the aims and goals of both organizations. 

The 1906 Project
EDUCATION

Leadership Development Institute Trainee

In keeping with our commitment to help develop tomorrow’s leaders, The Project has sponsored a deserving high school male student to attend the prestigious three-day Leadership Development Training Workshop held at St. John’s University.

The 1906 Project
YOUTH INITIATIVES

Youth Chess Initiative

On February 2014, The Project launched the nine-week Youth Chess Initiative partnering with Chess Instructor Christian Garrett and the Eagle Academy for Young Men of Southeast Queens (NYC Department of Education).

The young men who enrolled in the program learn the fundamentals of chess.

In addition, The Project has support a similar chess program run by the Concerned Fathers Association, Inc.

The Youth Chess Initiative continues to expand impacting youths in the Southeast Queens community.