President’s Message Karen Emerson As the weather becomes more pleasant and the COVID restrictions are lessening, there are some exciting things going on in the neighborhood! This month, May 22-29, Ease on Down is the first event of the season. Charlotte Burch has worked tirelessly with the Thurston Brooks Merchants Association to bring neighbors and our merchants together. This is the 10th year! This is a family friendly event that takes place between Brooks Avenue, Thurston Village and around the corner to Arnett Blvd. The kick off day for this one week long street promotion begins Saturday, May 22nd at 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. through May 29, 2021. Per Ms Burch, “We believe that working to build strong relationships between neighbors and businesses that serve the community is an important step in a positive direction in creating and building a community where positive growth happens. “ The next event is being planned by a dedicated group of neighbors. It is a Kahoot trivia night fundraiser for the 19th Ward Community Association. This will be held June 17th and is a one hour event. We are hoping you will join us for a chance to get to know interesting facts about […]
Update 19 – April 2021
President’s Message Karen Emerson When I told Ruth that I thought I would write about the history of the 19th Ward Community Association, she was delighted! She had decided to pick the 19WCA as the Proudly 19 Neighbor of the month. Great minds think alike 🙂 It is not surprising that many of the same issues we are experiencing now are the same issues that plagued neighbors in the 1960’s when the Association was formed. These issues are owner occupancy, speculative buying for rental, economic stability, activism and “Red lining/Block busting”. It was felt that it was neighbors who needed to have strong commitment and tenacity to preserve a stable neighborhood. As in the early part of the Association, it is through the dedication and efforts of the neighbors that our Association has the respect of city, county, state and federal governments. It is rare when our collective voice is not requested or valued. I began my search with the very informative “Neighborhood as Community” written by our neighbor Doris Meadows in 1984. This booklet gives the reader a glimpse at the historic struggles of our neighborhood. The Home Realty Company advertised the Hillcrest area (now Warwick Ave.) as “Rochester’s […]
Update 19 – March 2021
President’s Message Karen Emerson I was reminded that March is Women’s History month. I happen to be reading the Women’s Suffrage Movement edited by Sally Roesch Wagner. Her introduction struck me as most appropriate for the present moment. She states, “As we move to create a more perfect union in this cultural revolution we are undergoing, we are creating a new history. Not the top-down history that focuses on great white men, their great deeds and their great wars. We are shaping history to reflect and guide the bottom up diversity of voices that changed, is changing and will change the world. Yes, if we don’t know our history we are bound to repeat it. But is also true that if we do know our rich and diverse history of those who worked for social justice, we are empowered to repeat it. Their voices have often been shouted down by those at the top. It’s to time we gave them a listen.” Over fifty years ago some of our past and present neighbors created the Association with the following purpose: I am always proud of the things we do in the 19th Ward to create community. Skating party, MLK Luminary […]
Update 19 – January 2021
President’s Message Karen Emerson Hello – I would like to introduce myself. I am Karen Emerson, the 2021 19th Ward Community Association President. I am a proud 19th Ward resident since 1976. I rented an apartment on Hillendale Street and then purchased a house in 1977, on Rosalind Street where I reside today. I have been involved with the 19th Ward Community Association in many roles over the past 44 years. My late husband and I raised two daughters who graduated from Wilson. I am a nurse practitioner and currently work part time at the St. Mary’s Campus with Healthcare for the Homeless. We face a lot of challenges in 2021, since COVID continues to alter the ways we can interact. We have to come up with new and innovative ways to make sure we remain socially and fiscally viable. We are working closely with the county health department and medical systems to make sure our neighborhood has access to the resources for COVID vaccination. I would encourage everyone to get vaccinated. Vaccination is the best way for us as a community to battle this pandemic. Our convention in November also highlighted some of the issues around race and equity we need to address. […]
Update 19 – December 2020
President’s Message Zola Brown The 19th Ward Convention brought in a new way of communicating and a new President for 2021. I enjoyed the Convention – especially the panel discussion – but missed the in-person interaction. I missed trying a new dish or supporting a local pizza business and the raffle. This year was certainly different but necessary. It was good to know so many of you registered and joined in the virtual convention! No matter what the obstacles have been through this pandemic we are still successful in the 19th Ward. Please make sure you send us your comments about the Convention, and I hope some of you plan to join the committee next year. My presidential term ends December 31, 2020. It was a pleasure serving the two executive terms. I never imagined a kid who grew up in the 19th Ward, who attended elementary school 2, 16 ,19 and Junior high at Wilson, would become President of this Association. When you really think about it, that is how it should be: you live and grow to become a person who cares about where you live. I learned a lot through this journey but also realize the work […]
Update 19 November 2020
President’s Message Zola Brown It is that time of the year: boots, scarfs, hats and mixed-match gloves because, just like little kids, we can never keep up with them. November is here and the New Year is around the corner. I imagine everyone is looking for a better year than what we have endured through 2020. The November election may determine the outcome of your new year, so please vote November 3, 2020. The 19th Ward Annual Convention is coming soon via zoom on Tuesday, November 17, 2020. The theme is Race, Equity and Rebuilding Trust. We will reflect on our past year and usher in a new group of leaders. All positions are open, and the bylaws of the organization regarding election are on the 19th Ward website. If you are a member in good standing and desire to be President, 1st or 2nd Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary you may be nominated on the floor of the convention. We look forward to seeing you Tuesday evening November 17th at 7 p.m. The students at the U of R have an annual student conversation series called “Breaking the Bubble” through the Center for Community Leadership office. The theme for our […]
Update 19 – September 2020
President’s Message Zola Brown How time flies as we come into Labor Day weekend: the well-known last family barbecue and the start of the fall season. Schools are delayed and remote learning is still a priority. We hope that the education system throughout this covid season recognizes the work of parent, teacher and student for virtual learning challenges and processes. On this Labor Day weekend, we want to acknowledge the union workers who are not working due to schools being delayed and essential workers on the frontline. The education system, housing, critical social services, and infrastructure programs depend on census-guided federal grants that provide millions of dollars in funding for our area. Participation in the census has real fiscal consequences for our community. We have certain areas of the 19th Ward where participation is very low. Please fill out the census and not dodge the census taker when knocking on your door. Our last day to get this right is September 30 and, like voting, you cannot complain if you do not participate. Quality of life begins with you. Our 19th Ward yard signs and Black Lives Matter signs dominate our neighborhood. This speaks volumes about how proud you […]
Update 19 – August 2020
President’s Message Zola Brown It’s August and many of us are either making plans to go back to work and/or school. We have had many hardships this year and we need everyone to hang in there! Our Community Association is here to help provide any information on resources you need. We will do our best to help you and get your delegate involved. Foodlink is providing free meals for our children throughout the city and are committed to helping local families. If you have resources that can help a family in our community or an idea to bring resources to families in need, please reach out to the 19th Ward Community Association office (585) 328-6571. Our community mourns the passing of civil rights leaders C.T. Vivian and U.S. Representative, John Lewis. Locally, we also lost phenomenal leaders that have had direct impact on the 19th Ward, the Honorable David Gantt who served our neighborhood for over thirty years, and retired Pastor James Cherry Sr. from the Aenon Missionary Baptist Church. Both were friends and mentors to many, and we are grateful for their contributions to our community. We are still committed to Black Lives Matter. This is an opportunity to […]
Rapids Cemetery Black Raspberry Season
July 10, 2020 Twelve volunteers from the 19th Ward including St. Monica Church members and relatives of persons buried at Rapids Cemetery broke the one-day record for black raspberry harvesting at the cemetery’s food forest last Sunday. New trellises plus the creation of distinct rows of raspberry plants made harvesting easier. When the harvesting is finished, the raspberries will be delivered to St. Peter’s Kitchen at 681 Brown Street. Many of the plants are still ripening and will need harvesting Sunday, July 12th for about two hours starting at noon. It’s all done in the shade! Come join usat the 96 Congress Avenue cemetery location, off Genesee Street south of Brooks Avenue. We’ll be towards the back of the lot. Berry pickers must follow COVID-19 social distance guidelines and wear masks. Equipment, hand sanitizer, refreshments (and masks, if needed), provided.
Update 19 – July 2020
President’s Message Zola Brown Thank you 19th Ward community for showing up for our historical Black Lives Matter Parade and Vigil on June 19th, the celebration of Juneteenth. With over 120 bicycles and cars joined in, our community was moved to work on issues to eradicate systemic racism. A special thank you to the district delegates and office manager for their hard work on this event. So what’s next for the 19th Ward community to show that Black Lives Matter? This will be up to you. Protests and demonstrations will continue but more must be done. There is always resistance when a group of people who have been oppressed realize there is no other way to bring about change without holding people accountable. Break the silence. Don’t be silent about police brutality, inequality in education, poor housing, low paying jobs and health disparities. The 4th of July weekend may not bring an end to the fireworks surge we have faced in the past couple of weeks. It appears our elected officials and law enforcement have heard our concerns and are addressing the issue. As you celebrate Independence Day, please be sure to read and reflect on Frederick Douglass’s speech, “What to […]
