Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center

Imagine Swimming’s second annual Brooklyn Swims event held at Medgar Evers College.

One of our first events where conference panelists discussed the need for afterschool programs as a safety net for our children. A discussion lead by community youth, local leaders and anti-violence professionals to raise awareness about positive ways to prevent violence in our schools and neighborhood and discuss the positive impact that the recreational facility in The Bedford-Union Armory will have on the neighborhood.

Hosted by District Leader Geoffrey A. Davis of the James E. Davis Stop the Violence Foundation, the Local Development Corporation of Crown Heights and the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights.

Panelists: DJ Envy - Power 105.1, Anika McInnis - CEO BlackMarketWares, Christian Waterman - CEO & Founder of BlackMarketWares, Andre Mitchell - Founder of Man Up! Inc., Dena Gorkin - Director of Community Education NCFJE's Operation Survival & Founder & Principal of Bnos Chomesh, Carlton Screen - Founder and Director of Flatbush Youth Association, and Officer Frank Bulzoni - Neighborhood Coordination Officer, 71st Precinct.

S.O.S. Crown Heights Program Manager David Gaskin (6th from left)

The coaching staff from Central Brooklyn Soccer League provided a soccer workshop to local children of school district 17.

On Friday, June 30th at the Medgar Evers College pool, Imagine Swimming, along with the Bedford Union     Armory and Finis Swim Equipment, hosted Brooklyn Swims. Sixty children, mostly from the nearby Ebbets Field Houses, got to attend a free swim lesson and drowning prevention talk with Imagine Swimming instructors. Finis Swim Equipment provided free swim goggles and caps for all participants.

Digital Girls, Inc. founder Michelle Gall, director Toni Robinson and their staff provided free coding instruction for children and teens from Crown Heights.

BFC Partners proudly sponsored the Flatbush Youth Association's tee shirt and tournament fees for a basketball tournament in 2017.

FYA Founder & Director Carlton Screen honors Mr. Richard Green, CEO for Crown Heights Youth Collective for his years of service in Crown Heights and Central Brooklyn.

Floyd Rumohr, Executive Director of the Brooklyn Community Pride Center. Floyd has been an organizational leader, teacher, author, consultant, and founding president and CEO of a nonprofit organization described by Mayor Mike Bloomberg as “one of the most effective arts education programs” serving New York City. Following over two decades of arts leadership, he was interim executive director for Love Heals, the Alison Gertz Foundation for AIDS Education, and Apple Arts-NYC, for which he facilitated a merger with another nonprofit organization.

BFC Partners construction team in conjunction with By the Numbers Manny Burgos fields questions from local contractors. General contractors from Crown Heights and neighboring Central Brooklyn explored opportunities crossing all trades available before the start of construction in 2018.

NYC agencies discuss future employment opportunities for Crown Heights residents. Meeting participants are NYC's Economic Development Corporation (NYC EDC), Small Business Services (SBS) and Brooklyn's Workforce1. The meeting was hosted by Community Board 9 on Nostrand Avenue.

The award winning Kings County Tennis League provided a free tennis workshop for children at MS161. Sponsored by BFC Partners, over 40 children arrived to take court and learn a new game. Big thanks to school district 17's Dr. Debra Lamb for providing the space.

Imagine Swimming developed great program for local children from Ebbets Field Apartments.

Vote Yes for Bedford Union Armory

Video Revival's founders Erik and Christian provided free filmmaking workshops for Crown Heights teens during the summer of 2017.

On June 27th 2018, Imagine Swimming had the privilege of swimming with the 4 year to 12 year old children from Ebbets Field Apartments for the second year of BK Swims!

Imagine had twice the turnout from last year and ⅓ of those in the pool had never gone swimming before - they were super brave, Imagine was super proud! There was tons of laughter, excitement and great memories made.

“The older children were very supportive of the little ones”, said Kate Pelatti, COO of Imagine Swimming. “Thanks to the young leaders in the group, those that were reluctant to get in were able to muster the courage and join their friends.”

The two hours in water session included a tailored swim lesson to each child’s particular needs in the water, focusing on safety and self-rescue skills.

Imagine offers aquatics for all. Beginning with our infant Baby Splash courses, on to our Parent & Me classes, to our group lessons for ages 3 & up, on to competitive club teams (including a swim team, a water polo team, and a synchronized swimming team), and finally to adult classes for all levels, there is something for every swimmer at Imagine.

On Friday, September 21st, we held our second site visit for construction contractors at the Armory.

On Thursday, March 7th at MS 61 in Brooklyn, Armory sports operators Imagine Swimming, New Heights Youth and Global Sports presented their game plan for success at Bedford Union Armory.

On Thursday, March 7th at MS 61 in Brooklyn, Armory sports operators Imagine Swimming, New Heights Youth and Global Sports presented their game plan for success at Bedford Union Armory.

Partnering with United Activities Unlimited of Staten Island, NY has been a great experience. Recently, our program manager Monique Thomas launched a reading and public speaking program for children residing in the apartment complex.

Trenelle Gabay provides information to CB9 residents about the mission and vision for the Carey Gabay Foundation.