What they call their work
What they do
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Neighborhood Civic Engagement 1 activity
- Advocates for community interests in planning and political processesEngages residents in public, political, and planning processes and advocates on issues affecting their neighborhoods, such as opposing high-rise development through legal action and organizing community efforts to protect residential spaces.
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Senior Advocacy and Civic Engagement 1 activity
- Advocates for older adults and marginalized groupsConducts advocacy work focused on protecting the rights of older adults and promoting fair pay and equity for marginalized communities.
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Affordable Housing Development and Management 1 activity
- Develops and creates affordable housingCreates and supports the development of affordable housing units for low- and moderate-income residents in Manhattan's Lower East Side. The organization has developed nearly 1,500 units of permanently affordable housing between 1972 and 1997.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Hosts community events and cultural programsOrganizes and hosts community events such as the Marco Polo Street Festival, youth basketball tournaments, art displays, and galas to celebrate community achievements and promote engagement.
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Public Space Beautification and Maintenance 1 activity
- Implements environmental and public space improvement projectsCompletes community-driven environmental projects such as rain gardens, Free Little Libraries, and public art installations to enhance neighborhood resilience and beautification.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Offers music and performing arts instructionProvides accessible music and performing arts lessons, including private and small group instruction, voice lessons in multiple genres, songwriting, and preparation for ABRSM exams, with a free trial lesson available for prospective students.
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Youth Workforce Readiness Programs 1 activity
- Operates youth development and workforce training programsRuns the D.R.E.A.M.S. YouthBuild and Young Adult Training Program, providing hands-on construction training, GED support, leadership development, service learning, and vocational certification to support young adults’ self-sufficiency and neighborhood improvement.
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Youth Basketball Development Programs 1 activity
- Operates youth sports programsRuns a youth basketball program with five teams and over 80 participants, including organized tournament participation.
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Comprehensive Community Service Hubs 1 activity
- Provides access to social services, education, and recreation programsOffers a range of services including social services, educational opportunities, and recreational activities to residents of the Lower East Side, with programs hosted in community spaces and partner sites.
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Digital Literacy Training and Technology Access 1 activity
- Provides access to technologyOffers technology access to residents in the Lower East Side to support digital inclusion and community engagement.
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
- Provides food assistance to residentsDistributes weekly pantry donations and provides hundreds of turkeys and meals annually during Thanksgiving to support food security among Two Bridges residents.
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Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DITASHIAH KOHN | PRESIDENT | 40 | $141K |
- ANTHONY GIORGIO — BOARD MEMBER
- DEBBIE LEUNG — SECRETARY
- JERROD DELAINE — BOARD MEMBER
- SUSAN COLE — TREASURER
- WYNNE LEUNG KIM — BOARD CHAIR
Who they work with
- ABRSM Partner — Prepares students for ABRSM certifications and exams.
- Admiral Security Services Partner — Supporter of Two Bridges Neighborhood Council Inc.
- Chinatown Partner — Partnership through shared service area and community-based programming in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
- Crystal Claire Events Partner — Provided event décor and design for the 2026 gala
- ESKW/Architects Partner — Community Impact Sponsor of the 2026 gala
- GRC Management Partner — Grande Mariner Sponsor of the 2026 gala
- Goldie Chu Community Room Partner — Host site for community programs in Two Bridges Tower
- Hamilton Madison House Partner — Grande Mariner Sponsor of the 2026 gala
- Hamilton-Madison House Partner — Shared board leadership and collaboration in community services.
- Henry St Settlement Partner — Supporter and collaborator with Two Bridges Neighborhood Council Inc.
- Henry Street Settlement Partner — Community Impact Sponsor of the 2026 gala
- Local residents, businesses, entrepreneurs and leaders Partner — Collaborates with local stakeholders to maintain economic vitality in the Lower East Side.
- Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Partner — Partnered to conduct environmental justice resident surveys in the Two Bridges neighborhood.
- NY State Senator Brian Kavanagh Government — Recognized by TBNC for years of support and commitment to the Two Bridges community, particularly on housing and tenant protection.
- NYC Urban Debate League Partner — Volunteer and governance collaboration.
- NYC Water Cruises Partner — Captain’s Circle Sponsor and event venue provider for the 2026 gala
- Newark Symphony Hall Partner — Leadership and programming collaboration in arts and culture.
- Owner’s Media Partner — Provided videography, photography, and media coverage for the 2026 gala
- Pitta & Baione Partner — Supporter of Two Bridges Neighborhood Council Inc.
- Plus Pool Partner — Supporter of Two Bridges Neighborhood Council Inc.
- Project FIND Partner — Shared board leadership and organizational development support.
- Related Companies Partner — Grande Mariner Sponsor of the 2026 gala
- Royal Business Bank Partner — Community Impact Sponsor of the 2026 gala
- SRC Management & Productions Partner — Provided entertainment and event production for the 2026 gala
- Settlement Housing Fund Partner — Co-sponsored the redevelopment of the Two Bridges Urban Renewal Area beginning in 1972.
- Settlement Housing Fund Partner — Collaborated on the development and completion of the rain garden project at Two Bridges Tower.
- Settlement Housing Fund Partner — Shared staff and leadership history in housing and youth programs.
- Settlement Housing Fund, Inc. Partner — Grande Mariner Sponsor of the 2026 gala
- Standard Management Partner — Provided event security and guest safety services for the 2026 gala
- Susan Cole Partner — Individual supporter of Two Bridges Neighborhood Council Inc.
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Arts-Integrated Community and Youth Empowermentmethodology: arts-integrated-community-developmentBy integrating arts and culture into education and community development, we empower youth and strengthen community identity, because creative expression fosters engagement, builds cultural resilience, and opens pathways to civic participation.
- Community Collaboration as Structural Bridge-Buildingmethodology: community-brokerBy acting as a communication bridge among settlement houses, churches, and community leaders, we resolve racial and institutional conflicts, because trusted intermediary roles enable coordination across fragmented sectors and build social cohesion in diverse, gentrifying neighborhoods.
- Community-Engaged Advocacy and Planningmethodology: community_engaged_advocacyBy engaging residents, community leaders, and institutions in collaborative planning and advocacy, we influence development decisions and protect neighborhood vitality, because inclusive decision-making strengthens collective agency and produces more equitable outcomes.
- Youth Development Through Integrated Skills and Civic Engagementmethodology: integrated-youth-developmentBy combining vocational training, education, leadership development, and required civic service, we foster personal and professional growth in youth, because integrated, purpose-driven programming increases accountability, builds self-efficacy, and strengthens community ties.