Grand Street Settlement Community Center Reopens After Years of Renovation, Bringing Life and Community to Lower East Side

Grand Street Settlement Community Center on the Lower East Side of Manhattan has celebrated its reopening after years of renovation. The center, located within the Gompers House public housing complex, has been serving the residents of the largest concentration of social housing in Manhattan since 1974.

Carmen Sotomayor, 81, a member of the center’s dance group, the Dynamics, expressed her joy at the reopening. She credits the center for giving her more life through activities like dancing and talking. Sotomayor has been attending Zumba classes at the center for 40 years and never expected to form a community and a dance group there. She also highlighted the center’s offerings, including dance classes, aerobics, computer lessons, and other activities for seniors.

The reopening of the center comes after an investment of $17 million in renovation. The new center will expand its services by 20%, offering free meals for seniors, additional spaces for child care programs, after-school programs, mental health services, and support for the LGBTIQA+ community, among others. Carlina Rivera, a Manhattan councilwoman, expressed her excitement about the new building and the services it will provide, emphasizing that the community deserves such programs for people of all ages.

Mayor Eric Adams attended the celebration to recognize the dedication of the non-profit organization, Grand Street Settlement, to the community. The event also featured participants from the early childhood education program and a dance troupe from the Asian community, showcasing the center’s diverse offerings.

Evelyn Ortiz, a resident of Grand Street Settlement, praised the organization for its services, particularly for helping seniors, troubled youth, and children whose parents work. Ortiz, who has a daughter with mobility and speech challenges, expressed gratitude for the support she has received since immigrating to the city.

Grand Street Settlement operates out of 50 community centers throughout the Lower East Side and Brooklyn, serving immigrant communities for over 100 years. The reopening of the renovated center marks a significant milestone for the organization and the community it serves.

In what ways has the Grand Street Settlement Community Center positively impacted the lives of its members, particularly seniors like Carmen Sotomayor and residents like Evelyn Ortiz

After undergoing years of renovation, the Grand Street Settlement Community Center on the Lower East Side of Manhattan is finally reopening its doors. Located within the Gompers House public housing complex, this community center has been a cornerstone for the residents of the largest concentration of social housing in Manhattan since 1974.

One member of the center’s dance group, Carmen Sotomayor, expressed her joy at the reopening. At 81 years old, Sotomayor credits the center for giving her more life through activities like dancing and socializing. She has been attending Zumba classes at the center for 40 years and never expected to form a close-knit community and a dance group there. Sotomayor also highlighted the center’s offerings, which include dance classes, aerobics, computer lessons, and various activities for seniors.

The reopening of the center was made possible by a $17 million investment in renovation. With its expanded facilities, the center will increase its services by 20%. Some of the new offerings include free meals for seniors, additional spaces for child care programs, after-school programs, mental health services, and support for the LGBTIQA+ community. Carlina Rivera, a councilwoman from Manhattan, expressed her excitement about the new building and stressed the importance of such programs for people of all ages in the community.

Mayor Eric Adams attended the celebration to acknowledge the dedication of the non-profit organization, Grand Street Settlement, to the community. The event also featured participants from the early childhood education program and a dance troupe from the Asian community, showcasing the center’s diverse range of offerings.

Evelyn Ortiz, a resident of Grand Street Settlement, praised the organization for its services, particularly for its support towards seniors, troubled youth, and children whose parents work. Ortiz, who has a daughter with mobility and speech challenges, expressed her gratitude for the support she has received since immigrating to the city.

For over 100 years, Grand Street Settlement has been serving immigrant communities through its 50 community centers throughout the Lower East Side and Brooklyn. The reopening of the renovated center marks a significant milestone for the organization and the community it serves.