June 2025 Minutes

BNCA Meeting Minutes
June 17, 2025
Officers present: President – Dawn Amore, Vice President – John Leibovitz, Membership Director – René McCray, Recording Secretary – Kathy Jacquart, At-large Member – Kinyofu Mlimwengu

The BNCA held its monthly meeting at Krystal Tex-Mex Restaurant on 12th Street. A meet and greet preceded the meeting.

BNCA President Dawn Amore opened by introducing presentations by the following local organizations and neighbors.

Deaf Reach – Michelle May

Director Michelle May and colleagues explained that Deaf Reach is a small non-profit organization located in Brookland. It has been providing services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing adults experiencing mental health concerns since 1972. The organization has its origins in 1967 with the National Health Care Foundation for the Deaf and was incorporated in 1972 as Deaf Reach, Inc. The success of a mental health program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital highlighted the need for a group home outside of the hospital’s campus. This became Otis House, Deaf Reach, Inc’s first group home and also the first such home in the nation for individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing with behavioral health concerns. Deaf Reach’s base of operations has been in Brookland community ever since, with its headquarters located on 12th Street less than a block from Otis House. The Deaf Reach workforce consists of predominantly Deaf and Hard of Hearing staff.

In addition to its residential services, Deaf Reach provides community counseling, coordination of medical and mental health treatment/appointments, budgeting and money management, and housing placement for up to 100 adults each year. It also offers interpreting services to local businesses and non-profit, government, healthcare, behavioral healthcare, education, and recreation organizations.

Deaf Reach is at “risk of tremendous losses in funding” due to potential DC government budget cuts. Deaf Reach accepts monetary and in-kind donations. Office supplies (e.g., copy paper, pens, pencils), cleaning products (e.g., laundry and dish detergent, paper towels), toilet paper and other toiletries (e.g., soap) are especially welcome. Help with repairs, painting, gardening, cleaning are needed as well. (More information on how you can help: https://deaf-reach.org/; https://donorbox.org/deaf-reach)

Brookland Strong – Denise Kennedy, Kurt Krausse, Jen Nikolaeff

Founding members Denise Kennedy, Kurt Krausse, and Jen Nikolaeff explained that they created Brookland Strong as a way “to provide a community-driven response to serving our neighborhood families and individuals impacted by the sudden changes to the federal government, including federal workers, contractors, and those within related industries.” The group’s website offers resources and a job board. Brookland Strong has grown to at least 80 members. All are welcome. (https://www.brooklandstrong.org/)

DC Gateway Project – Eddie Johnson

Local Architect Eddie Johnson presented a vision for a “Rhode Island gateway” at the intersection of Rhode Island and Eastern Avenues. The project would incorporate low maintenance landscaping, a sculpture and potentially other artistic features on two currently “long neglected” parcels of land and create an “attractive aesthetic entrance to the Nation’s capital.”

Mr. Johnson shared renderings of the plan, which he has donated, but noted that City funding would be needed to create the installation. He said that it could be an example of how the DC government supports neighborhood-based talent in Ward 5.

For more information, contact Mr. Johnson at (202)526-3610 or ejohnson@emjohnson.com.

Other Business

901 Monroe Street Project

BNCA President Dawn Amore addressed the BNCA’s application for “party status” to participate in the zoning process for the proposed 901 Monroe Street development project and, as part of the application, its decision to oppose the project in its current iteration since it does not align with the community’s priorities. She noted that the deadline to apply was before the BNCA’s next meeting, thus the urgency of the officers’ vote.

Some in attendance argued that the BNCA membership should have been allowed to vote on the application and expressed concern that the BNCA would lose credibility and influence by opposing development on land that has been vacant for more than 10 years. President Amore countered that the officers were merely reflecting the overwhelming input the BNCA had received from members and neighbors of the project and emphasized that the BNCA does not oppose development in Brookland.

Fun activities

President Amore led the group in a brainstorming of fun activities that the BNCA could consider organizing in 2025.

1. Continue Passport Theme
   • Walking Tours
   • Food Locations
2. Roving Block Parties
   • Potluck
   • Activities for Kids
3. Summer Olympics
   • Neighborhood Competitions
4. Salsa Dance Night
5. Catholic University Liaison & the BNCA
6. Community Clean Ups
7. Share Information about quirky/fun things going around DC (e.g. 730DC.com Newsletter; CapitalNature.org, etc.)
8. Halloween Parade (In collaboration with other groups such as ANC and Neighbors of Noyes Park)
9. Members expressed interest in 2 Yard Sales Each Year