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Employee Associations

The New York City Housing Authority recognizes that voluntary, cooperative activities by employees to meet their mutual needs or interests, serve their common welfare, or make their relationships and employment more pleasant can contribute substantially to a favorable work environment. Organizing such activities under employee associations helps promote these goals. Employee associations foster a more inclusive environment for employees, helping them feel empowered and motivated to contribute to NYCHA’s success via an enhanced sense of their own well-being. Additionally, these associations seek to increase cultural awareness, educational advancement, and professional development opportunities for their members and colleagues. NYCHA encourages employees to join employee associations as a way to learn, create, and cultivate an environment of camaraderie in the workplace.

NYCHA’s policies prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, status as a parent, or sexual orientation. If you have any questions, please contact the Employee Engagement Department at employee.engagement@nycha.nyc.gov.

NYCHA’s Employee Associations are voluntary and made up of people who share common interests or backgrounds. They help foster a more inclusive environment for employees. The associations work to provide an environment where all employees feel empowered and motivated to contribute to the Authority’s organizational success through an enhanced sense of their own well-being. Additionally, these associations seek to increase cultural awareness, educational advancement, and professional development opportunities for their members.  

Membership and participation in activities sponsored by NYCHA employee associations shall be open to all employees regardless of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, status as a parent, or sexual orientation. 

Join the employee organizations listed below by filling out this form. or by scanning the QR code using a NYCHA issued device. 

Start an employee organization by filling out this form

NYCHA Employee Association Brochure

Association Name Email Association Description President

Association for Christian Fellowship

Christian.EA@nycha.nyc.gov

Promotes study of the Holy Bible; provides spiritual fellowship, conducts programs and activities for exchange of information and ideas to enhance the quality of life in the workplace.

Felicia Tucker- Burris on

Association of the LGBTQ Employees

LGBTQ.EA@nycha.nyc.gov

To support the full inclusion and affirm the diverse identities of Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer people (LGBTQ) and cultivate a safe work space and leadership opportunities.

​D’Andra Van Heusen

Association of Russian Speaking Employees

Russian.EA@nycha.nyc.gov

To provide support for members in personal and career advancement; learn Russian heritage and its contribution to society, engage employees in Russian cultural affairs, organize social events and celebrate holidays.  

​Lidiya Kantor

Batei Tsibur: The Organization of Jewish Employees at NYCHA  

​JewishEmpOrg.EA@nycha.nyc.gov

An organization of Jewish employees providing support, information and cultural programming.

​Daniel Mahpour

Caribbean American Association

​caribbean.ea@nycha.nyc.gov

The Caribbean American Association will focus on connecting employees who are interested in learning about the Caribbean’s heritage and rich cultural diversity which consists of various ethnic groups, religions, languages, cuisines, music genres, and customs.

Sharon Dhanraj
212-306-7941​

Committee on Women’s Concerns

Women.EA@nycha.nyc.gov

Serves as an advocate for women; encourages the development of programs for upgrading and advising women about training, education and career planning. 

​Renee Taylor

Culture and Arts Exchange

Culture.EA@nycha.nyc.gov

To strengthen cultural values and preserve heritage and history of NYCHA and its employees, 2) Enhance community engagement and participation among NYCHA 3) Build Character and a sense a place for agency staff and, 4) To advocate for and promote cultural diversity within the agency.

​Andre Cirilo

Greek Society

Greek.EA@nycha.nyc.gov

Focuses on Greek culture and heritage and provides a social network.

​George Soukas

Haitian American Association @ NYCHA

Haitian.EA@nycha.nyc.gov

To create a social environment in which Haitian-Americans come together, share their heritage, values traditions, and promote a positive image.

​Sybille Louiis

Health Matters Association

​michael.jacocks@nycha.nyc.gov
​monica.morris@nycha.nyc.gov

The mission of the Health Matters Association (HMA) is to form a group of individuals who are interested in healthy living, that would foster an atmosphere of health and wellness within the NYCHA community. This is to include, but not limited to the sharing of ideas, information and practices that are known to promote and improve the general health and well-being of people.

Michael Jacocks
718-218-1539
Monica Morris
718-218-1726

Italian American Association

​Italian.EA@nycha.nyc.gov

To open all employees to the culture of Italy and the experiences of Italian-Americans.

​Valerie Pepe

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

NYCHANAACP.EA@nycha.nyc.gov

To improve the political, educational, social and economic status of minority groups; to eliminate racial prejudice; to keep the public aware of the adverse effects of racial discrimination; and to take lawful action to secure its elimination.

​Lynn Spivey

Nigerian Organization of NYCHA Employees

​Nigerian.EA@nycha.nyc.gov

Promotes the learning of Nigerian heritage and Nigerian contributions to society and celebrates social events and holidays.

​Ayoola Soetan

NYCHA Agape Fellowship

​Agape.EA@nycha.nyc.gov

Agape (meaning: God of kind love) – to promote the study of the Word; conduct programs and activities that will promote excellent work habits and stress alleviation through spiritual enrichment

​Sharon Williams

NYCHA Chinese-American Association

Chinese.EA@nycha.nyc.gov

To promote the spirit of solidarity and cooperation among all members; to organize social and cultural activities; and foster a greater understanding of Chinese-American contributions. 

​Qi Zhang

NYCHA Emerging Leaders

 

Creates an Authority-wide platform for  employees to network, collaborate, and  develop into future NYCHA leaders.

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Senior Director:

Elena Tenchikova: 
718-707-5981

NYCHA Knits and Crochets

 

NYCHA Knits and Crochets is a club for fiber artists of all levels – join us to connect with colleagues through knitting and crocheting.

Co:Presidents:
​Mindy Blackstock
212-776-5019
Marlene Tapley
(212) 306-4676
Advisor:
Roseanne Pisem
(212) 776-5212

NYCHA Socialites

paula.flynn@nycha.nyc.gov

The NYCHA Socialites Club’s objective is to boost employee morale by bridging the gap between former and current NYCHA employees. Our goal is to bring together like-minded individuals to create a social and collaborative lifestyle via community service and off-site activities.

Paula Flynn
212-306-3123

NYCHA Toastmasters

 

The goal of the NYCHA Toastmasters is to generate self-confidence and to maximize staff’s inner potential through effective communications techniques .

Founder & President ​Fatima Lundy
212-306-2858
Vice President
Otica Rutledge
718-562-8200

​Organization of Hispanic and Latin-American

ohla.ea@nycha.nyc.gov

​ To promote and provide opportunities for ALL NYCHA employees to learn and experience the full breadth of Hispanic and Latin American cultures, in order to foster and encourage unity through mutually beneficial interaction amongst the Agency’s diverse workforce.

​ Joseph Pesante

Runner’s Club

Runners.EA@nycha.nyc.gov

To promote agency spirit and camaraderie by participating in running events as a team.

​Ramon Lugo