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Washington Heights & Inwood Online
Resource Directory
Education, Adult (23) 
Armory
216 Fort Washington Avenue (at 168th Street), New York, NY 10032.
Tel: 212-923-1803.
Fax: 212-923-1645.
The Armory is the home to the fastest track in the northeast and the first National Track & Field Hall of Fame. It hosts the USATF championships, as well as one of the most prestigious collegiate invitationals. But the Armory is more than a track and a museum. It is a full-fledged community center where thousands of high school students and adults from throughout New York City and the surrounding area come to exercise, learn and aspire to improve their lives. The Armory sponsors programs in technology learning through its tech center, as well as programs for literacy, jobs training, teens at risk, immigrant services, teacher training, mentoring and senior citizens health.
Best Beginnings
2410 Amsterdam Avenue (2nd Floor), New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-923-5440.
Fax: 212-923-5509.
Home-based primary prevention program for young parents, designed to prevent child abuse and neglect. Offers education for parents on child development, parent/child interaction, school preparation, health issues; pre/postnatal moral support; assistance in applying for Medicaid, public assistance; referrals to needed services. Serves area: 169th-188th Sts., Amsterdam-St. Nicholas Aves.
CB12M Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program of Community Board 12 provides training to community residents and service providers to better prepare to respond to emergency situations. During non-emergency situations, CERT teams engage in the important work of disaster preparedness. Activities include educating neighbors and community business owners about the hazards they may face and appropriate disaster preparedness steps to take. When emergencies happen, CB12M CERT members can give critical support to fire, police and emergency service professionals, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects to improve the safety of our community. The Web site has resources in English and Spanish. CERT in New York City is presently in a pilot stage during which 15 community groups are being trained. In this initial phase, the NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is not accepting additional groups or individuals into the pilot. However, the CB12M CERT will recruit new members over time.
Church of the Incarnation
1290 St. Nicholas Avenue, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-927-7474.
Fax: 212-928-0315.
The HONEY (Help Our Neighbors Eat Year Round) Program provides packages of staple food to the elderly in the community. Also, the church offers an adult education program, a men's group in which political, cultural and philosophical discussions take place, and a women's reading group on ethical and moral issues.
City College of New York (CCNY)
Shepard Hall 2, Convent Avenue at 138th Street, New York, NY 10031.
Tel: 212-650-7312.
Fax: 212-650-6614.
Email: ace@ccny.cuny.edu.
CCNY Adult and Continuing Education (ACE) offers classes to Northern Manhattan residents. Beginning Spring 2005 they will offer courses in Spanish; training to local businesses in partnership with local community organizations in Inwood and Washington Heights; and the Global Trade and Export Studies Program, which trains individuals for the Custom Broker license exam and for positions in the import/export industry.
Community Association of Progressive Dominicans
3940 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10032.
Tel: 212-781-5500.
Fax: 212-543-2554.
Promotes the physical, emotional, social, and economic well-being of residents of Upper Manhattan. Youth services: academic enhancement, peer counseling, recreational and cultural activities, high school and college preparation, vocational training, substance abuse counseling, health and nutrition, young mothers' group, summer camp. Mental health services: evaluation and assessment; crisis intervention; psychiatric evaluation and medication monitoring; psychosocial education; play therapy; women's support groups; individual, group and family psychotherapy; parenting group; and case management services. Special prevention, consultation and educational services to address the mental health needs of youth and their families. Other services: ESL and GED classes, immigration and citizenship assistance, housing assistance, TB prevention program, and much more.
Computer Technology Center at Audubon Partnership
Audubon Partnership for Economic Development, 513 West 207th Street, New York, NY 10034.
Tel: 212-544-2400.
Fax: 212-544-0248.
Email: KBrea@audubonpartnership.org.
Open to the public Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Provides bilingual computer training free of charge to neighborhood small businesses and their employees. They also have video conferencing technology available for their use. Training classes include: Introduction to Computers, MS Word I, MS Excel I, Navigating the Internet, QuickBooks, and more. Contact the center for a complete schedule of classes.
Cornerstone Center
178 Bennett Avenue, New York, NY 10040.
Tel: 212-923-5757.
Email: osanyc@verizon.net.
A multiservice center that offers classes in aerobics, yoga, karate, pottery, dance, music, a children's choir, English as a second language classes, a new mothers group, summer day camp for children, girl scouts in the fall, Alcoholics Anonymous, Sexaholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous. The center also has meeting space available for rental by community groups at low fees.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
4211 Broadway, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-927-5771.
Fax: 212-543-9120.
Email: jzinkin@cwcid.org.
The goal of the agency is to create economic opportunity in Washington Heights and Harlem. CWCID sponsors the Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union where residents can open savings and checking accounts and obtain mortgage loans and other loans for local business ventures. The agency also has a bilingual Financial Literacy Education program that helps empower low-income residents in Upper Manhattan to take control over their financial lives.
Dominican Women's Caucus
P.O. Box 692, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-568-9540.
Membership organization that works to unite Dominican women. Focuses on social, political, educational and cultural activities that lead to the development of women on all levels.
Dominican Women's Development Center
519 West 189th Street, Ground Floor, New York, NY 10040.
Tel: 212-994-6060.
Fax: 212-994-6065.
Email: guzmany@dwdc.org.
"El Centro" stands as an epi-center of women, children, youth, and family-focused activity in the Washington Heights/Inwood community. They counteract gender subordination by promoting self-sufficiency, advancing educational goals and engendering the necessary skills and self-esteem to transform individual lives and community. They offer free services to women residing in Washington Heights/Inwood and other NYC communities, including: educational development, GED preparation, ESL and BENL classes, citizenship preparation, child care and day care services, ESOL, computer technology training, after-school programs, economic development, home health aid training/placement, domestic violence program, parenting group, educational/support groups for adolescents and children, health promotion, vaccination outreach, advocacy and organizing, youth programs, information and referrals.
Employment Development Center
The Armory, 216 Fort Washington Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10032.
Tel: 212-781-6388.
Fax: 212-781-6892.
Email: Dapheights@hotmail.com.
The Employment Development Center assists out-of-school youth 17-24 years old with their career decision-making and growth process as they become part of and navigate the world of work. It provides information and referral services, assessment and consultation services, job placement and retention services, and a career resource center with access to phones, fax and state-of-the-art computers with Internet access.
Esperanza Center
502 West 165th Street, New York, NY 10032.
Tel: 212-781-9494.
Service organization for persons over 18 years of age. Offers English and Spanish literacy classes, family counseling, lessons and activities for the mentally disabled.
Hostos Community College
Hostos at Good Shepherd, 108 Cooper Street, between Isham and 207th Streets, New York, NY 10034.
Tel: 718-319-7939.
Fax: 718-518-6744.
Hostos Community College offers convenient day, evening and weekend adult and continuing education classes in the Good Shepherd Church in Inwood (108 Cooper Street). Courses include GED, ESL, College for Kids and many certificate programs, including certificates in Medical Billing and Coding, CASAC, Real Estate Certification, and much more.
Inwood Community Services
651 Academy Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10034.
Tel: 212-942-0043.
Fax: 212-567-9476.
Programs include counseling, drug rehabilitation, adult literacy, and youth and family services.
Jewish Community Council of Washington Heights-Inwood
121 Bennett Avenue, #11A, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-568-5450.
Fax: 212-928-3059.
Email: jccwhi@juno.com.
Provides a broad range of social, educational, and supportive services for the elderly, immigrants, and needy in the community. Services include community relations, counseling/mental health, adult day care/day programs, employment services, English as a Second Language, entitlement services/advocacy, friendly visiting, food pantry and weekend meals, Holocaust survivor services, home care planning, immigrant and refugee services, adult recreational programs, respite, Kesher senior programs, telephone reassurance, and transportation.
Jewish Identity Center - Congregation Nodah Biyehudah
711 West 179 Street, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 917-521-1675.
Email: heights@yucs.org.
Offers an opportunity for Jews to learn about Judaism, socialize and interact with other Jews by inviting them over to people's homes and providing them with hospitality. They offer a begginers class to Judaism, conduct discussion groups on ethical and moral issues, and provide an uplifting experience, user-friendly prayer services, listening to beautiful melodies and much more.
New Mothers' Support Groups
Tel: 212-781-6368.
Email: shaligher@yahoo.com.
Support, referral and information for new mothers in Washington Heights. Learn strategies to deal with the challenges your new role presents. Practice Shiatsu and Qi Gong to help soothe and comfort your baby and yourself. Be a part of a growing community of new families near you.
Northern Manhattan Coalition for Economic Development
600 West 185th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-543-0010.
Fax: 212-543-1308.
Email: nmced@nyc.rr.com.
The NMCED's mission is to promote economic development that will result in the creation of a living environment that is conducive to thriving rather than simply sustaining survival. NMCED achieves its mission through an array of services to increase and promote economic development and self-sufficiency in Northern Manhattan. Some of their services include, but are not limited to: technical support to small business owners, Capital Investment Opportunity Forums, and lectures on basic business management strategies. NMCED collaborates with government and private institutions to provide educational services to the unemployed, recently arrived immigrants, welfare recipients and low-income residents, which will allow them to successfully compete in the job market. NMCED offers technological education courses such as basic computer and Internet accessibility training, English as a Second Language for people with limited English proficiency, childcare provider classes, and GED Classes. Currently, NMCED is involved in two major projects that will capitalize on the area's diversity, human capital, and entrepreneurial ingenuity. (1) Casa Duarte Cultural and Performing Arts Center is one of the most comprehensive and complete plans for the development of arts and culture in Northern Manhattan. (2) The Commercial Street and Revitalization Plan will create guidelines to improve and develop the pedestrian sidewalks of
the Inwood community. NMCED believes these projects will improve the commercial thoroughfare by enhancing the development of businesses and encouraging upcoming artists to participate in our community.
Our Saviour's Atonement Lutheran Church
178 Bennett Avenue (at 189th Street), New York, NY 10040.
Tel: 212-923-5757.
Fax: 212-923-0445.
Email: osanyc@verizon.net.
Offers English as a Second Language classes, a food pantry, sports and activities for kids, pottery classes, ballroom dance classes, 12-step recovery programs, and much more through the Cornerstone Center.
Russian American Cultural Heritage Center (RACH-C)
34 Hillside Avenue, 4C, New York, NY 10040.
Tel: 212-567-5834.
Email: olga@culturelinks.net.
An educational and charitable community development organization serving the Russian American community. RACH-C strives to preserve the culture, traditions and values immigrants have brought from their Russian-speaking countries of origin, so that these can be enjoyed and respected by their children, and help enrich American culture. The organization encourages writers and artists in their endeavors, and provides advice and technical assistance to Russian American organizations and individuals who are attempting to bring worthwhile projects to life. It also provides workshops, seminars, etc., regarding the history, culture and characteristics of Russsian Americans.
Upper Manhattan Council Assisting Neighbors (UCAN)
519 West 189th Street, Suite F, New York, NY 10040.
Tel: 212-568-2791.
Fax: 212-568-2795.
Email: Info@ucanny.org.
UCAN's mission is to enhance the local community and build the capacity of Northern Manhattan neighbors, small businesses and community-based organizations. UCAN targets the underserved Latino, immigrant and low-income communities of Washington Heights, Inwood and Marble Hill. Programs focus on community and economic development, education, housing, and arts and culture.
Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO)
220 East 23rd Street, Suite 309, New York, NY 10010.
Tel: 212-684-0854.
Fax: 212-684-1096.
WIBO is a private, nonprofit organization that conducts one of the city's most comprehensive entrepreneurial training programs. Their 16-week workshop titled "How to Build a Growing Profitable Business" is held twice a year in underserved communities around New York City, including Washington Heights, and develops more than 300 entrepreneurs every year. Visit the Web site for details about their program and to sign up.