The Commons Brooklyn is a place of congregation, learning and community building. It hosts events, classes and workshops and a year-round farmers' market. The space can be rented for workshops and other events.
The Luso American Cultural Center sits on a quiet Carroll Gardens block, close to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. The building was once St. Paul's Lutheran Church and now houses a private club for Portuguese-Americans.
The H. Von King Cultural Arts Center is a central organ of the Herbert Von King Park in Bed-Stuy. It houses a mini petting zoo, with reptiles, birds, turtles, rabbits and other small creatures; a computer center; an after-school center that provides homework assistance; and an arts and crafts program, all run by a friendly and dedicated staff.
Annual membership is $50 for adults, $10 for seniors and free for children 18 or younger. Membership provides access to the center's indoor recreational facilities, as well as its programs and workshops geared toward teens and children, including drama, culinary arts, ceramics, martial arts and dance. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4pm - 6pm the center offers a "Teens at Parks" program, focusing on planning for parenthood. Monday through Wednesday, from 4:30pm - 6pm, the center offers a "Fit for Life" exercise program for teens and adults.
Other programs, such as interval training and yoga, run on a short-term basis and are free to the public.
Founded by Hattie Carthan, Magnolia Tree Earth Center is an environmental organization that has planted 1,500 trees in the Bed-Stuy area, and has for more than 20 years planted gardens in vacant lots. MTEC programs include workshops, community service projects, tours, career-awareness services and worker training. The organization also has an art gallery that exhibits environmentally themed artwork. MTEC's Garden Club meet on the first Saturday of every month. Volunteers are welcome.
American History Workshop produces programs that interpret history to offer a better understanding of the past. Museums, historical societies, parks and gardens, filmmakers and others have sought American History Workshop's expertise to help tell history.
The Warren Street Center is part of the network of Lutheran Family Health programs in New York City. This location offers childcare and afterschool programs for children in the New York area, ages two through 12. Cost of childcare is determined on a sliding scale based on the parents' pay scale. The main entrance is on the left side of the building; ring the buzzer to enter.
Child Development Support Corporation is a community service organization that aims to offer programs that provide knowledge and skills necessary in today's society. Its mission includes coordination with various community-based efforts, leveraging funds for community services, encouraging services that are culturally sensitive and identify service gaps. Among its programs, the CDSC offers Head Start programs, a training institute, an emergency food pantry and child care. CDSC serves more than 20,000 families, youth, children and seniors annually.
Situated on the northern corner of Prospect Park, Northern Adult Day Health Center provides both medical and social day programming for senior citizens. Day activities include trips, exercise, cooking classes, music programs and language education. The center also offers respite stays to give caregivers a break.
Good Shepherd Services is a non-profit community center located on Fourth Ave. and Ninth St. It provides services that aim to prevent child abuse, including family and individual counseling. The center also houses the Barbara Blum Residence, a non-secure detention center for boys.
The Police Athletic League is a community-based organization that works in conjunction with the NYPD to encourage and empower local youth to be active, positive participants of society. PAL offers an after-school program, a summer day camp and an activity program for teens ages 14 through 19. The facility balances sports and recreation with educational enrichment offerings for ages 5 and up.
The Bed-Stuy Multi-Service Center is a human resources administration building housing various non-for-profit agencies that service the community. The Center features a conference room and a 480-seat auditorium. Call Bed-Stuy Multi-Service Center during regular business hours for facility and rental information.
Situated in a brightly-painted building on Fourth Avenue, Diaspora Community Services works to provide local immigrant residents with services such as health education, advocacy, counseling and general support. Programs include the Women's Empowerment Program, Nutrition Outreach Education and HIV/AIDS assistance. Services are available in English, French, Creole and Spanish.