November 4, 2024
To Whom It May Concern:
I, Ivan Viera, am a life-long resident and activist of the Lower East Side. As part of my work in the community I served on the Board of Directors of Sixth Street Community Center for 23 years from 1998 – 2021 and as Chairperson of the Board for 22 of those years from 1999-2021.
During my tenure on the Board of Directors and before that time going back to 1984, I have known Howard Brandstein. I first met Howard when he was organizing and providing technical assistance to the building I homesteaded along with other neighborhood residents at 653 East 5 Street. Howard at that time worked for the LES Catholic Area Conference and was instrumental in getting our building into the City’s Urban Homesteading Program. His assistance was invaluable not only to my building but about 15 other homesteads in the neighborhood.
Howard was also instrumental in organizing RAIN Community Land Trust, the first in NYC for nine of the buildings, including mine, that he worked with. His extraordinary commitment, hard work and resourcefulness in serving the people of our community was greatly appreciated and recognized.
Howard continued this vital service as Executive Director of Sixth Street Community Center beginning in the 1990s. Before joining the Sixth Street Board, I worked in maintenance and childcare for a period of three years at the Center. Throughout that time I found Howard to be a respectful and thoughtful leader.
Subsequently when I joined the Sixth Street Board, I saw even more how Howard was a people person who cared deeply for our youth. Together with Annette Averette, Howard’s partner and Sixth Street Business Manager, he successfully led the effort to grow the Center’s programs while overseeing the physical renovation of the building Throughout my tenures on the Board I was impressed with Howard’s skill and leadership in providing much needed programs to the community for children, teens and adults. I especially enjoyed joining the bicycle trips that Howard organized and led for about 10 summers for the children of the Sixth Street staff and community. Throughout my time on the Board I witnessed Howard develop caring relationships with staff and volunteers that continue to this day.
Ivan Viera