NIA Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Opens New Headquarters

The Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly renovated office building located at 6614 11 Avenue in Brooklyn on June 25, 2008. “We’re extremely proud to introduce our most recent accomplishment to the community, our staff and to those who helped bring this project to fruition,” said NIA Chairman Mary Anne Cino.  “The ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new headquarters marks the start of a new era of growth and expansion for NIA in its mission to provide vital, affordable and cost-free programs and services to the children, youth and families of Brooklyn and beyond.”

“It took a lot of hard work, cooperation and great deal of paper work to get this done,” said NIA President Michael Bove. “It just goes to show you that when the NIA starts a project of this size that has a positive impact on the community, our elected officials, local leaders, the community, our board of directors and staff rally together to get it done.”

On hand to celebrate the occasion and to assist NIA’s Board of Directors with the ribbon-cutting were several notable guests and elected officials including Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, New York State Assemblyman Peter Abbate, New York City Councilman Vincent Gentile, New York City Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Jeanne Mullgrav, and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Carl Hum.

“We are especially pleased acknowledge and publicly thank our two local officials, and long-time supporters, for being at the forefront of NIA’s efforts in making our new headquarters a reality, Assemblyman Peter Abbate for his sponsorship of the initial grant to secure the property, and Councilman Vincent Gentile who was so instrumental in obtaining the funding we needed to renovate the building. Our dream of bringing a state-of-the-art facility such as this into our community would not have been possible without their strong support,” stated Ms. Cino.

In addition to housing NIA’s executive and administrative offices, the new building offers a professional setting for their extensive, cost-free, counseling service, with private consultation rooms for NIA counselors, and the children, adults and families they so well serve.

NIA Executive Director Rosa Casella expressed sincere thanks to the staff for a job well done, stating, “We couldn't have done this without your hard work and dedication.”  Ms. Casella also thanked the leaders of the community organizations, police precincts and community boards in attendance for helping to celebrate this important occasion and for their ongoing efforts in the community along with NIA.

In addition to the aforementioned dignitaries at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, joining the NIA at the celebration were Borough President Chief of Staff Carlo Scissura, Community Board 10 District Manager Josephine Beckmann, CB 11 District Manager (IA) Marnee Elias-Pavia, CB 12  Chairman Alan Dubrow and District Manager Wolf Sender,  John Quaglione representing State Senator Marty Golden, Linda Lupia representing Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasney, Ilan Kayatsky representing Congressman Jerrold Nadler, School District 20 Superintendent Karina Costantino and CEC President Laurie Windsor, 68 Precinct Community Affairs and Council representatives, prominent leaders of community organizations and schools, members of the local business community, and a host of well-wishers.

The ribbon is cut on the new NIA headquarters by (l. to r.) Phyllis Smeragliuolo (NIA Assistant Executive Director), Michael Bove (NIA President), Rosa Casella (NIA Executive Director), Mary Anne Cino (NIA Chairman), City Councilman Vincent Gentile, Assemblyman Peter Abbate, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and NYC Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Jeanne Mullgrav.