Rooted in East New York 5K Supports Scholarships and Community Programs

Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation’s junior board hosted its second annual community 5K at Highland Park, raising money for scholarships for East New York youth headed to trade school, two-year colleges and four-year schools.

Runners, volunteers and neighbors celebrate at the Rooted in East New York Community Week 5K, hosted by Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation in Highland Park on Oct. 10. Photo: Deric Johnson / East New York Times

EAST NEW YORK, BROOKLYN — Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation held its Rooted in East New York Community Week 5K on Saturday, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lower Highland Park, located at Jamaica Avenue and Elton Street in Brooklyn. The event invited neighbors to run, walk or cheer, and the flyer stated that proceeds benefit programs intended to “strengthen and uplift East New York.”

Michael Johnson, executive director of Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, said the organization has been around for 41 years. He said the 5K was developed by the organization’s junior board, a group of emerging young leaders who volunteered their time to do something special for the community while also focusing on health.

“The event is designed to support two major scholarships,” Johnson said. “One which is designed to focus on young people who want to either pursue a trade or two-year degree and a second one is focusing on four-year degree.”

Catherine Hanao, an East New York resident, former CHLDC employee and junior board member, said this was the second year of the Rooted in East New York 5K.

“There’s so much going on in the neighborhood. There’s so much change,” Hanao said. “But guess what? We’re still here. The residents are still here and we’re here to invest in our youth.”

Hanao said the money raised goes to scholarships that the agency gives out. She said the goal is to keep investing in local residents, whether they want to attend trade school, a two-year college or a four-year school.

“School might not be for everyone,” Hanao said. “Maybe they want to go to a trade. Maybe they want to build the next building that’s coming up here. Maybe they want open the business.”

Hanao said about 50 runners took part in the event and that organizers are hoping it continues to grow.

‘We are always open to volunteers’

Johnson said the turnout was “amazing” and described the atmosphere as positive. He also said some people volunteering at the event said they were now thinking about volunteering more time with the organization.

“We are always open to volunteers,” Johnson said, adding that CHLDC is looking for people who can support young people and contribute around health and wellness, mental health and recreational support.

Chicklet and Milane of ChickletLive also attended the event. Chicklet said he is from East New York, specifically Cypress Hills, and said this was his second year in a row attending.

“This is to help raise money for kids actually that I grew up with is a part of the Cypress Hills um location and last year, this is my second year coming in in a row,” Chicklet said. “This is to help raise money for kids for scholarships, homes, tuitions. So I want them to be a part of that.”

Milane said she came even though she was feeling under the weather because it was important to support the youth and the community.

“It’s important to show up for the youth, you know and show up for the community,” Milane said. “It’s really beautiful just to be around community and and to see what good people do.”

People interested in learning more about Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation or volunteering can visit cypresshills.org.