WHAT WE DO

Throughout its sixty-year history, Morningside Area Alliance has focused its efforts on strengthening Morningside Heights and its surrounding areas. In the 1950s and 1960s affordable housing and neighborhood stabilization was the focus. As catalyst, MAA played a major role in the development of Morningside Gardens and General Grant Houses and also established a security patrol that is still in existence today. The Alliance continued as a direct service organization in areas of youth services and education and as a catalyst in the revitalization of Morningside Park, as well as in workforce development. MAA Claremont Youth Center provided after school and summer camp to community youth, and Job Connection provided links between the community residents and employment in the MAA institutions.

In 2002, MAA took a different approach to its mission, moving from direct service to a new, more effective role as catalyst, building broader, more sustainable partnerships that address community issues with a strong focus on education.

Education

The Bridge to Excellence Partnership

In 2004, MAA began to develop the Bridge to Excellence Program through a number of partnerships. Working in collaboration with area public schools, MAA focused collaborations on strengthening the academic performance of Upper Manhattan students at all levels. The goal of these partnerships is to address educational inequities and improve education by leveraging a diversity of educational resources that will enhance the educational success of the schools. From an initial effort at P.S. 125, the Bridge to Excellence Partnership has grown to partner with local schools, school districts, and NYC Department of Education as well as Teachers College and Columbia’s Engineering School (SEAS). Many of these efforts are focused on strengthening STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills in Upper Manhattan, particularly in School District 5. Other community-based organizations and MAA members are involved in multiple activities to enrich the local school districts in literacy as well. These partnerships take many forms, both in-school and after-school, along with special Saturday events and programs in the community.

Parks & Environment

In 1996, the Alliance initiated a collaborative effort of institutions, churches, block associations and residents to revitalize Morningside Park. With foundation funds, a community visioning project using Project for Public Spaces produced a twenty-year plan as a blueprint for the future. From this process, the Friends of Morningside Park was re-established and is the major force behind the continued revitalization of the park today. More recently, the Alliance has begun work on building a better understanding of and respect for the environment in the community.

Public Safety

Public safety has been a core service of Morningside Area Alliance since the inception of the organization. Highly visible mobile patrols drive daily throughout the Morningside Heights area. The MAA community safety patrols provide an increased sense of safety to the community.the environment in the community.

Community Development

In bringing the collective communities of Northern Manhattan together, Morningside Area Alliance seeks to develop stronger relationships and to lay the groundwork for different ways in which churches, non profits, institutions and residents of the surrounding communities can partner in the efforts to strengthen the wider community. These efforts are focused around shared interests such as cultural arts, health, faith-based activities and education.