New York Spring Newsletter
Voices, Vision, and Action:
What’s New at ATD Fourth World in NYC
Dear Friends,
2025 is a year full of changes for ATD Fourth World. We started the year by participating in the second phase of our Strategic Renewal Dialogues (SRDs) at the national level.
Over the last few months more than 70 people have been echoing our new Core Values, Mission Statement and Vision Statement to set the common framework for our next five years of programming. At the same time, to contribute to addressing the housing crisis in NYC, we have been working on policy recommendations based on lessons learned from the housing participatory process we held for the past two years (Housing Dialogues, Fourth World People’s University, advocacy interviews).
During these first few months of the year, we are also seeing the new American presidential administration taking executive action that impacts the lives of millions of Americans, affecting important areas of daily life such as housing, education, diversity, science, and homelessness, especially for those already most excluded. To face this challenge, we must act together, continue to work in solidarity with families living in persistent poverty, and carry out our programs with more dedication, energy, and the certainty that change is possible when we are united.
Thank you for your support and spreading the voice of ATD Fourth World around you, to bring more people to build a society in which the dignity of each one is respected.
Jackie, Alvaro and Marina (JAM),
New York Leadership Team
Merging of Knowledge Training
The New York and Gallup teams and a member of the international advocacy team participated in a training to facilitate processes based on the Merging of Knowledge approach. The intelligence and knowledge of the people suffering because of the conditions of poverty have been missing for centuries. This is why in 1993, ATD Fourth World developed its methodology to facilitate dialogue between people living in extreme poverty, policymakers, academics, and practitioners.
Merging of Knowledge seeks to create new knowledge rooted in lived experience, as well as in practice and academia and to contribute to overcoming poverty. The research on the multidimensional aspects of poverty was conducted using the Merging of Knowledge approach.
Movies to Increase Awareness
On February 18th we presented the movie Joseph the Rebel at the French Church of Saint Esprit. We responded in this way to the dream of one of our activists to continue strengthening ties between our two communities. This movie shows the first steps of the creation of the Fourth World Movement and the commitment of Joseph Wresinski and some slum settlers for the respect of the dignity of each person.
Participants received the film with enthusiasm and curiosity, followed by a rich debate on the resonances of the experience shown in the film and the current reality, as well as possible ways to participate in ATD Fourth World. If you are interested in screening the movie please contact us.
NEWS
Join us for an Open Mic night on May 1 to support our Summer Festival of Arts and Learning! Share your voice, talents, and creativity as we build a joyful summer together. Sign up to perform or donate to help bring learning and creative activities to children in Brownsville!
Last winter, we ran a residence for our Story Garden at the Stone Library in Brownsville to ensure connections are made and strong community ties are formed. One of the first grandmothers from the SG at the Brownsville Houses came every week with her grandchildren, who loved it and gave us ideas for each week.
A small group of ATD Fourth World members attended the Housing Policy Forum in Washington DC on March 25-26. An important gathering with activists from other organizations and policy experts where we had the opportunity to reflect on how we can work to end the housing and homelessness crisis affecting massively low-income tenants in the United States. Two days of networking and learning!
ATD Fourth World New York
172 First Ave, New York, NY 10009
(212) 228-1339
nycteam@ATDFourthWorld-USA.org