LES community unites to establish a new million dollar new green space.

NEW YORK (PIX11) – For years, PIX11 News has covered the stories of the people who live here at the Wald houses on the Lower East Side.

Now, a celebration of a new million-dollar green space, the families who lived in the development fought for it and won. Usually, families just walk by this space and don’t have access to it. It’s an area fenced off and locked.

It’s called opening the edge. The $1.1 million in funding came from the then-Borough President, now Councilmember Gale Brewer, and Council Member Carlina Rivera.

The idea came from Jane Greengold, who used to live in the neighborhood. She was tired of walking by and what she felt was wasted space.

She worked with the Design Trust for Public Space and residents like Rosa Lee Rodríguez for ten years. They both say they never gave up because they love their community. The space will be completed later this year.

We first told you about the work of a non-profit called Avenues for Justice on our Monica Makes It Happen show last November. The 45th Second Chances gala in Chelsea was a huge success, raising $350,000.

PIX11’s Monica Morales led a panel discussion with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the Vice president of Goldman Sachs, and criminal justice activist Dede Agar, helping raise funds for hundreds of formerly incarcerated young people to get education and resources in NYC.

Tina Nalls, 51, struggled to find a new headquarters for her non-profit Community Treasures.

Our viewers gave big time. Thanks to Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker, councilmember Frank Gilmore of Jersey City’s F Ward, Stephen Cea, the Executive director of Jersey City Housing Authority, and Education Gilmore Jeffrey Dublin, who were watching and helped make it happen.