I received an email this morning from Jenifer Epelbaum, who has been advocating on behalf of a Park Slope couple recently evicted from their apartment.
Dear Neighbors,
I am writing because you are one of the kind
neighbors who has written to me in the past when I posted concerns
about an old couple on my block who were being evicted.I have tried very hard to help these neighbors, with much help provided by quite a few of you (thank you).
Today
I sent a detailed letter to an organization which earlier this year was
appointed "guardian for property" for my former neighbor Frances. The
organization is a wonderful one, but I have seen the casework on this
one case, and I am quite certain JASA would not be happy with what I
have seen. I prefer not to share all the sordid details in an email, in
part out of respect for all the other, truly wonderful work done for
others by this same agency.I made numerous efforts to bring
better treatment for my neighbor Frances Mulligan (who is slightly
mentally impaired). I wrote quite a few emails directly to the
caseworkers on her case, and I even sent a letter to the judge. Those
efforts seem not to have helped at all. The situation is very, very bad
for Frances and I have now shifted my attention to higher officers at
JASA (the organization providing the guardianship for property). In my
letter today (sent to the President, the CEO and the Director of
Services) I told in detail some of the most appalling treatment I have
witnessed towards Frances and her partner.At
this time, I believe it would be extremely helpful if JASA heard from a
few more concerned neighbors of Frances. You do not (and should not)
accuse them of anything. I witnessed events I could write about (and
did), and I think that is enough of that.What would be
wonderful would be just a quick email expressing concern for Frances
Mulligan. Tell them you are her neighbor in Brooklyn and you care about
what happens to her, or any other polite comment you care to make on
the subject. I think if even a quarter of those who wrote to me
privately at different times, now sent an email (even a one line
email), it could make a BIG difference for Frances. If you do send an
email, please put FRANCES MULLIGAN in your subject line.The person you should email is the CEO, Aileen Gitelson, AGitelson(at)jasa(dot)org
Feel free to call me if you would like an update on what is going on with Frances and her partner Frank Monaco.
Thank you very much for your concern for these Park Slope neighbors.
Jennifer Epelbaum
jen_epel(at)yahoo(dot)com