Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association Inc.

Hi Community Members,

We here at Banana Kelly are proud to share that The College Avenue Community Garden of Hope got a full refresh this week, and we’re grateful for every hand that showed up.

Thank you to our partners at Acacia Network for bringing strong energy, harm‑reduction values, and real labor to this cleanup effort.

We also want to uplift Ms. Wanda Sweeney longtime garden steward, resident council leader, and the heart of this green space.

For decades, Ms. Sweeney has protected, nurtured, and fought for this garden on College Avenue, right across from Patterson Houses. Her leadership keeps this space alive for the community.

Together, we cleared overgrowth, opened up pathways, and prepared the garden for a season of growth, gathering, and healing.

This is what Bronx collaboration looks like organizations, residents, and elders working side by side to care for the land and each other.

If you’d like to get involved with the College Avenue Community Garden of Hope or support future green‑space work, contact:
Shen’naque Sean Butler [email protected] | 516‑669‑0218

Hi Community Members!

As we begin entering the summer months and heat, Banana Kelly is hard at work to meet with all of our residents to speak directly with them and create plans to meet the goals you want!

Over the past days we've met with the mothers, seniors, young adults and working families of 201 E 120 ST and 750 Bryant Ave to sit down with you and have discussions of any prevalent issues within their communities and how together, we can create a community we can all feel proud of!

Banana Kelly Community Day This Saturday! 🌱💛

Bronx family, we’re excited to bring you a hands‑on Community Day this Saturday, May 16 from 10AM–2PM at 970 Prospect Ave!

We’ll be breaking down easy ways to grow fresh food at home even in small apartments. Come learn about composting, microgreens, mushrooms, and aquaponics in a fun, simple, and family‑friendly way. Bring the kids, bring a neighbor, come build with us.

And don’t forget we’re hosting a Two‑Day Food Distribution for Banana Kelly residents:

🍎 Mon, May 18 — Pantry Food (12–5PM)

🥬 Tue, May 19 — Fresh Produce (12–5PM)
📍 830 Fox St | Bring a bag | Supplies limited

For more info, contact Shen’naque Sean Butler
📞 516‑669‑0218 | 📧 [email protected]

Happy Saturday to all our community members!

Banana Kelly is proud to share the completion of our recent community enrichment program led by Assemblywoman Chantel Jackson! Joined by other key figures of our community such as Senator Luis Sepúlveda and Councilmember Justin Sanchez, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work!

Over the course of 3 days we cleaned up the trash in our streets, revitalized the parks our children play in, and enriched the community to ensure all members of our community have a sense of pride when they go outside.

The most inspiring aspect of this project however, was seeing the youth from many of our local schools attend and lend a hand, ensuring the future of our community is in safe hands!

Follow both our Facebook and Instagram pages to say informed of any future events!

Half‑Nelson Playground was full of life for our Earth Day clean‑up. Neighbors, youth, and partners came together to protect a space built for our kids.

Banana Kelly provided food relief for over 100 Bronx families through our partnership with New York Common Pantry, along with a small but mighty group of volunteers who worked side‑by‑side with the community.

A tremendous thanks to the NYPD Community Affairs Unit, which brought the vibe basketball games with the youth, real connection, and the NYPD Explorers Color Guard opening the day with pride and discipline.

Big love to Parks & Recreation, the Bronx Parks Commissioner, CB5 Committees, On‑Point, Bx CRN, WEPA, NYPD Explorers, New York Common Pantry, and every volunteer who made this Earth Day moment powerful.

If you want to get more involved in community work, reach out to Shen’naque Sean Butler at [email protected]

Last night, Banana Kelly joined nearly 100 Bronx residents, youth, and community partners at the BLOC Community Dinner at the Bronx Museum of the Arts.

It was a beautiful night rooted in connection, storytelling, and collective purpose made possible by the full BLOC coalition working together.

You may have noticed the room is filled with purple and white shirts. That’s because when we show up as part of the BLOC, every organization wears the coalition colors to stand in solidarity as one.

So, when you see the purple and white, you’re seeing Banana Kelly, and you’re also seeing all the other coalition members who make up the BLOC united for the Bronx.

The dinner brought together youth leaders, elders, organizers, and advocates to reflect on our history, honor our resilience, and imagine the future we’re building together.

Moments like this remind us that real change in the Bronx happens when we move collectively.

We’re proud to be part of this coalition and proud of the Bronx we’re building in community.

When you see the purple and white, you see all of us standing together for a stronger Bronx.

If you’d like to learn more or get involved with the BLOC coalition, reach out to Shen’naque Sean Butler at [email protected] or 516‑669‑0218.

🌆 Proud to Show Up for the Bronx

We were honored to join so many amazing organizations at the Bronx Rental Ripoff Hearing & Resource Fair.

Our team connected with tenants, shared resources, and stood with community members who bravely testified about the housing challenges they face.

Events like this remind us why we fight for safe, dignified, and affordable housing every day.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table and to all the partners working alongside us for housing justice in the Bronx.

Together, we rise. 💛🏘️

Every month, during the third week, we host our community Food Distribution to support families across the South Bronx and we’re inviting partner organizations to join us.

If your organization would like to table, share resources, or collaborate, connect with our Community Organizer, Shen’naque Butler, at 516‑669‑0218 or [email protected].

Let’s continue strengthening our community together.

Hope to see you there and don’t forget to bring your bag 🛍️

On the evening of January 10th, Banana Kelly had the honor to host a press conference for the Tenant Association of 643 Southern Blvd.

We've been working alongside members of this community for the past two years to hold Denali Management accountable for the conditions of the building.

The landlord, who was ranked 6th worst landlord in NYC by Office of The Public Advocate in 2024, has had tenants across all of NYC organize against him within the past two years.

During this press action, Gina Williams representing the Public Advocate was in attendance, and expressed the Office's willingness to continue standing with tenants against these notorious landlords.

The BronxDefenders, who also came to support the tenants, echoed similar promises. As they themselves put it, "the landlord who owns this building would not live in the same conditions, so how dare they allow tenants to live in this condition."

Banana Kelly will continue to assist all members of our community, who live in unacceptable conditions.

For more information, click on the link below to read the article covering the action by the BronxTimes.

https://www.bxtimes.com/hunts-point-tenants-rally-david-tennenbaum/

We're ending the month of January by giving back to our community!

As we have done every month, we're hosting a free food distribution event for our residents. This two-day event will take place January 20th and January 21st right within the lobby of 830 Fox Street from 12:00 P.M until 5:00 P.M.

Here's the plan,

On Tuesday, January 20th, expect to receive some great pantry food. Rice, pasta, and canned fruit are just some of what you can expect.

On Wednesday, January 21st, we're giving away fresh vegetables. From carrots, lettuce, and beets, this is an opportunity you can't miss!

If you're interested, don't hesitate to reach out to our Community Organizer, Shen'naque Butler at, 516-669-0218 & [email protected].

Hope to see you there and don't forget to bring your bag!

Happy New Year everyone!

As we begin 2026, we are sad to announce that our main office at 863 Prospect Avenue is still closed due to the fire from the prior month.

Thankfully, none of our staff were injured, however until the foreseeable future the main office will remain closed. In light of this, please take note of the following announcements.

All rent payments must be submitted online via our Zego program. Find the link at the bottom of this post to start an account as well as a number to contact for support.

If you need to speak with our staff, visit our secondary office located at 941 Intervale Avenue or call 718-328-1064 extension 201.

https://payments.gozego.com/index_out.php?pm_id=76371115.
866-729-5327

payments.gozego.com