MMCC Gets Beacon Contract

By MATTHEW COREY

Beginning this fall, Mosholu Montefiore Community Center (MMCC) will give new meaning to the phrase afterschool special, when it launches Norwood's first Beacon School at MS 80/PS 280 (the two schools share the same building) on Mosholu Parkway.

MMCC Executive Director Don Bluestone said he got the word last Friday that the city had awarded the contract for the MS 80 Beacon to the community center, which is located at the corner of DeKalb Avenue and Gun Hill Road in Norwood.

"I think it is great," Bluestone said in an interview. "We were up against three major citywide agencies. We were the only community-based organization."

The Beacon grant of $400,000 will be used for educational, cultural and athletic activities for children with a special emphasis on middle schoolers, the avowed purpose of the grant, Bluestone said. Funds will be used to bring in new staff and equipment. Existing computers and other materials used by the school can be used during Beacon School hours.

Beacon Schools, a Dinkins-era innovation, are intended to make greater use of public school buildings by opening them after hours for community use. The Beacon School programs will take place on school grounds after school, evenings and weekends.

The Norwood Beacon is the third in District 10, joining the PS 86 Beacon, run by ASPIRA, and the MS 45 Beacon, administered by Pius XII.

Bluestone ascribed MMCC's success in securing the Beacon contract to the support of Norwood community "partners" like the Mosholu Woodlawn South Community Coalition, Community Board 7, State Sen. Guy J. Velella and City Councilwoman June M. Eisland.

Though there is no start date yet, Bluestone said he expected the programs to be up and running by October.

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