Fighting for Engine 36
Woody has not only been one of the leading advocates and organizers in the fight to save Engine 36, he has led demonstrations, rallies and prayer vigils in front of Engine 36, the firehouse on 125th Street. He has also taken the fight to Mayor Bloomberg's doorsteps on the Upper East Side and Gracie Mansion, as well as holding press conferences on the steps of city hall. Woody believes that the safety of our families is more important than balancing a budget.
Fighting for Children and Families
Woody is a former Court Appointed Special Advocate. Although he is not yet a member of the city council, Woody has already written resolutions that have been endorsed, voted on, and adopted by members of the city council. These resolutions are #27 and #22. They call for the appointment of a special federal prosecutor to look into the unfair and unconstitutional ways the family courts and ACS deals with families in communities of color.
Fighting for Economic Development in Harlem
Woody supports development in Harlem, the kind that will not only benefit but include the residents of Harlem, while providing fair pay and decent jobs.
Fighting for Education
Woody served as Vice President of the PS9 PTA on the Upper West Side. He not only understands why it's important but also how to get parents more involved in advocating for their children's rights in public schools. This can be attested to by his own daughter who graduated from Brooklyn Tech and is now on the Dean's list at Penn State University. Woody has also worked with other activist groups to help focus attention on the city and state's failure to provide a fair share of the budget to help pay teachers and provide a quality education for students in disenfranchised communities including Harlem.
Fighting for Seniors and Grandparents Right's
Woody has gone to both family and housing court to support seniors who could not get sufficient assistance from their political representatives. He also supports New York State Senator Saland's Grandparent and Care-Givers Rights Act, #S.4224.
Fighting for Homeless Issues and Against Police Brutality
Woody has been standing up to city hall bullies and pushing back their efforts to harass and arrest people who's only crime is that they have no decent or safe place to live. Woody helped provide food, clothing and a place to sleep for many homeless men through a partnership that he helped forum between a Harlem Church and a West Side Synagogue when he was Co-chair of the Canaan Baptist Church of Christ's Social Action Commission. He also served as president of the NY Chapter of the National Action Network, where he fought with Rev. Sharpton and others to stop police brutality and police profiling which he will continues to do as an activist for change.
