10 Days of Giving Back: Sure We Can
Nov 29, 2024 brooklyn,charity,giving,giving tuesday,new york,red hook,Sure We Can
As part of our celebration of the holidays — and as a thank you to the larger community that supports us all year long — Realty Collective is proud to feature the work of key non-profit organizations making the borough (and beyond) better every day. We’ve selected 10 non-profits to highlight and we encourage everyone to learn a bit about their respective missions and, if possible, to join us in making a small monetary donation to further their work. We thank them for everything they do and thank you for supporting a small, woman-owned Brooklyn business for nearly 20 years.
Most New Yorkers are familiar with canners, people collecting cans and bottles to earn a living. It’s tough work and the returns on bottles and cans are just five cents each, requiring a huge outlay of time and energy to make very little money. As such, many canners are among the city’s most vulnerable and marginalized. In 2007, two canners – frustrated by the “economic, emotional, educational and language barriers that limit their possibilities for full participation in society” – founded Sure We Can.
Located in Bushwick, Sure We Can bills itself as a “recycling center, community space, and sustainability hub.” It’s the only site of its kind in the city and, according to a promotional video, serves more than 350 canners who collect approximately 30,000 recyclables every day. Despite the enormous quantity of recycling accomplished there, its founders emphasize that it’s the relationship building that is one of the center’s most vital functions. For a population that can feel invisible as it moves through the city, having a home base that’s welcoming, affirming, and safe can make all the difference. In addition to its recycling program, Sure We Can also offers gardening, composting, and arts opportunities.
Recently, Sure We Can announced plans for its first extension site in East New York. To transform the 3,500 sq ft. lot beneath Broadway Junction, the organization estimates it will need to raise $30,000 by the end of the year. We hope you’ll continue joining us in donating to their important mission.