More weather by AccuWeather®

BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARTY MARKOWITZ ANNOUNCES $500,000 ALLOCATION TO SUPPORT MUSICA AGAINST DRUGS PROGRAM

Photographs by Kathryn Kirk

In photo from left to right: Anthony Pearson, Donald Lynch, Rubin Bonilla, Arcadio Perez, Borough President Marty Markowitz, Dr. Alma Villegas, Executive and Artistic Director of Musica Against Drugs, Rosa Lozada and William Santos.

Bushwick program provides support for Brooklynites suffering from drug addiction, HIV and AIDS.

On Thursday, October 28, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined Dr. Alma Villegas, Executive and Artistic Director of Musica Against Drugs, Elba Carmona, Chair of the Board of Directors and program participants battling drug addiction, HIV and AIDS to announce new funding for this vital organization.

“Drug addiction, AIDS and HIV are serious problems for the world, for America — and, sadly, especially for Brooklyn. We commend Musica Against Drugs for not only using the power of arts and culture to make life better for those that are suffering — but for truly representing the best — el mejor — of Brooklyn. This group’s commitment to helping those less fortunate is an inspiration to us all. I am so proud — on behalf of all Brooklynites — to allocate $500,000 dollars in capital funding from Brooklyn’s 2005 budget to ensure that this critical program can continue to flourish and assist Brooklynites in need.”

The capital funds allocated by Borough President Markowitz will go toward renovating the Art Center for Community Healing, the building that houses Musica Against Drugs. This program was founded in 1989 by Manny Maldonado (1953-1995) and offers crucial services for 1,500 people each year suffering from drug addiction, HIV and AIDS.

Musica Against Drugs, located on the border of Williamsburg and Bushwick, provides counseling, nutritious food, community health education, and referral services to help clients deal with the physical aspects of drug addiction, HIV and AIDS. Their creative arts program focuses on emotional support, and includes theater presentations, art exhibitions, music shows, poetry readings and more.