Community / Preparedness

This is a new section of our web site -- we will continually be adding to it.

IPNTA is serving as a model for the importance of strong community organizations during disaster. The mobilization, activities, and cohesiveness of Independence Plaza North tenants during September 11 are being recognized locally and nationally.

Neighbor to Neighbor -- The Downtown Solution: IPNTA's Guide to Community Healing
 . Downloadable PDF -- http://ipnta.org/downloads/IPNTA_Community_Booklet.pdf
 . HTML Version -- http://ipnta.org/book/
A guide to building community and emergency preparedness. This booklet was developed by the IPNTA Preparedness Committee, with two primary goals: to share the importance of community with our neighbors in lower Manhattan, and to provide quick tips for disaster planning. The information here will be expanded.

September 11th and the Role of the Neighboorhood Association (PDF)
IPNTA VP Diane Lapson was invited to speak at the Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense Strategies.

Her presentation, "Community Organizations Acting During Crisis: 9/11 and Neighborhood Associations" was part of a national summit entitled, The Public As An Asset, Not A Problem. A Summit on Leadership During Bioterrorism, held on February 3-4, 2003.   

Johns Hopkins University's Center for Civilian Biodefense invited a representative of the Independence Plaza North Tenant Association to share our experience of 9/11/01, and the ten-day aftermath, at a seminar held in Washington DC.

The Center felt that IPN's response exemplified the positive ability and resilience of an American Community in an impossible situation. The audience was comprised of medical organizations, government & volunteer emergency responders, members of the Center for Disease Control, etc. Days later we received emails that five groups were already organizing around the country as a direct result of IPN's presentation.
http://ipnta.org/downloads/biodefense_quarter4_4.pdf

Downtown Community Resource Center of NYC
The Downtown Community Resource Center was created in the aftermath of September 11, 2001 to honor, support and facilitate the efforts of those living and working downtown as they work toward the rebuilding and revitalization of Lower Manhattan.

The Downtown Community Resource Center has been assisting IPNTA with a variety of projects, including the Neighbor to Neighbor booklet, a children's art therapy program (Art Reach), and the Computer Center. http://communityresilience.org/nyc/

Related Links
For organizations and additional information, see our Links Page, and the Neighbor to Neighbor Sources Page.