It’s a name that might evoke serenity and relaxation. But Letchworth Village was anything but.

For decades, the massive complex was home to thousands diagnosed with physical or mental disabilities. Too many, in fact. Residents — especially children — were forced to live in filthy conditions, many times with no clothes to wear and nothing to do.

It was enough to create a national outcry so loud, an entire nation radically reformed disability services.

“I’ve visited penal institutions all over the country,” U.S. Rep. Mario Biaggi said. “I’ve visited hospitals all over the country. I’ve visited the worst brigs in the military. I’ve never seen anything like” Letchworth.

How could he know, less than a half-century later, his granddaughter would experience something tragically similar. But it wasn’t Letchworth Village state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi toured last month — instead, it was Rikers Island. A place also hidden far away from inquiring eyes, this time on a one-square-mile plot of mostly landfill-created dirt in the middle of the East River. But not hidden far enough. more

After decades of personal success, one core mission now drives Stanley Manne: To give back to where he came from. That’s why Manne wrote a check for $18 million to the alumni foundation for his alma mater, The Bronx High School of Science. more

When he first started at CUNY’s City College of New York, Moises Quintero had trouble envisioning professional success for himself. But four years later, things have really changed for Quintero. The Staten Island native did indeed make it into not one graduate program, but three. Despite offers from Columbia and Yale universities, Quintero is about to embark on advanced studies in architecture at Harvard University. more

Putting the words “Green New Deal” together doesn’t quite invoke political unity as one might suspect. Even within the Democratic Party. U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman's $1.43 trillion plan would retrofit some of the highest-need schools. more

Schools are overcrowding across the city, and this part of the Bronx is hardly immune. But ever since the Vatican closed the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and its parochial school and the land was deconsecrated in 2017, many have eyed its valuable West 239th Street land next to Van Cortlandt Park as the perfect site to build a new public school. more

It’s strange to think every time someone sips on a cocktail or a beer in this corner of the Bronx, that drink was approved by Community Board 8.  more

It might seem, more often than not, a community focuses on a few topics du jour when it comes to traffic safety. Among them are bicycle lanes and parking. more

U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman has joined forces with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren on a new resolution they say will dramatically expand and strengthen the care economy while improving conditions and compensation for care workers. more

Getting back to school hasn’t been easy for many, but it’s been especially difficult for New York City. more

Education is a topic of interest in almost any community. But in larger cities like New York — where the mayor calls many of the shots for public schools — it’s even more important to know where those seeking to become the city’s highest-ranking government official stand on the issues. more