As a Sister of St. Dominic in Amityville NY, Dr. Georgianna Glose sees herself as a neighborhood nun. She hopes to be part of positive change and to be a presence to the poor. She began spending summers in the city with her congregation, and in 1981, she and a few sisters decided to stay. 

She was teaching at New York City College of Technology in 1996 when Mayor Mario Cuomo rolled out the Strategic Neighborhood Action Alliance, which incentivized communities to plan for the next 5 years. Together, they explored the needs of the community around education, health, housing, and economic development. They developed Fort Greene SNAP which Dr. Glose continues to run today.

Fort Greene SNAP offers literacy and job placement programs, support for grandparents who are raising grandchildren, help navigating healthcare and many other services.

Though needs of the neighborhood have shifted over the last 20 years, the heart of the organization remains constant.  Glose creates a peaceful and hospitable place to meet people where they are and help them get to the next place.

Her advice is to find your skill and offer it. We have to be ready to advocate. If we work together, we can all contribute our little bit.