Author Archives: Yelena Melnichenko
Protected: Buried in Bensonhurst- Conflict Story
Protected: Conflict Story Questions
Protected: JCH Draft
Protected: Community Service Questions
Hard Times Along Gasoline Alley
“Hard Times Along Gasoline Alley” depicts the world of gas pumping in a way that most drivers, and perhaps pedestrians, don’t see it. Of course, we know that these assistants offer their services in exchange for cash. What many don’t know is that this job may be their only means for survival and that, aside from standing by the station, it’s a challenging and in some ways demeaning job.
James Angelos introduces the subjects through a lead that’s not only entertaining and dramatic but also somewhat vague. Although the illustration slowly reveals itself, the ambiguity of it is what attracts readers. He intermingles money throughout the entire article by showing specific situations and describing their tips as a general aspect of the job.
The first subjects, ‘hustlers’, as Angelos calls them, are rarely employed by the gas stations. Most of them simply stand by the pumps and offer their help. Sometimes they get tickets, sometimes they get kicked out, and sometimes station attendants are so accustomed to their presence that they just let them do their work. And, rather than outwardly stating that the gas pumpers had difficulties, Angelos let them speak for themselves. DMX, one of the gas pumpers mentioned, said “I’m going to get every car that gets in here. I got to eat.” Angelos continues by mentioning that it is a cutthroat business with gas pumpers constantly fighting with one another over customers. They put on smiles and happy faces for their customers, douse them in compliments, and hope for a few dollars. Once their customers have driven off, they put up that tough exterior once more to intimidate each other.
Following up on the gas pumpers, Angelos digs into the world of road-side assistants and repairmen who help drivers install recently purchased parts for their cars and fix exterior problems on a dime. Some, like Mr. Joseph, make enough money to support themselves and enjoy their job, others still struggle.
But even with their difficulties obtaining fast money, many maintain a positive attitude. Angelos emphasizes this by quoting Green, “If you do good, you shall prosper.” And with these hard times along gasoline alley, that’s all they could hope for.
Protected: Panino Rustico
Marks JCH of Bensonhurst
The Marks JCH of Bensonhurst is a Jewish Community Center that’s been thriving in the heart of Brooklyn since 1927. In its mission, “As a center of a Jewish community life in Brooklyn for over 80 years, the Marks JCH of Bensonhurst provides meaningful, enjoyable programs and services for families and individuals in all stages of life. We are a communal gathering place where people can derive satisfaction from shared educational, cultural, and recreational experiences…We are an integral partner in the delivery of community-based, accessible social services that meet the present and emergent needs of our constituents. As part of this partnership, we value the collaboration of other community and citywide organizations to meet our goals. We respect our constituents and treat them with dignity. In order to increase the health and well-being of our constituents, we design programs and services that meet their expressed needs in a timely and responsive manner. We play an active role in the community-at-large including the public and private sector. Our doors are open to the multiple communities we serve and we pledge to a good neighbor, respecting the diversity of our constituents.”
In order to achieve these goals, the ‘J’ offers social services to immigrants and struggling low-income families by providing legal and educational help as well as financial assistance. Additionally, they offer a variety of educational programs for children, teens, and adults to help them grow and learn new skills. Most importantly, however, the ‘J’ keeps its doors open to all members of the community and allows them to congregate in sport, recreation, and community service.
I have personally witnessed the services that the JCH, also known as the ‘J’, has to offer. I started off as a volunteer for the Teen Advocacy Program in 2009, participated in the Photography Club and the Russian Literacy Club, attended a leadership camp over the summer, branched off into ‘Telem’, and it’s successor ‘We Are Family’ (Russian-Jewish Leadership Programs that sent its participants to Israel and Ukraine), worked as a summer camp counselor, and finished off as an afterschool counselor in 2012. Along the way, I’d participated in ‘ArtsFest’, a program that collaborates with the Maccabi Games, and have volunteered over 1000 hours of my time in soup kitchens, food pantries, and the like. The JCH has truly made a difference in my life and most definitely the lives of others. It encourages youth to play an active part in their community and builds a sense of responsibility and understanding.
Thus, I believe that this center is the perfect place to focus my article on. I am hoping to uncover how the neighborhood has impacted the ‘J’s community service aspects, how its programs have changed, and how it hopes to keep serving a changing neighborhood.