Residents of East Flatbush will soon have access to two vital community resources under one roof as Rising Ground, a longtime human services nonprofit, officially opens a Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) and The Yard – East Flatbush Family Enrichment Center (FEC) at 3521 Church Avenue.
The grand opening of the FEC will take place on Saturday, March 22, marking the launch of a space designed in collaboration with the community to support families and children, according to a press release.
The Center, one of 30 FECs launched by the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), offers free, voluntary participation and serves as a hub for engagement, resources, and community building.
“The grand opening of The Yard - East Flatbush Family Enrichment Center marks a new chapter for our community, a space where families can find support, connection, and resources to thrive," said Natasha Esteva, MSW, director of The Yard.
"We are committed to fostering a welcoming environment that uplifts and empowers individuals of all backgrounds. This center is more than just a place — it’s a home for growth, resilience, and collective strength.”
Since its soft launch last year, The Yard has served approximately 1,100 families and has hosted programs such as financial literacy workshops, computer science and coding classes, a summer youth program, and community-wide events like a holiday toy giveaway and a back-to-school resource fair. The new location expands offerings to include a children’s play area, a food pantry supported by The Goldburg Family Foundation, and meeting spaces for local groups.
Key areas within the facility have been named in honor of individuals who have made significant contributions to East Flatbush, including The Rodrick F. Daley Conference Room, Dawn Swaby’s Kitchen, and the Curtis Nelson Comfy Corner.
The opening of the Family Enrichment Center coincides with the establishment of Rising Ground’s East Flatbush Trauma Recovery Center, a vital resource providing mental health services and support for victims of violent crime. The TRC initially launched in August 2023 as a virtual service but now has a physical space staffed with three therapists, a community support coordinator, and a holistic healer. Services are offered in Haitian Creole, Spanish, and English, with on-site childcare available for clients in session.
“Rising Ground’s TRC is designed to help victims of violent crimes overcome barriers to accessing mental health treatment, health care, and legal resources in the acute aftermath of trauma,” said Alan Mucatel, Rising Ground CEO.
“The TRC supports recent victims of violent crime, including survivors of physical assault, sexual assault, gun violence, stabbings, domestic violence, and human trafficking and facilitates healing for survivors of trauma, violence, and loss through an innovative model that blends comprehensive care, advocacy, and outreach. We are immensely proud to be able to bring the Rising Ground TRC to the East Flatbush community.”
The East Flatbush TRC joins two other trauma recovery centers established in New York City with $5 million in City Council funding, aiming to support survivors of physical assault, sexual violence, gun violence, domestic violence, and human trafficking. New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who will deliver remarks at the TRC’s opening on Wednesday, March 19, emphasized the importance of addressing trauma to improve public safety.
The TRC follows a care model developed in 2001 at the University of California San Francisco, which has been shown to improve economic, health, and social outcomes while increasing participation in the legal process. According to TRC Director Gerardine Cadet Mareus, early assessments indicate that clients at the East Flatbush center are already experiencing positive transformations, including reduced psychological symptoms and improved quality of life.
All services at the TRC are available regardless of citizenship status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, religion, nationality, socioeconomic background, or insurance status. Trauma is defined broadly to include both the loss of a loved one and life-altering events that cause severe disruption.
