The inaugural Norwood Community Appreciation Block Party was held on Oct. 17 on Tryon Avenue in the Norwood section of the Bronx. Alina K. Dowe and Sedella M. Harvin, two Norwood residents, joined forces with the nonprofit, Using Positive Initiatives Effectively (UPIE), and The Dowe Twins, a brand created to bring awareness to, and empower kids who learn differently from others, to host the event.

 

UPIE is Dowe’s nonprofit which she started in October 2020 with the mission of identifying and developing initiatives to make positive change in the community.

 

Meanwhile, as previously reported, Princeton and Brazil Dowe, 11-year-old twins from Norwood, started their entrepreneurial journey in 2016 when they were just 7 years old. Their website, www.dowetwins.com, describes their determination to make changes within their community by spreading positive messages regarding health and education, despite facing certain learning challenges.

 

To date, the duo have launched their own Water2Kids brand of water, have published a number of kid-friendly books, and encourage supplemental learning through the use of trivia activity workbooks and flashcard game packages. According to their website, www.dowetwins.com, the twins also set an example to other kids by working hard at school.

The organizers of the block party obtained a permit to close the avenue between East Gun Hill Road and Reservoir Oval West for the event, saying, “We really wanted to let people get in the street and get involved.”

 

The party comprised of a DJ, free kids’ clothes, donated by The Dowe Twins, and free COVID-19 tests, donated by Helen Peña of MVT marketing. Michael Welch, author of the book, “How to Make Crafts Using Recycled Materials,” set up a table at the event to make crafts and toys with the kids. He said he got involved with the block party after participating in a prior event with Dowe.

There was free food, including hot dogs, a cake donated by Harvin, drinks and 400 prepared food boxes donated by the restaurant, Taste So Good, located on 1752 Lafayette Avenue in Soundview. The restaurant was a partner of the nonprofit, “Rethink,” which links organizations and programs with designated food outlets to reduce food insecurity across New York City.

 

Rethink Certified empowers restaurants to feed their communities in need using surplus, donated, or purchased food, while Rethink Café is the group’s donation-based café, where anyone can come and enjoy a fresh, nutritious meal.

According to Rethink’s LinkedIn page, through various programs, the organization has partnered with over 50 New York City restaurants and dining establishments and served over 2 million meals through 75+ community organizations.

 

Dowe said prior to the event, the organizers had reached out to local businesses to see if they could donate anything but didn’t get any immediate responses from many businesses. Ultimately, she said they’re trying to show local businesses that it’s important for the community to stick together and get everyone more involved, to improve the neighborhood and help to reduce crime.

 

Meanwhile, Harvin said the objective was also to try to get people in the neighborhood to come out and enjoy the party. “We’re giving back,” she said. “I asked, ‘Could I do something for my community?’ We went around and asked. Some people gave, some people didn’t want to.” She added, “We want our kids to come out and have fun.”

 

Unfortunately, the block party faced its fair share of challenges on the day. The bounce house truck broke down on its way to the party, and an overcast sky threatened the celebration with rain for most of the afternoon. Some attendees believed this was partly why more people didn’t come out on the day.

 

“This is nice for the neighborhood, but more people need to come out,” said Viola Washington, who lives on Jerome Avenue. “That lets your neighbors know that you care about them in this area.” She added that she, herself, came out to support Harvin, who is her sister.

 

Carol Lang, another Norwood resident who lives on the block where the party was held, said she didn’t know if the organizers got the word out fast enough. “I think it’s too bad that there aren’t more people around,” she said. “But I think overall, they’re trying to knit the community together.”

Harvin said they hope to do another block party next year in the summer, with Dowe adding that, they hope, in fact, to organize more block parties more frequently in the future so that the community knows there’s a place for them to get together and support one another.

 

To learn more about how to become a community-based partner or restaurant with Rethink, visit Rethinkfood.org. More information about The Dowe Twins can be found at facebook.com/DoweTwins.

 

*Síle Moloney contributed to this story.