Rededication of 106 Gerry Street

Unveiling a plaque for the building’s namesake Nancy DesGrottes

St. Nicks Alliance was joined by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso (3^rd from left) and others to rededicate 106 Gerry Street to Nancy DesGrottes, a former staff member who was killed by domestic violence over twenty years ago. Also pictured are (l to r) Ezra Brathwaite (property manager, St. Nicks Alliance), Joseph Yanis (chief of staff for NYS Assembly Member Maritza Davila), Michael Rochford (exec. dir. for St. Nicks Alliance), Leana Pardo, exec. dir. of North Brooklyn Coalition Against Family Violence, Evelyn Cruz (district dir. for U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez), and Frank Lang (dep. exec. dir. of housing for St. Nicks Alliance).

The end of the year is a time of year that is often dedicated to our memories. On December 9, the time came to rededicate 106 Gerry Street to its namesake Nancy DesGrottes.

Nancy DesGrottes served with St Nicks Alliance for over five years, rising from controller to the most senior level position, director of finance. Nancy was an accomplished certified public accountant (CPA) and very skilled at nonprofit accounting and financial management. Her loss came as a severe blow to all staff of St. Nicks Alliance. She was a beloved coworker and supervisor. She achieved academic accolades in school — she was valedictorian of her class. This list could have gone on and on, but for the fact that her life was cut short when she was ambushed and shot by her husband after she’d decided to leave him.

“Nancy was such a beautiful and professional person who was admired by all the staff who deeply appreciated her knowledge and expertise as well as the personal support she gave to her team,” said Janice McKnight (St. Nicks Alliance).

St. Nicks Alliance named 106 Gerry Street, Nancy DesGrottes Apartments in 1998. As the building was recently renovated they took the opportunity to remind the community of the wonderful person who the building is named in honor of.

NYC Council Member Lincoln Restler stands next to the plaque informing visitors and residents of the building’s namesake Nancy DesGrottes.

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, NYC Council Member Lincoln Restler, Evelyn Cruz, district dir. for U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Joseph Yanis, chief of staff for NYS Assembly Member Maritza Davila; St. Nicks Alliance staff and community leaders came out for the ribbon cutting and the unveiling.

“Last week, we celebrated the renovated Nancy DesGrottes Apartments and the preservation of 46 permanently affordable homes in South Williamsburg. This was largely thanks to the hard work of the tremendous team at St. Nicks Alliance who secured $14 million for top-to-bottom renovations to ensure these 46 apartments will be in good condition and permanently affordable to low-income households. This building honors the memory of Nancy DesGrottes, a beloved St. Nicks [Alliance] leader whose life was tragically taken in 1997 in a domestic violence incident,” said Restler.

“This building is dedicated in her memory to celebrate her ideals, spirit, and the joy for which she lived her life,” reads the final line of the plaque.