On Friday, March 25, Bleecker Street Manager and social activist Diane Frankling passed away.

The rundown buildings on Bleecker Street had been managed by City Home. In 1990 they were converted to a co-op. Diane has been the manager since the conversion.

Diane's involvement in co-ops spanned four decades but it was at Bleecker that Diane’s best work was done. She set about working with the members to create an inclusive community. Diane didn’t just talk about diversity, she insured that Bleecker set an example for the rest of the co-op movement.

Diane was fearless in taking a stand on issues of diversity. She worked to ensure that people who are HIV positive had decent affordable and secure housing. She ensured that young people in the co-op were part of every activity. People of all races, sexual orientation, ages, and income were part of the leadership at Bleecker Co-op. In particular, Diane’s contribution to young people in the co-op and beyond is difficult to measure.

Bleecker Street Co-op has received countless awards from all levels of the co-op housing movement and numerous other community based organizations. They have been a winner of the CHFT award for youth every year since it was established. It is for this reason, that CHFT has decided to name our youth award, The Diane Frankling Youth

 
Cactus Creative