Character of the Village

Patricia Laraia, Community Advocate

By Brian and Joy Pape

Since Patricia joined the Community Board 2 (CB2) in 2017, her presence has been felt. I (Brian) have worked with Patricia on CB2 since 2018, and appreciate her dedication and friendly cooperation with everyone. She has done so much for the community, we wanted you to get to know about her.

VV: Tell us about yourself and what you want the community to know.
PL: I am a doer at heart. If I see a problem I can’t help but try to find a solution. In 2014 my sons were just two of the 800 students at PS3; the school was so overcrowded – with zero outdoor space. I was a young mom and didn’t even know where to start, but I figured out who the decisionmakers were, and connected with Jeannine Kiely, who was the Chair of the Community Board 2 (CB2) Schools & Education Committee to make Grove Street the “Play Street” the school and children enjoy to this day.

I also spent years fighting for a zoned middle school on the west side with the 75 Morton Community Alliance. I remember many meetings with the Department of Education, the School Construction Authority, and CB2. That effort culminated in the establishment of 75 Morton (MS 297), which is now in its seventh year and stands as a testament to what grassroots advocacy can achieve.

Where are you from, and where do you live now?
I’m Jamaican by birth, grew up in Long Island and have called the West Village home for the past 26 years.

What brought you to the Village?
When we were dating, my husband Craig and I loved coming to the Village. He’s an amazing cook – and so we’d go to Faicco’s for the meat for his traditional Italian gravy, Murray’s for cheese, and bread from Zito’s. We spent a lot of time around Commerce and Barrow going to shows at Cherry Lane and having dinner at Grange Hall. Some of our favorite memories are of the Bedford Barrow Commerce Street Fair.

In our travels we got to know the local shop keepers, restaurant staff and many of our future neighbors. The warmth of people, the quiet cobblestone streets, St. Luke’s garden and the Hudson River – even then it felt like home – so we decided to plant our roots and raise our family here.

What was the beginning of the pandemic like for you?
It was a frightening time, especially after our dear friend lost his spouse. During the lockdown, our building’s rooftop garden was our sanctuary – we were lucky to be able to garden and talk with our neighbors safely. Serving on the Community Board during that period allowed me to continue my educational advocacy work and connect with the greater community. It was the last year of high school for my oldest, Devin. He missed prom and didn’t get to walk at graduation, and after starting college in 2020, he had to come home just five weeks later when everything went virtual. I know many families are still feeling the impact even now.

What feels different in the neighborhood now?
I’ve watched the neighborhood change so much over the years – gentrification is nothing new. But, so many people left for greener pastures during the pandemic and didn’t return. Now it’s even less diverse and too expensive for most. There are a lot of transplants, and it doesn’t feel like it used to.

That’s why I feel a sense of hope with Mayor-elect Mamdani. His affordable housing initiatives give me hope that my own sons, who are now young adults, might one day be able to settle and raise their families nearby.

How do you get around the city?
I walk a lot and take the subway when I want to get somewhere fast.

Tell us about your work.
I am a community organizer and education advocate. My work is about effecting change where I live. I’ve served on Manhattan Community Board 2 for the past 8-years. I am the Chairperson of the Schools & Education Committee and Vice-Chair of the Cannabis Licensing Committee. Formerly I served on the Arts & Institutions, and SLA Committees and co-Chaired the Equity Working Group.

I’m very active in my club, Village Independent Democrats (VID). I sit on its Executive Committee and Chair its Schools Committee. I was elected in June to County Committee, and as a Judicial Delegate, which involves vetting local judges that will be on election ballots.

What is your favorite thing about your work?
Solving problems and honoring history. As CB2 Schools Chair, I’ve helped secure much needed capital improvements, and programming for 12 of our district schools like new bathrooms, technology upgrades, water fountains, play yards and play streets for safety and fresh air.

As co-chair of the Equity Working Group, I helped ensure that NYU honored the former site of the African Grove Theater by naming a planned theater at 181 Mercer Street in honor of the 1821 Black theater.

What is the most challenging part?
The biggest challenge is when you don’t achieve the change you’ve advocated for, or when it’s difficult to build a consensus. Anyone who does this work knows they may never see it come to fruition – but the work is the point – not the rewards.

What are you passionate about?
Family, community service, and gardening.

Do you have favorite spots in the Village?
Yes, I love L’Accolade on Bleecker Street and Palma and Oscar’s Place. Some of our favorites are gone but not forgotten like Ithaca on Barrow St, Po, Grange Hall, Leroy House and En Japanese Brasserie which have all closed and were my old stomping grounds. Many anniversaries and birthdays were celebrated there.

Any parting words?
My hope for the Village is that any housing that gets built is truly affordable for working class people. We must ensure the next generation has the opportunity to find the same beauty and peace in this neighborhood as my family. I encourage everyone to consider joining their community boards to help make New York better.