Boerum Hill’s Strong Place Day Care Center will soon be renamed in honor of Hope Reichbach, the City Council staffer who worked to save the facility from city budget cuts.
The center’s board of directors is poised to make the formal announcement because it was so moved by Reichbach’s advocacy, a source at the day care center said.
Councilman Steve Levin (D–Boerum Hill), who was Reichbach’s boss, called the decision “incredible and meaningful tribute” to the woman who worked to secure funds for the center.
At her funeral on Sunday, Levin cited Reichbach’s dedication to helping constituents in brownstone Brooklyn, and her particular fervor toward childcare centers.
“She understood that your problems were her problems,” said Levin. “Hope made time and followed up with everyone. She made everybody feel special.”
Reichbach served as Levin’s communications director and a liaison to Boerum Hill and Cobble Hill until she was found dead in her Schermerhorn Street apartment last Thursday from an overdose of prescription drugs.
On Sunday, Reichbach received a funeral that drew nearly 1,000 mourners.
Strong Place Day Care is one of 16 centers, including 11 in Brooklyn, that have been targeted for closure by the city this year due to budget cuts — though it has survived closure in the past.
Councilwoman Letitia James (D–Fort Greene), who worked closely with Reichbach on the day care campaign, said that renaming Strong Place would be “quite appropriate.”
And Age Pjetergjoka, a staff member, called Reichbach a “clever, kind and determined young lady.”
“I know that she’ll forever be a part of Strong Place,” said Pjetergjoka. “She’s going to be missed not just from Strong Place, but by the community of Brooklyn.”
