COURIER LIFE, AUG. 16-22, 2019 29
The Be Proud Foundation
has joined the New York City
Police Department’s 61st Precinct
and the 61st Precinct
Community Council to celebrate
the National Night Out
on Tuesday, August 6th. This
amazing event took place at
the 61st Street Courtyard,
2575 Coney Island Ave.
This nationwide annual
event is designed to promote
community-police awareness.
Guests enjoyed a solid
entertainment program that
included music, rides and
fine food. Local community
leaders and elected officials
were in attendance to share
valuable insights and crime
prevention tips.
Raisa Chernina, the
founder of Be Proud, noted,
“It is our sincere pleasure
to recognize our local police
who are remarkable people.
It is because of them, that we
have a sense of security and
peace of mind. This is a wonderful
opportunity to show
them our community is 100
percent behind them.” Local
food vendors participated,
and all food including Hal-al
and Kosher was provided and
served for free. “This cooperation
between small business
owners reflects the sense
of community togetherness,
while also celebrating its diversity.
“
The Be Proud Foundation
is always keen on highlighting
people who make communities
a better place to live
in. This year’s superhero was
Alexander Lotovsky, who has
contrib-uted to many charitable
events and projects
such as National Night Out,
and who sup-ported churches
and synagogues. A loyal supporter
of law enforcement,
Lotovsky partic-ipates in ongoing
dialogue with police
and sponsors its community
events. As Chernina is quick
to point out, “He has put in
much effort and own time
to maintain communities’
growth.”
The socially responsible
entrepreneur is the co-founder
of Citiscape, an application
de-signed to provide DOB and
ECB Alerts and streamline
the red tape requirements for
ar-chitects, developers, real
estate agents, and business
owners. Alexander’s partner
and Chief Operating Officer
is Olga Khaykina, a leader
and innovator in an industry
long dominated by men. “The
app,” she explains, “helps to
prevent problems, fines, and
penal-ties from DOB and assists
construction team in
project management through
a simple tap of a button. Its
most popular features include
the Citi-Link Notifications
for complaints, violations,
plan examination, and
other required items.”
As Lotovsky has been involved
in the construction
business for more than 15
years, he knows firsthand
the involved process in which
new business owners often
find them-selves. He has seen
many were fined for violations
simply because they were unaware
of requirements.
As a strong supporter of
small business, Lotovsky
wanted to find a way to help
them. The Citiscape App provides
that support. It is designed
so that it integrates
with various city agencies,
keeping business owners
aware of requirements so
that they can avoid fines and
violations. “Technology empowers
the community, and
it empowers small business,”
he says. “This bridges the gap
between city agencies, small
business, and consumers. It
helps fulfill people’s dreams
about becoming successful.”
Chernina agrees. “His
business makes a social impact,
and supports the interests
of the New York community.”
Even first-time
homeowners can take advantage
of the user-friendly app
to better understand work
permits and to track and organize
information.
Lotovsky is quick to credit
his “amazing team of powerful
people” who were instrumen
tal in helping him develop
the app.
Be Proud often partners
with police, schools, and community
businesses to better
neigh-borhoods and improve
quality of life. The not-forprofit
organization works
with families and the community
to promote acceptance
and understanding throughout
the borough, and National
Night Out exemplifies
this goal. The foundation has
been actively engaged with
this event for a decade, and it
has attracted an increasing
number of participants each
time.
Chernina holds a special
place in her heart for police
officers because decades ago,
when she was assimilating to
this country from the Soviet
Union, the police were very
kind to her. She has always
remembered that.
Be Proud Foundation 2805
E. 26th street between Emmons
Avenue and Shore Parkway
in Sheepshead Bay, (718)
788-7773.
www.Citiscapeapp.com 110
W. 40th St., Suite 2310, Manhattan,
NY, (833) 248-4727.
Be Proud National Night Out 2019
/www.Citiscapeapp.com
/www.Citiscapeapp.com