For Karen McCreary, Brooklyn isn’t just a borough; it’s the backdrop of her entire life. She moved to Hoyt Street in Gowanus in 1973, and she has been there ever since. Over the decades, she has watched the neighborhood transform, witnessing both the heartbreak of loss and the beauty of new generations growing up on the same streets where she raised her own four children.
To Karen, the community is built on the simple, vital acts of seeing and talking to one another—at the supermarket, the laundromat, or the cleaners. As she says, “You never know people’s story unless you have a conversation with them.”
A few years ago, Karen reached out to Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC) during a difficult chapter in her life. She was navigating challenges with her rent and SNAP benefits, but more than that, she was looking for a place to turn because she felt “sad, confused, and had trust issues.”
What she found at FAC was more than just administrative help with taxes or a half-priced MetroCard; she found a team of people who listened.
“I came up there and they just said, ‘Just tell us what you need.’ And that’s what I did. And I’ve been part of it ever since.”
The help Karen received sparked a transformation. She didn’t just want to be a recipient of services; she wanted to be “in the loop” and help keep her neighbors informed, too. She transitioned into a dedicated advocate, becoming a familiar face at Gowanus task force meetings and community workshops.
Her advocacy has taken many forms including:
- The BQE Visioning: Karen participated in “walking tours” under the BQE bridge, documenting the falling garbage and neglect. She marched during a BQE Workshop event in Manhattan, carrying a handmade sign that read: “Clean up what you messed up.”
- Community Outreach: She helped others to learn and take action, hanging flyers for meetings and encouraging seniors and young adults to get involved.
- The Fight for Food Access: Karen was a voice in the push for a new supermarket. Recently, she celebrated the grand opening of the new Lidl grocery store on 5th Avenue and Baltic Street.
Beyond her advocacy, Karen is a woman of vibrant passions. She has a lifelong love for fashion, insisting that every outfit must match—a standard she has held since she was a little girl.
She is also the designated cook for her family and neighborhood, a role she took over after her mother passed away in 1998. For Karen, the kitchen is a sanctuary.
“Cooking is like a source of therapy to me. I put on my music—gospel, R&B, classics—and I just start getting busy.”
One of her favorite memories at FAC captures her spirit perfectly: during a Three Kings Day celebration, the music “hit her soul,” and she jumped up to dance the salsa, bringing a smile to everyone’s face.
As Karen looks toward 2026, her relationship with FAC remains a cornerstone of her life. She views the organization not just as a resource center, but as a family. Whether she’s splitting a coupon with Mike at the new Lidl grocery store or learning about her rights as a tenant, Karen continues to be a witness to and a maker of change in Gowanus.
For Karen McCreary, the work continues, fueled by communication, patience, and a deep, abiding love for the place she calls home.
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