Month: July 2023

creativity

The danger of Texas school libraries becoming “discipline centers”

Christa Avampato
Photo by Joe Ciciarelli on Unsplash

“Libraries are about freedom. Freedom to read, freedom of ideas, freedom of communication. They are about education, about entertainment, about making safe spaces, and about access to information. We need libraries. We need books. We need literate citizens. I hope we can give our children a world in which they will read, and be read to, and imagine, and understand.” ~Neil Gaiman

When I was a kid, the school library was my refuge. I’d go there when I felt bullied, sad, and lost, and I wanted to escape. I would go to books to go into new worlds that weren’t my physical world. Through them I could travel, find adventure, and be anywhere except where I was when my world was not where I wanted to be. I returned stronger, wiser, and braver because of libraries. 

As I got older, I realized I was not alone in finding my haven in books and libraries. So many kids all over the country, and all over the world, did the same thing if they were fortunate enough to have a library. I also learned millions of children didn’t have libraries to escape to, and that broke my heart and opened my wallet to support libraries, books, authors, reading, writing, and creating in every way I could. When I became a journalist, then an essayist, and then a novelist, my dedication to libraries, books, readers, and writers grew even bigger.

So it’s with devastation that I learned last week about the dire state of school libraries in Houston, Texas that are part of the Houston independent school district (HISD). Superintendent Mike Miles will turn the city’s school libraries into “discipline centers”, and librarian and media-specialist positions will be eliminated. Teachers will be able to send “misbehaving students” to these centers to learn remotely. This is a state decision, not a city decision, and Miles was given this post by the Texas Education Agency. He thinks this will improve student performance in Texas’s largest school district and the 8th largest district in the country.

HISD has 276 schools and 196,943 students. 90% of students identify as ethnic minorities, and 59.4% are economically disadvantaged. They are students who need libraries, extra educational support, and places of refuge. I know this because I was an economically disadvantaged student. Libraries, librarians, and books saved me. They helped me dream of a better life than I had as a kid, and it’s largely because of libraries, librarians, and books that I have the life I have now, a life I love where I make a living through my creativity every day. 

I don’t live in Houston, but I care deeply about these students and what happens to them because they will eventually grow into adults who will go out into our shared world on their own. Without libraries and books, and with goodness knows what goes on in a “discipline center”, imagine how angry and deprived they will be. Imagine how deprived every student in these schools will be without libraries and librarians. What message are we sending all students by denying them free access to books, and the ideas and freedom they afford those who face an unjust uphill climb in our current society? 

Here’s my great hope for the HISD and the city of Houston: that the students, administrators, teachers, voters, politicians, and residents will rise up against Mike Miles. I hope they won’t allow students to be deprived of books, reading, and librarians, and I hope all of us outside of Houston will support them in every way they need. The students of HISD deserve better than this policy, and better than Mike Miles. We can’t allow one man to take their books and their futures from them.

creativity

A guide to find a New York City apartment

Christa Avampato
Photo by chris robert on Unsplash

Are you looking for a new New York City Apartment? Know someone who is? I wrote this guide for you.

In May 2023, I got a new apartment and I learned a lot in the search. After living on the Upper West Side for many years, I found an incredible place in Brooklyn despite the fact that the New York City rental market is the worst it’s ever been. If you or someone you know is searching for a new place to call home in this city, I hope the information I this guide is helpful. If you’ve recently done a search and have tips to share, please post them in the comments to help others.

Tip #1: Decide how much you can afford
Sit down and honestly assess your current finances. What can you afford to pay monthly? How much would you like to pay? How much money do you have upfront to get into a new apartment? Do not start a search until you have these questions answered. In a wild rental market, be clear about staying within your budget. Price trumps everything right now. Also recognize the gap between what you could afford to pay and what you’d like to pay. That distinction is important, and you don’t want a broker to talk you into something you can’t afford. 

Tip #2: Have all your paperwork and money ready to go

Before you begin your search, have all of your paperwork organized and ready to send at a moment’s notice. I kept mine in a Google Drive folder that I could easily share when I put in an application. In that folder, I had the following information:

  • My most recent tax filing
  • Paystubs
  • Letter from my employer saying I’m employed and my salary
  • Letter from current landlord saying I’m in good standing
  • Existing lease with dates and monthly rent listed
  • Credit rating (you can get these for free now without it impacting your credit score from many banks and credit card companies)
  • Bank statements
  • Investment fund statements
  • My dog’s headshot (yep, they asked for it!) and vaccination record
  • Personal references
  • Resume
  • If you’re self-employed, you may also need a letter from your accountant and / or attorney

Not every application requires all of this information but I wanted to have it all ready to go just in case.

Tip #3: Have your money ready to go

Make sure you have money for first month, last month, security deposit, and the broker fee in your bank account, ready to access when you want to make an offer. In this competitive market, you’ll need to jump at a deal as soon as you find one.

Tip #4: Make your peace with paying a broker fee because it might help you in the long run

I hate paying broker fees. I’ve rarely paid them in the past but in this market, fee-free apartments were much less common this time than they were in years past. Also, do the math. I found that the apartments with broker fees were less expensive than those that were fee-free and over the course of a year, the broker fee would be compensated for by a lower monthly rent. So yes, I needed more money up-front but after a year (or less) paying that money upfront would be worth it. I understand that this is a lot to ask of renters, and that I’m tremendously fortunate that I did have the money upfront. I never take that for granted for a moment. In years past, I was neither this lucky nor fortunate.

Tip #5: Streeteasy.com searches are your best resource right now

While there are many ways to find an apartment, I found that the best online resource is Streeteasy.com. It’s the most comprehensive, updated throughout the day, and easy to set up searches to be emailed to you that match your criteria. I tried many others, but ultimately everyone always lists on Streeteasy if they’re listing an apartment online.

Tip #6: Add a personal message to each Streeteasy.com apartment inquiry you send

Once you find an apartment that interests you on Streeteasy.com, don’t just send an anonymous inquiry. Add a personal note with your credit score, annual income, employer, profession, the rental price you want to pay, and the date you’re looking to move. Brokers read these and they often have other apartments that may match your criteria that they have not listed. This is because they pay per listing on Streeteasy.com. Often they’ll list a few, and then tell those that message them about others that they have that aren’t listed. 

Tip #7: Message Streeteasy.com brokers even if they don’t have a listing that matches what you’re looking for

Pursuant to Tip #6, on Streeteasy.com you may find the same brokers popping up in neighborhoods that interest you. Often, there are a few that seem to have a corner on the market of a specific neighborhood. That’s because many of them have deep ties to specific neighborhoods and the landlords, management companies, and property owners there. Streeteasy.com lists their email addresses and phone numbers. Message or call them, tell them what you’re looking for, and ask if they have anything available or coming available soon that might be a good match. 

Tip #8: Tell everyone you know you’re looking for an apartment

Some apartments are pure luck. A friend of a friend of a friend knows a place is about to open up. In case some of these gems are somewhere in your sphere of influence, tell everyone you know by every means you have that you’re looking for a new apartment. Be clear about what you want and tell them so they keep you top-of-mind in case they hear of something.

Tip #9: Be open to not getting everything you want
I hope you find everything you’re looking for in a new apartment. I found I needed a list of non-negotiables and nice-to-haves. There was no perfect apartment. That was pretty evident to me from the outset of my search. My new place does have all my non-negotiables and many of my nice-to-haves, so I knew it was the right fit as soon as I saw the description.

Tip #10: Be open to new neighborhoods

I loved living on the Upper West Side and lived there for many years. However, when I looked at my list of non-negotiables, I quickly realized that I would have to move to a new neighborhood. That was disappointing at first, but I quickly got over it and moved on with my search. And this means I didn’t waste too much time focused on a neighborhood that just didn’t match my needs anymore. Living in a new neighborhood in a borough I’ve never lived in before gave me a fresh and wonderful perspective on life and this city that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Tip #11: See the apartment in-person, and preferably at night

I went to see so many apartments that looked completely different than the photos online. Long shots can make them look bigger than they are. Sometimes the photos were old and the apartments were much more run-down than they looked online. I also went to see many of them at night to see if I’d feel comfortable coming home late at night. Nothing replaces an in-person look!

Tip #12: Show up looking professional and responsible
Brokers and property owners make a split-second decision when they see you. It’s not right, but I saw it happen again and again in this search, especially since a broker usually shows the apartment to multiple people at once. Sometimes I’d go to open houses and there were 30 people there to see it. When you go to see an apartment, look the part of a professional, responsible person. It goes a long way. 

Tip #13: Book movers early

I booked Piece of Cake Moving before I even knew where I would be moving because it was a local move. They were amazing through the whole process. With just a $50 deposit, I could secure my rate, date, and time, and that could be changed later as long as they had availability (and sometimes has a lower or higher fee). Remember that the earlier you book, the lower the rate and the more availability they have.

Tip #14: Be flexible on move date and putting your items in storage

Piece of Cake Moving offers a free month of storage with every rental. Yes, you have to pay to move things into storage and out of storage, but for the right deal that might be worth it to you. It was for me. There was a two-week gap between my old lease and new lease so I got an Airbnb out of town and put my things in storage. This is because it was an incredible deal. Yes, it was a hassle on some fronts, but it was absolutely worth it!

I hope this guide is helpful to you and anyone you know looking for an apartment in New York City. If you’ve got any questions, put them in the comments and I’ll share anything I know. Also, if you have other tips about moving in New York that I didn’t put in this guide, please share those, too. Let’s help each other find a great place to live!

creativity

Thoughts from the inaugural Games and SDG Summit at the UN

Christa Avampato
Me at the United Nations

“Go further than you think you can, or should. Push that boundary of what you could do into the uncomfortable zone because that’s where you know change is happening.” ~ Mathias Gredal Nørvig, CEO of SYBO

Being at the United Nations Games for Change Games and SDG (Strategic Development Goals) Summit to talk with attendees across government, academia, industry, and nonprofits about my sustainability in games research at University of Cambridge with ustwo Games, and learn more about the role of games in promoting sustainability, was nothing short of an honor. I know I was privileged to be in the room.

Because 1/3 of the world population plays games, games need to be a tool for every organization working in sustainability. If you’re interested in learning more about that, please get in touch! I’d love to share ideas of how you can get started! I also encourage anyone and everyone to look into Playing 4 The Planet, the UN’s inspiring games initiative with resources and data for every size of organization.

The summit was filled with incredible presentations about what’s already been done with games, projects that are underway, and the mountain of work ahead. There is one idea that I can’t shake, one perspective that completely changed my point-of-view about my work and my place in the world. It was from Mathias Gredal Nørvig, CEO of gaming company Sybo. He talked about how his company is pushing the boundaries in their communications and storytelling so far that there was a bit of backlash from their community. Rather than seeing this as a mistake or misstep, he saw this as a victory to be celebrated, a milestone that showcases progress. On this border, he saw evolution, change, and a provocative call-to-action. He closed his talk by saying he hopes all of us will have the courage to go further than we think we can, and to push our companies to do the same.

Over the next few weeks and months, I’m going to think about what that boundary is for me and how I can push past it to create breakthrough change. How can I extend myself beyond what I think I’m capable of doing? How can I take a bigger risk, step outside of my comfort zone to do something extraordinary that I’m not certain I can accomplish? How can I dare greatly?

I don’t know the answers to any of those questions right now, but I’m excited and eager to find them and share them. I hope you’ll join me in that quest to rise higher, to go further and faster together. The future of our planet, and all species with whom we share it, depends on it.

creativity

Games and Climate Action at the UN’s inaugural Games and SDG Summit

Christa Avampato
United Nations HQ in NYC – Games for Change

I spent my first year at University of Cambridge researching and writing about the role of video games to encourage climate action. I was fortunate to collaborate with the incredible team at ustwo Games on this work, especially Jennifer Estaris who is a shining star in the games for good space. They are a group of passionate, talented, and deeply committed people. Through our work, I realized that video games can and will play a part in building a healthier, more joyful, safer, and more sustainable world.

Games are for everyone. They unify people across cultures, continents, and every demographic designation. Their stories are timely and timeless. They allow us to reconcile with our past, make sense of our present, and simulate our future with a high degree of accuracy and an abundance of empathy. They help us not only to imagine a better and brighter future, but also create the roadmap to get there. Games can do what so many other tools can’t: they can transcend politics, cross the chasm of experience, and help establish common ground. They are a map, a compass, and a guidebook to the very highest calling of humanity—to be humane to all beings.

Today I’m at the United Nations for the inaugural Games and SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Summit at the UN Headquarters, the kick-off to the 20th Games for Change Festival. I’m honored to be invited with industry professionals, government officials, and sustainable development experts, and look forward to all of the incredible conversations, ideas, and ambitions that will flow through each and every person in the room. Together, we’re building the path to higher ground, and I can’t wait to see what we find. 

creativity

I’m starting my sustainability dissertation at University of Cambridge

Christa Avampato
Photo by Sebastian Unrau on Unsplash

My dissertation proposal has been accepted by University of Cambridge and I have a fantastic supervisor who is based at The London School of Economics and Political Science, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.

I’ll spend the next year developing a framework for climate change storytelling to connect sustainability advocates with family offices investigating sustainable investments and business decisions. I’m passionate about creating win-win-win opportunities for these families, the planet, and all beings who share this home.

The capital shortfall is a massive challenge for the shift to a sustainable society, and my hope is that my dissertation can help contribute a piece of the solution. Here we go!

creativity

New York. What a character. My latest essay for Pipeline Artists.

Christa Avampato
Feature image from dikaya888 (Adobe)

If you know me, you know how much I love New York and how proud I am to be a New Yorker. To that end, this is my toast and roast to dear old New York. Essentially a love letter to my city, published by Pipeline Artists. You can read the full piece here.

An excerpt:
“Dearly Beloved,

We are gathered here today to toast and roast our dear old chum, someone who’s like no one, someone who’s a chameleon, a shape shifter. You may know them as the Big Apple, Gotham, the City So Nice They Named It Twice, the City that Never Sleeps, the Empire City. Many simply call it The City. Me? The nickname I like best is A Beautiful Disaster.

I give you the dynamic, the dastardly, the dreamy—New York.

I’ve left New York multiple times over the years, sworn them off for good, to never return, only to eventually make my way back. I’m not alone in this pursuit to try to live without New York only to find that New York lures me back just by existing.”

You can read the full piece here.