BRONX CLERGY TASK FORCE MEETING

Dear Friends and co-laborers:

We pray that everyone had a safe and blessed summer.  May grace and peace be with you.

Fall is now approaching and we still have a lot of work to accomplish and more networking and partnering in order to accomplish the many tasks and community assistance within our boro.

In the past years, the Bronx Clergy Task Force as an integral part of the Boro President’s Office of Faith Based Initiatives has brought together the unity within our denominations and religious leaders and their communities. Through the efforts of the committee chairs and the membership we have presented Health Fairs and Seminars, Aids Prevention and testing.  Through the efforts of the Finance &Development committee chaired by David Aviles, we have hosted Financial Literacy seminars in various houses of worship, community centers, schools and colleges throughout the Bronx, Queens and Manhattan.  In assistance with foreclosure prevention approximately 1500 homes have been spared of homelessness; and by way of the credit restoration process, credit has been restored to over 500 families.   In response to the immigration issues, the Bronx Clergy Task Force has hosted Immigration Fairs with the NYPD’s community Affairs Unit for Immigrant Services and the United Chaplains of the State of NY. The Health and Insurance Initiative Committee and its Chair Tom Giordano have assisted numerous houses of worship with their insurance and liability concerns, creating an enormous impact and change that will safeguard our houses of worship. He   also introduced the Discount Prescription Card of which 3000+ have been distributed to all families and is currently pursuing a Dental discount card.  We are moving forward with the Education Committee through the tireless efforts of Dr. ElbaLopez-Spanenberg, as we continue to ignite the fires of our education system.  Dr. Lopez has been instrumental in obtaining grants for the various organizations within the Bronx Clergy Task Force family.

Through the efforts of Boro President Ruben Diaz Jr. there was a successful turnout at the various Peace in Our Streets Initiative to keep guns off our streets.  This is an arduous task that will take time and effort on the part of Bronxites to join in the campaign of keeping guns off the hands of our youth and to create laws to protect our borders from illegal gun trafficking.  Our Vice-President Sheik Moussa Drammeh is an asset is pursuing peace in our streets, our boro and our country.

A heartfelt thank you to the organizations and partners that have made an enormous contribution to the goals of the Bronx Clergy Task Force – past-present and future:  such as:  Lt. Jose Torres-NYPD Community Relations, CarmenCruz Lee-CNR Health Care, Diane Cooper-COME Outreach, March of Dimes, BronxAids Services. Fay Morales-Dept. of Labor, Oscar Asencio-Human RightsCommission, Zada Gaines-, Gregory Johnson & Lillian Pyatt- Emblem Health,Rena Gordonson-Home Health Care, Leatrice Wactor-National Black Leadership Commissionon Aids; Rabbi Nissim Nelnecave for his support and prayers; Montefiore Hospital Center; Reinaldo Diaz-Albert EinsteinCollege of Medicine; Pastor Vazquez and Rev. Sibblies, Charles Orvum-PublicRelations; and a special thank you to our dedicated staff that meets you with asmile and courteous attention every month-Felipa Isales, Ray Isales and GloriaWallace.

Many are not mentioned, but it is not intentional, we know who you are.  There are so many people to be grateful for that it would fill pages and pages of this letter.  In recognition of your contributions, an Award Dinner was hosted where our political leaders provided their gratitude by way of proclamations and citations.

We are grateful to the support of our Boro President, the committee chairs, and especially YOU, the members of the Bronx Clergy Task Force. A special thank you to Myisha Taylor and Tracy McDermott – our liaisons with the Boro Pres.

Most of all, we are thankful for the grace and mercy of our Almighty God who instills in our hearts a burning and aching need to fulfill His requirement of us:

Bronx Clergy Task Force is very aware of the increased demands for service currently being felt by our community resources as a result of our aging population and changes in healthcare delivery.  Our upcoming Health &Immigration Fair is scheduled for Thursday, October 4 in Co-op City.  Flyer and information will be distributed at the September 12^th meeting and will also be emailed.

We look forward to another year where change will produce effect, and to networking with new organizations,religious leaders and a stronger commitment from our government agencies and their leaders.

If you have any other advice or thoughts, they would be welcome. You have been an important part of our life, our organization and we value your wisdom.

Bishop Angelo M. Rosario