By 
It costs less to be friends
Preserving humanity one friend at a time
About Us
Adopt-A-Friend, Inc. is a New York Based not-for–profit 501(C)(3) Tax Exempt Organization founded in June 2004. Adopt-A-Friend’s mission is to: Promoting a peaceful co-existence among all people. Promote public safety in all communities, and promote protection of the environment and the animals.
Vision: To achieve its mission through various initiatives and programs such as: Peace December projects (PD), Community Peace Patrol project (CPPO), Public Emergency Management Adherence (PEMA), and The New York Peace Coalition (NYPeaceC).
In 2010, Governor David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and New York State Senator Ruth Hassell- Thompson issued proclamations to declare the month of December as Peace Month in New York City.
This historic moment was hosted in the Bronx Rotunda under the auspices of a diverse cross section of elected officials from across the City, State and Federal agencies including the Mayor’s Office, Bronx Borough President Office, Bronx District Attorney, New York State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson, DYCD, the New York Police Department, New York City Parks, African Union Day Foundation and several other elected officials.
This initiative was born out of the need to lower the crime and violence that takes place in New York City every year and to herald a call for peace, respect and responsibility. With proclamations from the governor, the mayor and series of endorsements from elected officials, government agencies, the clergy and community leaders, the momentum to celebrate December as a peace month is galvanizing diverse communities from across New York City to partner in the process.
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
Adopt-A-Friend partnership is an embodiment of governmental and nongovernmental organizations and initiatives that include the New York Peace Coalition, New York Center For Conflict Dialogue, African Union Day Foundation, Islamic Leadership School, The NYC Mayor and Bronx District Attorney, NYS State Senator Ruth Hassell- Thompson, Anti -Defamation League, Kuki Ndiho Rwanda Orphans Support Project, DYCD, NYC Parks and JCRC-Cause-NY, Islamic Cultural Center of North America.
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COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Adopt-A-Friend is a 501(C)(3) Tax-exempt organization. Donations of funds, real estate, mutual funds, stocks & bonds, vehicles, equipment, scholarships, clothing and others are accepted. Tax ID: 22-3901303
Office: 1270 Pugsley Avenue, Bronx, New York 10462
Contact: 718) 829-5555, info@adopt-a-friend.org
Other Adopt-A-Friend Services
Program 1 Mentoring and counseling
Adopt-A-Friend believe people have better chance of succeeding in life when they have plan of action for goals they want to achieve and successful or professional individuals who can guide them. Our mentoring program is design as a two ways program, youth meeting leaders at the leaders’ places of business and leaders meeting the youth in their communities. We connect the youth with people they admire the most for coaching and mentorship. Our professional counseling encompasses all family/communal issues, cases that need to be referred to appropriate agencies are referred to those agencies whenever is necessary.
Program 2 Family Services
Adopt-A-Friend’s weekly ‘Tea-Out-Stress’ brings community members to socialize and share their professional and personal experiences with others. These meetings are free and open to the public. Each week important family/community issues are discussed and referrals are made to appropriate services providers. A lot of family/community problems are being prevented with early interventions from these events. Topics discussed include family preservation, social empowerment, financial literacy, economic /community development, legal issues, causes of and solutions to crimes, interfaith collaborations, juvenile issues, education, civic engagement, global issues, technology, sports, entertainment, law enforcement, leadership, investments, just to name a few.
Adopt-A-Friend also collects and distributes charitable donations to those in need, locally and internationally to prevent despotic living conditions.
Program 3 Peace, Participation & Prosperity
Adopt-A-Friend Community Center Facilitates 12 Public Days “Peace, Participation & Prosperity’. These events are designed for educational purposes only. Since we all know that knowledge is power, Adopt-A-Friend believes providing pertinent information to the community becomes a natural part to what it does. The twelve days are: Community Day, Cultural Day, Health Day, Youth Day, Environment Day, Education Day, Civic Day, Entrepreneur Day, Christian Day, Judaism Day, Islamic Day and Peace Day. All these days are individually sponsored by interested individuals and organizations and they are free and open to the public. Please check our website to see their actual dates.
Program 4 Adopt-A-Success™
Adopt-A-Success is a two part social empowerment program. It came about through a train ride taken by one of Adopt-A-Friend’s board members. This individual was traveling to a destination in New York City that required changing of several trains. While transferring from train to train, he observed that on each one most of the Caucasian passengers were reading books, National daily papers or something else, at the same time he saw most of the minority passengers were either listening to music or doing nothing at all. After the trip, he shared his observation with the board and sought help in finding ways to encourage book reading program, especially in low-income communities. The board welcomed the idea and decided to start a monthly group book reading for its members, as well as establishing an investment club for investment and financial literacy. Adopt-A-friend believes that one’s success or failure in life is primarily determined by the type of information one is acquiring and acting on. Please see our Attitude Academy.
Program 5 Trees-For-Humanity™
The World has always been made of opposites. While some build, others destroy, some laugh, others cry… a life of weddings and funerals, a life of births and deaths. On that fateful day, September 11, 2001 at about the same time when thousands of innocent souls were taken, a foundation was being laid for the first time in the Bronx, a private parochial school.
The Islamic Leadership School under the aegis of the Islamic Cultural Center of North America was established on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. With the help of Adopt-A-Friend board members. Because of this coincidence and the role this school played in healing the wounds of 9/11, Adopt-A-Friend is embarking on a tree planting campaign-Tree-for-Humanity. While Adopt-A-Friend does not promote any one particular religion on its programs, it intend to plant as many trees as the number of innocent lives lost on 9/11 or more world-wide. This will be done in collaboration with world leaders and community organizations that have shown interest for this campaign. Sponsors’ information would be provided and attached to the tree(s) as well as the list of those in whose memoriam the tree(s) is/are planted. For individuals and organizations wishing to be part of this project can contact the Adopt-A-Friend Inc. Please join us as we plant our Trees for Humanity, trees of hope…
Program 6 Emergency Family Member™
Emergency Family Members came about after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Watching people needlessly died and stranded for days without help in the heart of the most economically advanced society ever built, we decided to do something about future similar devastations, natural or manmade, national or international. While we can’t stop natural disasters from happening, we can minimize the painful effect they can have on their victims. Emergency Family Member™ (EFM) is one of the newest innovative humanitarian programs designed by Adopt-A-Friend, Inc. The program enables the victims of major disasters to receive free transportation and temporary room on board in a safer yet closer locality anywhere in the nation. Adopt-A-Friend solicits and encourages people to open their hearts, homes, Houses of worship, transportation, and wallets to their neighbors in case of emergency. Register to become a member before tragedy strikes in your community, you never know.
Program 7 Public Emergency Management Adherence™ (PEMA)
Public Emergency Management Adherence is a project designed primarily for youth as part of Adopt-A-Friend’s after-school projects. It is a training program to prevent and control the unruly behavior during riots, disasters or community unrests. PEMA is made up of four components: Public Security, Public Safety, Public Assistance and Public Collaboration. Application of each component is taught in detail to the students so that in difficult times rowdy public behavior is minimized, especially from the youth in affected areas. PEMA training is also recommended for all adults and school-aged children. You can use our website or the emergency hotline to participate 24/7.
Program 8 Urban Educational Foundation™
After-school program activity entails having an extended program for school going children to help them with homework, academics, character education, physical education and other related after school activities. Qualified teachers from the community are recruited to teach their respective subject expertise from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday, and leadership and entrepreneurship classes are offered on weekends. Adopt-A-Friend believes that it takes a village to strengthen children’s social and academic well being.
Program 9 Community Outreach
Adopt-A-Friend community outreach transcends religion, race, gender, social status or nationality. Adopt-A-Friend’s mission is to foster love, respect, and friendship among community members. All its programs are open to the public. Adopt-A-Friend has facilitated numerous interfaith and intercultural events, and it will continue to promote dialogue of all people. It reaches out to the under-serve and new immigrant families to help with various services that they may need help with. Preventing hate crimes and discrimination of all forms is a major part of Adopt-A-Friend’s mission.
Program 10
End illiteracy Now (EIN). The primary target for EIN is new immigrants, English Language Learners and high school dropouts. We say never too late to learn to read.
Program 11 Annual Award Dinner.
Adopt-A-Friend Humanitarian Leadership Award™ is given yearly to qualified individuals who are making difference in their respective communities. Most of The popular award programs we see on television screens are given to people who have already been famous contrary to Adopt-A-Friend’s which targets less known good-doers. The awards are both for adults and children. Often time ordinary people who are providing extra ordinary services in their communities would go unnoticed and unrecognized.
Program 12 Child Care Co-op
Adopt-A-Friend Child Care Coop is a virtual online child care program. Adopt-A-Friend believes that every child belongs to our extended community family and should therefore be able to feel safe and well regardless of whose care in the community he/she is in. All potential babysitters, child care providers and those who may need babysitting or child care services can register with us online seven days a week. When it comes to caring our precious children, proper screening is nonnegotiable.
Program 13 Adopt-A-Friend Social Services
Adopt-A-Friend’s founders have been continually providing preventive and educational services in New York City for over twenty years. As a result of their visible active involvement in helping families to safely deal with various issues, in 2008 Adopt-A-Friend was selected by New York City Children’s Services to be its Fiscal Conduit for Soundview Community Coalition, one of the nineteen Community Partnership Initiatives the Children’s Services has been establishing through New York City. Adopt-A-Friend Social Services, in Partnership with New York City Children’s Services, provides adoption, foster care and general preventive services. Coincidentally, Soundview Community where Adopt-A-Friend is headquartered is one of the highest needs areas for preventive services.
Why December?
December is the month of the winter solstice. Nights are long, and between the increased darkness and the changing social patterns that ensue from the December holidays, many communities experience increased incidents of violence, larceny, and hate crime. Communities have traditions of bringing light to this darker time of year: candles are lit for Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, trees are decorated with lights for Christmas, and fireplaces are enjoyed by all. Peace December is our way of shining a more proverbial light into the darkness of winter by creating programming aimed directly at combatting the darkness within our society. Instead of the darkness of violence, hatred and intolerance, we hope to promote the light of peace, respect, and diversity.
Declaring December a Peace Month will not only reduce violence, but create a communal sense of responsibility to focus our minds on programs that lead to peace. It is an excellent way to enter a new year.
From December to December.
As of 2015, Peace December is celebrated in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Senegal, Rwanda, Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Kenya, South Korea, Yemen, Sweden, Holland, Israel, and Egypt. In the United States we are joined by Florida, and Atlanta Ga.
Proposed Programs during Peace December.
(i) General Programmatic Landscape in Reflecting on Peace- All activities must commensurate with an awareness of peace. Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, community centers, schools, for-profit companies and law enforcement are welcome to provide activities. Peace December does not offer any guided prescription on how to participate. It will be at the prerogative of the individual, or the organizing party.
(ii) Music Peace Marathon- is a Multi-generational, Multi-cultural, Non-partisan, Non-secular venue to provide a platform for “Artist for Non-Violence” to express the changing climate and hunger for peace. As an answer to the elimination of music and arts in our schools, the MPM has successfully created a platform to combat idleness, while restoring pride and self-worth to our most vulnerable population, humanity. In partnership with BronxNet TV, the MPM was a live, six hour broadcast with simultaneous cybercast in 2014, and has expanded in 2015 to include public access in the US and abroad to obtain 24+ hours universally. All art forms are sought to participate.
(iii) Community Joint Collaborative Programs- District Attorney’s Offices, the law enforcement community agencies, families and community leaders will choose a day within December on which the residents will surrender their illegal guns and other weapons without questions asked. The modalities and implications will be discussed prior to the events.
(iv) Peaceful Roses/Flowers- Renewal of vows by couples, families and committed individuals during Peace December strengthen bonds, rejuvenate relationships, protect family values, and prevent juvenile delinquencies. It is highly recommended for families to have Peace December dinners, whereby members ask forgiveness from each other, couples exchange sentiments and employers celebrate harmony day.
(v) Peace Patrol- Mentors, leaders, educators, politicians, Law enforcement, volunteers, and others, set a day (s) to spend mentoring time with the youth and those susceptible to committing crimes.
(vi) Peace Shopping- We encourage all consumers to avoid buying tools of violence, including bomb making materials, nuclear/ biological weapons, illegal firearms, hate-promoting materials, violent toys and gadgets.
(vii) Media & entertainment Peace-Media programming, we encourage consumers to choose movies, live shows, entertainments, and sports activities that recognize peace.
(viii) Diplomatic Diaspora Peace- Peace December is recognized by the United Nations since 2013. Our UN permanent representatives hold forums and events during December that is dedicated to promote a peaceful coexistence, and pave ways for international dialogue.
(ix) Story-Sharing for Peace- Crime victims share stories of survival, pain, abuse, injustice, actions, feelings, forgiveness, and forward-planning. Perpetrators have an opportunity to express remorse, repent, repair and ask for genuine forgiveness. This act promotes healing and closure to a crime.
(x) Preservation of Nature and Animal Life- Advocates for animals and organizations such as local zoos and the “Environmental Protection Agency”, are encouraged to host/partner a series of activities to raise awareness on easing human cruelty towards animals, and preserving the environment.
(xi) Disaster Relief and Community Development- Groups can also focus on global disasters such as the Tsunami, Haiti Earthquake, Hurricane Katrina and other catastrophes that have called for peaceful coalitions to solve environmental problems.
(xii) Peace Advocacy- During December, we encourage citizens to engage their elected officials in sponsoring sensible bills, despite special interest group lobbying to the contrary. Legislators must work with and allocate funds for peace and nonviolence programs in their localities.
(xiii) Peace December Chapters- Individuals and organizations are encouraged to open Peace December chapters worldwide.
2015 Events in New York:
(xiv) Awards Ceremony
(xv) International Peace Table
(xvi) Peace Clergy Breakfast
- All Denominations
(xvii) Auditions, 3 Events
- Peace Music Jamm
- Peace Comedy Jamm
- Peace Dance Jamm
(xviii) Candle Lighting Ceremony
(xix) Music Peace Marathon
- Live on BronxNet TV and Cybercast
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Peace December Lighting Ceremony is held every November 30th to welcome the arrival of the month of peace. Peace December Calendars of events are distributed at this event.
The day is filled with peace scene, messages, entertainment and interactions among diverse residents of the community where the celebration is held. BronxNet Television, Peace December Media Partner, will carry the event live. Peace December Lights are switched on by special invited guest at 4:30 PM as the Sun is setting.
Objectives of the Lighting Celebration
i) Enhance strategic awareness in violent crime reductions.
ii) Promote peace and reduce homicides and domestic violence cases.
iii) Inspire inter agency and inter community coalitions that will cross fertilize ideas in the quest to eradicate crime in the city.
iv) Foster the voice of faith based houses in crime reduction.
v) Facilitate experience sharing experiences from families and communities.
vi) Clergies of all faith to dedicate all their sermons in December to Peace & nonviolence.
vii) Public and Private Schools in New York to observe a Peace Day in December.
viii) To promote public lighting of Peace December lights in homes, businesses, houses of worship, political offices, United Nations, OIC, EU, AU Headquarters and others…
Peace in Schools
Proposed “NYS Peace education Act” to install peace awareness day in New York Public Schools.
New York City continues to be susceptible to gun violence, hate crime, domestic violence, bullying and intolerance.
In 2010, the New York Peace Coalition, a coalition of representatives from houses of worship, elected officials, schools, civil society, community and business leaders came together for a historic installation of Peace December at the offices of the Borough President in the Bronx County. The initiative was endorsed, supported and welcomed by all the elected officials including Governor David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senator Ruth-Hassel Thompson.
Pursuant to the momentum that the Peace December initiative has generated, the New York Peace Coalition, through our elected official proposes An “Act” to install a peace awareness day in the New York Public Schools.
Activity Plans and General Requests
During this day, we ask businesses, academics and people of goodwill to partner with the New York State and City legislative processes to assume conversations in creating endowments and funds through which teachers and parents will spend time in enriching students and the community during the awareness day as proposed herein.
community sponsors/elected officials/public schools planning caucuses to put together key benchmarks for operational of this initiative.
Besides the Department of Education, identify the State and City auspices under which peace awareness day shall be installed.
Benefits
Peace December participation promotes avenues for youth to express themselves in creative ways. This freedom allows youth to release tension, build communication skills, and discover personal strengths. Current Events, Social Studies and History As they become a leaders of our community.
The Pioneer Program is a tool to identify the needs, and design a comprehensive curriculum to combat depression, violence, bullying and hopelessness.
“Digital Peace Lights”
Objective:
To standardize on a recognizable “visual brand” for the NY Peace Coalition and the principles for which it stands. To create a piece that could promote and, otherwise, have a direct association with Peace and Non-violence and instill a feeling of peacefulness within the environments in which it is shown. To raise the awareness of the NY Peace Coalition as a world-leader in the efforts of peace. To provide a consistent visual means to help associated worldwide organizations propagate the message of peace and non-violence and any other objectives of the organizations.
Proposal:
NY Peace Coalition commissioned Peter Rogina and Eileen Cohen to develop and deliver “Peace Lights”, based on the “Drapes” light video. The new piece could have different versions that could incorporate logos, flags, or other symbols determined to have value in a general sense or for a particular purpose (e.g., the Peace December logo, UN logo when appropriate, sponsors, etc.)
Envisioned Use of Peace Lights:
NY Peace Coalition, acting as a leader, works with the related organizations in various locations and countries around the world to gain their support and buy-in for the idea of a standardized “visual” that complements all activities. It is envisioned that Peace Lights would be displayed at all events, meetings, and in any other ways that relate to the objectives of the organizations.
Similarly, with the leadership of the NY Peace Coalition, the UN could be prompted to adopt Peace Lights as a symbol of their worldwide efforts for peace efforts and events. This would be highly consistent and in line with the “International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies”.
Fund Raising Potential
Peace Lights can be incorporated into numerous products for sale. These include everything from kitchen magnets (with or without the Peace December logo), to digital picture frames that have the Peace Lights integrated, to clothing (e.g., hats, shirts, smocks, etc.).
Publicity Potential
Peace Lights projected on the UN or other large buildings
As part of the Midnight Moment in Times Square
– could be a nightly event since every night’s performance in 2015 is dedicated to the UN Year of Light
Web sites
At sporting events, such as on the screens at MSG. Announcer: “Peace Lights
brought to you by the NY Peace Coalition, go to their website…”
Fremont Street in Las Vegas
What It Means
The colors represent the various cultures in our world while the motion represents the various ways in which we all interact and are dependent on one another. Together, the piece achieves the symbiotic and peaceful nature that we strive for and represents what is possible when cultures work and live together in harmony.
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Participation: Should you want your organization or community to participate, please contact us so we can include your events in Peace December Events Calendar.
Endorsements: Elected officials to endorse Peace December with Proclamations and sponsoring peace event in their respective districts.
RSVP: info@peacedecember.org
PEACE DECEMBER Promotion Sponsorship Package
Neighborhood Peace:
$500.00 Entitles sponsors as in Peace December event of his/her choosing, ability to speak and distribute promotional items at the event.
Borough Peace:
$1,000 Entitle Sponsors Borough-wide event ads Peace December events of his/her choosing, ability to speak and distribute promotional items at events.
City Peace:
$2,500 Entitle Sponsors City-wide Peace December event ads, Business/organizations’ name on a borough light which will be lit throughout the month of December, and ability to speak and distribute promotional items at events.
State Peace: Entitles Sponsors State-Wide Peace December Event Ads, Business/organizations’ advertisement name on a borough light which will be lit through the month of December, Full Page color, Black/White, or half page color in Local paper.
Regional Peace:
$10,000 Entitle Sponsors Regional-wide Peace December event ads, Business/organizations’ advertisement, website banner displayed. Full Page Color ad in Local paper, and ability to speak and distribute promotional items at events.
National Peace:
$20,000 Entitle Sponsors name on all borough Light which will be displayed throughout the month of December. Business/organizations’ advertisement, webite banner in 2 Websites will be displayed for a year, Nation-Wide Event Ads, Full Page color ad for 6 in Local paper, and ability to speak and distribute promotional items at events.
International Peace:
$40,000 Entitle Sponsors Ads in All Peace December event ads, ll borough lights which will be lit throughout the month of December, online video ads, Business/organizations’ advertisement websites banners in 2 Website that will be displayed for 2 Years. Full Page Color ad in Local paper that will be displayed for one year and production of promotional items (pins, posters, etc.), and ability to speak and distribute promotional items at events.
To sponsor, please contact us at: info@peacedecember.org
PEACE DECEMBER PARTICIPANT LIST
Please select a day or days in which your organization hosts a peace program. If your organization already has peace programs in December, please let us know about them so that they can be included in Peace December Events Calendar for continued peace networking throughout the year. Please submit your event in time (Oct.1-30) so that they can be included in the Peace December calendar. 31 events (First come first picked) will be compiled into this calendar. Your event/program must help prevent or education people one of the following:
2006 Westchester Avenue,
Bronx, New York 10462.
info@peacedecember.org