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As the Summer comes to an end, Acacia Network kept the momentum going in the communities we serve. Our August 2026 update highlights our substance use treatment and media advocacy for International Overdose Awareness Day, alongside a $50,000 donation to World Central Kitchen for Venezuela earthquake relief. We also celebrate local impact through a Bronx housing restoration project and a community service award for longtime volunteer Maria Agueta.



Read on for more!

International Overdose Awareness Day

Dr. Daniel Rosa & Melissa Nieves (LCDS) at NY1's New York Tonight with Cheryl Wills

On International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31), we paused to reflect on the countless lives claimed by drug overdoses and extend our support to those currently struggling with substance use, as well as their loved ones. Acacia Network and our affiliates offer outpatient and inpatient integrated substance use and addiction treatment to individuals throughout New York State. We also offer harm reduction resources, overdose prevention, and Naloxone training. Help is available!

To coincide with International Overdose Awareness Day, Dr. Daniel Rosa and Melissa Nieves of La Casa de Salud spoke about substance use during an interview on NY1’s New York Tonight with Cheryl Wills. The conversation touched on the growing threat of highly addictive substances like 7-OH in New York City, as well as the life-saving resources Acacia provides to those struggling with active addiction.

Acacia Network Foundation's

Donation to World Central Kitchen

Supporting humanitarian efforts to

serve fresh meals in Venezuela

Acacia Network Foundation has donated $50,000 to World Central Kitchen (WCK), a global nonprofit that provides fresh meals to communities impacted by natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies, and other crises. The donation comes in the wake of the devastating June 24 earthquakes in Venezuela, which killed thousands of people, injured more than 16,000, and displaced thousands more.

We are supporting World Central Kitchen because its approach reflects Acacia’s long held philosophy of meeting communities where they are, listening to what they need, and providing culturally responsive resources that address those needs directly.



Through this $50,000 contribution, Acacia Network is supporting WCK’s broader disaster-response mission and its ability to mobilize quickly wherever there is urgent need.

National Dominican Day Parade 2026

Acacia Network +

The Community Association of Progressive Dominicans

On Sunday, August 9, Acacia Network, along with our affiliate, the Community Association of Progressive Dominicans, marched with pride at the annual National Dominican Day Parade in Manhattan!

As an organization founded by visionary Latino community leaders, we are proud to celebrate the Dominican community and roots that form a major part of our network. From the energetic music and vibrant flags to the beautiful sea of smiling faces along Fifth Avenue, our hearts are full of gratitude for our community.



Thank you to everyone who marched, celebrated with us, or cheered from the sidelines.

Affordable Housing

Our backyard. Our Community. Our Pride.

Kelvin J. Manzanet and Jaranfel Manzanet recently returned to the Bronx community where their family once lived to give back through The Community Restoration Project: Restoring, Beautifying, Uniting. The volunteer-led effort revitalized the shared backyard serving OUB Court Housing residents at 370 Brook Avenue and 535 East 142nd Street.



Volunteers cleared weeds and debris, picked up trash, landscaped, gardened, and painted to create a cleaner, more welcoming outdoor space for residents and families. The project also encouraged children to get involved, bringing neighbors together to beautify a space the community can enjoy for years to come.

Acacia Network Staff Appreciation BBQ 2026

Thank you to everyone in the Acacia Network family for making our impact in the communities we serve possible!

On August 28th, we closed down the street to come together for our annual Staff Appreciation BBQ! It was an incredible day of celebration, allowing our team to step away from their daily routines to be in community, share a delicious meal, and win big in our exciting raffles.

An event of this scale takes immense coordination, and we want to extend a massive thank you to our HR Department and Procurement Team for organizing such an amazing and seamless experience for everyone.

Thank you to each and every one of you who showed up, brought your energy, and made the day so special. Your hard work fuels our mission every day, and we are so grateful to have celebrated the end of summer together as one Acacia family!

Highlighting our volunteers!

Congratulations to Maria Agueta (CDL)!

Congratulations to Maria Agueta, a longtime volunteer with Capital District LATINOS (CDL), who was recognized by the Times Union with a 2026 Community Service Award for her extraordinary commitment to the Albany community.



Since CDL's headquarters opened in 2011, Maria has helped grow programs that provide critical resources to local families. She created CDL's Compassionate Closet, which distributed 30,000 pounds of clothing in 2024, and leads its food distribution program, which provided 102,000 pounds of food to nearly 3,000 community members last year.

From welcoming clients and connecting them to services to supporting health outreach and community events, Maria has spent countless hours helping her neighbors. We are proud to see her dedication recognized!

Join us for our Annual Gala on October 8th!

We are committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). Acacia Network and our affiliates do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity and/or expression, transgender status, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, citizenship status, public assistance status, protected veteran status, or any other protected category.

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