Dear friends,

We hope the summer months have provided some much-needed time for rest, relaxation, and recreation. At Acacia Network, we’ve been busy showing up for our communities and providing support where it is most needed: From partnering with key stakeholders to drive strategic initiatives that improve health and quality-of-life outcomes in our neighborhoods, to creating pathways to success for vulnerable New Yorkers, Acacia Network always says “¡Presente!”

Over the past two months, we have celebrated not one or two, but three ribbon-cutting ceremonies at program locations that have been staples in their communities for decades. The Ramon Velez Health Center in the Bronx celebrated the expansion of its Pediatric and Women’s Health Wings and El Regreso Men’s Residential Treatment Program in Brooklyn partnered with the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) to welcome back its clients to the newly renovated facility. And just this week, we gathered with key public and private partners –including the NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA), the Office of the Bronx Borough President, the New York City Council, and the NYS Assembly – to commemorate the reopening of the Betances Older Adults Center in the Bronx.

This past month, it was also announced that Acacia Network and our affiliate, PROMESA, will be one of nine organizations in New York State –and the only one in New York City– selected by the State of New York to create new Intensive Crisis Stabilization Centers to assist any adult, child, or adolescent experiencing crisis. We applaud the State of New York for this transformative initiative and are proud to continue working with our partners to serve our communities. We are also excited to expand our harm reduction efforts by providing services "on wheels" through our mobile M.A.T. units, which address the opioid and health crises in underserved communities across the State.

Finally, I am thrilled to announce that Acacia Network was included in Affordable Housing Finance's list of Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers. We look forward to continuing our critical work to address the affordable housing crisis in New York City and beyond.

As I reflect on our achievements this year and on my first seven months as CEO, there are simply too many to recount on this newsletter. While there is so much more that I'd like to share, I hope you will take a moment to read on for additional news and highlights about our mission-driven work across key areas.

And as we continue to enjoy the warm summer days, we urge you all to take care of yourselves and each other.

Gracias,

Lymaris Albors

CEO

P.S. Please join us at our 2022 Annual Gala on Thursday, October 6th at The New York Hilton Midtown Hotel at 1335 6th Avenue in New York City. CLICK HERE to learn more.

On Thursday, June 23rd, Acacia Network and La Casa de Salud were proud to gather with elected officials, government and CBO partners, funders, community members, our board, executive leadership, and staff to celebrate a ribbon-cutting ceremony at our Ramon Velez Health Center in the South Bronx.

Thank you to Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, and Assemblymember Amanda Septimo for joining us to celebrate this milestone. Special thanks to our incredible staff for making it happen!

On Wednesday, July 20th, Acacia Network celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony at El Regreso Men's Residential Facility, located at 189 South 2nd Street in Brooklyn. This marked the completion of an $11.9 million renovations & improvements project at the 50-bed residential treatment facility, which was made possible with funding provided by NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS).

Acacia Network was joined by State, City, and CBO partners, as well as community leaders, Board Members, Acacia Leadership, staff, program participants, and the community at large.

A very special thank you to El Regreso founder Carlos Pagán for celebrating this special occasion with us, as this would not be possible without his trailblazing efforts. Thank you to NYS OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and Assemblywoman Maritza Dávila for joining us and saying remarks.

On July 1st, 2022, Acacia Network and our Bronx Opioid Collective partners celebrated a Community Health Fair at the Ramon Velez Health Center. During the free health fair, we provided access to harm reduction and health resources, screenings & testing, vaccines, referrals, giveways, and much more. Attendees were able to connect with onsite community-based programs and resources, while enjoying music presentations and cultural programming provided by our arts & culture affiliate, Loisaida.

The Bronx Opioid Collective Impact Project is comprised of a broad network of community-based partners, including: Acacia Network, Third Avenue BID, Harlem United, St. Ann’s Corner for Harm Reduction (SACHR), New York Harm Reduction Educators (NYHRE), the Emma L. Bowen Community Service Center, Peer Network of New York, Samaritan Daytop Village, Columbia University, BOOM!Health, and the Mayor’s Office Immigrants Affairs. It was launched by Acacia Network in 2018, in collaboration with the NY City Council and the Office of Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr., and the Third Avenue Business Improvement District (BID).

Last month, our youngest learners celebrated their first important milestone in their school careers, as Acacia Network's Promesa Multicultural and Promesa Head Start programs held "Moving Up" ceremonies for their 3- and 4-year-old students.

Acacia Network has open seats at our full-day, year-round preschool programs in the Bronx, serving 3- and 4-year old children.

Our Early Childhood Education programs help young students build a strong foundation for education and learning through a high-quality in-person curriculum that nurtures their social-emotional development. Our 8-hour programs operate from 8:30am – 4:30pm (Monday - Friday) and include three (3) daily meals (breakfast, lunch & supper).

In addition, our onsite Family Workers partner with parents and families for support with:

T: (646) 937-0068

E: promesarecruitment@promesa.org

Acacia Network and the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly (IPRHE) were proud to celebrate a ribbon-cutting ceremony at our recently renovated Betances Older Adults Center in the Bronx.

The extensive renovations involved a complete gut rehabilitation of the center’s interior space, including a new commercial kitchen, as well as a new roof, new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning mechanical equipment. The total renovation cost was nearly $3 million, made possible through New York City Council Discretionary Funding, plus additional allocations from the Bronx Borough President’s Office along with funding from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).

Thanks to everyone who joined us today to celebrate this milestone, including: DFTA Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez and our NYC Department for the Aging program officers; Borough President Vanessa Gibson; Council Member Diana Ayala; Assembly Member Amanda Septimo; former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito; Acacia Board Chairwoman Carmen Villa-Lugo, Esq.; Acacia and IPRHE leadership, partners, funders, and our beloved older adults!

Acacia Network and our affiliate, the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly (IPRHE), are pleased to invite you to our 2022 Older Adults Conference, to take place on Thursday, September 22nd from 10:00am – 4:00pm at Columbia University’s Alfred Lerner Hall, located on the Morningside campus at 2920 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.

Our 2022 theme, Nueva Vida / A New Way of Life, is inspired by the resiliency, strength, and tenacity of our older adults who, despite the many challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, have continued to push forward with hope and a renewed sense of energy, remaining engaged and active in their communities and in the programs offered by Acacia Network and IPRHE.

This year's Older Adults Conference will bring together approximately 800 older adults and their families from every borough, as well as many distinguished community leaders, elected officials, government agencies, partners from the public and private sectors, among other key stakeholders. The event will open with a plenary and general presentation, followed by workshops, cultural programming and musical presentations.

For further information, please contact Angel M. Santini Palos, Vice President of Special Projects, Events & Cultural Programs, at (917) 634-6963 or via email at ASantini@acacianetwork.org.

Acacia Network is proud to announce that our workforce development affiliate, Seedco, has been making big moves! Seedco moved into their new office space in Inwood/Washington Heights, and the team is working hard to get their offices ready to serve the local community.

Visit Seedco on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 4:00pm to learn more about their services and receive career development support, including resume coaching, job search assistance, benefits screening, and more.

Stay tuned for more news and updates from our Trans-forming the Workplace Taskforce, which was created in 2020 to further our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work by fostering a workplace culture and environment that is inclusive and welcoming to employees and clients of diverse gender identities and expressions.

We thank our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council for encouraging and promoting network-wide racial justice initiatives, and we applaud the departments and divisions that held special DEI-focused events to commemorate Juneteenth.

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.

Acacia Network invites you to our Annual Gala on Thursday, October 6th from 6:30 pm to 10:00pm, at The New York Hilton Midtown Hotel at 1335 6th Avenue in New York City.

This year's theme –Still, We Rise / Aún Así, Nos Levantamos– is a salute to the resilience and strength of our communities, who continue to rise with dignity, even while facing the toughest challenges.