The BronxWorks 2024 Lifting Lives Gala | |
Join us on May 9 and celebrate the BronxWorks 2024 Lifting Lives Gala at the New York Botanical Garden! Our annual gala brings together our leadership, partners, supporters, and friends to celebrate BronxWorks and the continuation of our vision of lifting lives and building futures in the Bronx. This year, the Lifting Lives Gala will directly benefit our community programs that support children and families of the Bronx. Our community programs support children and families in every stage of their lives and provide enriching opportunities for growth. | |
We are fortunate to celebrate two esteemed honorees: Felix Cabreja, CEO and President of A&H Security Services, and Brian Crowell, PGA, General Manager of Bally's Golf Links at Ferry Point. BronxWorks is proud to honor two stakeholders who have demonstrated their dedication to supporting BronxWorks and the Bronx community. Our honorees share our vision of lifting lives and building futures for our Bronx neighbors. | |
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Felix Cabreja
CEO & President
A&H Security Services
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Brian Crowell, PGA
General Manager
Bally's Golf Links at Ferry Point
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The Lifting Lives Gala will start with a cocktail reception outside of the Garden Terrace Cafe at the New York Botanical Garden, weather permitting, with sweeping views overlooking the iconic Conservatory, along with entertainment by Tres Gatos, a three-piece Latin ensemble who also calls the Bronx home. The cocktail reception will be followed by dinner and our program in the Garden Terrace Room. | | |
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Finally, we are proud to announce that Pedro Rivera will join the gala as our Master of Ceremonies. Pedro is an Emmy and LA Press Club Award-winning journalist, who anchors the weekend morning show for ABC7's Eyewitness News in New York City. Pedro also reports dayside for the station.
BronxWorks is excited to have one of the Bronx's own emceeing our Gala this year!
Read Pedro's bio here.
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BronxWorks Celebrates Social Work Appreciation Month | |
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March is National Social Work Month! The BronxWorks Social Work Committee held the agency's annual Social Workers Appreciation Breakfast. Almost 40 social workers were in attendance to enjoy breakfast, a fun ice-breaker game, and time to network with their peers. This event is held during Social Work Appreciation Month to show gratitude toward our social workers and the incredible dedication they bring to their work and our program participants.
Wendy Weil, Director of Clinical Supervision for Family Residences, shared her thoughts on the role of social workers at BronxWorks:
"The job of a social worker is to empower somebody to be their best self, taking into account all their life experiences and any challenges that they face... so we work with them to bring out their best selves."
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Mireya Chavez, LMSW, Social Services Director,
Homeless Outreach Team
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Mireya’s story encapsulates so much of what makes BronxWorks important – passionate staff who seek opportunities to grow professionally and make a bigger impact through human services. In her nine years at BronxWorks, Mireya has worked as a Case Manager in eviction prevention and supportive housing programs, completed her Master’s Degree in Social Work and licensure (LMSW), served as Clinical Coordinator in the Westchester Avenue Safe Haven, and is now the Director of Social Services with the BronxWorks Homeless Outreach Team. | |
“What we do here is a very challenging task, because the homeless population is oftentimes an ignored population. People tend not to see them, or they try not to, and homeless individuals carry that with them. But we don’t ignore them, we actually go and look for them. That’s what is meaningful to me.” | |
Amy Greenbaum-Strauss, LCSW, Department Director of Training & Professional Development | |
Amy grew up in Brooklyn, the youngest of two daughters. Her father came to the US with his family in 1936, making their harrowing escape from pre-World War II Germany. Her mother grew up a first-generation daughter of Russian and Polish immigrants, also in Brooklyn. In looking at her career, there is a clear line of paying forward the opportunities and experiences that Amy’s parents gave her to the students, clients, and staff with whom Amy works. | |
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“I did not grow up thinking that I would one day become a social worker, but I feel that my parents raised me and my sister with the values and experiences that prepared me for a career as one.” | |
Remembering Marisol Rosa-Saltares | |
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With heavy hearts, BronxWorks shares that our dear friend and colleague, Marisol Rosa-Saltares, passed away recently.
Marisol started at BronxWorks, then-Citizens Advice Bureau, in 1998 in the Avenue St. John walk-in office as a Family Childcare Specialist. Marisol was extremely passionate about her work and was promoted several times, from Program Director of the walk-in office to her current position as Assistant Department Director of Access to Benefits programs.
Marisol was kind and warm. She easily developed friendships with many staff throughout the agency and touched multiple lives across the Bronx through her incredible dedication. Marisol was also very devoted to her family. We all grieve with her family on this very sudden and sad loss. BronxWorks will strive to honor her legacy and enthusiasm.
Last April we profiled Marisol for our monthly newsletter. Read her profile here.
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This month, Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Council announced a major investment in the nonprofit human services sector: over the next three years, the City budget will include a 9.27% wage increase for City-contracted human services workers!
Click here to learn more.
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BronxWorks Presents At Conference In Germany
Noel Concepcion, Department Director, Adult Homeless Services (right) and Juan Rivera, Assistant Department Director, Homeless Outreach Team (left), represented BronxWorks at a conference at the University of Göttingen in Germany. The interdisciplinary conference, which included researchers from across the globe and students from the university, explored the structural causes of the rise in homelessness in developed nations. Homelessness is on the rise overall worldwide, and the European Union has pledged to end homelessness by 2030, adding a sense of urgency to identify best practices when addressing the homelessness issue.
BronxWorks was the only agency from the U.S. in attendance and talked specifically about the success of the Housing First model, where the first step to ending homelessness is providing housing to homeless individuals and families. This model has reduced street homelessness in the Bronx by 68% over a nearly 20-year period.
The topics and papers created for and discussed at this conference will later be compiled and submitted as part of a book proposal.
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BronxWorks ESOL
Talent Show
BronxWorks English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students came together for a talent show to celebrate the last day of classes. Students came together to show off their talents, including singing and group and individual dance. The performances allowed the students to show off some of their new knowledge. The show culminated with the students receiving their graduation certificates.
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BronxWorks Celebrates Read Across America Day
The BronxWorks Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program celebrated National Reading Month, Read Across America Day, and Dr. Seuss’s birthday with arts & crafts and a read-along! HIPPY instructors read Dr. Seuss classics in multiple languages to the children and families. HIPPY is a home-based early childhood development and parent education program that gives parents the tools to be their children’s first teachers.
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SNAP-Ed Goes Live For National Nutrition Month
BronxWorks SNAP-Ed staff hosted a Facebook Live Nutrition Class and Cooking Demo in celebration of National Nutrition Month. The class covered simple and affordable ways to meal plan and taught viewers how to make a Coconut Cassava Mash to adapt into different meals throughout the week. Dozens of people joined in and gained new knowledge on how to improve their nutrition without breaking the bank.
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Green Career Job Fair
In partnership with New York State Regional Clean Energy Hub and the Bronx Energy Hub, BronxWorks hosted a Green Career Job Fair for the community. Companies in the green & clean energy sector met with job seekers interested in employment, education, and training opportunities. As the renewable energy field expands exponentially, events like these ensure Bronx residents have opportunity to enter this growing sector.
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BronxWorks is once again hosting a Prom & Graduation Clothing Drive to support students who may not have access to suits or dresses and accessories for these momentous events. Please donate new or lightly used dresses, suits, ties, and accessories. Learn more about how to support this event. | |
Last chance! We have a few spots remaining on #TeamBronxWorks for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour. Riders for #TeamBronxWorks commit to raising $750 for children’s programs at our shelters for homeless families. Learn how to join our team and support our riders here. | |
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Here are some other ways you can join BronxWorks and support our mission this year:
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Donate essential goods directly to Bronx residents in need through our wishlist.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X for exciting updates.
For a full list of ways to give to BronxWorks, visit our website.
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