Dear friends –

As we step into this new year, I can’t help but, once again, reflect on what truly drives us forward: love. Love for our people, love for our communities, and love for the work we do every single day. February is a month that reminds us of the power of love, especially in the way we show up for each other and in the way we lift up those who need us most. It’s also Black History Month, a time to honor the resilience and contributions of Black leaders and pioneers whose legacy is woven into the fabric of our work, and it strengthens our resolve to build a more just and inclusive world.

This year is especially meaningful for Acacia Network because we are launching our new 5-Year Strategic Plan—a labor of love that will guide our vision for the years ahead. This plan isn’t just words on a page; it’s a testament to the passion and dedication of our leadership team and Board of Directors, and a reflection of our unwavering commitment to expanding access to quality care, advocating for our communities, and finding innovative ways to serve.

You’ll see this commitment reflected throughout this edition of our quarterly newsletter: from the beautiful wedding at Casa Promesa, where love triumphed against all odds, to our work bringing life-saving substance use treatment to incarcerated individuals, making sure they have the support they need to rebuild their lives. You’ll also read about our efforts to bridge the digital divide for our seniors, strengthen economic opportunities for our youth and workforce, and lead environmental justice initiatives that make our neighborhoods healthier and stronger.

So as we kick off 2025, I invite you to walk with us on this journey. Whether you’ve been with us for years or are just getting to know us, know that Acacia Network is here —standing strong, leading with love, and ready to make an even greater impact.

Con mucho cariño y gratitud,

Lymaris Albors

CEO

SKILLED NURSING FOR PATIENTS WITH HIV / AIDS

Casa Promesa staff members came together to plan a special wedding for one of our patients, Randy Golden, and his longtime partner Tammy. The wedding took place on November 19th, which also happened to be Randy’s 65 birthday – quite a milestone, considering that Randy didn’t think he would live that long due to his challenging diagnosis. The beautiful event –complete with catering, decorations, and an officiating minister– served as a testament to their love and to Randy’s continued recovery.

Randy has been a patient of Casa Promesa since August of last year. A cancer patient who is also living with HIV, hypertension, and chronic embolism, he was referred to Casa Promesa due to his complex diagnosis, as Casa Promesa is a 24/7 skilled nursing facility for patients with HIV/AIDS whose co-occurring conditions render them more vulnerable. Since arriving at our facility, he has consistently made great strides, and we are incredibly proud of his progress! Looking ahead, the goal is for Randy to continue improving through physical therapy until he can be safely discharged, once a suitable care plan is finalized in order to support his ongoing needs.

PRIMARY CARE & COMMUNITY HEALTH

La Casa de Salud, our primary care arm, continues to strengthen its reputation as a trusted provider of high-quality healthcare and reliable health information in our communities. To expand its reach and enhance patient engagement, La Casa de Salud has launched a new blog on its website, introduced dedicated social media channels, and initiated monthly e-newsletters featuring updates on services, health-related news, and wellness resources.

This month, we’re celebrating American Heart Month by sharing essential tips and facts about heart health. February is the perfect time to take charge of your cardiovascular health and make lifestyle changes that can prevent heart disease. Sign up to receive newsletters from La Casa de Salud or follow them on Facebook and Instagram for more tips and information.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & ADDICTION SERVICES

Through our affiliate PROMESA Inc., Acacia Network is proud to continue increasing access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to incarcerated individuals in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus County Jails. Through this initiative –funded in part by the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)– we are currently serving approximately 20 individuals, with goals to expand.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that less than half of U.S. jails offer life-saving medications for opioid use disorder. This is particularly concerning given that two-thirds of individuals in U.S. jails struggle with substance use disorders, often involving opioids. Considering that overdose is the leading cause of death for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration, the criminal justice system serves as a key intervention point in the overdose crisis. Research shows that medications like buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone help reduce opioid use, prevent overdoses, and support long-term recovery.

We look forward to continuing to expand access to life-saving treatment and medication to support the long-term recovery for incarcerated individuals and their stability post-incarceration.

HOUSING & TENANT SERVICES

Our Tenant Services team at Palmetto Gardens, Bushwick II and Hope Gardens in Brooklyn hosted tablet and cell phone distribution events through which they expanded access to technology to 59 seniors. In addition, they continued to address food insecurity by holding weekly food distribution events in partnership with 9 Million Reasons, a faith-based organization that provides high-quality groceries and essential supplies to vulnerable community members. Since the beginning of the year, our team has supplied our tenants with more than 300 bags of food. 

These initiatives are part of the robust service mix that we offer to residents of the NYCHA RAD program at Palmetto Gardens, Bushwick II and Hope Gardens in Brooklyn. Programs such as the Rental Assistance Demonstration (“RAD”) and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) enable us to safeguard long-term housing assistance, improve and modernize building facilities, and provide much-needed social and community services to low-income New Yorkers.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Our East Harlem-based affiliate, El Barrio’s Operation Fightback (EBOF), continues to strengthen workforce development initiatives serving adults and youth, empowering individuals on the path to self-sufficiency. Through comprehensive training, case management, and strategic partnerships, EBOF helps jobseekers access employment opportunities, achieve financial stability, and improve their quality of life.

EBOF remains a top-performing Career Pathways III provider in New York State, nearing full utilization of its $1.65M funding to support job training and career advancement for adults. In collaboration with VNS Health, EBOF is also exploring a Virtual Home Health Aide Training Program to expand accessibility for underserved populations, including refugees. We are also thrilled to announce that we've secured funding for the Refugee Support Services Program (RSSP), which will enable EBOF to launch targeted employment and social services for refugee communities, leveraging partnerships across Acacia Network.

These efforts underscore EBOF’s commitment to fostering economic mobility and strengthening East Harlem’s workforce.

CULTURAL REVITALIZATION

Our arts & culture affiliate, The Loisaida Center, successfully completed the second year of its environmental justice and citizen science initiative, Ecolibrium, which brings together a diverse, multi-generational team to tackle public health and environmental challenges in Lower East Side (LES) using an innovative, community-driven approach.

Throughout the program, two cohorts of students and professionals collaborated on critical environmental issues such as air quality, urban heat, and greenhouse gas emissions. The first cohort focused on understanding air quality indices, exploring indoor and outdoor air conditions, and assessing urban heat through thermography – finding creative ways to communicate science to the public. The second cohort took a hands-on approach, developing real-time environmental sensors, creating public service announcements, and using Digital Twin technology to model energy use and emissions. The impact of Ecolibrium extended beyond research, with participants showcasing their work through community outreach, public displays of air quality monitors, and media coverage on PIX 11 News.

Looking ahead, the program will continue expanding its environmental monitoring efforts in the Lower East Side, further exploring urban sustainability challenges in collaboration with the community. We are proud of these young creators, makers, and designers who are leading the way toward a brighter, greener, and more equitable future!

OLDER ADULT SERVICES

Acacia Network and its affiliate, the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly (IPRHE), closed out the holiday season with two vibrant celebrations that brought joy, cultural connection, and community spirit to our older adults. From December 11th to the 18th, IPRHE hosted its annual Puerto Rico trip, offering participants the opportunity to explore the island’s rich history while enjoying its warm climate. The journey took them from the beachside kiosks of Luquillo to the lush trails of El Yunque National Rainforest, the countryside of Cayey, and the cultural hubs of Bayamón and Old San Juan. The trip ended on a high note with an elegant evening of music and dance at the Fundación Nacional de la Cultura Popular, leaving everyone with cherished memories.

Continuing the festivities into the new year, Acacia Network and IPRHE hosted their annual Three Kings and Lunar New Year Cultural Celebration on January 17, 2025, at Saint Vartan Church. This beloved tradition brought together older adults and their families from all boroughs for a day filled with joy and cultural pride. Attendees enjoyed delicious food, traditional holiday music, guest presentations, lively performances, raffles, and plenty of dancing, making it a highlight of the season.

These celebrations reflect our ongoing commitment to honoring the diverse traditions of our communities while fostering meaningful connections among older adults. We extend our gratitude to our sponsors, partners, and NYC Aging for their invaluable support in making these events possible, and we look forward to continuing these cherished traditions in the years to come!

REGIONAL WORK

The Couple, the Crib, and the Legislator

A Story by Former CDL Board Chair, Dan Irizarry

There are moments in life that truly defy explanation; moments when the planets align, and the universe moves in a way that we cannot see until all is revealed. For Capital District LATINOS (CDL), that moment included Three Kings Day, a husband and his pregnant wife, and a newly elected Assemblywoman. Add those things together and you end up with a wonderful outcome and a heartwarming story.

The holiday season is typically a time of increased activity at CDL, and this year was no exception. Preparation for the Annual Three Kings Day celebration usually goes into full swing in December. There are gifts to acquire, decorations to hang, and of course, the preparation required to feed hundreds of families who arrive to share this wonderful tradition of Latino culture.

Notwithstanding the added responsibilities of the season, CDL’s regular work does not abate. From the time staff arrive at the former historic church building downtown, now known as the Cultural Empowerment & Community Engagement Center, the flow of neighbors with a full range of needs does not stop.

When Senior Case Manager Isis Maldonado met with Victor Jose and his wife Guadalupe, Three Kings Day planning was in full swing. The Venezuelan couple were moved to permanent housing from the hotel they called home for over a year. They had not expected the substandard conditions they found in their new apartment, so they came to the Center for help. One thing they needed imminently was a crib, so a determined Isis set out to help them find one.

The nerve center of CDL’s operation is inarguably the office of its executive director, Migdalia “Micky” Jimenez. Often before she takes a seat at her desk, Micky begins multitasking. On a typical day she might speak with state agency reps, meet with a bank representative or a city building inspector, and still be available to help with direct requests for assistance. When Isis put out the call for a crib, Micky already had someone in mind: that person was Doris Romero.

The stage had been set for the poignant tableau that would emerge from all this activity, at the celebration in the Center’s Fellowship Hall.

In need of a couple to play “Mary and Joseph” at an improvised manger, complete with real hay for the Magi to visit, Victor Jose and Guadalupe were happy to volunteer. Under atmospheric lighting in a hall festooned with Christmas and Three Kings Day ornaments, Assemblymember Gabriella Romero (Assembly District 109) met the family who, unbeknownst to her until that moment, had received the crib where she once lay her head! When the newly elected Assemblywoman made her way to the makeshift manger, the confluence of events came full circle. The couple, the crib and the Legislator shared a small epiphany at a celebration of the ancient Epiphany, even as Three Kings looked on.

Our CEO, Lymaris Albors, recently took the stage in Puerto Rico at a powerful panel discussion hosted by Enterprise Community Partners, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The event, “Recovery to Resilience: Collaborative Solutions for a Sustainable Puerto Rico,” explored bold, forward-thinking solutions to strengthen the island’s housing infrastructure. Acacia Network was front and center, as the discussion highlighted key initiatives from the book What’s Possible: Investing NOW for Prosperous, Sustainable Neighborhoods, which features a chapter on our resilient housing prototype in Caguas. CLICK HERE to learn more about this event!

But the real magic happened after the panel, as our guests embarked on a special site visit to our “casitas”—beautiful, thoughtfully designed homes built with resiliency and trauma-informed care at their core. Visitors toured the houses, connected with residents, and got a firsthand look at the innovative features that make these homes a safe, stable foundation for families in need. And because no Puerto Rican gathering is complete without music, the visit wrapped up with a lively parranda—a joyful celebration of community and culture!

At Acacia Network, we’re building more than homes—we’re building a stronger, more resilient Puerto Rico. Stay tuned as we continue expanding our impact!

SAVE THE DATES!

2025 Loisaida Festival

Sunday 5/25/25 | 12:00 - 5:00 PM

Lower East Side, Avenue C (between 5th and 12th Streets)

2025 Julio Martinez Memorial Fund Breakfast

Thursday 6/12/2025 | 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM

New York Botanical Garden

2025 Acacia Network Annual Gala

Thursday 10/9/2025 | 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Ziegfeld Ballroom

Info: Julia Jones

(347)649-3291

jjones@promesa.org

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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