MAYOR ADAMS CREATES NEW OFFICE OF FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

 

New Office Will Be Led by Pastor Gilford Monrose

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today created the Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnership (OFCP). The office — created with the signing of an executive order by Mayor Adams — will be led by Pastor Gilford Monrose, who will serve as a conduit between city government, the faith-based community throughout New York City, and nonprofit organizations. OFCP will seek to improve the welfare of all New Yorkers and will be housed within the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (CAU).

 

“Our faith community has gone above and beyond the past two years, working tirelessly to keep our people fed, safe, and healthy, mentally and physically,” said Mayor Adams. “It’s past time that the city recognized the critical role they play in uplifting people across our city. I have had the privilege of working alongside Pastor Monrose for several years and have gotten to witness firsthand his talent for building bridges between diverse communities. I thank him for joining our administration in this newly created office and look forward to working with faith leaders across our city to ‘Get Stuff Done.’”

 

“The faith-based community is a fundamental partner in the work that our office does every day,” said CAU Commissioner Fred Kreizman. “I’m thrilled to be working with Pastor Monrose in order to continue this partnership and work together towards our shared goals.”

 

“I am humbled to join the administration as head of OFCP,” said Pastor Gilford Monrose, executive director, Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships. “Mayor Adams has always recognized the important work faith leaders across our city do to help the most vulnerable New Yorkers, and this new office will engage these communities to address issues affecting our city, from gun violence to hate crimes, and uplift people across the five boroughs.”

 

“The Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships reminds us that though we may travel on separate paths to our respective houses of worship, there comes a time when we of many faiths must walk together as one family with strength and support for one another,” said Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president, New York Board of Rabbis. “We are a divided country but spiritually we are a united community.”

 

“I welcome Mayor Adams’ announcement of an Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships in his administration,” said Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, executive director, Interfaith Center of New York. “Having witnessed first-hand, for many years, the power of grassroots faith leaders to strengthen New York City’s communities, I am certain that this Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships will help ensure that diverse communities of faith contribute to our vibrant democracy in years to come.”

 

“The Muslim Community Network proudly endorses the significant need to have Mayor Adams’ new Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships,” said Dr. Debbie Almontaser, CEO and founder, Bridging Cultures Group Inc. “This office gives voice to the multi-religious communities of New York City — an important voice that has not been heard. In partnership, we people of faith will stand shoulder to shoulder to care for beloved communities in every neighborhood across the city.”

 

“I am very happy to see the creation of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships,” said Evan R. Bernstein, national director, Community Security Service; and co-founder, New York City Interfaith Security Council. “Thank you, Mayor Eric Adams and the City of New York, for leading this critical initiative at a time when we are seeing a rise in hate crimes that impact religious minority groups across the city. Partnership and dialogue are critical in fighting hate and this office will help foster both.”