Monday, March 3, 2025

News, updates and more from NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

 

WEEK IN REVIEW 

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT THE BRONX ZOO
 
A night full of laughter, singing, and dancing as the Bronx commemorated Black History Month!



👉 It’s important to me that we take advantage of the spotlight this month shines on the historic and positive contributions the Black community has made to our Borough 

👉 In this spirit, it was an honor to celebrate our four honorees: Assistant Chief Benjamin Gurley (NYPD), Farrell Coates (New York City Department of Parks & Recreation), and Kyle & Liza McLean (Puzzlelife) for the empowering contributions they’ve made 

🙏 Team Salamanca, Freddy Perez Jr, and the Bronx Zoo staff for organizing another successful event for our community


RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY FOR COMMONPOINT’S "THE BRONX CENTER"

It was an exciting morning in the Bronx as we celebrated the opening of Commonpoint Bronx’s - The Bronx Center!

👉In addition to receiving access to essential services, Bronxites will now have a dedicated place for activities like swim lessons, GED and ESOL classes, and youth sports opportunities

👉 Knowing the needs of our community and how you deserve a center that doesn’t hold back on providing any of the top programs other districts receive, I was proud to allocate $1,244,000 towards the Bronx Center’s development


WALKTHROUGH WITH MORRIS PARK BID EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DR. CAMELIA TEPELUS

🙏🏽 Morris Park BID Executive Director, Dr. Camelia Tepelus, for a firsthand look at the ongoing projects being worked on to beautify Morris Park & to discuss the BID’s continuous efforts to enhance local quality of life



👉 One of the largest BIDs in the Bronx with over 300 businesses, efforts are currently underway to construct corridor improvements and state-of-the-art water mitigation efforts to avoid stormwater flooding

👉 During my visit, I met with longstanding business owners, including the legendary Contis Pastry Shoppe owners, who have proudly served the Bronx for 103 years and counting!


BRONX REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL VISIT WITH NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS CHANCELLORS MELISSA AVILES-RAMOS

🏫 A beautiful morning to visit our Bronx Schools!

Stop #1 was at the Bronx Regional High School, alongside New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos



👉 In addition to touring Montefiore Health System’s School Health Program, I also visited the New York City Department of Education’s ‘LYFE’ (Living for the Young Family Through Education) Program - which provides free early childhood education and high-quality childcare services to infants and toddlers

👉 With many Bronx families struggling to afford annual health checkups and affordable childcare for their kids, services like these that are provided in NYC public schools help bridge this gap & bring health and education equity to our communities


MOTT HAVEN VILLAGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL VISIT

I next swung by Mott Haven Village Preparatory High School, where I was lucky enough to receive some first-hand instruction from the students in Mr. Scott’s “Game Design” class

🏫 Designated as a New York State Smart Scholars Early College High School for Game Design, the school partners with Hostos Community College to offer students a game design certification + the chance to earn OVER 37 college credits — which would give them nearly half an associate degree before they’ve even graduated!

👉 With careers in AI, design, and technology in high demand, it’s important we continue supporting Bronx schools, so they can set our youth up for successful futures in pursuing these fields 


THE BRONX RIVER ALLIANCE’S ANNUAL ‘BRONX PARKS SPEAK UP’ EVENT

I had the privilege of joining over 400 Bronx residents at the Bronx River Alliance’s Annual ‘Bronx Parks Speak Up’ event!

👉In reflection of this year’s theme - “BRONX PARKS: Where Rivers Flow and Nature Grows”Bronxites had the opportunity to participate in face-to-face discussions with city and local officials to discuss the importance of maintaining our Borough’s Parks

👉Some of the highlighted topics included the importance of waterfront access, the significance of maintaining clean water to restoring our Bronx waterways, reclaiming the Harlem River Waterfront, and the harmful effects of water pollution


CELEBRATING THE BRONX’S DOMINICAN COMMUNITY ALONGSIDE DANYP 

Do It was a pleasure joining the Bronx Dominican community during DANYP’s Duarte Honors: Reconociendo Los Nuestros!

An annual event that honors young Dominican Professionals during Dominican Heritage Month, I was honored to co-sponsor this year’s festivities in celebration of the night’s honorees who encapsulated the education, corporate, public service, culture, and healthcare fields.

CELEBRATING HOLIDAYS IN THE BRONX

RAMADAN MUBARAK




🌙 Wishing a Ramadan Mubarak to all those beginning their observations.

I extend my warmest wishes to you during this holy month.

IN THE NEWS




FOX 5

🎥 My full interview with Lisa Evers, where we discuss growing food insecurity in the South Bronx:
https://www.fox5ny.com/video/1601363


AMNEWYORK

“Rafael Salamanca Jr.’s district, which includes sections of the South Bronx, led the pack with 7,182 new affordable homes during that period — more than the combined output of the bottom 21 districts.“

Read more from amNewYork👇 

https://www.amny.com/news/nyc-housing-crisis-affordable-housing-construction-zoning-funding/


BRONX TIMES

“Libraries provide us with a safe space from the daily stressors of life, where we can easily pick up a book and escape into the world of fantasy, solve a murder mystery or even learn a new skill,” Council Member Salamanca said.

“This ability to escape, enjoy one’s love for books or expand one’s knowledge through access to new technology is why libraries are so important to a society – even more so to a community like mine that has historically seen its access to these opportunities restricted and overlooked. For all these reasons and more, I am excited that the Hunts Point Public Library, after a multi-year wait, is finally reopened for Bronxites of all ages to enjoy, and I am proud that I was able to deliver $3.7 million in funding to make this day a reality for my constituents.”


Read more from the Bronx Times👇 

https://www.bxtimes.com/reopen-new-hunts-point-library-branch-nypl/ 

Visit our District Office at: 
1070 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, New York 10459
(718) 402-6130
salamanca@council.nyc.gov

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