Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

This week, Senator Rivera joined NYC Comptroller Brad Lander to observe immigration court proceedings at 26 Federal Plaza. While they were in the same building, an ICE agent violently threw a woman to the ground in front of her children, in a excessive use of force, even though she posed no threat to the agent or to the security of the facility. She was protesting because her husband had been taken away minutes earlier by masked ICE agents who neither identified themselves, nor presented a warrant, nor provided any lawful grounds for his detention.

"Every day, masked ICE agents are acting violently against our neighbors, illegally abducting them, holding them in cruel and inhumane conditions. Treating them as less-than-human, and not deserving due process. We will not stop bearing witness, stop condemning them, or stop doing all we can to stand up to this lawless behavior," said Comptroller Lander.

"We cannot allow the fascist actions of the federal government to continue to terrorize our families not only in New York but throughout the entire country. New Yorkers’ rights are under attack and so many families are terrified to appear at their hearings fearing that they will be abducted and disappeared. This is just the beginning, we must remain united, stand up and speak out against these undemocratic actions," said Senator Rivera.

SENATOR RIVERA HOSTS HIS SECOND ANNUAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY FAIR AT POE PARK

This week, Senator Rivera hosted his second Annual Health and Public Safety Fair at Poe Park, where community members had the opportunity to meet with him and connect with harm reduction organizations to learn about vital resources for community health, safety, substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery.

A big thank you to all the organizations that participated and helped make this event a success. If you need assistance or information on available resources, please call Senator Rivera's office at 718-933-2034 or visit us at 2432 Grand Concourse, Suite 506, Bronx, Monday through Thursday, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

SENATOR RIVERA AWARDS $100,000 IN FUNDING TO BRONX'S COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS FOR A NEW MOBILE OUTREACH VAN

This week, Senator Rivera continued presenting awards to organizations in his district. 

 

Today, Senator Rivera joined Magaly Melendez, Senior Program Manager of Community Programs at Bronx Community Solutions (BCS), and Anthony Liberatoscioli, BCS Project Director, to award $100,000 for their brand new, first-of-its-kind Bronx HOPE on-the-go mobile outreach van. 

 

For the past 10 years, Bronx Community Solutions has helped Bronx residents trying to overcome substance use to reclaim their lives by facilitating access to important rehabilitation initiatives. 

 

“The Bronx HOPE Outreach Van will bring services and support directly to the neighborhood. Our goal is to meet people where they are—right in the community—so we can connect, build trust, and provide real-time help when it’s needed most,” said Magaly Melendez, Senior Program Manager for Community Programs at Bronx Community Solutions.  

 

"You offer education, prevention tools, and most importantly, hope to those who want to reclaim their lives through rehabilitation initiatives. This van unit will be used in neighborhood hot spot locations, outside of Bronx police precincts, and all around our borough to address underlying systemic issues that fuel substance abuse," said Senator Rivera. 

Last week, Senator Rivera's team joined the annual Rosh HaShanah Luncheon hosted by New Beginnings at Riverdale Y's Older Adult Center. The program featured a traditional holiday meal and the sounding of the shofar to welcome the Jewish New Year. Thank you to Rabbi Scott for the kind invitation! 

 

In addition, Senator Rivera's team also helped distribute food for the holiday season with The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty at the Kingsbridge Center for Israel. Thank you as well for the warm invitation! 

 

I hope that my Jewish neighbors had a joyful Rosh Hashanah celebration. L’Shanah Tovah! 

This week, Senator Rivera attended the full board meetings of Bronx Community Board 5 and 11, where the Senator shared updates on his work in the community, highlighted recent and upcoming events, and addressed the immigration issues currently affecting our neighborhoods. Senator Rivera also responded to questions from board members and residents.

At CB11, Senator Rivera recognized three board members who were honored over the summer: Staceyann Deleon, Chair of the Community Development & Budget Priorities Committee; Jeremy H. Warneke, District Manager; and Cynthia Rodriguez, Chair of the Community Board. Thank you all for your leadership and commitment to our community!

SENATOR RIVERA ATTENDS THE FORDHAM UNIVERSITY DEMOCRATIC DELEGATION BREAKFAST

This week, Senator Rivera attended the Fordham University Delegation Breakfast: From the Bronx, For the Bronx. The breakfast provided an opportunity to learn first-hand how Fordham is working to be a stronger partner in making the Bronx a place where young people and families can thrive.

The event brought together students, faculty, community partners, and elected officials for a conversation on what an authentic university–community partnership looks like, and a dialogue on how initiatives such as the Green Jobs Center, small business development, immigrant support, and mental health services, among others, align with the priorities being advanced for our districts.