Bring your wallet to the NY Center Auction on June 4th

Fund Raising Auction and Dinner
for the NY Center for Interpersonal Development

Thursday, June 4, 2009
Temple Israel

Honoring our past board members who led the way in helping us grow:
Larry Beslow
Ralph DeMayo
Diane DiResta
Kathy Feola
Anthony Giacobbe
Elaine Gregorio
Dr. Mohammed Khalid
Bill Orlando
Loulou Saleem

Join us for a wonderful evening with many exciting items for auction, a simple but delicious dinner, and great company -- all to help the NY Center continue to provide Staten Island services that help resolve conflicts, build community, and strengthen relationships.

Event tickets: $25 per person

Links to: Sponsorship :: Journal Ad :: Donate auction items

Contact Mike Baver at 947-4121 for information

The Committee: John Minardo, Board Chair and Honorary Auction Chair
Terry Baver, Colleen Kennedy, Jon DelGiorno, Christine Olivari, Robert Busan, Mike Candella,
Maryann Lauria, Marlene Markoe-Boyd, Dominick Brancato, Candace Gonzalez, Mike Candella, Mike Baver,
Mary Castellana, and Ruth Wahtera

Reflections on World AIDS Day 2008

World AIDS Day by stevegarfield via Flickr

Staff at the NY Center for Interpersonal Development are honoring World AIDS Day 2008. Here we share thoughts from two of our staff.

From Robert Busan, Director of Community Development

In 1992 a gentleman Living With AIDS, Carl DeVaughn and I founded an agency for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, their families and loved ones. We named it Project B.U.I. L.D. (Building, Unity, Independence, Love, and Development), a client centered, all volunteer organization that relies on its members for its continued existence.

At the time Staten Island had no safe, confidential and comfortable place for people with HIV/AIDS to gather and so we created a drop-in center to provide recreation, education, advocacy and a congregate meal to all those who chose to come looking for a place where they would feel free of the stigma and discrimination that comes with having HIV disease.

Little did we know that in those early years we would get between 40 and 80 people in attendance every Thursday evening at the First Presbyterian Church in Stapleton. People were hungry for knowledge, relaxation and a good meal. Unfortunately for Carl he would pass away in January of 03 and only got to see a small sampling of what Project BUILD would do. Sixteen years later Project BUILD continues its legacy of care with the numbers who attend a bit smaller but the need clearly prevails.

My sweet daughter Robyn has been participating at Project BUILD since she was but a few weeks old. She is very much a part of the Project BUILD family and you can say she has grown up there. Robyn knows and understands that the people who come to Project BUILD are not always healthy, are in need and we provide them with assistance and a hot meal. If you ask her what we do at Project BUILD she would say “we help people.” Robyn sometimes helps to prepare and serve the meals. She is also in charge of distributing MetroCards to the program members. All in all she is being instilled with the meaning of volunteerism, of giving of oneself to others as its own reward. When I watch her doing her thing at Project BUILD I am so proud of her. She is truly a chip off the old block….Daddy’s little girl.

Each of us in our own way has this inside of us or we wouldn’t be doing the type of work we do everyday. As I reflect about World AIDS Day, I also reflect about how amazing all of you are! I thank all of you for being part of something at NYCID that is bigger than each of us individually. It is incredible to stop and think about how we all make a difference in people’s lives each and every day.

As I did last year, I am asking and imploring all of you to think about the millions of men, women and children across this great world of ours afflicted with HIV/AIDS and anyone you may know personally living with the illness, anyone who has passed on and their surviving families. In opening up your hearts you can help by not forgetting them and standing up against discrimination in any form. Your kindness, love and attention to this issue matters greatly to me.

Thank you for spending a few moments with me as I share my thoughts on this important day. I hope all of you and your families had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday

With sincere gratitude to all of you,

Robert

From Candace Gonzales:

Although I won't be with you on Dec 1st, please know that in my special way I will celebrate the lives of those lost to HIV and AIDS and those that are still suffering. I especially acknowledge those who volunteer to do the wonderful things that you and so many others do everyday and not just on World AIDS Day.

"The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing...not healing, not curing...that is a friend who cares." ~Dutch Christian writer 1932

Candace

Share your thoughts with us in the comments section of this post.

A Tribute to Nwachi Hartley, 1986 - 2008

From Jennifer Saladis, Program Manager of the ACE Program
Nwachi O. Hartley was born on September 12, 1986. A quiet and simple spirit, he was dedicated to helping his family and achieving his goals. He attended New Dorp High School, but decided he would work towards achieving his GED instead.

He came to the ACE program in October of 2006, motivated and ready to earn his GED. He was reserved and a loner, but completed his work and developed a strong relationship with his teacher, Professor Huntley James and the ACE Program Staff.

Although sometimes distracted by his game-boy or his music in class, he always did what he needed, and made tremendous strides toward his personal and educational success.

He was a hard worker and enjoyed working with his hands. He held various jobs in construction and maintenance and was happy getting dirty and using his strength. He was even more pleased to earn extra money to help out his family, especially his mom, Joanne.

One of Nwachi’s passions however, and the thing that kept him focused, was boxing. As a member of the Park Hill Boxing Program, Nwachi (nicknamed Speedy) trained for the Golden Gloves and was highly successful in his matches. He helped the club by recruiting young men from the neighborhood and encouraging them to use their fighting skills in the ring and not on the street.

Nwachi put all of his talents and skills to work and was able to earn his GED. In the midst of his preparation, he was received the “Outstanding Student Award” from the Continuing Education Program at the College of Staten Island. Professor James recognized his ability to multi-task, get things done and motivation to succeed.

He was an inspiration to his classmates and a proven example that setting your sites on the prize and working hard will get you that trophy.

After obtaining his GED, Nwachi continued to work with the ACE Program looking for jobs, applying to training programs and traveling down the path to improve his life. Always with a desire to succeed and respect in his heart, Nwachi’s participation in the ACE Program was as beneficial to him as it was to the program staff. He helped us to be on top of our game, learn new ways to deal with our students, and revel in the fact that all things are possible.

Late in January 2008, at only 20 years old, Nwachi was taken from us. He passed away from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

The shock and sadness of this tragic loss is still being felt within the ACE Program and the Parkhill Community. The impact he has had on his family, the community and this program will be felt for a long time.

He is an inspiration to all our participants and has exemplified the characteristics we expect from all of our participants. New York Center, The ACE Program and the College of Staten Island are all so honored to have been able to work with Nwachi, get to know his wonderful character and play a part in helping him achieving his goals.

Our deepest condolences and sympathies are extended to his family, friends and all who loved him.