Since poverty is the result of multiple issues working in combination, it is essential to find smart, creative solutions that address poverty reduction in a holistic way.
Children’s Aid established a highly strategic and inclusive process to ensure meaningful governance of the initiative. Structured processes were put in place to effectively gather critical information and make certain thaat recommendations would be supported by meaningful community input, data and critical analysis.
Working closely with the Bronx Borough President’s office (BBPO), Children’s Aid assembled a Task Force of community leaders and representatives who reflect the diversity and dense population of the Bronx and who understand the pervasive nature of poverty across the borough. Each of these participants approached the task at hand with a spirit of candor and represented one or more of the following criteria:
Deep roots in the Bronx – and the South Bronx, in particular – with authentic connections to individuals directly affected by poverty or living in poverty themselves;
Operating members of networks currently combating poverty; and/or
Expertise on the causes of and best strategies to reduce poverty.
A Steering Committee of local leaders was created to help streamline the decision-making and governance process. Consisting of experienced professionals with the knowledge and savvy to make smart and thoughtful decisions, along with the ability to influence policy, the Steering Committee was guided by an analysis of published research, local data and community voices to play the pivotal role in focusing Bronx Impact strategies.
“Regardless of all the progress we have made in the Bronx, poverty remains a serious problem across the borough and rampant in the communities of the South Bronx. If we introduce solutions that successfully reduce poverty in those neighborhoods, we will be developing a blueprint for the Bronx overall.”
-Hon. Rubén Díaz, Jr., Borough President of the Bronx
Photo by Ed Garcia Conde
Bronx Impact Advisory Council
Michael Alfulti, PhD, President, SUNY Maritime College
Diya Basu-Sen, Executive Director, Sapna NYC, Inc.
Phoebe Boyer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Aid
Nancy Carin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Outreach Network
Nicole Carter, Director of Resident Services at Crotona Park, Phipps Neighborhoods
Jessica Clemente, Executive Director, Nos Quedamos
Marcos Crespo, Senior VP of Community Affairs, Montefiore
Dr. Jose Luis Cruz, President, Lehman College
Christine Curella, Director of Business Development and New Economy Initiatives, Consultant
Daniel Díaz, Executive Director, East Side House
Ricardo Díaz, RDN, Head Nutritionist, Wellness in the Schools
Mark Dunetz, PhD, President, New Visions
Beverly Emers, Community Leader, Bronx Community College
Debbian Fletcher-Blake, CEO, VIP Community Services
Rasmia Kirmani, Public Housing Consultant, Ford Foundation and Hester Street
Tonya Gayle, Executive Director, Green City Force
Demetris Giannoulias, CEO, Spring Bank
Hon. Vanessa L. Gibson, Bronx Borough President
Dr. David Gomez, President, Hostos Community College
Christina Hanson, Executive Director, POTS
Michael Hurwitz, former Director, Greenmarket
Paloma Izquierdo-Hernandez, President and CEO, Urban Health Plan
Bijan Kimiagar, Associate Director for Research, CCC
Terry Lawson, Co-Founder and Director, Bronx Immigration Partnership & Bronx Legal Services
Sue Lehmann, Chief Facilitator and Co-Founder, Student Success Network
Derrick Lewis, Co-Founder, The Bronx Foundation
Aracelis Lucero, Executive Director, Masa
Shana McCormick, Director, RAP4Bronx
Jennifer Mitchell, Executive Director, The HOPE Program/Sustainable South Bronx
Amjad Mujaahid, Bronx Neighborhood Health Promoter, Tremont Health Action Center, DOHMH
Eileen Newman, Executive Director, Center for Bronx Nonprofits
Marjorie Parker, President and CEO, JobsFirstNYC
Dr. Douglas Reich, Chairman, Family Medicine, Bronx Lebanon Hospital
Jerelyn Rodriguez, Founder, The Knowledge House
Charmaine Ruddock, Project Director, Bronx Health REACH
Davon Russell, President, WHEDco
Carol Samol, Director of the Bronx Office, Department of City Planning
Abby Jo Sigal, Executive Director, NYC Mayor's Office of Workforce Development
Lisa Sorin, President, Bronx Chamber of Commerce
Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York
Eileen Torres, Chief Executive Officer, BronxWorks
Andre White, Executive Director, Phipps Neighborhoods
Denice Williams, Deputy Commissioner, DYCD
Denise Williams, Director of Equity Excellence, DOE
Marion Williams, National Program Director, Wellness in the Schools
