Dear Friend,
In this newsletter:
- We marched against domestic violence at Shine the Light event.
- NMIC gives a warm welcome to our newest board members.
- Our volunteer Caitly joins us in a permanent role!
- Our educators share best practices at the 17th Annual Literacy Review Workshops.
We Marched at Shine the Light
In 2000, NMIC, the NYPD, and other community-based organizations founded the Washington Heights & Inwood Coalition Against Interpersonal and Domestic Violence. One of our aims is to educate and promote awareness to end and prevent interpersonal violence in Northern Manhattan.
The Shine the Light event began years ago when government buildings in Albany were lit up in purple to raise awareness. Four years ago, the Coalition then brought this march to Washington Heights. We were honored to walk alongside our community in raising awareness for domestic violence.
Survivors of intimate partner violence have become more vulnerable during COVID-19, please help by making a donation today.
Meet Our New Board Members
Join us in welcoming the two newest members of our Board of Directors, Roshan Ahmad and Kayla M. McPherson.
Roshan Ahmad is an Executive Director at JPMorgan’s Global Sovereign Advisory Group with 13 years of experience advising governments globally on critical fiscal policy, credit ratings, and investor positioning.
Kayla M. McPherson is the Deputy Director of Data, IT, and Compliance at East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP). Before EHTP, Kayla worked at Legal Action Center on a consumer education and engagement initiative on the use of electronic health records in New York State.
We also want to extend congratulations to our board member Eddie Cuesta who is being celebrated in City & State’s list, Power of Diversity: Latino 100 to mark Hispanic Heritage Month alongside the likes of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Frankie Miranda. Eddie, we are honored to serve with you! Learn more about our Board of Directors by haciendo clic.
Do you remember Caitly?
Earlier this year, we shared a story about our super volunteer, Caitly, who was an essential member of our bi-weekly food pantry distributions.
Since then, we are happy to share she has officially joined our team as a staff member connecting community members to emergency rental assistance.
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides economic relief to families facing housing insecurity through rental arrears, temporary rental assistance, and utility arrears assistance. Originally from Washington Heights, Caitly has been giving back to her community since the 6th grade. Join us in welcoming Caitly!
What the hell happened in high school?
NMIC team members Mark Ambrosino and Jason Bocko were selected to participate in the 17th annual Literacy Review Workshops to share an activity, created by Mr. Ambrosino, named “What the hell happened in high school?” with other adult education instructors and academics to implement as a best practice.
Mr. Ambrosino begins his Adult Basic Education class with this assignment. Students describe their negative experiences with the public education system and share their reasons for not completing high school, often bonding over their similarities. In doing so, our teachers build community, and address and deconstruct the stigma of not graduating from high school so students can move forward with more enthusiasm and confidence.
NMIC’s free adult education classes put clients on the path to better jobs and higher wages. Learn more here.
Involúcrese
Thinking of getting involved like Caitly? Our Food Pantry is looking for volunteers! Please fill out this form to apply.
Yours in Solidarity,
NMIC
