BP Adams Hails Landmark Agreement With Coalition of Latin American Consulates
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams hailed a landmark agreement between the Borough of Brooklyn and the Coalition of Latin American Consuls in New York (CLAC-NY) yesterday.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) that they signed at a ceremony in the Courtroom of Brooklyn Borough Hall last week launched a commitment to collaborate on business, cultural, and economic matters, as well as expanded community outreach to a population of more than 500,000 Brooklynites of Latino origin, according to data from the US Census Bureau.
As part of the newly signed MOU, the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President will act as a liaison between key governmental agencies and departments impacting culture, education, law enforcement, and other relevant matters. All CLAC-NY members will show a welcome message featuring Adams in their respective offices and make available a calendar of local events. Additionally, they will assist in translating informational resources into Spanish for Brooklyn residents from Latin America. Efforts will be also made toward creating an online program for international student exchange and educational development, as well as identifying new opportunities for sister city exchange.
CLAC-NY is an association of local consulates representing 18 nations from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America; CLAC-NY’s membership includes consuls general from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
“Our Latino community’s roots in Brooklyn are strong and growing. Working with CLAC-NY, we will engage in vibrant collaboration on the local level that strengthens our borough and countries across our hemisphere. International partnerships are essential for municipalities as diverse as Brooklyn, as we capitalize on the values that bring us together and learn from each other’s unique experiences,” said Adams.
Deutsch Honors Students For Holiday Support Of Homeless Families
City Council member Chaim Deutsch (D-) honored students at P.S. 255 in Sheepshead Bay this week as the school’s fourth and fifth graders headed this year’s sock drive.
The school’s Student Council was able to collect more than 2,400 pairs of socks in less than two months, topping previous year’s totals. Under the guidance of Principal Kelly McCann and Ms. Jaclyn Warner, Student Council Facilitator at P.S. 255, the school’s sock drive has grown into an annual event.
Each year, Deutsch assists the students in distributing the socks among local homeless shelters and schools for disabled children. This year, the socks were donated to Win (formerly Women in Need), New York City’s largest provider of shelter for homeless women and their children.
“The students at P.S. 255 have worked extraordinarily hard to collect thousands of socks for homeless individuals across the City. I am very proud of the great work they have done, and it was my pleasure to award them for their efforts. I commend the administrators, teachers, and parents of P.S. 255, who have been role models for these children, educating them about the importance of helping those less fortunate,” said Deutsch.
CM Williams Commemorates The Celebration of Kwanzaa
City Council member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood), commemorated the celebration of Kwanzaa yesterday.
The annual celebration is an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the African community. Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. The holiday is celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 by the African Diaspora all over the world.
“I send my sincerest regard to all who are celebrating Kwanzaa this holiday season. Today marks the beginning of a cultural celebration that honors African American heritage and culture, framed through the seven principles of Kwanzaa–unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith,” said Williams.
“This season, we celebrate Kwanzaa at a time when many of Africa’s children here in America are undergoing immense challenges in their lives. Yet as we reflect on our troubles, blessings and memories of the past year, let us be inspired by the spirit of unity or Umoja. By applying the seven principles of Kwanzaa to our lives and our leaders, let us work to bring in 2018 with hope that there will be a better tomorrow. Habari Gani,” added Williams.
