NYC MEETS PUERTO RICO

Y HOSTS PANEL AND SERVICE EVENT AT SOMOS CONFERENCE

For the second year in a row, the YMCA of Greater New York hosted an event at the SOMOS Conference in Puerto Rico. The Y brought together over 100 people to hear from panelists about drowning prevention and access to swimming, with moderation by Council Member Kevin Riley and YMCA President and CEO Sharon Greenberger.

The Y then collaborated with the San Juan - Puerto Rico YMCA on a day ofservice. Approximately 20 volunteers worked on a community garden, painted, helped enroll participants in a program for people with Parkinson’s disease, and read stories and led sing-alongs in early childhood classes. Volunteers included Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson, staff from Delta Airlines, Good Shepherd Services, and Children’s Aid, and the intergovernmental team from Madison Square Garden.

The Y also joined nearly 30 organizations and the New York State Assembly APA Taskforce to support a reception by the Chinese-American Planning Council that uplifted the Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.•

(top) YMCA President and CEO Sharon Greenberger and Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie spend quality time in the early childhood center at the San Juan - Puerto Rico YMCA. (bottom, l to r) YMCA President and CEO Sharon Greenberger, Assembly Member Catalina Cruz, Children’s Aid NYC Executive Vice President Sandra Escamilla-Davies, Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, NYC Parks Bronx Borough Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, G. Bailey, State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, and Council Member Kevin Riley.

YMCA Vice President of Government Relations Michael Rivadeneyra, San Juan YMCA External Resources Manager Patricia Negrón Busquets, San Juan YMCA Executive Director Mabel Román Padró, and YMCA President and CEO Sharon Greenberger

Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson and a fellow volunteer help out with some gardening

Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado addresses the crowd

State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey and his daughters help refresh some paint