Co-op City Times 071225 by Co-op City Times

Riverbay Board Election Extended to July 28 1,780 More Ballots Needed for Quorum

By ROZAAN BOONE

The 2025 Election Committee announced the extension of the Riverbay Board of Directors’ election on Tuesday, July 8, when it became evident that the number of ballots turned in by shareholders were insufficient to validate the election.

This year’s quorum is 5,041 and, as of Tuesday, July 8, 3,261 ballots were received, leaving 1,780 outstanding.

Of the 3,261 ballots so far recorded by YesElections, 34 were cast online and 3,227 are paper ballots.

The new deadline for shareholders of record who have not yet voted in the Board election, is Monday, July 28, at 9 p.m.

Ballots can be returned by US Mail or deposited into the Riverbay Corporation ballot drop boxes in the three community centers. Ballots must be included in the provided postage-paid, pre-addressed envelope to count in the election and shareholders are advised to read their ballot letter keenly and follow the directions carefully to ensure their ballot is not disqualified. Completed ballots must

Quorum Update

As of press time Friday, July 11, 3,261 ballots were received by YesElections for the 2025 Riverbay Board Election. Returned ballots include 34 electronic and 3,227 paper ballots.

One thousand, seven hundred and eighty (1,780) ballots are still needed to reach quorum.

Please cast your ballot by placing it in a secure Riverbay Corporation ballot box located in the three community centers, or in a US mailbox postmarked by Mon., July 28, 2025. Your Vote matters! Your Ballot is your voice. Please VOTE!

NOTICE TO ALL SHAREHOLDERS

An upgrade was recently made to our Yardi System to facilitate the digital Income Affidavit process. We are now informed that, unfortunately, there was an issue with the upgrade that may have impacted the surcharge calculations. We are currently working to resolve the issue. Any shareholder who may have been affected by this incident will receive an adjustment or credit. The credit and the corrected surcharge amount will be reflected in the August carrying charge statement.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Some shareholders were assessed a 50% surcharge because of failure to submit the Income Affidavit. We are urging those shareholders to submit the completed Income Affidavits as soon as possible to stop the surcharges going forward.

—Riverbay Finance Department

first be placed in the “Secret Ballot Envelope,” sealed and then put into the postage-paid envelope. The postage-paid, pre-addressed envelope has a unique bar code imprinted on the front of the envelope which is used by the election vendor to validate the ballot and maintain the integrity of the election results.

During the Board election, the official ballot drop boxes are maintained by YesElections. Completed ballots cannot be returned to Riverbay Corporation so they should not be dropped into the carrying charge boxes or given to a Riverbay employee. Shareholders are reminded that due to a change in Private Housing Finance law 13-c, as interpreted by the New York State Homes and Community Renewal Housing Management memo #2023-B-11 dated Sept. 24, 2023, ballots must be cast in-person, by absentee mail-in or dropped in the secure ballot box in the community centers. There is no option to vote online.

In-person sessions were held in June – the first at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on Wednesday, June 25, from 6-10 p.m. in the Dreiser Auditorium, followed

The message below is from the co-chairs of the 2025 Election Committee, Board Director Monique Coleman and Board Director Leah Graham.

Election co-chair Coleman: “Earlier this week, I met two neighbors with very different experiences in Co-op City.

“The first woman has lived here for three years. She recognized me from the Co-op City Times and said, ‘You’re that lady from the paper!’ She mentioned that she voted right away because she loves Co-op City. ‘Our community is beautiful and well cared for,’ she said. She previously lived in a co-op in Yonkers for eight years, where her maintenance was under $300

Stay Safe, Cool and Informed This Summer

BY DANIELLE CRUZ

As we enter into summer and as temperatures reach the high-90’s, shareholders are reminded to take precautions to stay cool and hydrated.

High temperatures can be dangerous, especially to older adults, children and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Prolonged exposure to the heat and sun can lead to a slew of heat-related illnesses like heat stroke, heat exhaustion and even sun poisoning.

Shareholders who are outside and looking for a place to cool down during the hot summer days can visit cooling centers, which are indoor air-conditioned places open to the public. The cooling centers in Co-op City are the JASA Centers at Bartow, Dreiser and Einstein. You can also visit https://finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters/locations to find cooling centers in and around Co-op City. A citywide map of outdoor cooling options like outdoor pools, spray showers and drinking fountains can be found online at https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/health-and-safety-guide/ cool-it-nyc

(Continued on page 2)

Monique Coleman Leah Graham

TEAM UNITY – ELECT ALL 5!

Senior and homebound shareholders are also encouraged to sign up for the R.U.O.K. Telephone Reassurance Program that is run by the Co-op City Public Safety Department. Through this free program shareholders can sign up to receive daily check-in phone calls from CCPD, allowing shareholders a way to connect with someone in case they need assistance or might be experiencing a medical emergency.

Once registered to R.U.O.K., the shareholder will begin to receive a daily phone call at a pre-set time, all they have to do is answer the call and either inform the dispatcher that they are okay or request assistance. If the first call is not answered, two follow-up calls will be made. If all attempts to contact the shareholder are unsuccessful, then their emergency contact will be notified, and a Public Safety officer will be sent over to check on the shareholders’ well-being.

To sign up for R.U.O.K, shareholders can either pick up the application at the CCPD window located at 2049 Bartow Ave. or access a fillable

pdf on coopcity.com. To access the pdf, click on the resources tab on the homepage and select CCPD from the drop-down menu. Once filled out, the application can be either emailed to info@ccpd.us or mailed to: Co-op City Department of Public Safety, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx, New York 10475. Attn: Lt. Christopher Bulat.

This program is different from the CCPD Emergency Assistance Database and the Phone Tree Alert System. The CCPD Emergency Assistance Database is a list maintained by CCPD of shareholders who use life-support devices, walking aids, or require special accommodations. It helps ensure that those shareholders receive priority assistance during emergencies. The Phone Tree system, on the other hand, is a notification service shareholders can sign up for to receive alerts and notices from Riverbay about water shutdowns, power outages, load-shedding events, etc.

During the hotter days shareholders are encouraged to stay indoors, if possible, and limit the amount of time spent doing activities outdoors. If you do go outdoors, try to stay in the shade, wear sunscreen, and remember to stay hydrated. Try to also limit outdoor activities to the early morning and evening when temperatures are at the lowest. The sun’s peak hours are typically from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. During those hotter days try to do activities to keep cool, like going to the movies, walking in an air-conditioned mall, or visiting a pool.

“As temperatures soar to nearly 100 degrees this week, we urge all New Yorkers to take the heat seriously,” New York City Emergency Mangement (NYCEM) Commissioner Zach Iscol said in a press release. “Stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, and, most importantly, find places in your neighborhood to cool down, so you and your family avoid the dangerous consequences of heat illness.”

Children and pets should also never be left unattended in a car. According to the CDC after just 20 minutes on an 80-degree day, the inside of a car can hit 109 degrees Fahrenheit. After 40 minutes, it can hit 118 degrees, and after an hour, it can hit 123 degrees.

Pets are also susceptible to heat and dehydration during the summer months. When the temperature is very high, do not let your dog linger on hot asphalt as it can burn their paw pads.

If you or someone you know feels weak or faint while outside, find a cool or shady place and drink water. If there is no improvement, call 911.

You can visit https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatrelillness.html for a list of heat-related illnesses and symptoms.

You can also find more resources and tips on how to stay cool during the hot summer days by visiting NYCEM’s Beat the Heat page at https:// tinyurl.com/pmfmk8xa

Shareholders

Co-op City Times

COMBING

Find out what’s going on in Co-op City here...

Board Election

In-Person Voting

Today in Sect. 5

Shareholders who have not yet cast their ballot in the 2025 Riverbay Board of Directors election can do so in-person today, Saturday, July 12, 3-8 p.m. at the YesElection station in the park between Buildings 26 & 27.

ID IS REQUIRED TO VOTE IN-PERSON. (See page 28.)

1,780 ballots are still needed for quorum. Please vote! The election has been extended to Monday, July 28.

Co-op City Jazz Vocalist in Concert

Co-op City jazz vocalist Frank Senior will be performing with gospel superstar Kim Burrell at the Little Amph Theater, July 8-26. For more information, please visit franksenior.com.

Separately, Mr. Senior is the recipient of a grant from the Bronx Council on the Arts to produce and perform a series of concerts in Co-op City, so stay tuned!

Farmers’ Market

Returns in July

The Harvest Home Farmers Market will return to Co-op City in July. More details will be forthcoming.

Avoiding Scams

If it sounds too good to be true, if you are being pressured to make an immediate decision, or if you were contacted unexpectedly, STOP –hang up the phone or walk away. Immediately speak to someone you trust or CCPD, (718) 671-3050 or send an email to info@ccpd.us.

Read & Follow the Co-op Times Online

NYC Reaches Key Milestones Through Citywide Doula Initiative

New York City announced this week that the Citywide Doula Initiative (CDI) eclipsed key milestones related to improving maternal health for Black and Hispanic women.

Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene (DOHMH) Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse delivered the encouraging news together on July 7. Data collected by the DOHMH show that the program has successfully supported over 3,000 women through safe childbirth. First launched in 2022, the CDI aimed to improve maternal health for Black and Hispanic women by providing free doula support for birthing mothers. DOHMH also released a report detailing the current state of doula care in New York City.

Overall, the CDI reached several milestones this year as the program continues growing, and below is a recap of those highlights, according to the DOHMH:

* Since 2022, doula coverage in NYC has increased by 25%, equating to roughly a 12% increase each year.

* City-supported doula programs accounted for over 25% of the doula-supported births in 2024.

* For areas of the city where the CDI focused on more closely, “the program accounted for nearly half of all doula-attended births in 2024 and served a large proportion of birthing people of color, shelter residents, and non-English-speakers.”

* On March 1, New York State Medicaid ofﬁcially began covering doula services for members, expanding the resource to more people.

* For non-English speaking mothers, the CDI has lowered the barrier for access. Speciﬁcally, “the number of non-English-speaking clients served by the CDI rose al-

New Regulations Aim To Improve Behavioral Health Treatment Access

New York is aiming to improve behavioral health treatment access after announcing new regulations on July 8.

Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement one week after the new network adequacy regulations went in place officially on July 1. Specifically, the “regulations give New Yorkers with qualifying health insurance plans access to an initial outpatient appointment for behavioral health care within 10 business days of the request,” according to the Governor’s Office.

The new regulations also require qualifying health plans to provide an accurate and updated directory of in-network providers on their respective websites. Additionally, that directory must include information on health care professionals or facilities, the provider’s location, telehealth options, languages spoken, any restrictions concerning the conditions treated or ages served and any facility afﬁliations. By centralizing the provider lists, individuals will have an easier time ﬁnding the help they need.

New Yorkers who are covered by Medicaid Managed Care, Child Health Plus, or the Essential Plan are entitled to the new consumer protections for appointment wait times, as explained by the Governor’s Ofﬁce.

Equally important, the new regulations provide a pathway for consumers to ﬁle complaints against plans or providers who do not adhere to the new rules. New Yorkers with

To read and follow the Co-op City Times electronically, log in to the Issuu platform by typing in “issuu.com/ cctimes,” or scan the QR code here to be connected. 2nd Front Page

(Continued on page 5)

NOTICE

MATV/Intercom/Camera Issues

Shareholders experiencing issues with Master Antenna service and Intercoms are advised to call (718) 320-3300, Ext. 3529 or Ext. 3436. For lobby/laundry room cameras, please call (718) 320-3300, Ext. 3529.

most 50%, from 15% in 2023 to 22% in 2024.”

DOHMH’s report also touched on several areas for improvement in regards to doula services and overall maternal care in the city. Data from the NYC Ofﬁce of Vital Statistics showed approximately only 40–50% of births to mothers on Medicaid, foreign-born, or enrolled in WIC were doula-assisted.

Another area that needs more investment and resources is providing more comprehensive postpartum support for mothers. “Unfortunately, access to low or no-cost postpartum support has not increased at the same rate as access to birth-doula services,” the DOHMH said.

Access to mental health support for mothers and families also needs improvement, as pointed out by the DOHMH. “Access to mental health support is also a gap in care for pregnant and postpartum families. Screening clients for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders is a key component of community doula care, but NYC still lacks sufﬁcient high-quality and affordable mental health services to meet the needs that are revealed through screening,” the DOHMH went on to say.

To be eligible for the program, the mother must satisfy

(Continued on page 5)

Election extended –––––– (Continued from page 1)

by a session on Thursday, June 26, from 12-8 p.m. in the Einstein Center; on Friday, June 27, 12-8 p.m. in the Bartow Center, and on Saturday, June 28, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. also in the Bartow Center.

Co-chairs of the 2025 Election Committee, Board Directors Monique Coleman and Leah Graham, have arranged an additional in-person voting opportunity to be held today, Saturday, July 12, 3-8 p.m., in the park between Buildings 26 and 27, at 2400, 2420 and 440 Hunter Avenue (see page 28 for more information). Look for the YesElections table in the park.

Election co-chairs Coleman and Graham have also recruited the assistance of building association presidents to engage shareholders in their buildings and encourage them to return their Board election ballots to help make the quorum as soon as possible to save shareholders the expense of a prolonged extension to the Board election.

Shareholders who have not received a Riverbay Board election ballot in the mail or who require a replacement ballot, should contact YesElections immediately by calling (855) 970-6106 or by emailing help+riverbay@yeselections.com

Elections for one-third of the 15-member Riverbay Board of Directors are held annually, as per Riverbay Corporation’s By-Laws. Directors serve a threeyear term, unless ﬁlling a vacancy. Attendance by one-third of the shareholders entitled to vote in the annual Board election constitutes a quorum.

Shareholders are voting to elect ﬁve candidates from among the 11 running in this year’s Board election (see page 6). The candidates who were certiﬁed by the 2025 Election Committee are Kevin Lambright, Bishop Angelo Rosario, Leslie Peterson, Anika Green-Watson, Keith Logan, Daryl Johnson, Shacara Cudjoe, Idalia Reyes, Grace Solomon, Leah Richardson and Darnell Lopez

needed for the election to count. We still need 1,780 shareholders to vote,” Director Coleman added. “So, ﬁnd your green envelope. Select up to ﬁve candidates. If you’re unsure who to vote for, choose ‘quorum only.’ Don’t take our community for granted – cast your vote today!”

“We’re just 1,780 ballots away from reaching quorum in our Board of Directors election—we need your vote!” said Election co-chair Graham.

Director Graham emphasized the importance of the quorum in the Board election. She noted that:

• Quorum is required by NYS HCR for a valid election

• Ensures a legal, transparent process

• Avoids extra carrying charge costs

• Gives you [shareholder] a voice in shaping our community,

• It promotes transparency, accountability, and self-governance, and

• It empowers shareholders to shape the future of our community.

“Let’s do this together,” said Director Graham. “Your vote does make a difference and it’s required. The Election ends on Monday, July 28, 2025.”

More information is available on the candidates and their platforms at riverbayvotes.com or scan teh QR code here. The three Election Supplements in which the candidates introduced themselves and discussed their candidacies were published in the Co-op City Times on Saturday, May 10, 2025; Saturday, May 17, 2025; and Saturday, June 14, 2025. In addition, the three ofﬁcial Candidates’ Forums hosted by the 2025 Election Committee were also covered in the Co-op City Times published on Saturday, May 17, June 14, and June 21, 2025. The Co-op City Times is available online at issuu.com/cctimes, or scan the QR Code at left.

The ﬁrst and second Candidates’ Forums are also available on the corporation’s YouTube channel, bit.ly/3G4S7rd, or scan the QR code at right.

“Voting matters,” said Election co-chair Coleman. “The Division of Housing and Community Renewal requires Co-op City and all Mitchell-Lama developments to hold annual elections. Voting is not just a right; it’s also a legal requirement.

“Our election has been extended until July 28 because we haven’t yet reached quorum – the minimum number of votes

Riverbay Corporation Ballot Drop Box Locations

Behavioral –––––– (Continued from page 3)

state-regulated commercial insurance can file a complaint with the New York State Department of Finance online at tinyurl.com/3rfza2xt. For those covered by Medicaid, the Essential Plan or Child Health Plus, they can file complaints online at tinyurl.com/7zvehhdp.

Finding in-network providers can sometimes pose a challenge, so to alleviate that issue, the new regulations also require plans to have dedicated staff who help members find an in-network provider. Plans must provide a list of available in-network providers within three business days of a member’s request.

Governor Kathy Hochul touched on the need to improve the wait times for New Yorkers seeking essential care.

“New Yorkers in need of mental health or substance use disorder treatment should not be forced to wait months for essential care or to cover these costs themselves when their plan doesn’t include any available providers. These new regulations will help remove barriers that often force individuals and families to pay out-of-pocket for care or forgo treatment altogether,” Gov. Hochul said on July 8.

For individuals dealing with substance abuse or addiction, the Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project (CHAMP) is a valuable resource to know. “CHAMP can answer questions, help file complaints against insurance companies, and assist with insurance denial appeals,” as described by the Governor’s Office. To contact CHAMP, call 888-614-5400 or email ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.

New York State also offers a toll-free hotline for individuals with addiction and substance abuse problems at 1-877-846-7369.

Doula –––––– (Continued from page 3)

two requirements, as explained by the DOH:

1. Live in one of the neighborhoods “that were particularly hard-hit by Covid-19 and other health and socioeconomic inequities.” For a complete list of neighborhoods, visit tinyurl.com/2pkvwrs2. Alternatively, if the mother lives in a shelter, foster home or is a teenager.

2. Be income-eligible for Medicaid.

Going forward, the CDI aims to keep expanding to reach more mothers citywide. For additional information on the CDI, visit tinyurl.com/43bsvjtc. Mothers looking to see if they are eligible for the program can call 1-844-653-6852 or email CDI@health.nyc.gov.

Riverbay Safety Department Mold Program

The Riverbay Safety Department oversees the corporation’s mold program throughout Co-op City. In the event a shareholder observes mold in an apartment, a call must be placed to the respective Cooperator Services Office (CSO) requesting a mold assessment which will be conducted by the Safety Department. Once an assessment is completed and it is determined that mold is present, an investigation will begin to determine the cause of the mold. When the cause of the mold is identified and corrected, then the Safety Department will schedule an appointment to remediate the visual mold in accordance with the regulations.

Shareholders should be aware that if the Safety department finds mold or mildew in an apartment during an assessment visit caused by the shareholder’s actions, such as a dirty vent in the bathroom or a vent that has been covered or closed, the shareholder will be charged the fee for the assessment and remediation of mold/mildew in the apartment. The same applies to items placed on top of convections that result in dirt and debris falling into the convector and blocking the drain pipes thereby contributing to floods in the apartment, or items blocking free flow of air in front of convectors such as furniture.

Mold vs. Mildew

Mildew: Usually grows in a flat pattern and appears either powdery or fluffy. It can be easily identified as a patch of white, gray, or yellowish fungus that is lying on the surface of a moist area. Mildew usually turns black or brown over time. Mildew can grow on any organic matter such as wood, walls and wallpaper and is caused by humidity and moisture. During the winter months, when the heat goes full blast and the windows stay shut, mildew can flourish, and, as the weather warms up outside, humidity can also help the mildew process along.

Mold: Usually fuzzy or slimy in appearance. It appears as irregularly shaped spots that can have different colors. Oftentimes, surfaces that are covered in mold begin to rot. Most typical indoor air exposures to mold do not present a risk of adverse health effects. Molds can cause adverse effects by producing allergens (allergic reactions). In order to determine if mold is present, a visual inspection is necessary. On rare instances where a strong musty “odor” is detected, this may indicate the presence of mold. In order for mold to grow, the following are required – Moisture, correct temperature and a food source such as plaster, wood, etc.

Please note: RIVERBAY DOES NOT CLEAN MILDEW IN TUBS OR TILE . Housekeeping is the responsibility of each individual shareholder.

(Continued on page 8)

Message –––––– (Continued from page 1)

but nothing was ever fixed. The building deteriorated, and in her final year, a large assessment was imposed to address long-neglected repairs. She was relieved to move to a community with a Board that advocates for residents.

“The second woman has lived in Co-op City for 26 years and has never voted. She shared her frustration about a leak in her apartment. However, she said Maintenance responded immediately, and an inspector followed up to schedule painting, plastering, and a new floor. While the leak was unfortunate, we all agreed it was reassuring to see Management respond quickly and thoroughly. She promised to vote that day.

“The takeaway? Voting matters.

“We must elect competent and responsible leaders. The Division of Housing and Community Renewal requires Co-op City and all Mitchell-Lama developments to hold annual elections. Voting is not just a right; it’s also a legal requirement.

“Our election has been extended until July 28 because we haven’t yet reached quorum; the minimum number of votes needed for the election to count. We still need 1,780 shareholders to vote.

“So, find your green envelope. Select up to five candidates. If you’re unsure who to vote for, choose ‘quorum only.’ Learn more about the candidates at riverbayvotes.com or search for the ‘2025 Co-op City Election’ on YouTube. Need a replacement ballot? Call Yes Elections at 855-970-6106 or email. yes+riverbay@yeselections.com

“Don’t take our community for granted – cast your vote today!”

Election co-chair Graham: “Dear Shareholders, we’re just 1,780 votes away from reaching quorum in our Board of Directors election—we need your vote!

“Why it matters:

“• Quorum is required by NYS HCR for a valid election

“• Ensures a legal, transparent process

“• Avoids extra carrying charge costs

“• Gives you a voice in shaping our community

“• It promotes transparency, accountability, and self-governance, and “• It empowers shareholders to shape the future of our community

“Let’s do this together; your vote does make a difference and it’s required. Election ends July 28, 2025.”

2025 Riverbay Board of Directors’ Candidates

Above are the 11 candidates whose names appear on your Riverbay Board of Director’s election ballot. Choose up to ﬁve candidates and return your ballot before the extended deadline on Monday, July 28. If you prefer, you may check the box to indicate your ballot is for quorum purposes only. Be an engaged shareholder ... Please VOTE!

Important Notice to Shareholders of Building 2

Article SIXTH of your Occupancy Agreement provides, in part, that your lease automatically renews for an additional three (3) year period. You need to do nothing if you want your lease to extend for another three (3) year period. If you will be moving out at the end of your lease, notify Riverbay, in writing, Attention: Sales Support Ofﬁce, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475, ninety (90) days prior to lease expiration.

Building 2 A & B

900 & 920 o-op City Blvd.

Current Lease

Expiration Date: October 31, 2025

New 3-Year

Expiration Date: October 31, 2028

Co-op City Times

Co-op City’s ofﬁcial newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community. (718) 320-3300, ext. 3375 cctimes@riverbaycorp.com

Rozaan Boone Editor-in-Chief

Danielle Cruz Managing Editor

Brandi Simpson Junior Associate Editor

Ralph Henriquez Production Manager

Jennifer Piovanetti Operations Manager

Sheldon Green

Multi-Media Advertising Manager

Brandon Ortiz Media Assistant

P.M. Campbell

Media Assistant

The Co-op City Times welcomes issue-oriented letters to the editor to be considered for publication. All letters, in prose, not poetry, must be addressed to the editor, not to third parties. All letters must be signed by the writer and include their address and phone number, which will be kept conﬁdential, so that the editor can verify the authenticity of the author.

Writers will be limited to one letter per topic. Anonymous or unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Letters cannot exceed 350 words. Ideally, they should be typed. All letters must be submitted to the Co-op City Times by 3 p.m. Monday to be considered for publication in that week’s edition. Email cctimes@ riverbaycorp.com or mail to 2049 Bartow Ave., Room 21, Bronx, NY 10475.

Views and opinions expressed in letters and Directors’ Viewpoint are solely the writer’s, and not necessarily shared by the Co-op City Times or Riverbay Corp.

Advertisements and classiﬁed advertisements in the Co-op City Times do not necessarily reﬂect an endorsement from Riverbay Corp. of goods and services, but present greater options to cooperators of products and services available.

The Riverbay Corporation does not assume any responsibility nor is it a party to any contract or agreement between the cooperator and the vendor.

All matter published herein is copyrighted by the Co-op City Times. Permission for reprints of advertising or editorial contents produced by the Co-op City Times must be obtained in writing from Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx, NY 10475.

Kevin Lambright

Keith Logan

Shacara Cudjoe

Leah Richardson

Darnell Lopez

Idalia Reyes Grace Solomon

Daryl Johnson

Leslie Peterson

Bishop Angelo Rosario

Anika GreenWatson

Mandated Child Abuse Reporting – Part 2

By SGT. JOSEPH VARGAS

Mandated Reporters are professionals mandated by New York State law to report suspected child abuse and neglect to the New York State Central Register (SCR), as outlined by the 1973 Child Protective Services Act. Mandated Reporters include professionals who often find themselves around children during their professional capacities such as doctors, nurses, other medical professionals, first responders, EMTs, police and peace officers, educators, etc. Mandated Reporters are expected to call the state register at 1 (800) 635-1522 and fill out a management reporter form which can be found online or at the local ACS borough office. The Social Services Law provides confidentiality for all sources, including Mandated Reporters of child abuse and maltreatment reports. The Child Protective Services Act states that “any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in the making of a report shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal that might otherwise result by reason of such actions.”

Law Regarding Child Abuse

New York State Penal Law Section 260.10 deﬁnes the crime of endangering the welfare of a child which directly relates to the Child Protection Act. The crime details actions and lack of actions which can cause harm to a child's physical and mental well-being. Evidence of these actions which lead to reasonable suspicion of abuse should incur a Mandated Reporter’s response.

Child welfare laws are commonly understood to protect children from physical abuse, from assault, harassment, and various other physical harms or placing a child at risk of physical injury. The law also protects children from maltreatment and neglect, however, asserting physical injury is not necessary for law enforcement action, in accordance to the Social Services Law and Family Court Act. The law includes failure to provide minimum care for a child, such as supplying food, clean clothing, shelter, education, and dental or medical care.

Other associated crimes a law enforcement ofﬁcer could charge against parent or guardian responsible for a child’s welfare may include abandonment of a child, where a parent or guardian intentionally leaves a child on their own without notifying anyone who may be able to care for the child. Allowing a child to be present during illegal activities, including those involved in sex trafﬁcking or work, narcotics and alcohol also results in law enforcement action. Leaving a child unattended in a home that may be unkempt and considered in poor living conditions can result in law enforcement action.

It is notable that the Abandoned Infant Protection Act continues to protect parents or legal guardians to an infant 30 days or younger, who knowingly leaves the child with someone who can care for the child, or in a location where the child is not likely to experience physical harm and notify appropriate persons as to the location

of the child.

Riverbay community, Co-op City Public Safety protects our children. More information regarding the protection of our children can be found on the New York State Ofﬁce of Children and Family Services (OCFS) website at https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/cps/ and the New York City ACS page for Mandated Reporters at https://www.nyc.gov/site/ acs/child-welfare/mandated-reporters.page. Finally, available on the New York City ACS page are tips and videos for concerned caregivers to children in regards on child safety and avoidance of accidental child injuries.

NOTICE

Due to the Riverbay network outage, publication of the weekly Public Safety Blotter has been suspended. The Blotter will resume once service is restored. In the meantime, please continue to read the Public Safety Report for important information and updates regarding our work in the community. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Anonymous calls to Public Safety

From time to time, cooperators may witness someone violating the housing company’s rules and regulations, however, we understand that some may be apprehensive about reporting the situation for fear of their identity being divulged to the violator in question.

Please know that you may request to remain anonymous when you contact the Co-op City Public Safety Department (CCPD) regarding said issues and the Public Safety dispatchers, ofﬁcers and supervisors have been instructed to accept these calls

and investigate accordingly. If, however, you feel forced to surrender your identiﬁcation in order to lodge your complaint, immediately request to speak with a supervisor.

Rest assured that you should feel comfortable placing these calls to our Public Safety department, as oftentimes residents are the ﬁrst to know when an incident has taken place and, in most cases, who the individuals involved are.

Thank you for your cooperation.

––Riverbay Management

OPPORTUNITIES AT CO-OP CITY

For information on CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES ONLY, please contact: Lenya Garcia at Lgarcia@riverbaycorp.com; and Anatoliy Budnitskiy at abudnitskiy@riverbaycorp.com. Please note: emails should be sent to both parties.

Please DO NOT email resumes for EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES to the aforementioned emails. For EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, please see below for speciﬁc directions.

There are no contract opportunities to list this week. Please check back.

OPPORTUNITIES

For employment opportunities, please visit these following sites:

Director

’s Viewpoint

Bernard Cylich, Secretary

My Endorsements in the Riverbay Board Election

Flooding of apartments in our community has been occurring over countless years during the hot weather season due to convector drainpipe blockages that cause water condensate to overflow onto floors, damaging them and costing Riverbay approximately $7 million to $9 million annually to replace them.

Over the years, management has been attempting various protocols to mitigate the flooding, without any success. Prior to A/C season, they would send a crew of Maintenance personnel to clean convectors and flush drainpipes in up to one third of our apartments. Unfortunately, those efforts did not mitigate our flooding problems.

In 2012, several Board members visited The Philadelphian, a 20 story, 776-unit condominium that had successfully replaced their dual temperature heating/cooling system with stateof-the-art thermostat-controlled convectors. It included water sensors that once it sensed water that had overflowed unto a catch pan under the convector due to clogged drain, it would direct a valve to shut off chilled water supply in the convector coil thus eliminating their flooding issue. Of course, once a valve was shut off, residents would contact management to service their clogged drain issue.

As chair of the Board of Directors Construction/Power Plan/Restoration Committee, I invited the installers who replaced that system to Co-op City to review our system and provide us with ballpark estimate cost to install such a system here. Their estimated cost was a staggering $350 million. We felt the cost was too prohibi-

Mold

––––– (Cont’d from page 5)

tive; the Committee never pursued that proposal and we shelved it.

Several years later, Management, with Board’s approval, engaged an engineering company to study our Heating/Cooling system and provide us with a mitigating solution. After six months, their report found our system could continue to function for another 50 years. However, they failed to provide a mitigating solution to the flooding issue but did suggest we replace our entire system at a cost of $1.2 billion. That proposal was also shelved.

In the interim, we learned of the successful H/C replacement system our sister Rochdale Cooperative Village had been installing for several years. Management, with the Board’s approval, engaged the installer to help establish a pilot program here. In the spring of 2024, Management engaged that company to replace 32 state-of-the-art convectors in the living room only in one line of a Tower hi-rise. Management has indicated they will soon be releasing their findings of this initial pilot program.

However, the Committee, after reviewing Management’s pilot program, noted that the other convectors in those apartments were vulnerable to causing flooding. The Committee began to explore additional options to tackle this unforgiving problem.

Several Committee members shared their experience installing $20 water sensors in pans under their convectors. They claimed that the water sensors had prevented the aggravation of flooding and saved Riverbay thousands. Once the water sensor sensed water in the pan, cooperators would receive an alarm on their cell

Mold/Mildew Prevention Tips for Shareholders

1. Look for condensation and wet spots. Clean up all water spills immediately

2. Prevent moisture by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level (humidity) in the apartment

3. Keep convectors free from clogs

4. Do not store any items on top or against convectors. There must be at least 1 foot clearance

5. If your apartment does not have a bathroom fan, then make sure the bathroom window is left open a minimum of 1 inch

6. Ensure bathroom fan is operational. Shareholders are responsible for keeping fans clean. Use a small baby bottle cleaner to clean out the louvers. DO NOT close louvers or cover the fan.

7. Install drip pan under each convector ( Aluminum lasagna pans)

8. Clean the top of the convector fins every month with Clorox wipes.

9. Use convectors for A/C during hot weather days.

10. During the non-summer months, leave some windows open to increase ventilation.

11. Keep the apartment clean. Clutter can fuel mold

12. Bathroom walls and tubs must be cleaned weekly. Use green cleaning products. To help prevent mildew build-up, use a daily shower spray (Clorox) after each use on tile and tubs.

13. Purchase a moisture absorber such as “DAMPRID.” This will attract and capture moisture, plus it will eliminate musty odors and create fresher, cleaner air.

14. Fully extend your shower curtains open after each use so mildew does not grow in the damp folds of the curtain.

15. Purchase a dehumidifier to assist with removing excess moisture.

16. Purchase plants such as Areca Palm (indoor/outdoor air purifier). Plants are able to absorb toxins by moving these chemicals through to their roots and this includes minuscule mold spores that float through the air. Do not place plants on top of your convectors. This could lead to soil, dust and debris blocking your convector drain.

phones warning them of a potential flooding even as far away as Florida. Once they received such warning, they would contact Riverbay to arrange for a Riverbay staff to service their clogged drains.

The cooperators told us those water sensors were life changing – not only did they mitigate the traumatic flooding experience but saved Riverbay countless monies to replacing damaged flooded floors.

While that system of preemptive flooding is not a panacea, nevertheless, the Committee agreed to ask the Board to request Management to conduct a feasibility study to investigate the possibly of such a preemptive flooding system to be installed here. We were certain it would be welcomed by cooperators.

I have been attempting to introduce such a motion on behalf of the Committee to request Management to conduct such a feasibility study. Adopting such a request will not commit the Board to any program or plan. However, it may provide the Board with options that may bring some relief to the annual flooding. It could be a win-win solution.

The Construction Committee has introduced such a recommendation. The Board has yet to act on them.

The following candidates, I am appealing to cooperators to vote for, have indicated support for such a feasibility study.

Cooperators, cast your vote for ending flooding by voting for incumbent, Kevin Lambright, and Bishop Angelo Rosario, and elect Grace Solomon, Keith Logan and Darnell Lopez.

Proper Mattress Disposal

The City of New York requires all residents to fully cover all mattresses or box springs in a sealed plastic bag for garbage disposal and collection. This rule was intended to prevent the spread of any bed bug activity.

Please note that mattresses that are infested by bed bugs must ﬁrst be exterminated prior to covering for disposal. Please contact your respective CSO for an appointment with the exterminator. This is a free service provided by Riverbay Corporation.

Under the rule, failure to place a mattress or box spring in a proper bag will result in a $100 ﬁne imposed by the City. In addition, Co-op City residents who violate this rule may be subject to a Community Complaint with related ﬁnes and legal fees. (The City of New York and Riverbay do not provide mattress or box spring bags or covers.)

Plastic bags to cover mattresses and box springs are available at department stores, home improvement centers and large moving companies. They can also be purchased online.

Please follow this rule when disposing of mattresses and/or box springs.

These covered items are then to be brought to the basement Ash Cart room where they will be picked up for proper trash collection.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation in this matter. ––CSO

By ROZAAN BOONE

Charcoal & gas BBQ grills not permitted in Co-op City Barbecuing prohibited in public spaces

New York City Fire Code is a law defining fire safety requirements that apply to all people and places in the city, and includes rules about outdoor barbecuing that are strictly enforced in Coop City’s multi-family residential buildings and grounds.

Section 307.5.3 of the Fire Code states: “P ortable outdoor barbecues shall not be stored or used within 10 feet of any combustible waste, combustible material, or any combustible building surface, including combustible roofs and decks…”

Co-op City balconies do not have the required 10’ clearance, and grills that cause open flames, such as charcoal grills, are prohibited.

Gas or propane grills are also prohibited in multi-family dwellings. In fact, the city’s Fuel Gas Code prohibits storage of standard propane on balconies, roof decks, backyards or in a courtyard.

The Fire Code stipulates that all grills must be used outdoors. Co-op City rules and regulations, however, do not permit barbecuing in the community’s public spaces, the greenways or playgrounds.

Only electric grills are permitted on Co-op City balconies and townhouse backyards.

Riverbay’s Cooperator Services Office (CSO) property managers conduct buildings and grounds inspections throughout the property and have found evidence of disregard by some shareholders for the Fire Code pertaining to charcoal grills on their balconies, most likely, according to Riverbay Safety Director Anthony Barzelatto, because they may be unaware.

“People might not be aware of the issues involved with using a gas or charcoal grill on their balcony,” said Mr. Barzelatto. “Gas and charcoal grills are definitely not allowed by the Fire Code. And even with an electric grill which shareholders are allowed to have in Co-op City, it should be plugged directly into an outlet and use of an extension cord should be avoided. “Furthermore,” Mr. Barzelatto continued, “anything that accumulates grease should be carefully watched. You should definitely not have anything else on the terrace especially anything combustible such as chairs, tables, tablecloths, paper products, anything that can burn. While cooking on your balcony, windows and doors should be closed and you must be cognizant of the dangers so you need to have a lot of steps in place even if using an electric grill, including remembering to unplug it after use.”

Mr. Barzelatto noted that shareholders must also have an ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher, which can be purchased online or at a hardware store, handily available on their terrace. “It is good for grease, paper, wood, liquids, gases, trash, solvents and electrical fires – they are extremely versatile,” Mr. Barzelatto said.

The fire extinguisher must be on the terrace when an electric grill is in use, accessibly stored where it can be easily reached in case of an emergency, and not behind the grill where it would be unreachable if needed. More importantly, the safety director advises shareholders to read the instructions and know how to use the fire extinguisher ahead of time instead of trying to read the instructions during an emergency.

“And, should an emergency occur, call 911 first before using your fire extinguisher,” Mr. Barzelatto said.

Vanessa Aldea, director of the Riverbay Cooperator Services Office, explained that all Co-op City balconies have GFCI outlets or ground-fault circuit interrupters, essentially a circuit breaker that shuts off electric power if there is a ground-fault emergency, and helps prevent electrocutions.

“During our inspections, we walk through the property going from building to building looking for conditions that need to be addressed,” said Ms. Aldea. “We want everyone to be safe so if you have a gas or charcoal grill on your terrace, it would be best to remove it to avoid penalties.”

The National Fire Prevention Association (NEPA) reports that between 2019-2023, fire departments responded to an annual average of 9,287 home fires started by gas grills. July is the peak month for grill fires (15%), followed by June (14%), May (13%) and August (12%).

According to the NY Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection, grill fires on residential properties are responsible for an estimated annual average of 100 deaths nationwide, and approximately $135 million in property damage is reported each year. More than one-quarter of grill fires on residential properties start on patios and terraces.

All shareholders receive a copy of the community’s rules and regulations as they go through the Riverbay application process and new cooperator orientation. The message is also reiterated through seasonal postings in the Co-op City Times and available year-round on the Riverbay Crawler as reminders to residents.

Director’s Viewpoint Mary Pearson, Assistant Secretary

The Good, The Bad, And The Drippy

Leaky convector recap: We suffer three causes of convector floods, two of which are currently unpredictable. We can actually do something about the third and most frequent cause of damaging floods: condensate overflow.

When hot air hits the cold coil ﬁns of a fan coil convector (aka our convectors), it causes condensation to drip into the drip pan that drips into the drip tray that ﬂows into a drainpipe on its way to a waste pipe. The higher the humidity and the faster the fan pulls in the hot air, the more dripping. No problem, unless the drainpipe clogs, which is a regular, cursed side effect of the process, and one that plagues many of our cooperators.

But how many?

My sweetheart and I have not had an overﬂow since the ﬁrst year or two after moving to Co-op City 31 years ago. We can’t possibly be the only lucky ones.

We know there are convector drainpipes that chronically clog. We half-know and half-assume there are entire lines of convectors that have habitually clogging drainpipes.

And we also know there must be many apartments with problem-free convectors.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a vetted, leak remediation option ready to apply to the problem convectors once they’re sorted out?

The Case for the Installation of Programmable Moisture Sensors in Fiscally Irreplaceable Problematic Convectors. Drips, leaks, and floods are the bane of our Co-op City existence. If the community and the Board decide to just continue to take the reactive approach – the way we’ve done for decades – instead of addressing the clogged convector drainpipes issue that’s cost us millions over the years in flooded-floor damage, so be it.

We’ll all just have to continue to share the corporate cost.

But what about the inconvenience we individual shareholders have had, have, and will have to deal with from convector overﬂows – our own or our neighbors’? Dealing with the water, the mess, the missed work, the insurance companies and, most

LET US KNOW…

If you have news about a personal accomplishment, acceptance to college, graduation, anniversary, promotion at work, a special achievement/ honor received, or a death announcement you’d like to share with your neighbors in Co-op City, please let us know. Photos are also welcomed.

Submissions may be sent to cctimes@ riverbaycorp.com, faxed to (718) 320-2595 or mailed or dropped off at the Co-op City Times, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Rm. 21, Bronx, N.Y. 10475.

Not sure about what can be featured? Please call us at (718) 320-3300, Ext. 3375/6.

likely, covering the cost of at least some of the damage ourselves.

Management has (ﬁnally!) seriously begun to address the convector problem head-on. The replacement convector pilot program will soon pass the one-year mark – problem-free. Replacing all the living room convectors would be a great step forward. But will it happen? That depends. Will eight Board directors vote “yes?”

But even if the living room installation is a “go,” there are still thousands and thousands of aging convectors that will need a leak remedy.

Ideally, if we could afford to replace all of the well-over 56 thousand, ﬁfty-six-year-old convectors in the community, we would. But we cannot. So aside from ignoring the problem, what should we do? And what’s already been tried?

We know automatic shutoff valves cannot be retroﬁtted into our rusty old units because there is not enough space in the unit’s cabinet.

If residents can’t efﬁciently and physically deal with emptying regular-sized aluminum trays that are ﬁlling with water squeezed out of a room’s humid air, how could bigger, deeper buckets be an answer?

Pouring gunk remover down the drip tray hole might work on some of our convectors’ tiny, gravity–ﬁghting drainpipes, but statistically it’s been shown to not be a general solution, so we’ve been told.

A clever cooperator lined the drip pans and drip trays of his convectors with sections of convector air ﬁlter screens to prevent drain-clogging debris from accumulating. Works for him, he says. That seems worth a shot.

And many of our neighbors have had success with installing moisture sensors – ones that just beep to alert the homeowner or more sophisticated ones that work with a smartphone. But not everyone wants to take the initiative or spend the money. Regardless, since we can’t possibly replace all or most of our drippy convectors, and since we can’t afford to continue doing nothing more than piecemeal patchwork, moisture sensors remain the next best option. This one and only rational alter-

native plan involves scoping out a variety of programmable monitoring systems.

What’s the hold up? What’s the drawback?

Moisture monitoring systems for our type of convector leaks require a Wi-Fi connection or the like. The like? There are other wired or wireless options. Simple for some, hocus-pocus to me and probably for most. (Do Zigbee and LoRaWAN sound like actual things to you?)

That’s why we need a feasibility study.

Until the Wi-Fi connectivity issue is studied and mastered, installing a vast high tech, affordable, programmable, individual moisture sensor convector monitoring system will remain out of reach.

In the meantime, as I’ve said before, perhaps we could seek out and subsidize a handful of volunteer residents to be our initial testers.

So, how are your convectors doing?

On the right track. Let’s keep up the effort to keep BxM7 drivers on the right route. See a deviator? Note the time and the wrong-way bus number and give 511 or Complaints@mtaig.org the details and this case number – #06346375. Don’t fret. No one’s getting ﬁred. But you could prevent someone from getting hurt.

Citizensnyc.org. More congratulations are due. Both Building 28 and Building 26 have been awarded a Community Leaders Grant from Citizens NYC. Big congrats!

Anyone else have a community-serving, grant-worthy idea that could use some financial support? The 2025 Round 2 grant application deadline is July 25. Check out the website and register for the last Zoom information presentation of the season to have all your questions answered. That’s this Tuesday, July 16, from 3 p.m.. to 4 p.m.

*Riverbay Board Elections* You’ve got less than three more weeks to ﬁnd that green envelope (or call for a replacement) and cast your ballot. No one wants to see what happens next if the magic number is still not met once the end of July closes in.

Have a good week, everybody; MPearson@ RiverbayBoard.com/718-219-2211.

Director’s Viewpoint

Andrea Leslie Your Vote, Your Voice!

We live in a beautiful, affordable community; our community is one of a kind. A lot of us move in and never move out, these are reasons we are one of the largest NORC in the country. It takes time and effort to achieve this. I love my community and I’m sure you do too, but it can’t stop there. Your love for community must translate into participation and voting. Like the Board of Directors, we can’t achieve our goals or quorum without most of us.

Our world, our nation, our community, are going through a lot lately and to some of us, it seems that there is very little hope for our future. It gets better when we step up, roll up our sleeves and get to work. That work for our community starts with our voting for the Board of

By BRANDON ORTIZ

Directors every year. We should never take for granted our privilege to have the right to vote. It wasn’t very long ago that women and people of color could not vote. At the rate that things are going, it seems that we are fast returning to those days. We don’t want to get to a place where we take our freedoms for granted. It has come to us via the bloodshed, the lives lost, and the sacrifices made by many.

The viability of our community depends on you. Your careful decision in choosing and voting for the Board of Directors is vital to our existence. Directors will make very important decisions that affect the lives of your children, neighbors, and yourself.

Let your vote be your voice in selecting your neighbors who have stepped up to volun-

teer their service for our community. They will make positive decisions, work together for good to have a positive effect on our lives.

I endorse the election of Grace Solomon, Bishop Angelo Rosario, Darnell Lopez, Keith Logan and the reelection of Kevin Lambright, Team Unity. They will bring to the Board their professional wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise in education, entrepreneurship, finance, and operations. Their leadership and organizational skills will move our community forward. Please vote now so we can meet quorum to validate our required election. Be well.

Keep Your Eyes on The Prize.

Share your ideas on how to increase community participation, aleslie@riverbayboard.com

Summer Meals Offered Through August

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) is offering free summer mealsfrom June 27 to August 29 for any individuals 18 years or younger.

Breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., followed by lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Halal options are also available. Public school locations will serve meals weekdays, while three food trucks across the city will offer meals seven days per week. There is one truck in the Bronx at Haffen Park located at Ely Avenue and Hammersley Avenue. Summer meal food trucks operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends. Notably, NYCPS highlighted that individuals “don’t need to sign up, show papers, or have an ID to get these meals.”

For Co-op City shareholders, there are two nearby locations to receive a free summer meal:

1. M.S. 180 Dr. Daniel Hale Williams: located at 700 Baychester Avenue.

2. P.S. 160 Walt Disney: located at 4140 Hutchinson River Parkway East.

To ﬁnd other Summer Meals locations around the city, visit tinyurl.com/

yxykyfwx.

For parents of high school students looking to keep their children active this summer, the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) offers programming in July and August. Programming is available in every borough. Locally, Harry S. Truman High School will offer several programs, according to the PSAL. From basketball, tennis and swimming to robotics and e-sports, Truman High School will feature a variety of offerings for students. Each program offered at Truman High School and citywide spans approximately two weeks, starting Monday, July 14. Programs begin at 3 p.m. and ﬁ nish at 6 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. There will be two sessions, with the second session starting on Wednesday, July 30 and concluding on Thursday, August 14.

Program seats are assigned on a first come, first served basis. If a program does not appear when completing the registration form, then it has reached capacity. Parents and students can find a complete list of all upcoming programs and register at tinyurl.com/56cse5sw.

BIKE SAFETY - SLOW YOUR ROLL

WATCH

Look out for people with long white and red canes or traveling with guide dogs.

WAIT

Always let people walking go first and keep the crosswalk clear. Remember pedestrians have the right of way on shared paths and Greenways. Don’t ride up behind or around a guide dog and owner.

WARN

Slow down near people walking, and ring your bell or call to let them know you’re coming close.

Remember people with disabilities can’t always see or hear you, or tell how far away you are.

Find events, routes, cycling tips, and more at our website: www.nyc.gov/mybikemycity

By P.M. CAMPBELL

Co-op Creatives: Lonna Dawson

Lifelong Co-op City resident, Lonna Dawson, affectionately known as Pumpkin, recently opened a book cafe on Wakeﬁeld-241 Street. After the 2016 closure of the Bay Plaza Barnes & Noble, there has been an increased demand for bookstores in the North Bronx. The spirit and direction of Dawson’s Nefer Bookcafe are deeply informed by her upbringing in the Co-op City community.

Dawson describes her experience at M.S. 180 as transformative. Though she always excelled academically, the holistic pedagogy of her 7th grade teacher, Mrs. Sharon Anderson, addressed scholarly, familial, and social challenges. She would remain a mentor as Dawson pursued collegiate degrees in Communications and Journalism at Ithaca and Columbia, respectively.

Though Mrs. Anderson passed away in 2014 from complications related to cancer, the namesake of Dawson’s bookcafe comes from her late teacher’s moniker, “Nefer,” meaning beauty and foundation. However, that inﬂuence is not only in name but in the “unconditional positive regard” which Mrs. Anderson instilled in students, and which Dawson fosters at Nefer. She was recently welcomed as a speaker at the M.S. 180 commencement ceremony where she echoed her teacher’s colloquialism, “Don’t start none, won’t be none.”

“I told the story of Mrs. Anderson, and I told them what she taught me in my own words,” Dawson said. “The only work to start—that is worthy of who we are—is the love, is the healing, is the service, it is our humanity. And so I encouraged them to start something, because if you don’t,

there’ll be none.”

The idea of her bookcafe goes back to 2015, when she was working as a journalist.

That year, she reported on the criteria that correctional institutions used to ban literature. Being that books offered her a form of healing and relearning, she was struck that the facility in question burned banned books.

This marked her departure from journalism and her long march toward opening Nefer. She was determined to preserve censored books by such authors as Toni Morrison and John Lewis. Dawson underscored her spirit of disciplined persistence by citing another banned author, Assata Shakur. She quotes, “You died. I cried. And kept on getting up. A little slower. And a lot more deadly.”

Today, the cafe offers books by authors such as Steve Biko and Kwame Ture, but also features a mural of banned writers Nikki Giovanni and Erica Huggins painted by Pia Cäbble.

“I have to live in this space where my beliefs can sometimes feel like the antithesis of what makes sense and so it feels radical…” Dawson said. “I have to ﬁnd a community of people who are like me and really care to proliferate love in the world to incite a love rebellion.”

While Nefer’s soft launch was on March 29, its grand opening is scheduled for July 19. In the short time that the bookcafe has been open, it has echoed Dawson’s conﬁdence which once existed in stacks of books on her sofa and her integrity which was nurtured in Mrs. Anderson’s classroom.

After the opening ceremony, titled, “The Good Death,” Dawson is excited to host lectures, workshops, meetings, and exhibitions, which symbolize new purpose.

Photos by PM Campbell

Co-op City’s Annual Firework Show

Riverbay Corporation held its annual Independence Day firework show on Saturday, July 5. Rescheduled because of inclement weather on the evening of July 3, the event featured The Unique Band NYC and brought hundreds of viewers on to the Section 2 Greenway. With Charles Hill—also known as The Big CHill—Ms. Bhambii, Ms. Alicia Nicole, and Ms. Q on vocals, the band included James Holley OM keys, Rick Anderson on percussion, David Key on bass, John Key on guitar, and Brandon Key on drums. They covered classic singers like Michael Jackson and the Temptations, as well as new songs like “Boots on the Ground” as popularized by Beyoncé. They also invited Omotayo Riley to sing songs such as Stevie Wonder’s “Very Superstitious.” At approximately 9 p.m., Cary Smith, Riverbay Assistant Executive General Manager, started the count down for the fireworks. Watchers sat in their lawnchairs on the field and beneath trees to watch to see the spectacle. One could hear the explosions echo off of the buildings as the audience exclaimed “wow” throughout the show. Though the NYC Fire Department was standing by in case of an emergency, the event ended safely.

Campbell

–P.M.

Photos by P.M. Campbell, Francine Reva Jones and Mirtha Irizarry

Attorney General James Urges New Yorkers to be Cautious When Donating to Texas Flooding Relief

New

New York Attorney General Letitia James this week provided guidance to New Yorkers looking to support relief efforts in response to the devastating flash flooding in central Texas over the July 4th weekend. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) warns New Yorkers to be wary of sham charities attempting to take advantage of their situation and encourages everyone to ensure they are giving to legitimate charitable organizations.

“My heart breaks for the Camp Mystic families and all Texans impacted by this devastating flash flooding, and I am grateful to the first responders who have jumped into action to care for their neighbors,” said Attorney General James. “As New Yorkers seek to support relief efforts, I urge them to be careful of scams and make sure they give to trustworthy organizations and groups. I encourage anyone who experiences any issues when donating to reach out to my office.”

Fraudulent organizations can try to take advantage of New Yorkers’ good intentions, especially following natural disasters. Given the signiﬁcant impact of the ﬂooding in Texas, it is essential for New Yorkers to be informed as they seek to help. The OAG offers the following tips to ensure donations are safe and effective:

• Solicited by Email? Find Out Who Is Soliciting. If you receive a solicitation by email, ﬁnd out who is behind that email address. Contact the charity whose name is in the email or visit its website to ﬁnd out if the email is really from the charity. Do not give personal information or your credit card number in response to an email solicitation unless you have checked out the charity.

• Be Careful When Giving Through Social Media or Other Fundraising Sites. Before giving through social media or fundraising sites, research the identity of the organizer of the fundraising efforts and ask the same questions you would of a charity. Online platforms that host groups and individuals soliciting for causes may not thoroughly vet those who use their service. Donors should only give to campaigns conducted by people whom they know. Donors also should take a close look at the site’s FAQs and Terms and Conditions to see what fees will be charged. Also, don’t assume that charities recommended on social media sites, blogs, or other websites have already been vetted. Research the charity yourself to conﬁrm that the charity is aware of the campaign and has given its approved permission for the use of its name or logo. If available, sign up for updates from the campaign organizer to keep abreast of how contributions to the campaign are being spent.

• Check Before Giving. Donate to charities you are familiar with and carefully review information about the charity before you give. Check a website

like https://disasterphilanthropy.org/ to find out which charities are at the aid forefront. Most charities are required to register and file financial reports with OAG's Charities Bureau if they solicit contributions from New Yorkers. Check OAG’s website for financial reports of charities or ask the charity directly for its reports.

• Ask How Your Donation Will Be Used. Find out how the charity plans to use your donation, including the services and individuals your donation will support. Find out more than just the cause. Find out what organization or entity will receive the money and what programs it conducts or what services it provides. Find out how much of the organization’s budget supports its mission. All charities have administrative expenses, but be wary if these costs outweigh the amount spent on relief.

• Look Into Newly Formed Organizations Carefully. Often, in the aftermath of tragedies, new organizations emerge to meet community needs. While most of these organizations are well-intentioned, and some may provide innovative forms of

assistance, some may not have the experience or infrastructure to follow through on their promises, and some may turn out to be scams.

• Exercise Caution Before You Text a Contribution. Check the charity’s website or call the charity to conﬁrm it has authorized contributions to be made via text message.

• Don't Give Cash. Give directly to the charity either by check made payable to the organization or through the charity's website.

• Be Careful About Personal Information. Be cautious before giving credit card or personal information over the phone, by text message, or via the internet. In all cases, make sure you are familiar with the organization to which you give such information and check to see that the fundraising campaign is legitimate.

• Report Suspicious Organizations. If you believe an organization is misrepresenting its work or that a fundraising or charitable scam is taking place, please ﬁle a complaint with the Charities Bureau, or call 212-416-8401.

Host Comedian Kenny Woo

StatePoint Crossword: Summer Vibes

ACROSS

1. Baking ingredient

5. Accounting pro 8. Depletes

12. ____ reflection

13. Painter Chagall

14. Feeling of resentment

15. Member of Germany’s NSDAP 16. ____ lily

17. Light shade of blue

18. *Summer thirst quencher

20. Same as tsar

21. Subside

22. Tierra ____ Fuego

23. Taken without consent

26. Even greener, as in fruit

30. Dot follower

31. Largest hot dessert

34. Australian palm

35. Evian, backwards

37. A in FANBOYS

38. *Like a lightning bug

39. Prima donna

40. *Midsummer’s maypole dance, e.g.

42. *William Blake’s “To Summer,” e.g.

43. Any voting citizen

45. *Sun to ice cream

47. Feeling of veneration

48. Two-door

50. *Beach bag, usually

52. *Summer rays

55. Rock bottom

56. Altar location

57. Milk ____, candy

59. Small stream

60. Turned to the right, like a horse

61. Starchy tuber

62. *It’s knee-high by the 4th of July

63. Ctrl and Delete partner

64. Type of tide

DOWN

1. *____-kissed

2. Birthstone after sapphire

3. Nod off

4. Kind of instinct

5. Diamond weight unit

6. Bluenose

7. Climber’s destination

8. *Intensely hot

9. Greenish blue

10. Make like a cat

11. “Monkey ____, monkey do”

13. Sometime in the future

14. Indianapolis basketball player

19. With BMI over 30

22. Piece of evidence, acr.

23. Type of probe

24. *Summer hiking path

25. Nose of a missile

26. Pakistani tongue

27. Sitcom trial

28. Lyric poem

29. Less experienced

32. *Boat ____, don’t care!

33. *Uninvited picnic guest

36. *Break from summer routine

38. First in Hebrew alphabet

40. Fish eggs

41. Entertained

44. Twist plus jerk

46. City in Netherlands

48. Precious metal extraction cup

49. Early stages

50. #61 Across cousin

51. ____-Eaters

52. Literary genre

53. In the buff

54. Collection of Norse mythology

55. Oldest of the “Big Three” TV networks

58. Dip into liquid (See answer key on page 17)

City Times Photo Submissions

When submitting club articles with pictures to the Co-op City Times, please DO NOT EMBED picture/s in your Word document.

Rather, send the picture/s as an separate attachment along with the Word document for proper print reproduction.

The images should be 300 DPI. All submissions must be emailed to cctimes@riverbaycorp.com. Thank you.

Building 25 Asssociation

Hello, Building 25 shareholders! We hope you had a wonderful celebration of Independence Day, July 4, 2025. Once again, the annual ﬁreworks in Co-op City on July 5 was a spectacular event. Thanks to the organizers for the entertainment, and thanks also to our impressive Grounds crew for quickly cleaning up the Greenway after the event.

Happy birthday to the cooperators who will celebrate their birthday this week. We hope you will have a wonderful day.

Sick and Shut-ins: We wish you strength and comfort every day.

Condolences: We extend sincere sympathy to families who are mourning the loss of a loved one.

Monthly Meeting: The Building 25 Cooperators Association’s monthly meeting, held on the third Tuesday each month, is suspended for July and August. We thank the shareholders who attended the meetings and participated in and supported the activities of the Building 25 Association. We look forward to seeing you again in September, and we encourage other shareholders to attend your building association meetings. Although the monthly building association meeting is on summer break, you can still voice your concerns by contacting us via email: bldg25association@gmail.com, or by leaving a note in the suggestion box located in our laundry room. A board member will acknowledge and respond to messages and notes as quickly as possible. We welcome our fellow building shareholders’ input into the operation of our building association. The yearly building association dues are $5 per family.

We wish everyone a safe and fun-ﬁlled summer season.

––Evelyn Herbert

Retirees of Dreiser Loop

Greetings, retirees, and friends.

We hope everyone enjoyed a safe and happy 4th of July and summer is now off to a good start for you.

Hunterdon Hills Playhouse – A few seats are still available for this trip –Hampton, NJ on Tuesday, September 16. Tickets are $160 and includes lunch and a show, “Never Too Late.” A $50 deposit is required now to hold a seat. Final payment of the balance for this trip is due no later than Tuesday, August 12. Serita will be in Rm. 19 on August 12, from 1-3 p.m., to accept payments. The bus will pick up on Dreiser Loop in front of H&R Block and depart promptly at 9 a.m. Contact Serita at 347-564-5722 for additional information.

Happy Birthday – We wish all our July celebrants an incredibly happy birthday and continued peace and happiness throughout the year.

Condolences – Please continue to pray for all our bereaved members and their families.

Good and Welfare – Continue to pray for those who are ill and/or shut-in. Please notify Lorraine Parker at 718-671-6403 of any member illnesses or deaths. Membership Committee –Annual membership dues are $25. Personal checks, payable to the “Retirees of Dreiser Loop,” can be mailed to: Retirees of Dreiser Loop, 177 Dreiser Loop, Rm. 19, Bronx, NY 10475. Questions may be addressed to Mary at 718-655-9170.

General Meeting – Our general meetings are suspended during July and August for summer break. Our next meeting will be held in September, the date to be announced.

Georgianna Rodriguez

Crossword Answer Key –––

(Continued from page 16)

Building 6 Association

Happy Saturday, neighbors. I hope when you read this it finds you in good standing.

Independence holiday celebrations were nothing short of amazing. Happy July, neighbors. July is known for warm summer days, picnics, friendship, hot dog and ice cream. July is also Disability Pride Month. Not all disabilities are visible, so neighbors, be mindful of how you treat others. Always implement kindness, it goes a long way. The best community is one that cares for one another selflessly.

The Building 6 neighbors would like to thank Mr. Brandon Rosario and Mr. Arthur Taylor for getting the rear lobby doors painted in such an expedited manner, making the lobby aesthetically pleasing while we wait for the entire building to be plastered and painted.

If you have experienced a leak, water damage and need assistance facilitating an inspection appointment, please contact President Lassiter, 347-366-7690, or VP Centeno, 917- 417-5709, and they will advocate on your behalf.

Happy birthday to all of those experiencing another solar return. To all who are sick, we pray for restoration over your life.

Please keep up the good laundry etiquette.

As the saying goes, if you see something, say something; call 718-6713050 or dial 911. If anyone in your home is experiencing a mental health crisis, dial 988; the hotline is open 24/7. Your mental health dictates your overall health.

As always, I pray for safety over all. Godspeed.

––Lauren

Lassiter

MEASLES PREVENTING

BEFORE AND AFTER TRAVEL

You can protect yourself and your children against measles with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine.

What to do BEFORE international travel

2. Get the vaccine at least 2 weeks before you leave.

Babies 6 through 11 months old should get a dose of the MMR vaccine.

Everyone 12 months and older (including adults) should get 2 total doses before travel.

If you haven’t been vaccinated before, get the 1st dose right away. You can get the 2nd dose 28 days later.

If you’ve gotten 1 dose before, get a 2nd dose before travel.

3. Even if your trip isless than 2 weeks away, you can still get 1 dose of the MMRvaccine.

If you plan to travel to an area in the U.S. with a measles outbreak, talk to your doctor, nurse, or clinic to make sure everyone is protected against measles.

What to do AFTER

international travel or travel to a place with a measles outbreak

1. Watch for measles symptoms for 3 weeks after you return. Measles is very contagious and can spread to others quickly.

2. Call the doctor or clinicRIGHT AWAY if:

You think you or your child have been exposed to measles.

You or your child gets sick with a rash and fever. Tell your doctor where you traveled, and if you and your child got the MMR vaccine.

3.If you or your child is sick with a rash and fever stay home until you talk to the doctor or clinic.

cdc.gov/measles/travel

Director’s Viewpoint Michelle Marbury

Riverbay Corporation Shareholders – Time to Show Up for What is Yours

To the Youth Who Will Take Over After Us

Riverbay

You are the residents, partners and shareholders of Co-op City’s Riverbay Corporation. Let’s show our governing entities what we know: that we all can and must do better when we are united. Young people coming up to take over after us, hear this, each day is another chance for us to step up our games, and get it right… Let’s vow to look at this community with fresh eyes, expecting nothing less than the best for it. Let’s say “OK, I will join this club, I will be an active member of my building association, I will encourage another? I will take part in the ﬁx because my community needs it, my community deserves it, and I want all who are engaged in this corporation called Riverbay/Co-op City to give it their all. The time is now, shareholder. The time is now, Co-op City community. You want the best from living here, but don’t forget to give your best. It doesn’t take a lot. Start with the Riverbay Election. Watch the Forum reruns. Hear the candidates, and make an informed decision. VOTE and encourage others to do the same. This is not hard work but it can be devastating to our community if we do not engage and unite. Let’s get it done!

Young People, Elders, Shareholders who are Owners, Not Renters

The 1st Candidates’ Forum was poorly attended. Let’s do better.

The 2nd and 3rd Forums were not much of an

improvement. I hope most of you watched from the comfort of your homes, but don’t you think it would be respectable to support the shareholders who are stepping up to represent all of us in the Board Room? It is time to show up for what is yours to protect. Show up by VOTING in your own election shareholders.

We Are All Responsible

Shareholders, residents, neighbors, and friends, take responsibility for this royal oasis we all call home. That means the little things like saying “hello” to your neighbor, who may have needed that greeting in ways that you could never understand. Things like using the trash receptacles on our property, and if there aren’t enough, then report it to your Building Maintenance supervisor until there are enough of whatever is needed. Things like picking up after your “service dog” so that shareholders who may take issue with animals or have allergies, etc., are not inconvenienced. These are the things that make a responsible resident and friend. This is what we all signed up for when we accepted the contract, the role, and the privilege of calling ourselves co-operators and shareholders of The Riverbay Corporation, aka Co-op City.

Okay, so I Must Repeat

The Riverbay Board of Directors of Co-op City is not the lifeblood of Co-op City; you are. Cooperators view the Board as an entity that directs the shareholders, when in fact, it is the other way around. “We,” the shareholders, are supposed to

have the ﬁnal say in most decisions made in this community, but we cannot all be in charge simultaneously, as such, we elect a Board of Directors to represent the voice of the people, (i.e., the community, the shareholders, the cooperators…). Each of us has some issue, topic, or agenda that is close to our heart. Board directors must remember that their agendas, while relevant, must only factor in as part of the best decision for the community at-large.

Your Duty and Responsibility

Your job as a shareholder is to vote in the annual Riverbay Board Elections. Most complaints come from cooperators who don’t participate in the community and who form their opinions from rumors. This causes a breakdown in communications and results in a vicious cycle of misunderstandings, which leaves you and this community on the short end of the stick. It is not enough to come out once a year and vote for someone whose name is familiar to you. What does matter is your involvement. Your involvement and mine are not only necessary, but imperative. I am one person, humbled to represent you in the Boardroom; I have stepped up, now it’s your turn. After reading this article, make darn sure that 10 others have read it as well.

Thank you.

Thank you for the compliment of reading my Viewpoint. You can always reach me at mmarbury@riverbayboard.com. Each one of us, multiplied by all of us, equals A MIGHTY FORCE FOR GOOD…”

Broun Place Townhouse Association Toastmasters Club

Vote, neighbors. It has been announced that we still need over 1,500 ballots to make quorum, as of July 7. We continue to urge you to vote. We spend so much time and energy complaining about old problems instead of discussing solutions. One of those solutions would be voting. Cast your ballot now. Save us the money it costs to keep voting. All the information about the election—the who, what, when, and where––is in the Co-op City Times By the way, wasn’t the ﬁreworks display exciting and lovely. Thank you for making that presentation happen. Neighbors, enjoy these professional exhibitions. Amateur work can be dangerous.

Be mindful of the heat and avoid midday outings. Everyone needs a shade hat and to carry water. The elderly are encouraged to look into having their groceries delivered.

Looks like folks are paying more attention to having a disability placard in order to park in the Broun Place cul-de-sac. I am still reaching out to elected ofﬁcials about eliminating the bike parking spaces in the Broun Place cul-de-sac. This is my second week home from the hospital. Thanks for your support and get-well wishes. Those spaces are a slap in the face for cooperators who are disabled and truly need parking spaces. Please report to CCPD at 718-671-3050 or to the 45th Precinct, if you see a car without a placard parked illegally. Tickets will be issued to those without placards. One more thing about parking, let’s park without taking space from another car that needs to park.

As the deliverer of news and events, our community teacher, the Co-op City Times, tells us everything. So this year, let’s make the quorum. Study the candidates and vote. Regarding the annual Board election, save the corporation the extra expense, study the candidates and vote.

The Broun Place Townhouse Association accepts new members any time. The membership fees is $12 a year. Dues go to supplies and support emergency efforts, for example, in case a neighbor or family member passes, funds to help are given.

Who is responsible for cleaning Stillwell Avenue and De Reimer Avenue local streets? Attention must be paid to this area. It is being used like a dump.

The Police Athletic League was sent a donation of $150, in lieu of our donation of unwrapped gifts for the holiday collection with CCPD’s drive.

Call the following number on Saturdays, between 9 a.m.-1p.m., to report the non-delivery of the Co-op City Times, 1-407-666-8317.

We urge you to read your Co-op City Times and prepare yourself to vote in the Riverbay Board of Directors annual election.

Wishing all graduates and July birthday people a happy and healthy celebration.

Thank you, Jack and Daniel, for keeping our plants well-fed.

––Eva Kindaichi Lazaar

July 1 marked the beginning of a brand new Toastmasters year for clubs around the world, including our very own Co-op City (CCTM) and Bronx Advanced Speakers Clubs (BAS) right here in the Bronx, NYC.

We are thrilled to kick off the year with a dynamic team of dedicated ofﬁ cers bursting with new ideas and ready to serve the Co-op City community. CCTM and BAS continue to be valuable resources for people of all ages, whether looking to sharpen their public speaking, strengthen their communication skills or grow as a leader. This is the place to do it but, unfortunately, an unused resource. People join Toastmasters for many reasons but what they leave with is so much more. Personally, for me, it has been a journey of self-growth and skill building–but more than that, I have made friends right here in Co-op City who have become like family.

We are proud to introduce the 2025-2026 CCTM Offi cers: President, Kim Sudderth;VP Education, Leah Graham; VP Membership, Stacy Atkinson; VP Public Relations, Kim Sudderth; Secretary, Louise Mercado; Treasurer, Andrea Haye and Sergeant-at-Arms, Lauretta Jaysura. In addition, we are celebrating growth with eleven new members over the past six months! They were offi cially welcomed at our Year-End-Celebration held on June 17. We invite you to join us at an upcoming meeting and discover what makes CCTM & BAS so special. CCTM meets the fi rst and third Thursday of the month; BAS meets the second Tuesday of the month. Both clubs meet in Dreiser Community Center, 177 Dreiser Loop, Rm. 5, as follows:

CCTM : 7:30 p.m. Doors open one hour earlier. Contact 917-299-2429 for hybrid information

Dates: July 17, Aug 7, Aug 21.

BAS : 7 p.m. Special guest speakers are always invited. (All are encouraged to participate.)

Dates: July 8; Aug. 12

See you soon!

––Kim Sudderth

Goose Island

We give our deepest sympathy to the family of Gwendolyn Johnson who passed away on June 21, 2025. We will miss her.

Resorts Casino – Atlantic City, NJ; this Tues., July 15. Price: $70; bonus, $10 slot play. Bus pick-up: Einstein Loop at 7:45 a.m. and Dreiser Loop at 8:15 a.m.

Holiday Hills Senior Day Picnic – In Prospect, CT; Tues., Aug. 19. Seats available. Price: $150. Balance due. Bus pick-up Einstein Loop at 7:45 a.m. and Dreiser Loop at 8:15 a.m.

Portrait of Aretha Franklin Show – Canceled. Refunds available.

Resort World Casino, Monticello, NY – Wed., Sept. 10. Price: $70; bonus, $25 slot play, $15 food voucher. Balance due: Wed., Aug. 20.

Goose Island Fall Party – Friday, Sept. 19, at 1 p.m. in our club, Rm. 39. Members only. Covered dish. Bring something or $20 donation.

Wind Creek Casino – Bethlehem, PA; Thurs., Oct. 9. Price: $70; bonus, $25 slot play. Balance due: Wed., Sept. 10. Seats available.

Foxwoods Casino and Tanger Outlet – Thurs., Nov. 6 in Mashantucket, CT. No bonus, no meal voucher. Price: $70. Balance due; Wed., Oct. 15. Seats available.

Brownstone Holiday Party – Mon., Dec. 8 in Patterson, NJ. Price: $165; $50 deposit to hold seat. Delicious luncheon, dancing, DJ and band. Balance due Wed., Nov. 12. Seats available.

Goose Island Holiday Party – Fri., Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. in our club, Rm. 39. Members only. Covered dish. Bring something or $20 donation.

2026 Sight and Sound “Joshua” – Thurs., March 26. Lunch at Golden Corral, then 3 p.m. show. Price: $215; $50 deposit to hold seat. 2026 Norwegian Greek Isle Cruise – May 18–27, 2026. Price: $3,2933,945. Call: 646-579-1701.

Notary – With Yvonne Menefee, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Bingo – Mon., Wed. and Fri., 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Members only. Admission: $5 for three cards; $0.25 each additional card. Tweleve games and jackpot. Refreshments.

Game day – Tues. and Thurs., between 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Dominoes, movies, socializing and more. Members only. Refreshments.

To All Members: Happy birthday to our members who celebrate their birthday in the month of July: Carol Pope, Annette Michel, Karen Nichson, Thomas Gordon, Annie Perez and Valerie Ruiz. Birthday cake celebration on Wed., July 23, 2:15-2:45 p.m., during half time of Bingo.

Sick and Shut-in – Mary Roach. Mary Pilla, our former president, sends her love to everyone. Call her at 718-753-1816.

Our club is at 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 39, Bronx, NY 10475, the Section 5 Community Center. Phone: 718-379-9613. Stephen cell: 347-847-1941 (Zelle available). Our email address is goose.island@optonline.net. Cash App $StephenCarlSr.

Good health to all.

––Stephen Roberts Sr.

Building 10 Association

Greetings, fellow cooperators.

New Cooperators – Welcome, all new cooperators. We look forward to seeing you at the next general membership meeting.

Pokeno Game Night – We will have Pokeno Game Night on Friday, July 18, at 7 p.m. in the Association Room, located in the rear of Building 10B. A tutorial of Pokeno will begin at 7:15 p.m. and the official game will begin at 7:45 p.m. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

Murder Mystery Auditions – Back by popular demand. The Section 2 Committee,along with Riverbay Community Relations, is looking for male and female actors (over 18 years old) to audition for “Murder Mystery – Movie Stars.” Once you contact us to audition, we will send you the list of characters. Audition dates and times: Thursday, August 7, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, August 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: 100 Casals Place Association Room. RSVP with name, address, phone number and the date you would like to audition. Contact Jewel at 917-488-5237; Jackie at 917-217-6363; Tanya at 646-748-3142; Tracy at 646-234-4065, Ms. King’s email: Community@ Riverbaycorp.com

Tip of the Week – Remember to turn on your car headlights when driving in the garage and follow all directional signs. Please place all trash in the trash receptacles located near the elevators.

If You See Something, Say Something – For emergencies, call Co-op City Public Safety at 718-671-3050 and NYPD at 911. For non-emergencies, call 311. You can also contact CCPD at their anonymous tips hotline: 718-8796311.

Suicide Prevention – If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or in emotional distress, the number to call for help is 988; you can call or text. Someone is available 24 hours a day.

Questions, Comments and Suggestions – You can contact the Building 10 Association via email at Building10Assoc@gmail.com or drop a note in the suggestion box in the laundry. We are also on Facebook, “Building 10 ABC Association.” Like our page and get notified of all the happenings in and around Building 10.

We would like to wish all who are born this month an incredibly happy birthday. Celebrating an anniversary this month? Happy anniversary! To the homebound and sick, we wish you a speedy recovery. To all who have lost a loved one recently, we offer our deepest condolences.

“If you stumble, make it part of the dance ” Have a great week.

––Jewel Crawford-Duncan

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We welcome your letters to the editor, however, if you would like your letter to be considered for publication, it must be signed, and include your address and telephone number – which will be kept confidential – so the authenticity of the writer can be verified. The Co-op City Times does not print anonymous or unsigned letters.

The NAACP marches to defend democracy and combat racism and discrimination in communities across the country. Located in the Einstein Community Center, Rm. 36, we meet on the fourth Sunday of the month at 3 p.m. The NAACP Co-op City Branch Office hours are: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Mondays & Wednesdays. Notary available on Monday and Wednesday during office hours; call for an appointment.

Keep hope alive by voting in all elections––beginning in our community. Remember––Elections have consequences! If you don’t vote – don’t complain! Your voice is your vote.

Save the Dates

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood spirit. The event aims to build positive relationships between residents and law enforcement. It is annually held on the first Tuesday in August. Conversation is being held to discuss Riverbay participating. Currently, it is in the works for Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Information to follow.

Monday, August 11: Care Without Barriers – Student-led non-profit workshop at 3 p.m., 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 36. Dedicated to education, prevention, and community support against marijuana and C.T.E. More info. to follow.

Friday, September 12 – Join us on the Skyline Princess Summer Sunset Cruise – Deposit now! Donation: $150pp; after August 1,

donation is $175pp. The first payment of $75 was due by June 20 and the second payment is due by July 15. (Deposit is non-refundable.) Price includes: buffet dinner, braised beef ribs, chicken du jour, lemon Sole stuffed with crabmeat, vegetarian entrée, dessert, soda, juice, coffee, herbal tea (cash bar). Boarding time: 7 p.m. sharp! Return time: 11:30 p.m. Info: Jacquie at 917-217-6363; NAACP Office at 718-320-3210; Jewel at 917-488-5237; Tracy at 646-2344065; Gail at 718-671-3801. Ask about the charter bus; $30 per person and will make three stops, limited space. Payment due by July 30.

Saturday, August 12: Section 5 Family Day – hosted by Councilman K. Riley. The NAACP branch will have an outreach table.

Watch & Listen: “Our Culture, Our Stories” on the NAACP+ YouTube channel.

Looking to make an even greater impact? Become a champion for change and join us to keep advancing Annual membership: Adult $30, Youth $10, Silver Life $750, until 12/31/25. Make ck/mo. payable to: NAACP Co-op City. Mailing address: NAACP Co-op City, 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 36, Bronx, NY 10475. To become a member online, go to: www.naacp.org membership. Select Co-op City (2210) and join. To leave a message, call the office phone at: 718-320-3210 or email: naacpccity2210@gmail.com

––Brenda Brown

Black Forum

Emergency Food Pantry – 920 Baychester Ave., Bldg. 1A (opposite basketball court). The pantry is open on Thursday and Friday, from 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m., for grocery distribution. Guests are eligible to pick up food once a month. All guests must present a pantry card, at least four to six clean shopping bags with handles and a shopping cart to receive food. We will not place food in black bags because they pose a safety hazard. Section 5 guests should visit the Co-op City United Methodist Church at 2350 Palmer Avenue to pick up groceries. This distribution site is open Thursdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The groceries are supplied and distributed by Black Forum. Religious affiliation is not required. For the safety of our staff and other guests, mask-wearing is required when picking up food.

Our priority at Black Forum Emergency Food Pantry is to provide a safe and respectful environment for everyone accessing our services. To ensure the well-being of our staff, volunteers, and all guests, we have established guidelines for appropriate conduct. While we are committed to serving our community, we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who engages in disruptive or aggressive behavior. We will also cease service if an individual poses a risk to the safety of our staff or other guests. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in maintaining a positive and supportive atmosphere for everyone.

New Client Registration & Re-Certification for Returners – New client registration and returning client re-certification for 2025 are now closed. Check back here for the latest information on registration and recertification dates.

Thank you for your patience during the process this year.

Fundraise With Us

Bake Sale – Indulge your sweet tooth and support a great cause! Join us for our second annual Bake Sale this August. Your favorite cakes and pies will be back! All proceeds benefit the Black Forum of Co-op City Food Pantry. The date is TBA.

Fundraise & Have Fun! – Support our community with a fun day out! Your participation in these events help cover the rent, insurance, and supplies needed to keep our Emergency Food Pantry running strong. Help us ensure local families have access to nutritious food and household supplies. Trips include transportation and dining. Dates are TBA: Sight & Sound’s Joshua and Shady Maple Smorgasbord on August 18, 2026. Three payments of $75. First payment to hold your seat is due 10/24/2025, the second payment is due 02/14/2026, and the third payment is due 04/18/26. Please be prompt in making your payments. No refunds. Also, Ace in the Hole, which will include luncheon and show; and Windows On The Lake with Jack’s 58 casino in Ronkonkoma, LI. More information to come.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Atlantic City trip recently. You all made it a great success. Your support ensures that we continue feeding this community for more years to come. Thank you! Contact Us: coopcityblackforum@gmail.com

––D. Illis

African-American Association of Co-op City

A Marginalized Community Must Know Its Worth

We must remember that the Riverbay Board of Directors of Co-op City is not the lifeblood of Co-op City, YOU ARE. Too many cooperators view the Board as an entity that directs shareholders, when, in fact, it is the other way around. “We,” the shareholders, are supposed to have the final say in most decisions made in this community. Since we cannot all be in charge simultaneously, we elect a Board of Directors to represent the voice of the people (i.e., the community, the shareholders, the cooperators…). Each of us has some issue, topic, or agenda that is close to our heart. We all came to Co-op for our particular reasons.

Choose the Right Board Members – Prospective members of the Board must remember that their agendas, while relevant, must only factor in as part of the best decision for the community at large. Your job, as a cooperator and shareholder, is to help Board members stay true to the oaths they will take by offering your opinions in forums like Open Board Meetings and other community gatherings.

Stop Complaining and Help Save Our Community – Most complaints come from cooperators who don’t participate in the community and who form their opinions from rumors and innuendos. This causes a breakdown in communications and results in a vicious cycle of misunderstandings leaving you the cooperator and this community on the short end of the stick.

What Does Matter – What does matter is that we make those votes count now, for you and Co-op City, the community at-large. This is our community, but for how long? If we keep doing the same things we’ve been doing, not long. We’ve got to maintain Co-op City for the current shareholders and then do

better than that. The African-American Association of Co-op City urges you to vote. Vote now and tell your neighbors and friends to vote Coming Events!

Sunday, August 17 – Marcus Garvey Drum Circle Celebration, Section 1 Greenway or Dreiser, Rm. 15 (in case of rain).

Saturday, September 6 – Visit us at the Co-op City Fair, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday, September 13 – Open Mic Fundraiser, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Dreiser, Rm. 15

Sunday, September 21 – General Meeting, 3 p.m., Dreiser, Rm. 15

Saturday, October 11 – Open Mic Fundraiser, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

Sunday, October 19 – General Meeting, 3 p.m., Dreiser, Rm. 15

Sunday, November 16 – General Meeting, 3 p.m. on Zoom.

Saturday, December 20 – Pre-Kwanzaa Event, 3 p.m., Bartow, Rm. 31

AAACC Membership: $25/year for single membership and $35/year for Family/Household membership. Zelle your payment using our email address. Email: aaaccpower@gmail.com. Call: 646-883-9095. The African-American Association of Co-op City, P.O. Box 702, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475.

AAACC Programs

Belly Dance Classes – contact Xonia Wilson at 646-301-9438

Evening Line Dance Classes – contact Cynthia Dixon at 917-903-7073 Co-op City Baptist Church “Gospel Line Dancers” – contact Joyce Smith at 718-320-0714.

––Michelle Marbury

Fire Safety Tip –– Avoid Overloading Outlets

Overloaded electrical outlets are among the leading causes of fatal residential fires. Avoid overloading by never plugging more than two appliances into an outlet at once or “piggybacking” extra appliances on extension cords or wall outlets. Also, avoid using counterfeit UL-certified products that can be purchased at many discount stores. Be Smart, Be Safe!

Building 28 Association

Association meetings are suspended for July and August. Regular meetings will resume in September. A schedule of summer activities will be announced later. Dues of $10 per family are still being collected.

Let Us Make Building 28 A STAR Building!

Did you know that every unit in Co-op City is eligible for the STAR Program? It does not cost you anything and there are no income requirements! Find out if you are eligible for either the Basic STAR (School Tax Relief Program) or the Enhanced STAR (Enhanced School Tax Relief, age 65+). If you qualify for Enhanced STAR, you only need to register once. To complete your application online, go to: https://encryption.ny.gov or by phone 518-457-2036. For Enhanced STAR, go to: www.tax.ny.gov/STAR. This information is also in our lobby display cases.

Adults age 60+ needing help to obtain and maintain entitlements and benefits including, but not limited to SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, home-delivered meals, HEAP, SCRIE, DRIE, broadband, free cell phones, emergency assistance, assistance reviewing mail, and advocacy to resolve matters of concern, and more. Call and schedule an appointment with a case manager at 929399-1371.

The Executive Committee is excited to announce that Building 28 Association was awarded a 2025 Community Leader Grant from Citizens NYC. More information to follow.

Save the Dates

Saturday, August 16 – Section 5 Family Fun Day, 12-4 p.m. Hosted by Councilman K. Riley. Building 28 Association will have a table. Gentle Reminders

Compactor Room: All bagged garbage and trash is to be disposed of in the garbage chute, not on the floor. The recycle bag is for recycled items only. Newspapers are placed on the shelf. If you spill it or drop it, then clean it up. Postings are on each floor, each compactor door, and inside the compactor room. Please follow directions to avoid community complaints and fines.

Dogs: When in public spaces (that includes the lobby, laundry room, and elevator) dogs should be wearing their leash. Additionally, refrain from having your pet relieve themselves under the buildings or in the grassy areas. Take them to the curb and pick up the poop.

Laundry Room Etiquette: Continue to respect our laundry room and your neighbors by getting your clothes on time (within a 15-minute window) and maintaining a clean and healthy working space.

If You See Something, Say Something: For emergencies, call Co-op City Public Safety at 718-671-3050 and NYPD at 911. For non-emergencies, call 311. You can also call CCPD at their anonymous tip hotline: 718-879-6311.

The secretary position is open if anyone is interested and if there are any suggestions for the association, please send email to: building28association@gmail. com.

––Brenda Brown

Section 5 Association

We wish all a happy and safe summer. Drink plenty of water and be careful during the hot days.

Section Five Association (SFA) will be on hiatus from June to September 2025. However, we will keep you abreast of any needed information.

The Section Five Family Fun Day was canceled due to inclement weather and is rescheduled for August 16, 12-4 p.m. on the Section 5 Greenway.

Moonlight Sail – An all-white affair fundraiser by SFA on Saturday, August 23, aboard the Sound Bound Princess leaving from 78 Fort Slocum Rd., New Rochelle, NY, 5:30 p.m. sharp and returning at 11 p.m. Tickets: $125 (food & drink included). All deposits are non-refundable. Payment in full by August 10. Contacts: Section5association10@gmail.com; Ms. Carol at 929398-5454; Nelson at 646-644-4055; Kim at 914-848-1220.

Riverbay Board of Directors Election – Did you vote? We encouraged all shareholders to vote; this is our responsibility as shareholders. Unfortunately, we did not meet the required quorum of 5,041. Only 2,123 plus shareholders out of 15,000 plus voted. We, as a community, and the Board of Directors must get to the root of the problem. We could potentially come up with an amendment to the shareholder lease agreement that would mandate that shareholders vote in the Board Election each year. A copy of this mandate could be discussed during orientation and given to each shareholder to acknowledge by signature. There could also be a Grievance Committee to meet the needs and repairs of the shareholders. This is the human factor that can and will affect the decisions people make.

Spam Interruptions – If you receive constant calls, report it to your provider. Do not call the number provided. It is also best to not answer, or leave your answering machine on.

SCRIE/DRIE – If you know someone who needs help with SCRIE (Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption), DRIE (Disability Rent increase Exemption), or other assistance, they can call the JASA Bartow Center at 718-3202066 during business hours, Monday–Friday, 9-5 p.m. No walk-ins.

Happy birthday to those celebrating this month. If you know of a neighbor who is sick or in the hospital, please contact Section5association10@gmail. com. To those in bereavement you have our deepest sympathy.

“Never give up. Keep your thoughts and your mind always on the goal.”

––Tom Bradley

––H. Overman

National Council of Negro Women

NCNW Co-op City Section – If you have been looking for a place to explore opportunities, a place where you can realize your potential with the help of a positive supportive network of sisters, NCNW is the organization for you. Through national programs and through the work of over 300 community sections and 39 national affiliate organizations, NCNW helps women of African descent enhance their health, knowledge, and personal satisfaction and work to improve their communities.

Becoming a member of NCNW helps to promote and recognize leadership among women of color; champion women’s rights and civil rights; reduce health disparities among African Americans; increase the educational attainment of African Americans; work toward the economic empowerment of all minority women; celebrate and strengthen the African American family; reach out to women in need in our community and around the world.

Voices of Black Women on Freedom – During this month in which our country celebrates our independence, here are words of African American women who spoke about and were in the struggle for freedom: “I don’t believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it for others.”—Coretta Scott King. “Women must become revolutionary. This cannot be evolution but revolution.”––Shirley Chisolm. “I’ll tell you what freedom is to me – no fear.” ––Nina Simone.

NCNW Pays Tribute to Congressman John Lewis – Long before he was a Congressman, John Lewis staked out his place in history. Ambassador Andrew Young said that Lewis wrote to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when he was still in high school. Dr. King responded with a bus ticket from Marion, Alabama to Atlanta. And the fight––always a nonviolent one––was on! In 1963, he was the youngest speaker on the platform in front of the Lincoln Memorial for the great March on Washington. One story of that fateful day says that Dr. Dorothy Irene Height gave up her spot on the program roster so that John Lewis could speak. But it was on the stage of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in March 1965 that the world came to know John Lewis. There is an iconic photo of a state trooper beating the trench coat-clad Lewis. He suffered a skull fracture that day that could have ended his life. On that day, John Lewis’ suffering, along with that of 600 others, brought global attention to the denial of basic voting rights, inspiring President Lyndon Johnson to say, “We shall overcome.” A short time later, passage of the Voting Rights Act renewed a centuries-long effort to redeem the soul of America. As a Congressman, Mr. Lewis was always on the right side of issues, earning him the tribute, Conscience of the Congress. We lost a great man on July 17, 2020.

Social Media – Remember, you can find us on our website: www.ncnwcoopcitysection.com; on Instagram: NCNW Co-op City and email: ncnwco.opcity@ gmail.com.

––Joyce Howard

Redeemed Seventh-Day Church

The month of June is Men’s Health Month. It’s a month dedicated to encouraging men to prioritize their health, engage in regular checkups, and adopt healthy lifestyle choices. It is in this spirit that the Redeemed Seventh Day Church set aside June 7 as Men’s Day. It was a day dedicated to encouraging and honoring the men who make a difference in our own lives as a husband, a father, an uncle, a brother, a friend, or a coworker. And so, the women of the church went all out to put together a program designed to show respect to the men of the community. They cooked and served a special lunch in their honor. It was a day of joy, sweet fellowship, and spiritual emphasis.

The Sabbath School Superintendent was brother Eric Chakonda. He did a superb job in highlighting the struggles that men face daily. Elder Oral Smith from North Bronx SDA Church taught the Sabbath School Lesson Study with his usual deep insights. He also blessed us with several musical items that lifted everyone’s spirits. We had two guest speakers that day – Pastor Randy Williams from Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries and Pastor Jordan Emanuel from the Mt. Vernon Seventh Day Adventist Church. Both pastors delivered soul stirring messages on the theme, “Men of Valor.” Elder Ernie Davidson from Philadelphia, PA ministered to us in music. His gift of singing is a marvel to behold. Deacon Cuthbert from the Mt. Vernon SDA Church assisted by leading out with the Offertory.

The ladies served up a lunch that made the men feel like kings. Sister Marian Patterson and her hospitality team did a wonderful job of putting everything together. Then, Dr. Ophilia Flowers and her team presented a surprise Pastor’s Appreciation Service in the afternoon. Pastor Millin was stunned and moved to tears by the service. Messages of encouragement and appreciation were played from people abroad and locally. There was an outpouring of gifts and giant cards and a collage of pictures that chronicled the Pastor’s ministry. Sister Kay Wright led out with a charge and Dr. Flowers presented the pastor with a beautiful plaque. As if that was not enough, there was a special cake to go with the appreciation service! What a day of rejoicing it turned out to be.

We would like to thank the members of the community who came out in numbers to support the program. We look forward to seeing you on the next Men’s Day. Until then, may we endeavor to be Men of Valor in our homes and in the community.

––Ruth Anderson

Pentecostal Tabernacle

The Pentecostal Tabernacle invites everyone to a worship service every Sunday morning at 100 Co-op City Blvd., Building 22A, Bronx, NY 10475. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 204, Bronx, NY 10475.

All are welcome to join on the following days. Sunday School at 10:30 a.m., worship service at 11:45 a.m.

Wednesday: Morning Prayer and Fasting service at 11 a.m. Bible Study and prayer meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Friday night service will be held at 7:30 p.m.

All night service will be held on Zoom, call 646-931-3860; Meeting ID: 85748454513; Code: 850684#.

Focus: Prayer of Repentance, Psalm 51,1-13.

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness, according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions, Wash me thoroughly! From mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgression: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight, that thou mightiest be justiﬁed when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part thou shall shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness that the bones which thou have broken may Rejoyce. Hide thy face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in me. Cast me not away! From thy presence and take not away thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressor thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”

David took personal responsibility for his sin.

In Psalm 51:3 David stated, “I acknowledge my transgression.” The word acknowledge means more than just “admit’’ rather it involves noticing, realizing, or discovering ones sinfulness so that one becomes aware of his nature and is confronted by its reality. This was the result of Nathan’s declaration, “thou art the man.” The ﬁrst step in real repentance is recognizing the true nature of sin and accepting responsibly for one’s transgressions. He stated that his sin is ever before him. Whenever someone repents he cannot hide from the sin within him. They will always keep it continually before their mental vision.

David asks God to purge him with hyssop and it will make him clean and to wash him so that he can be made whiter than snow. He is requesting joy and gladness from God so that the bones that were broken may rejoice. David knows the relationship that he has with God and cannot afford to lose it because of his sinful nature. He realized that God saw his heart and knows all about the murder and adultery that he has committed. One writer stated that you cannot hide from God His eyes are watching you.

––Rev. R. Sibblies

If you have knowledge or a concern of possible violations of law, accounting irregularities, or other suspected wrongdoing affecting Riverbay, you are encouraged to report it to law enforcement, or you may report it through an anonymoushotline by the following methods: Go to an independent website, www.lighthouse-services. com/riverbaycorp to complete an online disclosure form; Call the following independent third party whistleblower hotline at 1-833-290-0009 (English); or 1-800-216-1288 (Spanish); Email: reports@lighthouse-services.com; or Send a fax to (215) 689-3885 (the email or fax must include “Riverbay” in the subject of the report).

Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City

The synagogue would appreciate donations to keep our shul open. If you would like to help, go to www.Gofundme.com/Traditional-Synagogue-of-Co-op-City to donate, or mail to the Traditional Synagogue located in Section 5, 120 Erdman Place, in the rear lobby of 27B.

The synagogue has services on Saturday morning starting at 10 a.m. After service, we serve a hot/cold kiddush meal. Entrance to our synagogue for Saturday services is on the side door of Building 27B.

General Information: The Traditional Synagogue is located in Section 5, 120 Erdman Place, in the rear lobby of 27B. It is on the ground floor and is handicap accessible, no steps. Phone #: 718-379-6920. Office hours are Thursday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Please call the office before you attempt to come over. If no one is in the office, please leave a message. The synagogue has a Facebook page, “Traditional Synagogue.”

The synagogue needs donations. Whatever amount you can donate, big or small, would help. The synagogue needs men to help make a minyan. There are a lot of Jewish men who live in Co-op City who do not come to services. Please come by 10 a.m. so we can take out the Torah.

The Traditional Synagogue is the only synagogue in Co-op City.

Sabbath ends on Saturday, July 12, at 9:19 p.m.

Candle lighting for Friday, July 18, at 8:03 p.m.

Good and Welfare : The congregation welcomes donations in honor or memory of a loved one. Any amount is greatly appreciated. For information about the congregation and its services, please call 646-285-1206.

To all Members: Happy birthday to all members who will be celebrating their birthday in July. Please send me your name and I will add it to the list.

Fun and Games: After services and kiddush, members play games. Your support for the Traditional Synagogue is greatly appreciated. Wishing all our members and friends peace and good health.

––Bruce Gitelson

WHISTLEBLOWER ANONYMOUS HOTLINE

Co-op-City United Methodist Church/IEMU de Co-op City

Open Doors, Open Hearts, and Open Minds

Come and Visit Us – We are a multi-ethnic and bilingual, Bible centered congregation with spirit-filled worship. Services are held in person at 2350 Palmer Avenue, across from Building 30. Parking is available. You can also participate with us via Zoom (904 4685745) or Facebook Live (UMC Coop City). ––Pastor, Rev. Sara Girón-Ortiz

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” –John 8:31-32 (NIV)

As the July 4th holiday weekend ends, it’s a fitting time to reflect on where we stand today as a nation and the direction in which we are headed. The Declaration of Independence states, “…that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Yet, as a nation, we have continually struggled to fully live out these foundational values. Today, we remain wounded and divided people—not only politically and culturally, but spiritually.

As we worry about the future of our country, we must remember that true freedom is not found in political systems or cultural movements, but in the unchanging truths of God’s Word. In a world filled with competing ideologies, John 8:32 reminds us that genuine freedom comes only from knowing and embracing the truth found in Christ.

The phrase “the truth will set you free” speaks to the liberating power of God’s Word—freeing us from sin, deception, and despair. This freedom is a reality expe-

rienced by many who have turned from destructive paths and embraced the transforming message of Christ. As ambassadors of Christ, we are called to proclaim this life-giving truth to all who are lost and in need of hope.

Our nation is in desperate need of spiritual revival. We must repent, turn from sin, and fix our eyes once again on God and the truth found in His Word. Scripture reminds us that God is sovereign—He holds authority over the rise and fall of nations. No matter the uncertainty we face, we can anchor ourselves in the promises of Jesus, who offers true and lasting freedom.

Let us therefore be united in prayer—for our leaders, for victims of injustice and natural disasters, and for God’s healing over our land. May He restore hope in every heart and guide our nation back to His truth.

Come and Receive a Blessing: All are Welcome!

Theme for 2025: “God’s Love in Action with Joy and Thanksgiving”

Tuesday: Grief Share will resume in September.

Thursdays: Pantry and in-person Prayer Meeting at 11 a.m.

Upcoming Events – Save the Dates

Sunday, July 13: Escuela Dominical at 10 a.m.

Bilingual Service and Communion at 11:15 a.m.

Saturday, July 19: Concert and Dinner/Fundraiser for Youth Camp, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Donation: $40.

Vacation Bible School: August 25–29, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Registration on Sundays at 12 p.m. Free snacks.

––G. Abadia

Community Protestant Church

Rev. Dr. Calvin E. Owens and the Community Protestant Church family welcome you to worship with us. We are located at 2053 Asch Loop, Bronx, NY 10475. You may contact us by phone: 718-862-9172, fax: 718-671-4416 or email: Administration@thecpcchurch.org.

Worship Schedule

In-person Sunday Morning Worship – 11 a.m.; Adult Sunday School – 9:15 a.m.

Every Wednesday – “Hour of Power Noon Day Prayer,” 12 p.m., on the conference call line: 712-432-3900; Access code: 343284#

Every Wednesday – 7 p.m., Bible Study online via Zoom. Log in on Zoom. com or dial One Tap Mobile, (646) 931-3860 or (929) 205-6099; Meeting ID: 813 089 803 39.

Summer Worship Schedule

Dress Down Worship – 10 a.m. through September 7.

Adult Sunday School is on summer hiatus.

Sunday, Sept. 14 – 11 a.m. Worship and Adult Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. Save the Date

Sunday, July 20 – Family & Friends Day BBQ

Communion Sunday – We began the morning with praise and worship. Members shared how God is working in their lives and the Praise Team sang songs of inspiration. Deacon James Nicholson supplied the Invocation and read

177 Dreiser Loop, second floor, Rm. 2.

Psalm 145:1-10. The Choir rendered the sermonic selection before Rev. Tyrone Richardson mounted the pulpit. First, he sang, “We Give You Praise,” then he preached from the topic, “He’s Still Working on Me,” taken from Philippians 1:6. He said we are all a work in progress, and we need God’s divine salvation, grace, and mercy as we strive to be better. We must have the confidence and the assurance that God can, and God will do. Alleluia! During Altar Call, Rev. Richardson prayed a heartfelt prayer for the restoration, renewal, and revival of our Church. After the Service of Communion, the congregation joyfully sang, “I Know It Was The Blood.” Thank you for your fellowship. Are you looking for a church home? Are you looking to feel connected? We welcome you to come hear the good news of Jesus and experience all the new possibilities at Community Protestant, a church of love and understanding.

Our sincere and heartfelt condolences are extended to all who are in a season of mourning. To Trustee Evangeline Brown and all our sick and homebound members, please know that we are praying mightily for you and for your speedy recovery. We send our best Happy Birthday wishes to Sister Stella Baker, Dorcas birthday prayer shawl recipient, and to everyone celebrating their special day this month.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” –Philippians 1:6

––Lexa M. Mingo

The Church of St. Thomas The Apostle

Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The congregation and clergy of St. Thomas invite you to worship with us. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Who is God? St. John tells us that “God is Love” (1 John 4:8). What is love? In his first letter to the Corinthians St. Paul tells us that love is patient and kind. It is not envious, boastful, arrogant, rude, insistent, irritable, or resentful. It rejoices in the truth and endures all things. This definition of love is a description of God. Praise God, for God is love!

The Fourth Sunday after Trinity: July 13th, 2025.

P.O. Box 318, Bronx, NY 10469

Join Us for a Day of Enjoyment on One of Our Upcoming Trips!

• Sat., Aug. 9 CLUE the Musical - Hunderton Hills Playhouse “Can You Solve e Mystery?” Hampton, NJ

• Sat., Aug. 16 SPIRIT OF PHILADELPHIA Gospel Cruise Philadelphia, PA

• Sat., Sept. 20 PHILLIPS CRABFEST Baltimore, MD

• Fri., Oct. 17 NOAH - Sight & Sound eater Ronk, PA

• Fri., Oct. 25 “TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON” - Hampton, NJ Hunderton Hills Playhouse

• Fri., Dec. 12 GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN Brownstone Patterson, NJ

TWO PICK-UP/DROP-OFF LOCATIONS: Masks Suggested

169 Dreiser Loop (Front of H&R Block)

e Park @ 161st Street (Btwn. Grand Concourse & Walton Ave., Opposite Bronx Courthouse)

For More Info., Lessie Harris, 347-866-4625; maetravels73@gmail.com

● 11 a.m. Summer Service

● Fellowship and light refreshments following the service. Scripture Lessons:

● 1 John 4:7,8, 11-13, 16, 18-21

● John 15:1,5,8-12

Prayer: O Christ, the Lord of Love, we lay our hearts upon thy shrine, praying that Thou wilt accept, purify and enkindle them, so that they may forever glow with the undying fire of Thine infinite compassion, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God throughout all ages of ages. Amen.

––Rev. Dorian Miceli

Circle of Christ Church Iglesia Circulo de Cristo

When God presses the Reset Button

Sometimes, it is time for a reset. This entails a starting over after a failure, returning from extended downtime, or a renewed focus.

Jacob – challenged by God after a life of sin and lies, God renewed the call on his life.

(Genesis 32:25) “When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.”

Jacob was reset by God, he limped.

Elijah – God first comforted him then commanded him to anoint.

(Kings 19:15) “The Lord said to him, ‘Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.’”

Elijah was prepared for greater service.

Paul – after complaining to God about his suffering is rewarded by God’s sufficient grace.

(2 Corinthians 12:9) “But God said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’.”

Paul learned that God is enough.

In all of these examples God allowed a reset after a time of suffering and difficulty in the life of the person. Jacob, Elijah, and Paul were redirected to grace and forgiveness by God.

Summer Schedule – 147 Dreiser Loop

Every Thursday in July and August, the Bible Study will focus on dealing with mental health issues from a biblical perspective.

First Sunday of the month, Bilingual Communion Service, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday: Spanish Service at 9:30 a.m. and English Service at 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday: Nonperishable food distribution, 12-2 p.m.

Thursday: Prayer/Bible Study, 6:30-8 p.m.

Friday: Youth Service, 6:30-9 p.m.

July 14–18: Vacation Bible School, ages 5-11. Register on July 14 at Dreiser Loop at 10 a.m.

Blessings in Christ.

––Pastor Luis F. Ramos Jr.

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church

St. Joseph’s is located at 155 Dreiser Loop, lower level, Co-op City, Bronx, NY 10475. Email: stjosephsepc@aol.com. Church phone number: 718-3200844. Priest-in-charge: Fr. Simeon Johnson, cell phone: 917-227-4303.

In-person worship service for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost will be conducted by Father Simeon Johnson at the church on Sunday, July 13, at 9 a.m. as well as via teleconference.

Please remember to tune in for the daily noonday prayer service. To participate by teleconference, dial 1-425-436-6344; Access Code: 509-898, followed by the # sign.

Pledge Cards for 2025 are available. Please collect, complete and return yours to the church as soon as possible. We know that you want to help your church, so it is on these cards that you tell us about your areas of interest and expertise.

Events and Fundraising Activities

August 15: The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of St. Joseph’s are having an Essex Steam Train and Riverboat Ride to Connecticut (luncheon included) on Friday, August 15. The bus departs promptly at 8 a.m. from

177 Dreiser Loop, Co-op City. Donation: $165 per person. Deposit of $50 due as soon as possible with the balance of $115 to be paid by July 25, after which there will be no refunds. Contact: Valrie at 718-320-0844 or 347200-5850. If no answer, please leave a detailed message.

Condolences: Our thoughts and prayers go out to all our bereaved members, families and friends who have recently lost loved ones. Please remember to keep them in your prayers.

Sick and Shut-in: We extend our well wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery. If possible, please visit them, call them on the phone or send them a card.

Birthday Greetings: Best wishes and blessings to everyone celebrating a birthday this month.

We continue to collect only food (cans and dry goods) for the pantry at Grace Episcopal Church, West Farms. If you can, please contribute to those in need.

Grace and Peace!

––Merville Chambers

Co-op City Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams and the Co-op City Baptist Church family invite you to join us for Worship Service tomorrow at 9 a.m., in-person and on Zoom. Sunday School classes are suspended for the summer. We are located at 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 50 (lower level), Bronx, NY 10475. Telephone: 718320-3774. Email: ccbc135@optimum.net or coopcitybc@gmail.com. Website: www.coopcitybaptistchurch.org Masks are optional.

Service is also available on Zoom at https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9623430102 or Zoom Telephone Conference Line: 646-568-7788; Meeting ID: 962 343 0102#; Password: 788175#. You can also go to YouTube, search for “Co-op City Baptist Church” and watch us there.

The church’s free conference call line dial-in number is 857-357-0254; Access Code is 660065#.

Rev. Williams asks everyone who calls into the Sunday Worship service to use Zoom through your computer or dial-in using the Zoom information shown above.

Tomorrow, Sunday, July 13, at our 9 a.m. service, we will celebrate Christian Education Recognition Day. The guest preacher will be Rev. Dianne Asphall, Associate Minister for the Mt. Zion Christian Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, NY. The theme is “Rooted in the Word: Growing in God’s Truth,” from Colossians 2:7 . Everyone is invited to come out and support our Sunday School Ministry.

The next CCBC Food Giveaway will be distributed on Friday, July 25, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. in front of the Einstein Community Center. Please remember to bring your own bag and perhaps a cart. Some products can be heavy.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” –Psalm 46:1

The Co-op City Baptist Church exists to glorify God and to establish a living community of people who follow the teachings of Jesus the Christ through worship, prayer, Bible Study and fellowship. We seek to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the church through ministry.

––Marilyn C. Williams

JASA Co-op City NORC Program Invites You for These In-Person & Virtual Activities

Bartow OAC Shopping trips – BJ’s/LIDL, 7/18; Amazing Savings/ShopRite, 7/22; Stew Leonard, 7/2; Costco, 7/25; Walmart, 7/29; Trader Joe’s, 7/30. All trips cost $6, except for Walmart, which is $12.

Acupuncture: JASA NORC Office – w/Dr. Flora Luyando, Wed., July 16 & Aug. 6, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Bartow OAC: Apple Picking Trip – to OCHS Apple Orchard, Aug. 28; price: $45, includes lunch. Common Pantry is scheduled for Tues., July 22, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. They are currently on a freeze and will not be accepting new participants. Any new or inactive participants will be placed on a waiting list & will be contacted once space becomes available.

Bartow OAC: Summer Blast – Join us for a fun day on July 17, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Bartow

BARTOW CENTER CLOSED

Walk w/Odessa, (On vacation until Sept. 9)

Blood Pressure W/Gertie & Phyllis, 12-1 p.m., (1st & 3rd Tues.)

Health & Wellness w/Ann, (On break until Sept. 9)

Smart Phone & Tablet Class w/ Julesa, 1:45-2:45 p.m.

Dinner Hour: 3-4:30 p.m.

JASA NORC Office Zumba class, every Tues., until July 8, at 11 a.m.

Stay Well Exercise w/Odessa, 10-11 a.m.

Line Dancing w/Cynthia, Wed. & Fri., 12:30-1:45 p.m.

Arthritis exercise w/Damion, 10-11:15 a.m.

Visual Arts w/Laura, via Zoom, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Knitting/Crocheting w/ Lynne & Betty, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Card Games w/Frankie, 3:304:30 p.m.

Massage Therapy, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Manicure, 10:30 a.m-12 p.m.

Manicure,10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Community Center courtyard, 2049 Bartow Ave. Free entry.

Caringkind: The Heart of Alzheimer’s Caregiving Rep. will be in the Bartow main Office every third Monday of the month from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for Alzheimer & Dementia Consultation/Health Care Proxy & Power of Attorney Consultation and other services. Please call 646-744-2921 for an appointment.

Technology Class – Thurs., 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dial-in number: 929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 862 5043 9695, Passcode: 896989.

Steel Drum Classes – Wed., 1-3 p.m., NORC Office.

Line Dance with Bartow Swingers – Wed. & Fri., 12-1 p.m., 177 Dreiser Loop, Aud. A.

Mindful Mornings, 9-10 a.m.

Tai-Chi, 9-10 a.m.

Line Dance, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Ageless Facials & Self Care, 1-3 p.m. (appointment only)

Movies w/ Dennis: “Straw,” 1-3 p.m.

Never Too Old to Learn Spanish, 10-11 a.m., Rm. 35

Bridge to Care Arthritis Exercise w/ Damion, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 45

Technology Lab w/ Steve, 1-2 p.m.

Trip: Aqua Aerobics

Hair Care 4 U, 9 a.m.-11a.m. (appointment only)

Stretch & Tone w/Ola, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Bodies In Motion w/Ola, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Tech w/KJ, 1-2 p.m.

Board Games, 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Visual Arts, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Salsa Dancing w/George, 11 a.m. -12 p.m.

Lunch & Learn: Life Insurance, 12-1 p.m.

Chit Chat, 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Fit for Life Exercise w/Gail, 1-2 p.m.

Trip: American Dream

Notary JASA NORC Office – Weds. & Thurs., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 718-320-2066 for an appt.

Notary Dreiser OAC – Weds., 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Rm. 7. Call 718-320-1345 for an appointment.

Beware of Telephone Scammers

If you receive a telephone call demanding immediate payment using a pre-paid card, wire transfer or bitcoin, even if your Caller ID identifies a legitimate business, HANG UP and report the call. Do not divulge personal information such as Social Security number, bank account number, date of birth or any other information. Be smart, be safe!

LUNCH & DINNER MENUS

Alternate Kosher Meals are available

Weekend Recap Discussion, 9-10 a.m.

Stay Well Exercise w/Denise, 10-11 a.m., Aud. A Leisure TV, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Focus Group on Making Decisions w/ Project Guardianship, 1-2:30 p.m., Rm. 4

Yoga Class w/Adira, 1:15-2:15 p.m., Rm. 2 Leisure TV, 2-4 p.m.

Current Events, 10-11 a.m.

Art w/ Gerry, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 6 Leisure Games w/Clara, 1-3:30 p.m. Zumba w/Ola, 1-2 p.m., Aud. A Crafts w/ Roselen (Will return on July 21)

Tai Chi w/Jimmy, 2-3 p.m., Aud. A Computer & Tablet Class w/Ralph 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (Virtual)

Trip: Spirit of New York White Party Cruise (Sold Out) Bead & Jewlry w/ Brenda (On break until Sept.)

Arthritis Exercise w/Damion, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Aud. A Drama Club (On break until Sept.)

Sewing Class w/Joy, 9-11 a.m., Rm. 2 Cardio Exercise w/Gail, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Aud. A Leisure Games w/ Clare, 1-3:30 p.m., Rm. 2

Body in Motion w/Ola, 1-3:30 p.m., Aud. A Leisure TV, 2-4 p.m.

LUNCH: KOSHER:Beef Hamburger, Baked Red Potato Wedges, Health Slaw; NON-KOSHER : Pork Spare Ribs, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Collard Greens

NO DINNER SERVED

LUNCH : KOSHER: Vegan Stuffed Peppers, Brown Rice, Roasted Eggplants; NON KOSHER: Latin Sweet Potato & Red Bean, Chili, White Rice, Steamed Cauliflower

DINNER: BARTOW ONLY

KOSHER: Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers, Brown Rice, Roasted Eggplants, Canned Mandarin; NON KOSHER: Pork Spared Ribs, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Collard Greens, Apple

LUNCH: KOSHER: Puerto Rican Chicken Stew, California Blend Vegetables; NON KOSHER: Jumbo Stuffed Shells w/ Meat Sauce, Vegetables Mix

DINNER: BARTOW ONLY

KOSHER Stewed Chicken, Brown Rice, California Blend Vegetable; NON-KOSHER: Latin Sweet Potato & Red Beans Chili, White Rice Steamed Cauliflower, Cantaloupe

LUNCH: KOSHER: Ginger & Lime Salmon, Baked Sweet Potato, Prince Edwards Blend Veg.; NON KOSHER: Baked Asian Style Honey Chicken, White Rice & Quinoa, Steamed Broccoli

DINNER: BARTOW ONLY

KOSHER: Ginger & Lime Salmon, Baked Sweet Potato, Prince Edwards Blend Vegetables, Banana ; NON-KOSHER : Jumbo Stuffed Shells in Meat Sauce, Steamed Mix Vegetables, Honeydew

Coloring for Calmness, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Walmart (Monroe, NY), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Coloring for Calmness

9:30 -10:30 a.m.

Su Casa Art w/Tijay, 10 a.m.-12

Su Casa Art w/ Tijay,10 a.m.-12

p.m.

Line Dance with Cynthia, 12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m.

Line Dance w/ Cynthia, 12:301:45 p.m.

p.m.

Chess Club, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Drama Club w/Dazee Windley 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m., in Bartow OAC, Rm. 31

Drama Club w/ Dazee Windley, 2-4:30 p.m., Bartow OAC, Rm. 31

Dinner Hour, 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Intergenerational Arts & Crafts w/Denise, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Salsa with Rasheem,10 a.m.11 a.m., Dreiser, 2nd floor Word Games

10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Bingo on Saturdays

1:30-3:30 p.m. in the back of JASA NORC Of fice

Blood Pressure Screening, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Blood Pressure Screening, 10:3012 p.m.

Health & Wellness 2.0, 11 a.m.-12

p.m. (Generational Differences)

Health & Wellness 2.0 – Celebrating Each Other, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Let’s Get It on Zumba, 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Let’s Get It on Zumba, 1-2 p.m.

Coney Island Beach/Boardwalk, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sewing Class w/ Joy, 9-11 a.m., Rm. 2

Alert & Alive w/ Cathy & Essie (On break until Sept.)

Sewing Class w/Joy, 9-11 a.m., Rm. 2 Knitting /Crocheting w/Loretta 10-12 p.m.

Knitting & Crocheting w/ Loretta, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Alert & Alive w/Cathy & Essie, 10-11 a.m., Rm. 4

LUNCH: KOSHER: BBQ Chicken Leg Quaters, Bowtie Pasta w/ Kasha, Sauteed Green Beans w/ Onions; NON-KOSHER: Fish w/ Tomatoes & Herbs, Caribbean Rice & Red Beans, Sauteed Spinach

DINNER: BARTOW ONLY

Line Dance w/Sassy, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Aud. A Bingo, 1-2:50 p.m.

Line Dance w/ Sassy, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Aud. A Bingo, 1-2:50 p.m.

Menu fee for lunch is $2 & $5 for guest. ALL meals served with margarine and fresh milk. Menu subject to change without notice. For information, please call: (718) 320-2066. Schedule subject to change without notice.

Payments for trips can be made where noted, Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. only.

Funded by: The NYC Department for the Aging, the NYS Office for the Aging and Riverbay Corporation

Must be 60 or older to become a JASA participant.

KOSHER: Beef of Pot Roast, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables Steamed, Apple(10 Grab & Go); NON-KOSHER: Baked Asian Honey Chicken, Rice w/ Quinoa, Steamed Vegetables

Saturday: Lunch served at 12:30 p.m. until finished: BARTOW ONLY

KOSHER: BBQ Chicken, Bowtie Pasta w/ Kasha, Sauteed String Beans, Pear; NON-KOSHER: Fish w/ Tomatoes & Herbs, Rice & Red Beans, Sauteed Spinach, Orange

Newsong Church

The Danger of Compromise

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” –Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT)

Paul urges believers to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity in these evil days. He warns us not to live thoughtlessly, but to seek and understand God’s will.

In our study in the book of Judges, chapters 13-14, we discover that Samson is a tragic example of someone who ignored this call. Though chosen by God and set apart as a Nazirite, Samson repeatedly compromised. He lived by his own wisdom, not God’s. He pursued what looked good in his own eyes, disregarding his calling and the commands of the Lord.

Compromise may seem small at first—just a step off the path—but it leads to spiritual drift. Just like Samson, we risk becoming fools when we choose comfort or desire over obedience. Wisdom begins with honoring God’s Word, even when it’s hard.

To live wisely in a foolish world, we must be willing to stand firm. Let’s avoid the trap of compromise and instead live carefully, intentionally, and faithfully— making the most of every opportunity to honor God.

About Us – Newsong Church is a life-giving church right here in Co-op City! We believe that every person can know God, find freedom, discover their purpose, and make a difference in this world! No matter what you’ve been through or where you come from, you are welcome here. Join us for Sunday worship, we’re located at 135 Einstein Loop.

Sunday Worship Experience – Every Sunday at 11 a.m., our Sunday worship experience starts with celebration. We make music to please God and to build others up. We sing to bring glory and honor to God and celebrate who He is and what He’s doing in our church!

Newsong Deaf Church, Rm. 35 – Our deaf worship experience is in ASL so that our deaf and hearing impaired can worship and fellowship in their own language!

Kidsong, Rm. 49 – We’ve created a place where children can have fun and learn about Jesus on their own level!

Against The Flow – Every Friday at 6:30 p.m., in Rm. 42. ATF is Newsong’s student ministry. Today’s middle and high school students will lead the next generation of the church and change the world. At ATF, our goal is to graduate students into a lifetime of following Jesus.

So, what are you waiting for? There’s a God in heaven who loves you and has a purpose and plan for your life! Do you live outside of Section 5? Remember, a church alive is worth the drive! Come and find hope. Come and find healing. Come and find freedom.

Mailing Address: 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 42, Phone: 917-342 2559

Email: CentralTeam@newsongchurchnyc.org

Prayer RequestLine: Text “Prayer” to 877-899-7323

Website: www.newsongchurchnyc.org

Social Media: Facebook/IG/X: @newsongchurchbx; YouTube: Newsong Church NYC

—Pastor Mike Tolone

Church of the New Vision

Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Church of the New Vision and Pastors Kenneth and Deborah Hodge welcome you to worship with us at 115 Einstein Loop North, Bronx, NY 10475. Church phone: 718-671-8746 and Pastor’s phone: 914-522-5039.

Our scripture verse for 2025 is: 2 Corinthians 2:14 KJV, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the savior of his knowledge by us in every place .”

Sunday School for adults and youths begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday service at 11 a.m. All are welcome. Masks are required. Fasting, prayer and meditation is the last Wednesday of each month. Daily Noon Day Prayer Line: 12-12:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. Join us for Wednesday Night Bible Study and prayer. The conference line number is 646-769-9900; Access Code: 3099388#. Please mute your phone. Worship Message: “Standing on the Promises of God.”

Sermon: Joshua 1:13 NLT, “Remember what Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you: The Lord your God is giving you a place of rest. He has given you this land.”

Save The Dates

August 9 – Family & Friends Picnic at Glenn Island Park. See Ushers for parking permits.

Tuesday, August 12 – “NOAH” at Sight & Sound is sold out.

August 16 – Section 5 Family Fun Day, 12-4 p.m. Hosted by Councilman K. Riley.

We continue to pray for speedy recovery for the sick and shut-in. Grace, mercy, strength, comfort, healing, and condolences to families who lost loved ones and good health and wellness for all.

Please mail contributions, tithes and offerings to: Church of New Vision, P.O. Box 75-3037, Einstein Station, Bronx, New York 10475. Thank you.

––Brenda Brown

Iglesia Cristiana Marcos 16:15

Paz de Dios sea con ustedes.

Iglesia Cristiana Marcos 16:15 les hace una cordial invitación a la comunidad hispana a congregarse con nosotros.

Si buscan una iglesia para adorar a nuestro Señor y Salvador, si te sientes solo, herido, deprimido, si necesitas liberación, nuestras puertas están abiertas para recibirte. Jesús está dispuesto y es capaz de liberarte y sanarte. Si quieres formar parte de un grupo que disfruta alabar a Dios en el Ju- bileo, no busques más. ¡Únete a nosotros!

Somos la única iglesia hispana en la comunidad de la Sección 5 y nuestras puertas están abiertas para aquellos que buscan una iglesia basada en la Biblia. Cristo nos ama tanto que dejo Su Trono de Gloria para salvarnos. ( Juan 8:12 ) “Jesús les habló de nuevo, diciendo: Yo soy la luz del mundo. El que me sigue no andará en tinieblas, sino que tendrá la luz de la vida.”

Nuestra iglesia se encuentra en el centro comunitario de 135 Einstein Loop, Segundo piso, Salón 33. Servicios Ofrecidos

Lunes: Estudios Bíblicos Español/telefónico, 9 p.m. (564-888-5521; Código: 696248)

Martes/Viernes: Estudios Bíblicos por Zoom , 8 p.m. (ID 3447367643; Código: 3jEJ2W)

Jueves: Estudios Bíblicos telefónico: Ingles/7 p.m. Español/9 p.m. (564-888-5521; Código: 696248)

Domingos: Culto de Adoración, 11:30 a.m.

La Santa Cena es el 1er Domingo del mes.

Que Dios le bendiga y recuerda que Cristo te ama.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Iglesia Cristiana Marcos 16:15 cordially invites the Hispanic community to gather and worship with us.

If you are looking for a church to worship our Lord and Savior, if you feel alone, wounded, depressed, if you need liberation, our doors are open to receive you. Jesus is willing and able to free you and heal you.

If you want to be part of a group who loves to praise God in Jubilee, then look no further. Come and join us!

We are the only Hispanic church in the Section 5 community, our doors are open to those looking for a Bible-based church. Jesus loves us so much that He left His Throne of Glory to save us.

( John 8:12 ) “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”

Our church is located at 135 Einstein Loop Community Center, 2nd floor, Rm. 33.

Services Offered

Monday: Spanish Bible Studies/phone, 9 p.m. (564-888-5521; Code: 696248)

Tuesday/Friday: Zoom Bible Studies, 8 p.m. (ID 3447367643; Code: 3jEJ2W)

Thursday: Telephone Bible Studies: English/7 p.m.; Spanish/9 p.m. (564-888-5521; Code: 696248)

Sundays: Worship Service, 11:30 a.m.

Holy Communion is the 1st Sunday of the month.

God bless you and remember, Jesus loves you.

––Blanca Santana