WCP_43026

The Westchester County Press Post Office Box 152, White Plains, NY 10602

97 YEARS

VOL. XCVII NO. 18

County Press The Westchester

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WHITE PLANS, NY PERMIT # 5069

“Documenting Our History for the Future.”

ISSN 0043-3373

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026

MEMBER OF NNPA

The Links Closing the Gap: Expanding Access to In-Person College Visits for Black Male Students at New Rochelle High School . NRHS Young Achievers in front of Howard University Bookstore

NEW ROCHELLE, NY -- A college degree continues to be a major driver of income and quality of life. Consequently, the choice of school and the individual “best fit” can heavily influence long-term outcomes and social mobility.

To help ensure equitable access, nearly 30 high-performing underrepresented male students in grades 9–12 from New Rochelle High School (NRHS) participat-

ing in the Westchester County (NY) Chapter of The Links Incorporated (WCCL)’s LINKEDUP Mentoring Program Initiative and Young Achievers recently visited Washington, D.C., and Maryland. During the trip, they toured Howard University, Georgetown University, Morgan State University, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The students also experienced local cul-

ture and dined at Busboys and Poets. The college tour was sponsored by WCCL and the Westchester Alphas Educational Foundation.

As a testament to the impact of in-person tours, one student, who was initially rejected by Howard University, strengthened his application after connecting with a coach he met during the visit and has since been accepted.

COLLEGE VISITS, Cont’d. on page 6

Digital Copy: www.westchestercountypress.com

2 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, APRIL 30, 2026

Office of Assigned Counsel Hosts Second Pannual

Training for Attorneys Who Provide Free Legal Services to Clients in Need WHITE PLAINS, NY -- The Westchester County Office of Assigned Counsel (OAC) hosted its second “Pannual” – a full day of continuing legal education training for the 18-B panel of attorneys who are assigned by the Court to represent indigent clients in Criminal, Family and Appellate Courts. This year’s theme was “Surmounting Challenges Together,” using diversity, skills and ethics as the guiding principles. Over 200 attorneys attended the mandatory training that focused on best practices for advocacy and clientcentered defense of vulnerable communities such as Latine and survivors of domestic violence.

The conference at the Westchester County Center was kicked off

by OAC Administrator Stephanie Perez and included remarks from Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, Westchester County Attorney John Nonna, the Honorable James McCarty and OAC Board Chairperson Wendy Weathers. In addition to the comprehensive program of training presenta-

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins poses with members of the County Office of Assigned Counsel.

tions and break-out sessions, the Pannual featured a resource fair connecting panel attorneys directly with County departments and a wide range of legal and social service agency partners. Participating County departments included the Department of Health, Department of Probation, Department of Community Mental Health,

SECOND PANNUAL, Cont’d. on page 11

Tuesday Talks at Dorry’s: Join Us May 5th for Microfinance & Women’s Empowerment

MARY EAGLESON

WHITE PLAINS, NY -- Helping to raise women in marginalized communities out of poverty, RSWR funds small community-led projects in Africa, Asia and Latin American by granting micro-loans for farming and small businesses.

Mary Eagleson’s inspirational presentation will demonstrate how the uplifting partnership of RSWR, a Quaker-connected organization, and local groups can lead to empowerment, leadership and respect for those affected by extreme poverty and inequality.

Mary Eagleson, a former Board member of Right Sharing World Resources (RSWR), is a long-time active community-based workshop facilitator for peace and justice organizations. She is a member of Scarsdale Friends Meeting (Quakers) which has had a long and active relationship with RSWR. A resident of White Plains, she holds a Ph.D in Chemistry and most recently was on the faculty of the Fieldston School in Riverdale.

Important Zoom Information: Zoom calls will open at 5:50 PM on the Tuesday the discussion is scheduled. This allows time to join, settle in, and address any technical issues before we begin. If you are unable to attend, a recording of the discussion will be sent out the following day.

To add or remove yourself or someone else from the Dorry’s mailing list, please email Nia directly at dorrystalks@gmail.com.

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, APRIL 30, ,2026 • 3

Healthy Aging Workshop Brings White Plains Older Adults Together to Connect, Build Healthy Habits WHITE PLAINS, NY -- Healthfirst, a leading not-for-profit health insurer, hosted a Healthy Aging Workshop at the Thomas H. Slater Community Center in White Plains, New York. The event brought older adults together to connect and learn practical ways to support their physical and mental health including managing stress, building healthy habits, and knowing when to seek support from a healthcare provider. Westchester County Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson, Chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Health Committee, delivered remarks on the power of community connection and partnerships to sustain a healthy life.

Why it matters: As Older Adults Month and Mental Health Awareness Month approach in May, Healthfirst is supporting older adults across New York City, Long Island, Westchester and the Hudson Valley through Attendees socializing at the Healthy Aging Workshop presented by Healthfirst, a leading not-for-profit health insurer, at the Thomas H. Slater Community Center in White Plains, New York on Monday, April 27. The workshop drew nearly 50 older adults and was one of community-based events that support Healthfirst’s community-based events across New York City, Long Island, Westchester and the Hudson Valley taking place in support of healthy aging and mental well-being.

Older Adults Month and Mental Health Awareness Month.

Social isolation presents a higher risk for not only depression, but also physical health conditions such as heart disease and stroke.

Workshop highlights: Nearly 50 older adults attended the event on Monday, April 27th, which featured: • Remarks from Westchester County Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson • Presentation on healthy aging

by Healthfirst Director of Strategic Health Initiatives, Dr. Paul Amajor • Remarks from Thomas H. Slater Community Center Executive Director, Heather Miller Dignitaries in attendance included: Jewel Williams Johnson, Westchester County Legislator, 8th District, Chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Health Committee Paul Amajor, MD, Director of Strategic Health Initiatives, Healthfirst Heather Miller, Executive Director, Thomas H. Slater Community Center Pictured (from left) are Tracy McDermott, Healthfirst Manager of Government Relations; Heather Mieko Lackey, Chief of Staff for New York State Assemblymember Chris Burdick (93rd Assembly District); Jewel Williams Johnson, Westchester County Legislator (8th District); and Luis Angel Ochoa, Constituent Services & Community Affairs Associate for the Office of New York State Senator Shelley Mayer (37th Senate District).

AGING WORKSHOP, Cont’d. on page 11

4 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, APRIL 30, 2026

WBASNY Commends Assembly’s Passage of Statewide Supervised Visitation Initiative The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”) commends the New York State Assembly in passing A.65-B (Hevesi)/S.9498 (Mayer), legislation establishing a statewide supervised visitation initiative.

The need for supervised visitation often arises in the context of family court proceedings and custody and visitation cases that involve complexities such as domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues. Supervised visitation programs are a vital tool for courts, in these cases, to provide a safe way to allow healthy parent-child relationships to be fostered.

Studies from 2025, however, indicate 32 of New York’s 62 counties lack access to any supervised visitation program, and this number is steadily increasing. Even in counties that do have such programs, there are reports of long waiting lists and affordability concerns, acting as a barrier to access. Without available and accessible programs for super-

The Westchester

County Press

(ISSN 0043-3373) is published weekly on Thursday in White Plains, New York. Copies: 40¢. Yearly Subscription: $25.00, two years: $45.00. National Advertising representative: National Newspaper Publishers Association. Local and national advertising rates on request.

Paper founded August 1, 1928 to serve the County of Westchester, New York.

Sandra T. Blackwell President, Publisher & Editor Carolyn B. Coleman Vice President Alyce T. Coleman Executive Editor Bruce L. Bozeman, Esq. Legal Counsel Celeste Coleman-Housey, Ed.D. Art Director/Managing Editor Editorial & Advertising Offices P.O. Box 152 White Plains, NY 10602

Telephone:(914) 953-2620 Member: National Newspaper Publishers Association

vised visitation, the default is often supervision by a third party, usually a family member or friend who is not trained or trauma-informed, provides no independent reporting to the court, and may lack objectivity and the ability to control unsafe circumstances that may arise during visits.

This important piece of legislation will establish a statewide supervised visitation initiative to support safe and structured parenting time when a court determines supervised visitation is in the child’s best interest. It will enable access to a supervised visitation program in each county and combat the loss of existing programs.

It further creates a more flexible statutory scheme that would provide unified program standards across the State.

WBASNY commends Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi for his work on this legislation, as well as the New York State Assembly for passing this bill. WBASNY urges the New York State Senate to take up this important legislation, as well as the inclusion of $20 million in the FY ‘27 budget to further support supervised visitation programs.

PUBLISHER

1986-2009

M. Paul Tells All

By M. Paul Redd, Sr. August 11, 1928 - January 9, 2009

Westchester Nonprofit Partners with Shake Shack to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence A Westchester-based domestic violence nonprofit is tapping into an unexpected model for impact: partnering with a national restaurant brand to turn everyday foot traffic into meaningful support for survivors.

Hope’s Door partnered with Shake Shack on Wednesday, April 29th for a Donation Day, where a portion of proceeds from the day’s sales directly supported Hope’s Door’s work providing shelter, advocacy, and resources to individuals and families experiencing abuse.

At a time when nonprofits are navigating funding pressures and working to engage new audiences, this type of collaboration highlights a growing shift toward accessible, community-based fundraising models that meet people where they are while raising awareness around urgent issues like domestic violence.

Hope’s Door team members were on-site connecting with patrons, sharing information, and reinforcing an important message: support for survivors can take many forms, and even small actions—like choosing where to grab meal—can make a meaningful difference. The partnership also underscores the role that recognizable brands like Shake Shack can play in supporting grassroots organizations and amplifying impact at the local level.

WOMEN’S HISTORY OF YONKERS WALKING TOUR AT PHILIPSE MANOR

YONKERS, NY -- Join us for the debut of our Women’s History of Yonkers Walking Tour on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.. This urban hike takes a circular route of approximately 2 miles and departs from and returns to Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site (located at 29 Warburton Ave., Yonkers, NY).

In honor of Mother’s Day weekend, we present a brand-new walking tour of downtown Yonkers focused on women’s history from its earliest days to the present. We’ll explore matrilineal Indigenous societies, enslavement, and Dutch women’s rights, women during the American Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and into the 20th century when women’s influence in public life and politics grew. See historic buildings, monuments, and the Yonkers waterfront on this engaging history hike.

The hike includes some inclines on paved walkways and lasts approximately 2 hours. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen or a hat. Tour departs promptly at 10:30 a.m., museum opens at 10:00 a.m. Museum accessible via Hudson line train, car, or bus.

You can find directions, transportation, and parking information here.

Tickets are $10/person, pay at the door. Tickets include museum admission. Pre-registration is recommended, but not required. To register, call 914-965-4027 or email philipsemanorhall@parks.ny.gov. If heavy rain, storms, or road closures occur, this walk will be cancelled.

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, APRIL 30, ,2026 • 5

Many children in Westchester County are still struggling to breathe in their own homes.

Written by Marvin V Church, Chair of the Asthma Committee Westchester County African American Advisory Board

In one of the wealthiest counties in the United States, many children are still struggling to breathe in their own homes.

Across Mount Vernon, Yonkers, and New Rochelle in Westchester County, thousands of African American residents live with asthma not as a manageable condition, but as a constant and unpredictable threat. It sends children to emergency rooms, keeps them out of school, and forces parents to miss work. For many families, it also brings an often overlooked burden: the rising cost of simply keeping the air indoors safe to breathe.

What is frequently described as “manageable” asthma often requires air purifiers running continuously, nebulizers used multiple times a week, and humidifiers or filtration systems operating around the clock. These are not lifestyle choices. They are medical necessities.

They are also expensive. The electricity required to power life-sustaining equipment adds up quickly, creating a financial strain that compounds existing hardship. For some families, this means choosing between essential medical support and other basic needs.

This burden is not evenly distributed. It reflects long-standing patterns in housing quality, environmental exposure, and access to care—patterns that continue to fall along racial and economic lines.

Across the United States, African Americans are disproportionately affected by asthma, with higher rates of hospitalization and mortality. Westchester County reflects these disparities despite its overall affluence. Within its borders, zip code still shapes exposure to pollution, housing conditions, and access to preventive care.

In November 2025, community leaders, residents, and health professionals gathered in Mount Vernon to address this issue at a forum organized through the Westchester County African American Advisory Board. The discussion made one point clear: asthma is not only a medical condition, but also a reflection of environmental and structural inequities.

Since then, work has continued under the Advisory Board’s Asthma Committee, expanding community engagement across the county.

In Greenburgh, Dr. Suzzanne Phillips has helped connect residents to health resources and strengthen local outreach efforts. In Yonkers, Larry Sykes has helped facilitate community forums centered on residents’ lived experiences. In New Rochelle, Gwen Clayton Fernandes hosted a forum on asthma at Alvin &

Friends restaurant, further expanding public dialogue.

These efforts have been strengthened by support from New York State Assemblywoman Mary Jane Shimsky, who helped facilitate the involvement of the American Lung Association as a partner in the initiative. Their participation has brought additional expertise and broader public health perspective to local discussions.

At these gatherings, residents have described children carrying inhalers throughout the day, schools located near high-traffic corridors with persistent diesel exhaust, and homes affected by mold, pests, and poor ventilation. These are not isolated concerns—they are recurring environmental conditions with clear health consequences.

A consistent theme has emerged: the hidden cost of living with asthma.

The burden is not only medical, but financial. Costs associated with energy use, preventive home care, and repeated emergency room visits create a cycle of strain that deepens inequality for already vulnerable families.

Westchester County has begun to respond. The establishment of an Asthma Subcommittee within the African American Advisory Board marks an important step. Community forums have increased awareness, and partnerships with organizations such as the American Lung Association have strengthened coordination and outreach.

These efforts are guided under the leadership of Barbara Edwards, Esq., Chair of the Westchester County African American Advisory Board, whose direction has helped sustain momentum around this issue.

But awareness alone does not ease symptoms or prevent emergencies.

Children are still struggling to breathe. Families are still making emergency trips to hospitals. Preventable environmental conditions continue to trigger lifethreatening asthma attacks.

If Westchester is serious about equity, it must move beyond discussion toward sustained, measurable action.

First, housing conditions must be addressed at their source. Mold, pests, and inadequate ventilation are not merely maintenance issues—they are health hazards that require targeted intervention in the communities most affected.

Second, outdoor air quality must be treated as a public health priority. Schools located near major roadways require mitigation strategies to reduce exposure to traffic-related pollution. Monitoring and enforcement in high-risk areas should be strengthened.

Third, access to preventive care must expand. Too many families rely on emergency rooms for conditions

MARVIN CHURCH

that could be managed through consistent primary care. Community clinics, school-based health services, and mobile health programs can help close this gap.

Fourth, the financial burden of managing asthma must be acknowledged. Families should not face economic hardship for powering the medical equipment necessary to breathe safely. Energy assistance and health-linked utility support programs should be part of a comprehensive response.

Finally, residents most affected by asthma must remain central to decision-making. Their lived experience provides essential insight that should shape policy at every level—not only during moments of crisis, but continuously.

Additional forums are planned in White Plains and Peekskill as this work continues. Across each community, the message remains consistent: asthma in Westchester is not just a health issue. It is an environmental issue. It is an equity issue.

And it is a public responsibility.

A county cannot claim prosperity while entire neighborhoods struggle for something as fundamental as clean air—or are forced to pay more simply to breathe it.

6 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, APRIL 30, 2026

Young Achievers at Morgan State University in front of Holmes Hall.

The Links Closing the Gap: Expanding Access to In-Person College Visits for Black Male Students at New Rochelle High School

Chaperones included parents, faculty, and members of WCCL who supported the students in this experience.

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, APRIL 30, ,2026 • 7

Westchester Community Members Denounce ICE Warehouse Detention Yonkers, NY — On Saturday, April 25, 2026, members and affiliates of several community organizations including: NYCD 16-15 NYCD 1615 Indivisible, NAACP-Yonkers Branch, Yonkers Sanctuary Movement, Concerned Families of Westchester, WESPAC, Neighbors’ Link, Indivisible New Rochelle, Larchmont/Mamamaroneck Indivisible, and Westchester Citizen Therapists Indivisible brought approximately 45 people together on a rainy, cold day in Van der Donck Park in Yonkers, for a rally to denounce immigration detention expansion. This action was part of the Communities Not Cages National Day of Action to Stop ICE Warehouse Detention, a coordinated nationwide mobilization against Trump’s cruel mass detention and deportation agenda organized

by Disappeared In America, Detention Watch Network, Indivisible, MoveOn, Public Citizen, and Worker’s Circle.

“In immigration detention, deprivation of freedom, isolation, uncertainty, and abysmal conditions, including inadequate medical care and mental health services, inedible food, and racist abuse, are a lethal combination that puts lives in jeopardy,” said Beth Levy, Co-Chair NYCD 1615 Indivisible, Immigration Justice Committee, “All immigration detention is inherently inhumane and rife with abuse, and yet the warehouse model currently being pursued by ICE is particularly horrifying.We don’t want detention centers or warehouse detention in Westchester, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, NY County or anywhere, and we will fight tooth and nail to block ICE and ensure people are protected and safe.”

ICE is scouting, purchasing, and retrofitting warehouses nationwide for immigration detention, which are expected to detain between 1,50010,000 people each. Jailing people in large-scale, makeshift detention warehouses will exponentially increase the likelihood for abuse and death in ICE custody, subjecting people to conditions

that are meant for storing products, never people.

Detention warehouses will also divert critical resources such as water and electricity away from local communities and could cut off tax revenue and foreclose economic opportunities.

Towns are courageously taking on ICE to fight detention warehouses from entering their community and winning in Chester, NY, Utah, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Virginia, Mississippi, and more. People are uniting together, uplifting their shared values to welcome people and keep everyone safe, calling on businesses to take a stand, and demanding ICE out of their communities.

“In a time when immigrant New Yorkers are facing unprecedented threats to their safety, the need for state-level action has never been more critical. New York and the Hudson Valley need to stand firm and not allow any ICE detention centers to be opened in our communities. Instead, we need to ensure that we are promoting safety and protection for all New Yorkers. The New York State Legislature has the opportunity to be a national leader in defending the rights of immigrants and public safety for all. Fully funding immigration legal services at $175 million and passing New York for All, the Access to Representation Act and BUILD Act are critical steps in protecting the rights of immigrants so they can stay with their families, work, go to school, and Kisha Skipper, added: ““The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has long condemned ICE detention centers and enforcement practices that instill fear and destabilize Black and Brown communities. The conditions raise serious civil and human rights concerns, and we remain firmly opposed to policies that perpetuate systemic injustice. The Yonkers Branch stands in solidarity with those demanding dignity, accountability, and real reform.”

“Detaining human beings in mass warehouse facilities is not immigration policy; it is the ero-

sion of our most fundamental democratic principles. At WESPAC, we stand firmly against any system that strips people of due process, separates families, and hides injustice behind walls and bureaucracy. We call on our leaders and our neighbors to reject fear and cruelty, and instead choose dignity, accountability, and the rule of law for all.

Our communities are strongest when we protect each other, not when we ‘disappear’ one another.”

Nada Khader, WESPAC Foundation Director “I am protesting today because it’s unconscionable to live in a country where there’s unlimited money for war - for bombs - for weapons - and for building walls and prisons.

I am protesting to change our government priorities. We need to put people first by funding universal healthcare, daycare and affordable housing.” Sue McAnanama, Concerned Families of Westchester “Detention is deadly. People in immigration detention are describing it as ‘hell on earth’ because it is. What we’re seeing now is heightened cruelty under the Trump administration,” said Nanci Palacios, Organizing and Membership Director at Detention Watch Network. “People are not commodities to be shipped, discarded, and profited off of in detention warehouses or any detention facility — full stop. We demand an end to Trump’s cruel mass detention expansion and that detention facilities be shut down for good.”

Detention Watch Network (DWN) is a national coalition building power through collective advocacy, grassroots organizing, and strategic communications to abolish immigration detention in the United States.

New Rochelle Public Library is Selected as a Featured Case Study at this Year’s Library Journal Design Institute NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Eugenia Schatoff, Executive Director of the New Rochelle Public Library, proudly announces that the Library has been selected as a featured case study for the Library Journal Design Institute.

The Library Design Institute is an annual professional development event hosted by Library Journal that brings together librarians, architects, and designers to solve real-world facility challenges. This year’s event will take place at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC on May 19. “This is an exciting and meaningful recognition of the work we

are doing as part of our master facility planning process. What a great way to end National Library Week,” said Ms. Schatoff.

As part of this opportunity, NRPL’s project will be highlighted for a national audience of library leaders, architects, and design professionals.

Even more valuable, the Library will be paired with experienced architects who will work with the NRPL team to explore the goals, challenges, and opportunities in greater depth. This collaboration will provide the Library with additional professional insight and creative thinking as it continues to shape

NR LIBRARY, Cont’d. on page 15

8 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, APRIL 30, 2026

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Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission

Bridge to Justice: Youth Empowerment & Community Engagement Forum YOUR VOICE MATTERS. YOUR FUTURE IS NOW. FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST

Honorable Rowan D. Wilson CHIEF JUDGE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE COURT OF APPEALS

Join us for a dynamic community conversation with special guest the Honorable Rowan D. Wilson, Chief Judge of the State of New York and the Court of Appeals. This forum brings young people and community members together for an interactive discussion about civic participation and community empowerment.

Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle Remington Clubhouse 1 Remington Place New Rochelle, NY 10801 Friday, May 8, 2026 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

RSVP BY May 7, 2026

For more information please email: fhwcommissioner9jd@nycourts.gov

COME BE HEARD. BE EMPOWERED. BE THE SOLUTION.

10 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, APRIL 30, 2026

Missed your printed copy of The Westchester County Press?

Get a COMPLIMENTARY DIGITAL COPY sent to your email today!

Email us westchestercountypress@yahoo.com

SUBSCRIBE

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, APRIL 30, ,2026 • 11

Healthy Aging Workshop Brings White Plains Older Adults Together to Connect, Build Healthy Habits

• Presentation on healthy aging by Healthfirst Director of Strategic Health Initiatives, Dr. Paul Amajor

Representatives from the Offices of New York State Senator Shelley age stress and live healthier, more fulfilling lives.”

Mayer and New York State Assemblymember Chris Burdick - Paul Amajor, MD, Director of Strategic Health “The Slater Center is a vital part of District 8, and the older adults who

Initiatives, Healthfirst gather here play an important role in keeping our community connected and strong. I’m proud to support Healthfirst in delivering workshops like this “The Thomas H. Slater Community Center is dedicated to connecting to our residents, strengthening their mental health and overall well-being.” with older adults in Westchester and supporting their physical and mental - Jewel Williams Johnson, County Legislator, 8th District well-being. We are grateful to Healthfirst for their collaboration as we serve our older community members with informative programming on healthy “Today’s event reflects Healthfirst’s deep commitment to supporting old- habits that can enhance their quality of life.” er adults in our communities. We’re focused on helping seniors stay socially - Heather Miller, Executive Director, Thomas H. Slater Center connected, physically active, and equipped with the tools they need to man-

SECOND PANNUAL, Cont’d. from p. 2

Parks Department and the Office of Housing Counsel.

Jenkins said: “I recognize that you are here today because as attorneys in private practice, you have made the admirable decision to give of yourselves so that Westchester residents who do not have the means to hire lawyers to defend them can have counsel. You work long and hard to ensure that when people are at some of the lowest points in their lives and need support and guidance, you are there for them, making sure

that their constitutional rights are upheld and the legal advice they receive is of the highest caliber. The values of equity and access for all -- regardless of economic resources – are Westchester values and ones that I hold in the highest regard. Protecting these values and expanding their reach, as we did when we established the Office for Assigned Counsel in 2021, is just another example of how we manifest the kind of place we are proud to be part of, a County we are proud to call Westchester.”

Nonna said: “We appreciate all the hard work of our assigned counsel panel to provide representation to indigent defendants. You are bending the arc of the moral universe towards justice. When we formed the Office of Assigned Counsel at the request of the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services, we wanted to create a structure of support for you to do your important work. That includes providing you with the most up-to-date resources and information, and that is what today is all about.”

12 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, APRIL 30, 2026

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14 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, APRIL 30, 2026

Community Calendar

CALENDAR SUBMISSION: Please use a brief paragraph to describe your event. The paragraph should include event name, date(s), time, location and contact information. Send calendar information via email to westchestercountypress@yahoo.com. Please type “CALENDAR EVENT” in the subject bar.

Friday, May 1

May 1st - Law Day! The Rule of Law and the American Dream. In the month of May, Courts, Judges, Law clerks, Court officers, Police officers and local practicing attorneys will engage students in grades 9-12 and discuss their role in our legal system. This year the Peekskill City Court, Peekskill Police Department and the NAACP, Peekskill Branch #2170 will be celebrating Law Day at the courthouse located at: 2 Nelson Avenue, Peekskill NY from 12-2 p.m.

Thursday, May 7

Westchester County Fair Housing Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 7 at 6 pm in the Human Rights Commission Conference Room, 112 East Post Road, 3rd Floor, White Plains, NY 10601. Members of the public may view this meeting online at: meetings.westchestercountyny. gov

Thursday, May 7

Westchester County Human Rights Commission Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 7 at 6:45pm in the Human Rights Commission Conference Room, 112 East Post Road, 3rd Floor,White Plains, NY 10601.

Members of the public may view this meeting online at: meetings. westchestercountyny.gov

Friday, May 8

On Friday, May 8, at 10:45 AM, the People’s Campaign for Parole Justice, a statewide grassroots coalition, will hold rallies across the state ahead of Mothers Day to demand freedom for mothers, grandmothers, and all loved ones!

So RSVP today at bit.ly/freemoms2026.

Saturday, May 9

NRPL Film Series: “1776”, from

1:00 - 4:30 pm. As part of the countywide RW250 celebration, New Rochelle librarian and film historian Chris Poggiali will introduce and discuss a screening of the 1972 musical 1776. This fun-filled adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical chronicles the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence by America’s founding fathers. Location: Ossie Davis Theater. Registration requested at bit.ly/1776_05_2026. This program is part of the New Rochelle Public Library’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, in collaboration with Revolutionary Westchester 250 and New Rochelle 250.

Saturday, May 9

Girls Inc. of Westchester is excited to host the Girls Inc. Leadership Summit: Period Power – Breaking Stigmas, Building Equity! on Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM at the YWCA, 515 North St, White Plains, NY 10605. This is a free, girl-led event designed to help girls deepen their understanding of menstrual equity, build confidence in their voices, and leave activated around the change they want to see in their communities.

The summit will feature engaging workshops on advocacy, selfcare, period product education, and crocheting, and participants will also receive free lunch, swag bags, and access to raffle prizes.

This experience reflects the heart of Girls Inc. — creating spaces where girls are not only supported, but also trusted as leaders, advocates, and changemakers.

We would greatly appreciate your help sharing this opportunity with girls and families in your network.

Registration link:

h t t p s : / / f o r m s . Food and transportation provided. gle/1uk6EZK6UE4d54Eu8 Bus pickup locations: • Manhattan - 4th Ave & E 14th St, New Tuesday, May 12 American Red Cross Blood Drive York, NY 10003 (Bus parked in from 11:00 am - 3:30 pm. Pro- front of Starbucks Coffee between spective donors are currently be- E 14th St. and E 15th St.) • White ing sought by the American Red Plains - Westchester Children’s Cross for this upcoming blood Association, 470 Mamaroneck drive. Location: New Rochelle Ave, White Plains, NY 10605 • Public Library, Ossie Davis The- Beacon - Scenic Hudson’s River ater/ Meeting Room. Registration Center, 8 Long Dock Rd, Beacon, required at bit.ly/NRPLBlood- NY 12508 . • Ossining - Hudson Link, 23 State St, Ossining, NY Drive.

10562.

Tuesday, May 12

Over the past half-century, New York’s sentencing laws have driven the crisis of mass incarceration, from the 1970’s Rockefeller Drug Laws to the 1990’s “tough on crime” era, which has disproportionately impacted Black and brown communities. Right now, over 30,000 people are incarcerated in New York’s prisons.

Nearly 75% are Black or brown.

It is time for New York to reform our unjust and archaic sentencing laws. Under New York’s current law, there is no mechanism for a judge to be able to review or reconsider an excessive sentence.

Because of the coercive power of mandatory minimums, 98% of convictions come through guilty plea, not trial, making a mockery of our system of justice. And while other states have modernized their earned time laws to support rehabilitation, New York lags behind. On May 12, we’ll travel to Albany for rallies, press conferences, and meetings with lawmakers. Transportation and food provided from across the state.

Together, we’ll demand the end of racist and unjust sentencing laws and call for passage of the Marvin Mayfield Act, Second Look Act, and Earned Time Act. RSVP here to join us in Albany on May 12 to fight for Communities Not Cages.

Sunday, May 17

Join the Lorraine Hansberry Coalition (LHC) on Sunday, May 17, 2-4 p.m. at Bethel Chapel, 43 Old Post Road South in Croton, for an afternoon of conversation, community, and music! This intimate event follows an already landmark year, with the LHC accepting Westchester County’s Trailblazers Ruby Dee Award for the Arts and Cleveland Drive being co-named in Hansberry’s honor.

In celebration of the five-year anniversary of the LHC and to mark the occasion of what would have been Hansberry’s 96th birthday, the Coalition has invited internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter KJ Denhert to perform.

Due to limited space and the facility’s lack of wheelchair accessibility, guests are encouraged to park on the street and walk up to the chapel. For more information, please visit lhcoalition.org We hope to see you there!

Tuesday, June 2

Tuesday Talk at Dorry’s Home Seeker: Help Searching for Affordable Housing.

Featured Speaker: Blanca Lopez, Commissioner, Westchester County Department of Planning Housing Specialist. Important Zoom Information Zoom calls will open at 5:50 PM on the Tuesday the

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, APRIL 30, ,2026 • 15

An Ancestrial Blooming at Dale Cemetery

By Roger S. Glass and Yvonne Bert

Since childhood, Ossining natives Donna and Gail Chambers have visited the historic Dale Cemetery in Ossining, NY, during Easter, Christmas and on special occasions, such as birthdays to place flowers and wreaths on the graves of family members.

Started by their late father, Donald Chambers, this tradition has long been their family’s way of honoring their ancestors. Like many other Black families in the Hudson Valley, the Chambers family has roots in Ossining dating back to shortly after the Civil War. Five generations of their mother’s family (the Bowman’s) and four generations of their father’s family (the Chambers) are buried at Dale Cemetery.

In the fall of 2025, Donna came up with a new idea to continue that tradition—one that would also include others with loved ones from the community who are buried at the cemetery, to participate. “After our mother died in 2024, Gail and I planted daffodils at her grave and at our grandparents’ graves,” Donna explained.

“When they bloomed the following spring, we decided we would plant daffodils at other gravesites in the fall.” A family friend, who is also a landscaper, helped the sisters purchase hundreds of daffodil bulbs. With these in hand, Donna and Gail invited Ossining residents and others to join them last October in planting the flowers at the gravesites of their ancestors and other loved ones.

The community responded en-

thusiastically to the project and the result was gratifying. In early April, hundreds of headstones throughout Dale Cemetery were adorned with blooming daffodils, creating a beautiful display of color across the historic 175-yearold grounds.

“Last fall, when I told the cemetery supervisor that we were going to plant daffodils, he said, ‘You’re really going to beautify the cemetery. “And that’s exactly what we did,” Donna said proudly. More importantly, she added, “we’ve paid tribute to our ancestors, to whom we owe so much.”

NR LIBRARY, Cont’d from page 7

a vision for the Library’s future.

Lucille Renwick, president of the Library Board, said, “Being selected as a case study affirms that our approach is thoughtful, forward-looking, and aligned with best practices in Library design. It also positions NRPL within a broader national conversation about how libraries can best serve their communities through well-designed, flexible, and welcoming spaces. It couldn’t come at a more opportune time.”

With family members and friends traveling from as far as Savannah, Georgia, and Washington, D.C., the “Ancestral Bloom at Dale Cemetery” event proved to be both uplifting and deeply moving, as they gathered to witness the fruition of a worthy and honorable tribute to loved ones.

It was also a heartwarming opportunity to share stories about the people who had shaped their lives and the community.

During the gathering, the following prayer honoring ancestors was read: “Today, I bow in gratitude to all those who walked before

me—to the ones whose names I know and to the countless others whose faces I may have never seen. Because of you, I exist. Because of your courage, your labor, and your sacrifices, I have this life, this breath, this moment.”

Look for the Chambers sisters to be back at Dale Cemetery this fall to continue the Ancestral planting of even more daffodils in honor of family members, friends, and other deceased Ossining residents. If you are interested in participating in the fall, Donna Chambers can be reached at donnacham1@gmail.com

The Library is seeking voter approval for a $55M Bond to completely revitalize the Library building. The vote is May 19, 2026.

A key goal for the summit is to redefine the library as a “dynamic community resource” rather than just a storage space for books. Ms. Schatoff went on to say, “This is a unique opportunity to both learn from and contribute to the field, and it will help strengthen our planning efforts as we move forward.”

For more information, call (914) 632-7878 or visit www.nrpl.org.

16 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, APRIL 30, 2026