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Hundreds “Sleep Out” to Raise Awareness for Youth Homelessness

by Katie Vasquez

Under the bright lights and noise of Times Square, Jen Rivera is trying to sleep on the cold concrete of the “Crossroads of the World.” 

“We got a sleeping bag, we got a blanket, we got a reflection journal, we got an eye mask because we are in the middle of Times Square which is very helpful,” Rivera said. 

This is her first time not sleeping in her bed and while she knows she has a home to go to, she also has a close connection to homelessness.

“My mom is also here,” Rivera said. “She’s a little further down, so to be able to experience this with her as someone who did experience homelessness, this is just a really great bonding opportunity for us.”

Rivera is one of 400 people taking part in Covenant House’s 12th annual Sleep Out. From 10 p.m. Thursday night to 6 a.m. Friday morning, these people are sleeping in Times Square, like the dozens who camp here every night. 

“I think it’s good for us to see just what they’re going through,” she said.

Covenant House hosts the Sleep Out to raise money and awareness for the city’s youth homeless population. The Franciscan founded nonprofit provides food and shelter for hundreds of young people living on the streets.

This year they decided to take their awareness event to the iconic intersection.

“It’s really powerful because so many of the young people we serve here in New York have literally slept on these streets, walked through these streets at night to stay warm,” said Covenant House President and CEO Bill Bedrossian.

It’s because of the Sleep Out participants that some of the people the Covenant House helps are not living on the streets anymore. Former Covenant House resident, Shamae Mayes, aged out of the foster system and found herself sleeping on the subway with her one-year-old son. Then she saw an ad for the nonprofit.

“I took it as a sign from God because what else could it be? I had no other options,” Mayes said. “And there it was. When I got to the Covenant House, they asked if I needed some type of prayer and I was given a rosary bead. And you know what? We prayed.”

She now lives in the same Bronx apartment that Covenant House helped her to find.

Covenant House is currently helping more than 400 homeless youth in New York City. Nationwide they are sheltering 2,000 people a night. 

The organization aimed to raise $2 million dollars. As of now, it’s at $1.6 million but they are still getting donations and hope to meet their goal.

This was a global event with 6,000 people sleeping out in 5 countries and 17 cities. This includes Alaska to Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, and Honduras.

You can help Covenant House in their mission by going on their website: covenanthouse.org

Shalom Catholic Community Hosts ‘Friendsgiving’ for Neighbors in Greenpoint

By Jessica Easthope

Free food, free clothing, and a space free of judgment. At the Shalom Catholic Community’s friendsgiving, everyone is poor in their own way.

“We are all existentially poor; we are all in need of each other, so today we want to share everything we have and everything we are, enrich one another with our gifts,” said Father Cristiano Pinheiro, pastor of San Damiano Mission and coordinator of the Shalom Catholic Community.

Father Pinheiro says as the ongoing migrant crisis changes the face of the neighborhood, the reach of the Church needs to get wider.

“We want to be a Church that builds bridges and reaches those that are suffering with loneliness, suffering with immigration. Want to be a family for them,” he said.

The event, which was held on the streets of Greenpoint, drew in people from all walks of life, people like Vietnam veteran Rita Das. 

“I live day-to-day, nobody ever gave me a penny,” Das said. “I feel very, very happy that people could do something like this for other people.”

For some who have been trying to get back on their feet since the COVID-19 pandemic, Shalom has been a safe haven.

“There’s nowhere to find a meal from, no job, no money, not everybody’s got it to give so I’m thankful,” said Leonard Jonas who’s living in a YMCA shelter in Greenpoint.

“Since COVID, the isolation, Shalom has been very helpful and understanding and it’s giving faith back to humanity,” said Jesse Harrison who comes to Shalom often for food and assistance.

Remembering Rosalynn Carter: Former First Lady Passed Away Sunday

Tributes continue pouring in for the late Rosalynn Carter.

The former first lady, who had been diagnosed with dementia, died Sunday after entering hospice care on Friday.

“She was well known for her efforts on mental health and care giving and women’s rights,” said First Lady, Jill Biden. “And so I hope that during the holiday’s you’ll consider saying, include the Carter family in your prayers.”

She was a woman of profound christian faith, who wanted to give a voice to the voiceless.

Mrs. Carter was born a Methodist but became a baptist after marriage and was even ordained as a deacon in her church.

She was actively involved in her husband’s presidency and a strong advocate for equal treatment of the mentally ill.

“Nobody talked to each other about their own mental illness at all,” Mrs. Carter said “Now to see that actually people can recover is, is the greatest thing.”

But it was the couples work after leaving the White House that would leave the longest legacy, redefining and revolutionizing the post-presidency.

The Carters spearheaded a new challenge, joining with Habitat for Humanity, building houses for the poor in 1981.

A year later, they established the Carter Center, a foundation devoted to promoting human rights, resolving conflicts and eradicating diseases.

“I’m proud of the work of the Carter Center, which has developed to become one of the most admired and respected institutions, not only nationally but internationally,” Mrs. Carter said.

North Brooklyn Nonprofit Invites Community in for Sit-Down Thanksgiving Meal

Anthony Tocantinis is convinced the North Brooklyn Angels are actual angels.

They’re the closest he’s encountered to the real thing.

“Knowing that this is here is one less worry in my day,” Tocantinis said. “It’s a relief they’re wonderful people, very friendly and again I consider this a diamond in my day.”

Tocantinis comes four days a week to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Williamsburg to get a hot meal, he says is fresh and nutritious, and he’d know, he’s a professional chef who’s fallen on hard times.

“I feel their generosity is equal to what I always felt in terms of faith as a Catholic so it’s reinforcing for sure,” Tocantinis said.

This Thanksgiving Tocantinis and 500 others will be spending the holiday with North Brooklyn Angels for a sit down meal. The organization is also giving out 1,000 turkeys and 1,000 to-go meals. Program Manager Lauren Bakoian said on a day that’s all about coming together why not do it right.

“Everyone becomes a friend,” Bakoian said “They’re not just people in need that come for a meal, they’re familiar faces they have different needs and we all come for community whether it’s the volunteer community or the folks coming to eat.”

Inside the kitchen at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the assembly line for North Brooklyn Angels’ daily hot meal distribution moves quickly.For volunteer Lee Finkel, there’s something spiritual about this work – 

Finkel has been volunteering every week for the last several months. It’s reshaped his worldview and the way he views his own neighborhood.

“I’m a big believer in the golden rule above all the above all else and to be able to just do my part is a blessing to me in a big way,” Finkel said. “It gives me just a little bit more purpose in my day, knowing that I’m able to put a warm meal in their hands and a smile on their face.”

This holiday in North Brooklyn, the volunteers and those in need are thankful for their angels.

North Brooklyn Angels is serving a Thanksgiving meal at four locations.

For information and to inquire about tickets email THANKSGIVING@NORTHBROOKLYNANGELS.ORG.

Catholic Youth Day: First Time Diocese of Brooklyn Event Held Since Pandemic

Bishop Robert Brennan spent time with young people during the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Catholic Youth Day ahead of Thanksgiving . 

Around 150 teens from across Brooklyn and Queens gathered at Immaculate Conception Parish In Jamaica for the first diocese Catholic Youth Day since the pandemic!

Bishop Brennan celebrated mass with the young people and then lead a eucharistic procession, bringing the body of Christ to attendees. 

To read more, and to stay up to date on all diocesan news just go to TheTablet.Org.

Catholic News Headlines for Monday 11/20/2023

The North Brooklyn Angels are getting ready to feed about 600 people.

“Operation Gobbler” is in full effect in Brooklyn. 

More than a hundred young people came together over the weekend to celebrate their faith.

President Jimmy Carter’s wife passed away Sunday, Nov. 19, at the age of 96.

CCBQ Gives Hundreds of Birds to Families Ahead of Thanksgiving

Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens is talking turkey during this time of the year.

The charity held yet another giveaway of the Thanksgiving staple at Our Lady of Cenacle Church in Richmond Hill, Queens, on Thursday, Nov. 16.

It was the second donation they’ve done this week.

The first happened on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Holy Innocents Church in Flatbush, where the CCBQ gave away 1,000 turkeys. 

We spoke to one woman from that giveaway who got her Thanksgiving trimmings early. 

Families could also get a $50 food voucher to further help with their holiday meal.

If your family is in need of the Thanksgiving meal, Catholic Charities is still doing more to help.

To find out more, go to CCBQ.Org

St. John’s Bread & Life Serves Up Dignity at Pantry This Holiday

By Jessica Easthope

Jillian Battey dishes out bags filled with hot food and essentials but she knows what it’s like to stand on the opposite side of this window.

Battey’s a volunteer at St. John’s Bread & Life, but she’s also a guest.

“I don’t get so much in food stamps so this saves me a lot of money,” Battey said.

This year Battey and the tens of thousands of others who wait in line to shop at Bread and Life’s digital pantry are putting something new in their cart: a $25 gift card to Food Bazaar, a new grocery store located a few blocks away. 

It doesn’t just buy a Thanksgiving turkey or ham; for Battey it buys some freedom.

“It puts a lot of dignity back. A lot of people can’t afford turkeys, so it helps with their turkey, with their ham and pies,” Battey said. “There are certain things that we don’t give out that $25 helps people go to the store and complete their Thanksgiving dinner.”

The gift cards are the product of a partnership with Food Bazaar and The New York Mets’ Charity Foundation.

Sister Caroline Tweedy, Bread and Life’s executive director, said a $25,000 gift from the Mets has transformed Thanksgiving at the pantry.

“I would say we are reinventing ourselves and one of the things we came up with was giving people an opportunity to select and customize their own holiday basket,” Sister Caroline said. “We thought that would be a great idea, giving people choice. That gives people a sense of dignity and choice and it values their culture and their sensitivities to food, and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without the Mets and without Food Bazaar.”

Dawn Brabham has been a guest for years, but with her gift card in hand, Thanksgiving at Bread & Life feels a lot different this time around.

“It gives it a little more independence,” Brabham said. “Over the years Bread & Life has been a savior for me, and I’m truly, truly blessed and thankful for Bread & Life.”

Battey thinks back to the time she and her daughter spent living in homeless shelters and how Bread & Life helped her get to where she is now.

“I understand the aspect of people needing help,” Battey said. “I went through five years, four or five different shelters, finally got my own place so I said let me volunteer because I love helping people, I love talking, everybody knows me, even the people outside. They say, ‘You’re in here now?!’ It’s a help, a lot.”

Battey says the love and support she found at Bread & Life is what she’s really thankful for, the food is just gravy.

Music Returns to Salve Regina Catholic Academy

by Katie Vasquez

Music filling the halls of Salve Regina Catholic Academy. 50 students from 3rd through 8th grade banding together and learning from a master maestro, a conductor with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.

SOT: When we came here for the auditions, the students were really eager, they were very excited. they’re really talented so it’s really been a joy to get this program up and running.” said Caitlin Henning, the director of school programs at Young People’s Chorus of New York City.

The internationally recognized choir has competed and performed on high-profile stages all over the world. For the last 20 years, the YPC has also been bringing their music knowledge to schools across New York City, helping 1,400 students a year learn to read and sing sheet music and all at no cost to them.

“We subsidize about 60 to 65 percent of the total cost of the program and then the rest of the cost of the program can be covered by a school,” said Henning.

This year Salve Regina joins the chorus. For two months leading up to Christmas, the YPC will come to the East New York school as part of the program. It’s a godsend for Salve Regina and its former pastor, Father Brendan Buckley, who worked for years to bring music back to these halls.

“Apparently there hasn’t been a program here in decades so he said that he wanted something where the children could learn how to read music and not just sing,” said recruitment and mission development director at Salve Regina Catholic Academy, Iris Bodre.

The constant practice sparking joy and a song in the heart of the students.

“I love singing, dancing and music,” said Salve Regina Catholic Academy student, Valerie Palencia.

Taylor Beasley, Student

“When I heard about this program, I was happy and felt like I could sing all day long now,” said Salve Regina Catholic Academy student, Taylor Beasley.

The Salve Regina kids are working hard for a special Christmas show in a few weeks but they will have an even bigger event next June. They will perform at Lincoln Center with the other New York City schools involved in the program. That will be on Thursday, June 13th. It is free and open to the public. Just head to https://ypc.org/ for more information.