The latest from Community Access ... NYC contracts ... David Moradi Foundation

NYPD officers on street

NYPD officers on street Shutterstock

By Zach Williams

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Carla Rabinowitz, advocacy coordinator at Community Access, has received the 2018 CIT Advocate/Family Member Award. The award – which Rabinowitz received on Aug. 16 – recognizes her work in building a coalition among 200 agencies called Communities for Crisis Intervention Teams. NYPD launched a crisis intervention team in June 2015 to train officers how to more effectively manage encounters with people with mental issues. About 6,500 NYPD officers have completed 40 hours of such training in recent years.

“I take it as an affirmation that the work we’re doing matters,” Rabinowitz said in a press release. “And I remain as committed as ever to fighting for a fairer, safer New York City for us all. I am grateful to all my partners in the CCIT NYC coalition. We’re not done pushing.”

 

Allison Sesso, executive director of the Human Services Council, has something to say in an email sent to NYN Media on Aug. 21 about the recent spike in mergers among New York nonprofits, most recently between Rising Ground and Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families:

“It is dangerous to make the leap and assume that mergers will magically fix the financial constraints facing the nonprofit sector. They may result in some efficiencies but are by no means the answer. First, let’s remember that mergers cost money, take time, and are not always successful. Second, the process tends to lead to a net reduction in services – not an expansion – because the lines of business are scrutinized in the process leading to the elimination of programs running deficits, which is common. Mergers are healthy and a good thing but are not a replacement for sound approaches to contracting by government in which indirect rates are adequate, cost escalations are routine, and the rates paid for services cover the full program costs.”

 

Fordham University has received a $240,000 contract from the New York City Administration for Children’s Services. The money will fund analytical consulting services, according to the City Record. The New York City-based National Institute for Reproductive Health has won a $296,875 contract from the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to provide medical and mental health services to children.

 

There’s a new New York City-based nonprofit called the David Moradi Foundation. The organization will focus on education and support for military veterans, according to an Aug. 21 press release. The Association to Benefit Children and the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund will receive $100,000 grants to mark the establishment of the foundation, which is named for its chairman, David Moradi.

“My success in the financial industry has allowed me to form this foundation to support causes that are near and dear to my heart,” he said in the press release. “We are launching this Foundation with an initial expectation of $10 million, expanding our mission to include other initiatives where we feel we can make a meaningful difference.”

 

Union Settlement has added four new executives, according to a press release. Derrick Boone is the new associate executive director for adult programs, where he will oversee adult education, mental health counseling, senior services, and small business development programs. He previously served as associate executive director at Covenant House. Incoming Associate Executive Director of Early Childhood and Youth Programs Dahmein McFadden previously worked as deputy director of operations and professional development at Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club.

Oneida Perez is the new director of human resources and recently served in a similar role at Queens Community House, among other organizations. Hilda Cortés, the incoming director of adult education was the program coordinator  of adult literacy at Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services in Brooklyn.

 

The Rockefeller Foundation is getting some recognition for its work overseas from the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.
 

Send your press releases, photos, and word of your latest happenings to editor Zach Williams at zwilliams@nynmedia.com.

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