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Heritage months were created to acknowledge and bring attention to the histories and contributions of historically marginalized communities, while celebrating our ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity. Black History Month, which is observed during the month of February, can be traced back to 1926, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson –an African American scholar– instituted the first week-long celebration to raise awareness of Black history, paving the way for a more just and culturally competent society.
At Acacia Network, our founding mission was to preserve and build upon the legacy and contributions of Bronx-based pioneers in the 1960’s and 1970’s –many of whom were Puerto Rican and Black– who fought for their rights to have access to high-quality, culturally competent services in their own communities. Over the past decades, we have remained true to this mission, expanding it to encompass the changing cultural landscape of the neighborhoods and geographies we serve, while addressing new challenges and realities facing our communities.
Our role in preserving the achievements of those who came before us has gained even more importance over the years, as our experience has taught us that history books are often written in a way that leaves out or downplays the contributions of non-white individuals. As the largest Latino-founded and Latino-led nonprofit organization in New York City, we have often seen how our own contributions to the respective fields in which we operate have either been overlooked, minimized, or otherwise appropriated.
This reminds us that, while great strides have been made to ensure that people who look and sound like us are able to gain a seat at the table, there is still a lot of work to do. More than discourage us, this inspires us to strive for more: to continue leading with our hearts, driving innovation, and setting the bar higher.
Today, like always, we are driven by our desire to go where we are needed most, addressing the most critical needs in our communities, while continuing to build a future where cultural diversity is cherished and respected inside and outside our work.
We’re counting on you to be part of that journey. Please read on for important updates on our work across key programmatic areas, as well as upcoming events and opportunities to support our mission.
GRACIAS for your continued partnership!
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Primary Care & Integrated Health Services | |
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Acacia Network and our primary care arm, La Casa de Salud, are thrilled to announce the launch of our WIC Program at the Ramon Velez Health Center on 754 East 151st Street in the Bronx.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (also known as WIC Program) is a nutrition program for women, infants, and children. WIC is available at no cost to you!
Through WIC, eligible participants receive an eWIC card that can be used at grocery stores and pharmacies to buy WIC-approved foods (such as milk, juice, cheese, tofu, yogurt, eggs, beans, cereal, whole wheat bread, tortillas or pasta, peanut butter, tuna, fruits & vegetables, infant formula, and baby food). WIC also provides Farmers’ Market booklets, nutrition education, health care referrals, and breastfeeding support.
Call us at 347-352-2805 for more information.
CLICK HERE to learn more!
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Behavioral Health & Addiction Services | | |
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On Wednesday, February 7th, Acacia Network was proud to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of our new PROMESA Mobile Medication Unit (MMU), the first dedicated exclusively to serving the Bronx, the borough with the city’s highest rate of overdose deaths.
Commissioner Cunningham of the New York State Office of Addiction Services & Supports (OASAS) attended the ceremony and gave remarks, as did Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.
Thank you to our incredible partners at the State of New York and NYS OASAS, as well as the City of New York, the NYC Department of Homeless Services, our Board of Directors, and our amazing staff and leadership.
For more info on the MMU and its launch, check out the media clips below:
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Care Coordination & Crisis Services | |
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Our robust Care Coordination Services have expanded to include a Bridge to Care Program in partnership with Healthfirst, which aims to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations for patients and close gaps in care.
Bridge to Care is an intensive care coordination and comprehensive case management program for people with chronic use of the emergency department and who experience difficulties in navigating the health care system.
Through this program, Acacia Network connects eligible Healthfirst patients to additional resources, including mental health services, primary care, and addiction treatment, as needed. Launched in July 2023, we served nearly 400 individuals in the first six months.
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Our workforce development and public benefits access affiliate, Seedco, was recognized by the Office of New York State Senator Robert Jackson for their significant contributions to the underserved and continued commitment to delivering much needed resources.
On January 25th, Senator Jackson presented Seedco with the Empire Award for their exemplary work in advancing economic opportunity for people and businesses in need in District 31.
Founded in 1987, Seedco is a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic opportunity for people, businesses, and communities in need through workforce development programs, as well as robust family supports services that include benefits and assistance enrollment, healthcare navigation, among others. In 2017, Seedco became an affiliate of Acacia Network.
We thank Senator Jackson for this incredible recognition and look forward to continuing to work together to provide workforce development and economic opportunity to vulnerable individuals in the communities we serve!
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Youth & Community Development | |
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Acacia Network and our education & youth development affiliate, the Community Association of Progressive Dominicans (ACDP), invite you to join us at our Annual Youth-inspired Film Festival on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 from 12 PM to 3 PM at the SVA Theater on 333 W. 23rd Street.
ACDP’s Youth-inspired Film Festival celebrates the creativity and diversity of artistic and passionate youth. This annual showcase features short films produced, written, and directed by students who participate in our afterschool and school-based initiatives. Join us in support of our talented and inspiring young filmmakers!
Founded in 1979, ACDP provides integrated programming to more than 7,500 K-12 students and families annually throughout the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. ACDP’s robust portfolio of afterschool and family engagement programming includes Beacon, COMPASS / SONYC, and Cornerstone Programs, as well as Community Schools and the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), among other initiatives. Students in ACDP programs benefit from an array of enrichment activities, including STEM, sports, arts, music, and much more, such as the Annual Film Festival!
For more information, please contact Jean-Pierre La Cour, Deputy Director / Director of Operations, at: jplacour@acdp.org
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On Friday January 12, 2024, Acacia Network and our affiliate, the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly (IPRHE), were proud to host our annual Three Kings and Lunar New Year Cultural Celebration at Saint Vartan Church – an event that resonates deeply with constituents across our Older Adult Centers and has become a longstanding and much-awaited yearly tradition.
This lively celebration attracted broad participation from older adults and their families from every borough, who enjoyed great food, traditional holiday music, guest presentations, performances, gifts, and dancing. Thank you to our sponsors and partners, as well as NYC Aging for their continued support. CLICK HERE to browse the event photo album!
Plus, Acacia Network and our robust programming to engage and support vulnerable older adults in the City were featured in a story in El Diario about the struggles faced by low-income seniors. CLICK HERE to read the story!
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In celebration of Black History Month, our arts & culture affiliate, Loisaida Inc, held a free arts workshop titled “Black Beauty” at the Loisaida Center on 710 East 9th Street in the Lower East Side, during which participants expressed through artistry, the beauty and the essence of our Afro-Caribbean and African American heritage.
The 3-day workshop, led by artists Joshua Evans and Chunbum Park in partnership with Lynkable and "Picture Man" Bob, provided a basic introduction to drawing, anatomy, perspective, and color theory. Then, by using imagination or reference photos, the participants collaborated on a final painting, seeking to capture the essence of black beauty.
CLICK HERE to sign up for Loisaida’s mailing list, so you can stay abreast of the incredible arts and community programming that takes place year-round!
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Upstate / Western New York Region | |
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We are proud to continue expanding access to integrated behavioral health, substance use, and harm reduction services in the Upstate/Western New York region.
In partnership with NY Matters, in December 2023 we installed a "harm reduction vending machine" in our PROMESA Alba de Vida clinic in Buffalo to further reduce overdoses and prevent deaths. Through this vending machine, anyone in the community can get access to the following FREE supplies: Naloxone (NARCAN); Xylazine tests; and Fentanyl tests.
Over the past two months, our community has utilized a total of 253 harm reduction supplies, including:
- 128 Naloxone (NARCAN) boxes
- 62 Xylazine test strips
- 63 Fentanyl test strips
We are also thrilled to confirm that we’ve received three (3) new mobile medication units (MMUs) that we will soon be launching in the communities where they are most needed in Buffalo, Albany, and Dunkirk. Stay tuned for updates!
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Acacia Network closed out 2023 with a “Senior Trip” to Puerto Rico, during which we traveled with 30 older adults from our IPRHE Older Adult Centers for a weeklong tour of the island and its diverse cultural and historic offerings.
For many, it was a chance to reconnect with their roots and heritage, while celebrating the holidays in "la isla del encanto". Special thanks to the following for their support: Destilería Serralles; Holsum; Discover Puerto Rico; San Juan Marriott Resort; Novus; Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular; Jose Santiago, Inc.; Puerto Rico Tourism Company, and the municipalities of Loíza, Ponce and Coamo.
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Special Events - You're Invited! | |
Explore Careers at Acacia | |
We are committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). Acacia Network and our affiliates do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity and/or expression, transgender status, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, citizenship status, public assistance status, protected veteran status, or any other protected category.
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Acacia Network is one of the leading human services organizations in New York City and one of the largest Hispanic-led nonprofits in the State, providing integrated, culturally-competent, and trauma-informed programs in the areas of health, housing, social services, economic development, and cultural revitalization to 150,000+ individuals annually. Our Network comprises 100+ affiliates and related entities across four boroughs in New York City, Buffalo, Albany, Dunkirk, Rochester, and Syracuse in New York State, as well as Maryland, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Puerto Rico. Learn more about our work at acacianetwork.org. | | | | |
