BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Thanks to your support our Breast Cancer Awareness Event has become a highlight of the year. Each October our ladies in attendance receive a meal, warm winter coats, fun raffle prizes, and most importantly, education regarding early detection and prevention of breast cancer. Thank you to The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation. 

TEEN MENTORING

Our teen mentoring program continues to expand and our formal program now includes both boys and girls. The program started back up in the Fall to great enthusiasm and we are all excited for the future. Thank you to NY Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, Kids in Seats, and numerous individuals for their support. 

WOMEN'S ENRICHMENT

Our Women's Enrichment Program outgrew the space in our trailer, then the space in a nearby church, and now meets in the Belmont Clubhouse. Even the children have a blast as the moms enjoy each other's company and absorb the program. Thank you to NYRA for lending us the space!

WE ARE IN SARATOGA YEAR-ROUND

We are blessed with the opportunity to serve in Saratoga year-round, thanks to our Saratoga Assistant Chaplain Alberto Matos, our Saratoga-resident and President of our Board Ramón Dominguez, an incredible team of volunteers, and our Belmont/Aqueduct team who pile in a van and travel at a moment's notice. 

Pictured from top, a wonderful welcome for the children at the bus-stop on the grounds on GMP Stables, organized by Kariann Deno and team, our team represented at the Saratoga Business Expo sponsored by the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, and members of the backstretch enjoying gifts and the company of Program Director Nick Caras. Thank you to NYTHA for your support at all of the tracks and farms. 

SPEAKING OF TRAVELING....

Program Director Nick Caras, sharing God's love at a stop at Monmouth Park. 

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS!

The Greater Ridgewood Youth Council and the Ridgewood Kiwanis 3-2-1 Club have been key partners of the NY Chaplaincy for several years. Thank you to Bob Monahan and the entire team for their ongoing support of virtually every one of our programs. When "What Do You Need" is answered with a van full of supplies, you know this team has been at work. Members of the NY Chaplaincy team recently had the opportunity to attend a Queens meeting and enjoyed great company and the gift of board games which will be enjoyed by families from Belmont to Aqueduct.  Thank you!

St. Andrew's Lutheran Church of West Hempstead is a dedicated and long-term partner of the NY Chaplaincy.  The church has supported the food pantry, the Monday Chapel Service, our coat drives, and Thanksgiving food drives most recently. Pictured above, the Pastor and members of the church serve food at a Monday night service, and display a few of the many coats collected to keep the members of our backstretch warm during the cold winter months.  Thank you!

Thank you to Allied Foundation, led by Executive Director Heather Edwards, for their generous donation of a pallet of diapers for our families! Diapers are very much in demand, particularly with the increase in cost. 

We are so thankful for the blessing of hamburgers and hotdogs from St Anne's Church and Knights of Columbus #11836 courtesy of George and Gina Keyloun.

We can always count on the partners of Rainbow's End Stable, who throughout their history have made the members of the backstretch community a priority.  We look forward to our visits with Bob and Pat Scavetta who will replenish our food pantry, provide warm winter clothing, bicycles, and gifts for the backstretch.  Thank you!

Thank you, Thoroughbred Charities of America! We are blessed each year to be a grantee of TCA and use the much-needed funds toward our vitally important programming.  We are grateful for TCA!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Our General Manager, Karen Chavez, pictured above with Shannon Kelly, Executive Director of the Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, was honored to be asked to speak at the luncheon for the ladies of the backstretch at the Inaugural Horse Racing Women's Summit at Santa Anita Park in California.  The event was a huge success and very well attended. 

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our own Johnathan Estrada for winning the "Newcomer" Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award sponsored by Godolphin. Johnathan, a groom with David Donk, has been a participant in the programming of the NY Chaplaincy for his entire life and has been a key volunteer and assistant with the teen mentoring program for several years. We are proud of Johnathan and also congratulate all of the nominees and winners including, from New York, Laura Scheer and Leanna Willaford. 

Pictured above, members of the NY Chaplaincy team supporting Johnathan and his mom at a dinner held at Jonabell Farm before the ceremony, Johnathan with other finalists and officials, and Nick Caras taking the opportunity at Keeneland to visit the backstretch. 

VOLUNTEER/SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITES!

Monday Night Chapel Service Dinner

Opportunities for service include cooking dinner, serving, and sponsoring the cost of the meal which is served at the conclusion of our Monday Night Service at Belmont Park. Clck the picture above or  CLICK HERE for further information. Thank you!

THANKSGIVING FOOD SHARE 2022

HELP US TO SHARE GOD'S LOVE THIS THANKSGIVING!

Each year the NY Chaplaincy is blessed to provide approximately 300 families of Belmont, Aqueduct, and Saratoga with a turkey, fixings, and groceries.  You may partner with us in this venture by collecting food, donating, or volunteering.  Please click the picture above or  CLICK HERE for more information. 

Our Christmas Sponsor a Family Program is one of our most cherished traditions and much appreciated by those we serve. 

This year, the NY Race Track Chaplaincy is once again offering the opportunity to our supporters to participate in our Sponsor-A-Family Program. Our Program provides food and gifts to the neediest of our backstretch families during the Christmas season. Sponsors provide brand new winter clothing for the children, a new toy for each child, and a grocery store gift card for the family's Christmas dinner (additional gifts are welcome, such as clothing for the parents). Sponsors may also make a financial contribution and we will provide the shopping and wrapping, and volunteer opportunities are available. Please click the picture above or CLICK HERE for more information.