NY Race Track Chaplaincy
March, 2020
Life can take a turn
You never thought it would
Suddenly so much can change
With so little that's understood

You ask so many questions,
It seems without reply
Your heart is pained with so much doubt
And unanswered questions 'why'

It's almost like we walk through life
Just feeling our way around,
We can't see the road ahead,
Nor our feet on the ground

Darkness is all about us,
We struggle to see the light
Just a glimmer now and then,
But then fades out of sight

We cry out to God again
To show us where to go,
He says, 'Just take another step
To where peace freely flows'

And as we keep on taking steps
Guided by the Lord,
We find, in time, we walk into
The joy we knew before

It's in those times of darkness,
When we feel we've lost all hope,
God can do a work in us
That brings a deeper growth

So when we face the dark times,
We should come before the Lord,
For good will come if we believe
And hope shall be restored.
By M.S.Lowndes

THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who has reached out with a financial contribution to our food pantry, donated food or other items to be distributed, checked in on us, or said a quiet prayer at home. We feel your prayers, and we appreciate your support. Every single dollar which has been donated to the food pantry means the world to us. It means you have opened your heart to the plight of those who care for our beautiful horses, and felt moved to bless them with your support.

We do not know all of the twists and turns on the road ahead, and at times we feel overwhelmed, as do you. It is because of your prayers, support, love, and friendship, that we are strengthened for this mission. We are praying for you, and we are grateful for you. Thank you.
AN UPDATE
The NY Race Track Chaplaincy continues to work in partnership with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA), the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST).  Thank you to NYTHA for your support of the food pantry in addition to your ongoing partnership.
 
The recently formed NYRA Preparedness and Response Plan Committee, which is comprised of key NYRA staff members as well as representatives from NYTHA, BEST, and the NY Chaplaincy, is monitoring and assessing developments regarding the coronavirus.

While our offices unfortunately remain closed, we are out in the field picking up donations of food, conducting food distributions, delivering food to quarantined individuals, checking on the welfare of the backstretch community, and meeting with our partners to coordinate our response to the crisis.
Pictured above: Online Teen Mentoring Session

We are moving some of our programming online, as we seek to comfort those we are unable to see in person but who still rely upon us for community and support. Our girls teen mentoring program has moved to online meetings and we are holding prayer groups and support sessions online as well. It's a learning experience for all of us but well worth the effort to continue to share God's love in new and different ways.
HAPPIER TIMES WERE NOT LONG AGO, AND THEY SHALL RETURN... ..
Thank you to our friend Kim Weir and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation for their friendship and support! We love and appreciate our industry partners.
Our Board President Ramón Dominguez, General Manager Karen Chavez, and Chaplain Humberto Chavez met with our NY State Senator Anna Kaplan in Albany to thank her for her service and discuss the needs of the backstretch community.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
We are grateful for our partnership with the Ethical Humanist Society and for all of you who so generously donated items for our recent celebration of International Women's Day. The ladies enjoyed a great meal, a free shopping experience, and inspiring speeches, including one from Senator Anna Kaplan who shared her personal immigration story and received a standing ovation. Thank you to the NY Women's Foundation and our donors for making this possible!
AS ALWAYS PLEASE REACH OUT WITH PRAYER REQUESTS AT ANY TIME TO CHAPLAIN@RTCANY.ORG .

WE ARE CONTINUING TO PRAY FOR YOU AND HOLDING YOU CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS.

PLEASE CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR A CLOSING MESSAGE AND PRAYER FROM BOARD PRESIDENT RAMÓN DOMINGUEZ AND CHAPLAIN HUMBERTO CHAVEZ

Stay Tuned!
While the current crisis has put a hold on construction, we continue to look forward to the upcoming construction of the NY Race Track Chaplaincy Center & Chapel. Please visit our website or write to us at info@rtcany.org for information about joining us as a founding member!