A Day in the Life…

                               

                                      Comunilife’s Quarterly Newsletter                        Volume 2 Series 1

                                                                                         Our 20th Anniversary year

                                           1989-2009

Dr. Gil’s Media Campaign Reaches New Heights! Comunilife President and CEO, Dr. Rosa M. Gil has become a presence on New York television, appearing on 4 television programs in the last three months to publicize Comunilife’s Life is Precious program. Honored by New York 1 as New Yorker of the Week, Dr. Gil took the opportunity to urge the community to join her in saving the lives of teenage girls in danger of committing suicide. The Center for Disease Control reports that one in six Latinas between the ages of 12 and 16 will attempt suicide, giving their group the greatest average of attempts in the nation. In New York City, the average is even greater.  Life is Precious is Comunilife’s attempt at reversing the trend. In addition to television, Dr. Gil has also appeared in several newspaper articles and will be appearing in The Bronx Family Magazine’s March issue. Dr. Gil’s appearances have created a public outcry and the Comunilife switchboard has been flooded with inquiries from people asking how they can get involved. For more information on how you can contribute to the Life is Precious program, check out our website at www.comunilife.org

Comunilife Donor Profile

Mr. Vincent Carrera of New 50/50 Furniture.

Mr. Vincent Carrera, owner/operator of New 50/50 Furniture remembers a friend coming to him back in 1992 and telling him about a new non-profit that had opened down the block from his store.  “I sent my business card over, thinking that I might start a business relationship. From the very beginning, however, it has always been less like a business relationship and more like working with my own family.” Mr. Carrera immediately found himself drawn to the work that Comunilife, then called HIRE, was doing in his community. “They help people who really need help. When I saw what they did, I wanted to become involved, not just business, but in a personal way.” Since 1992, Mr. Carrera and New 50/50 Furniture have been amongst Comunilife’s most generous supporters, always ready to lend a helping hand. For Mr. Carrera, business is never just business, but a life’s work guided by a generous heart. Both he and his staff work hard every day to make each and every customer and person they encounter feel like part of the family. To our good friend, Mr. Carrera and all of our friends at New 50/50 Furniture, we say “Thank you for being part of the Comunilife Family!”  New 50/50 Furniture is located at 9511 37th Avenue, Jackson Heights, New York 11372. Call them at 718-779-5050

Congregate Housing Staff Awaits New Arrivals!

Ms. Stephanie Alcantara, Program Director Mr. Piaget Francis and Ms Migdalia Melendez (pictured left) are anxious to greet their new arrivals at Comunilife’s NEW Congregate Housing Unit at 550 West 173rd Street in Washington Heights. The new unit will house 12 residents of Comunilife's Congregate Housing Program. The new location, set to open this month, is a beautifully renovated brownstone, refurbished by Comunilife's Housing Development Team and the Community Residence Staff. Congregate Housing is a transitional program for formerly homeless, mentally ill adults, which allows them to regain their dignity, acquire independent living skills and prepare to reenter society. Each resident stays at the program between 18 and 24 months before moving on to independent permanent housing. For more information see our website at www.comunilife.org .

   A bedroom is ready!             The Main Stairway              Kitchen Complete!         Closets are waiting!                 A few finishing touches!

Comunilife’s New Vida Guidance Center Set to Open March, 2009!

President and CEO, Dr. Rosa Gil and Director of Housing Development, Mr. Ernesto Vigoreaux announced today that the New Vida Guidance Center, located at 4419 3rd Avenue in Bronx, New York will open in March of this year. The new facility features state of the art design including an Internet Café. More room means additional comfort for clients and staff alike. Comunilife will be combining the Oasis Guidance Center and the Vida Guidance Center into the new, more spacious and more impressive space. Congratulations to Dr. Gil, Mr. Vigoreaux and the rest of the team whose vision and hard work will be enjoyed by our staff and clients for years to come. To see more photos of the new center’s progress, or to find out how YOU can get involved in one of Comunilife’s many programs, please visit our website at www.comunilife.org . We look forward to hearing from you!

     New offices take shape           Girders for the new mezzanine    Wiring installed, drywall ready        Workers set support beams