KRVC celebrates community heroes making a difference in the Bronx
Local officials and community members alike, were hob-knobbing and laughing in the lobby of RiverSpring Living at 5901 Palisade Ave., as they gathered for the Kingsbridge-Riverdale-Van Cortlandt (KRVC) inaugural Community Heroes event.
On Wednesday, Nov. 13, 33 conscientious individuals from 225th Street all the way to the Yonkers border, were honored as community heroes, for their volunteer work in their neighborhoods and beyond.
Danny Monge, community advocate and co-host of the event, took to the microphone and opened with a heartfelt speech about his mother, Helen Boylan, founding member of My Sister’s Place – a domestic abuse treatment center in White Plains, NY, founded in 1976. Boylan, who was an inspiration to not only Monge, but the community at large, passed away in June.
“She said, ‘Danny, the most valuable thing you can give anyone – it isn’t presents, it isn’t money, it’s your time,’” Monge said with tears welling in his eyes. “Each and every one of our nominees tonight, have done that.”
Much like Boylan, honoree, Yoana Velez, also held a soft spot for domestic abuse survivors and the needy. Velez currently serves on the executive board of P.S. 81 where she is the co-president of the parent’s association, which she has been a part of since 2019. Last year, she collected private donations of clothing and necessary items for migrants who were being housed at the now-shuttered, Van Cortlandt Motel at 6393 Broadway. She then opened up her home as free pop-up for individuals to take whatever they needed, with anything left over going to other shelters in the Bronx.
“I didn’t grow up in the best of neighborhoods,” said Velez. “So, trying to help people that I feel I kind of grew up with is super important to me, only because a lot of families get overlooked and many families are embarrassed to ask for help.”
Velez said that her nine years of working in human services for a nonprofit helped her to continue her outreach work in efficient ways that make a serious impact. Velez also shared with The Press that she received a phone call the night she was honored -- her grandmother passed.
Laura Levine-Pinedo, co-host of the community heroes event, founded the 4Bronx Project in memory of her grandmother who preached kindness and unity, 4B was her apartment number. Levine-Pinedo asked everyone under 18 years old to stand up – one person stood.
Born in Gambia, Mariama Touray, of Tremont Avenue, was bashful and smiling as the room applauded her. The 16-year-old, who attends Central Park East High School, began as an intern with KRVC in March 2023, but when her internship was over a few months later, she stayed on as a volunteer.
“I just felt so connected to Laura that I couldn't leave, so I just asked her if I could stay and help out,” said Touray. More than a year later, she’s still on board.
Touray has her sights on either Barnard College or Columbia University and wants to study international relations so she can “help out other countries.”
Born in Gambia, Touray came to NYC when she was seven years old, but recognizes the stark contrast between the U.S. and her native land, citing political corruption and lack of access to proper healthcare.
And the youngest recipient of all?
Little, four-year-old, Noah Miller, who helps clean the streets of Riverdale with his neighbor, Mae Eng. She was the actual honoree of the evening, but insisted on sharing her laurels with Miller. The two wake up early in the morning on weekends and take to the streets with gloves and special sticks to collect litter on the streets. According to Miller’s parents, his young friends have noticed him with his clean-up equipment and expressed an interest in joining the effort.
Miler’s favorite part of walking with Eng? “All of it,” he told The Press.
Many others were honored for their equally great contributions to the community, including Stephanie Coggins of Spuyten Duyvil, who received a special recognition. She manages _____ Facebook group and was instrumental in the street co-naming of _____. host of Bronx Buzz, Gary Axelbank, who used his resources and know-how to start, The Bronx Music Podcast out of City Island, which focuses on musicians of the borough.
Jeffrey and Eric Dinowitz, father-and-son Assemblyman and Councilman, respectively, were also on hand, as they always are, along with Bronx Borough President, Vanessa Gibson, who also lost her mother over the summer.
There were many acknowledgements of death at the event, but with them, an acknowledgement of legacy. The work and kindness of those who passed, continue to influence the actions of those that live.
“It’s not just in Kingsbridge, Riverdale or Van Cortlandt, but all over the Bronx -- the work you do has a profound impact beyond your zip code,” said Gibson.
Levine-Pinedo added, “Everyone in this room is a hero. They just might not know it.”
