Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Green Light = Go

March 27, 2019

Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, NY, has been involved with the Green Light NY Campaign for many years. The members of this campaign have been fighting to extend access to driver’s licenses to undocumented residents in the State of NY. Since September 2001, a person needs a social security number in order to get a driver’s license in the state. Unfortunately, this means that anyone who is undocumented in NY cannot get a license.

Susana Coxaj, a senior at Iona College in New Rochelle and a social work intern at CIS, went to Albany on March 12th to attend a rally to help get support for the Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act.

Susana took an [early morning] bus from Yonkers, NY which was filled with people who would be showing their support and sharing their voices in Albany. When she arrived in Albany, she was given a green tee-shirt and a bandana. She, along with the other members of the campaign, walked around the capitol building while chanting, “Yes, we can!”

The participants entered the capitol building where they met several senators such as Senator Luis Sepulveda, one of the sponsors of the driver’s license legislation, and Senator Alessandra Biaggi. Susana was thrilled to have been chosen to go to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins Office. They were able to speak with the different lawmakers and explain why it is so important to pass this bill.

Susana stated that the organization was expecting 500 people to attend the day. But, to their surprise, there were over 1,000 people in attendance!

Heart and Soul Program Launches at Cabrini Immigrant Services, Dobbs Ferry, NY

March 13, 2019

A new program, “Heart and Soul,” has been developed with the Pastoral Care Department at St. Cabrini Nursing Home and Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, NY. Heart and Soul was developed by Fr. Edwin Robinson, Director of Pastoral Care, Deborah Mosley, Trained Storyteller, Alex Riddick, Pastoral Care Associate and Lorraine Campanelli, Director of CIS.

The program is about bringing the goodness of God to others through scripture, song, storytelling, etc. We all know that when you do something from your heart, it touches the souls of others. The program started in February. Through the use of storytelling and song, we learned about the history behind certain songs. For example, the song, “It is Well With My Soul,” was written by Horatio Spafford. After suffering the loss of his daughters, he wrote this song about how he found Jesus despite all the sadness that he had experienced. Through storytelling, Deborah told the story of why Horatio wrote the words. Alex then led the group in singing the song. It was very moving and emotional.

In February, two of our Cabrini Kids and their Mom sang spiritual songs and played instruments. Truly they gave from their hearts and everyone’s souls were touched. The children played the trumpet and the piano, sang solos and sang with their Mom. The family, which is from Guatemala, sang the songs in Spanish. The words were translated into English. Many of the residents are mothers, fathers, retired teachers and principals so seeing the children, one who is in 4th grade and one in 5th grade, brought back so many happy memories. There were many tears of joy shared that day. The program ended with everyone singing, “This Little Light of Mine.” It was sung in English and Spanish. It was so joyful with all the voices singing as well as the different instruments being played. The children and many in the audience played the tambourine which added even more joy to the program.

Next month, we will be having Pastor William Mosley, his wife Deborah, along with the team from Cabrini sharing scripture, reflections and music.

Stop Domestic Violence

October 5, 2017

The statistics are staggering. Every 9 seconds a woman in the US is either beaten or assaulted; more than 3 women a day in the US are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends; domestic violence victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work per year in the US; the costs of intimate partner violence in the US exceeds $5.8 billion per year: $4.1 billion on direct medical and health care services and $1.8 billion per year for productivity losses. This horrible crime affects everyone. For those who are not US citizens or may be undocumented and living in this country, they face yet another fear. If they report the abuse to the authorities, they are risking deportation, which may also result in separation from their children.

Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, NY, offered Part 1 of a two part series. On September 26^th, a ‘Know Your Rights for Domestic Violence’ workshop was held. The workshop was given in English and Spanish. It was presented by Bertha Diaz, MSW, a former intern at CIS. The participants left CIS with a wealth of information about their rights and also about safe places that they may contact.

We also want to educate our Cabrini Kids about domestic violence. They will be making packets for domestic violence victims. On October 20^th, the children will be putting items such as combs, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner into a bag that will be donated to an agency that assists victims. These packets will not only be given to people who are victims but also to those who are in transition to safe houses. It gives them a few items to help them get started in their new surroundings.

In October, CIS will offer the second part of the series, a workshop on Sexual Assault. Ms. Diaz will return to do the presentation.

No Ban! No Wall! Cabrini Immigrant Services, Dobbs Ferry, NY Resistance

February 8, 2017

“On Saturday, February 4^th, Cabrini Immigrant Services of Dobbs Ferry partnered with a diverse coalition of community organizations to host the Westchester Resistance Rally in White Plains.

The protest, at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, was organized by State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins who represents Dobbs Ferry among other Westchester towns and villages, and also included New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. The event was organized in opposition to policies issued via executive order by President Donald J. Trump.

Senator Stewart-Cousins convened local leaders, elected officials and Westchester community members who came together in support of human rights and in opposition to policies banning immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries and the construction of a multi-billion dollar wall between the United States and Mexico.

“As President Woodrow Wilson once said, ‘The history of liberty is a history of resistance,’ ” said Stewart-Cousins. “The organic demonstrations of people all over the world underscore the importance of American ideals and values.”

The event followed weeks of protests and rallies since the Presidential Inauguration.

Meanwhile, on February 4^th, while other Cabrini staff members were protesting in White Plains, Lorraine Campanelli, Director of CIS, was a panelist on the “Forum on Immigration” at the Yonkers Public Library, presented by The Legal Aid Society of Westchester County, The Westchester Black Bar Association and The Regional Immigration Assistance Center. Lorraine spoke about the many services available at CIS-DF. “It was an honor to hear from attendees that Cabrini is well respected and is highly recommended by so many other agencies,” said Lorraine Campanelli who has been asked to join “the team” as they travel to different regions of Westchester County.

Previously, on January 28^th, Concerned Families of Westchester rallied in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY to protest President Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Agenda. The staff from Cabrini Immigrant Services, Dobbs Ferry, along with several tutors and their spouses were in attendance

Successful Campaign for Human Rights in International Fishing Industry

April 13, 2016

Informed by his Franciscan Community of an important Lenten advocacy campaign for slave-free seafood, Fr. Edwin Robinson, OFM, Director of Pastoral Care at Cabrini of Westchester, was compelled to raise awareness. He shared the Lenten initiative led by the Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking (CCOAHT) with Patricia Krasnausky, President and CEO, and, together, they brought the campaign to the Cabrini community.

In honor of the Year of Mercy, Ms. Krasnausky ordered and distributed over 500 hundred pre-paid postcards addressed to two of the largest distributors of seafood: Costco and Starkist. The message on the postcards read: “Catholics want slave-free seafood this year, and will be vigilant about this as we observe Lent. We, therefore, kindly urge you to do all in your power to ensure that your supply chains are free of the taint of forced labor.”

Ms. Krasnausky had the postcards signed by many employees of Cabrini of Westchester as well as those in attendance of the Cabrini Day of Prayer, Restoration and Renewal held at Cabrini College. Many were stunned to learn that the United States imports 80-90% of its seafood, and tens of thousands of people are exploited at every link in the seafood harvesting and production chain.

As a result of Cabrini’s participation, we received the following feedback from CCOAHT. “Over 15,000 cards were mailed, which exceeded the goals of the campaign. As a result, the National Fisheries Institute contacted the US Bishops Conference and a meeting is scheduled to occur in May. This contact means that the mail campaign had an effect. The initial meeting is the first step in the effort re halting the human trafficking situation in shrimp and fish farming.”

Therefore, all the individuals who signed and mailed in postcards made a significant contribution to the campaign. Thank you, and God bless one and all!