The Serrano Report, Vol. VIII, #3

Serrano Introduces Anti-Hunger Bill

Last week, Congressman Serrano re-introduced H.R. 350, the Anti-Hunger Empowerment Act, which he has introduced regularly since 2006. This legislation, if passed, would provide better access to the Supplemental Assistance Program (SNAP) by reducing duplicative and burdensome administrative requirements. It would also award grants to community based non-profit feeding and anti-hunger groups to establish a Beyond the Soup Kitchen Pilot Program.

Currently, eleven percent of the nation’s population participates in the SNAP program; in 2009 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated that 33,700,000 people made use of these important benefits. USDA also estimated that 16,200,000 people were forced to rely on soup kitchens, food pantries, and other charitable feeding programs.

“Our nation's SNAP participation has been increasing from year to year, yet so many people are still going hungry due to burdensome requirements such as finger-imaging for enrollment in this program,” said Serrano. “I will continue to fight for easier access and the elimination of duplicative administrative requirements, as well as placing a prohibition on the use of finger-imaging.”

Serrano to Celebrate Dominican Heritage Month 2011

WHO: Congressman José E. Serrano with Felipe Febles and Rosa Ayala from La Gran Parada Dominicana del Bronx

WHAT:  Congressman Serrano will present a Congressional Record Statement to La Gran Parada Dominicana del Bronx in honor of Dominican Heritage Month 2011

WHEN: Saturday, February 12th, 2011, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

WHERE: Kasike Mofongo House, 2458 Webster Avenue, Corner of 188th Street

Serrano Announces Staff Changes

Congressman Serrano announced this week that Paul Lipson would be leaving the office for an opportunity in the private sector. At the same time, Serrano has hired Angela Fernandez to become the District Chief of Staff.

“Paul has been an invaluable advocate for The Bronx both in his time at The Point CDC and as a trusted leader of the Serrano staff. When he informed me that he was going to take a position in the nascent electric vehicle sector, it was with a heavy heart that I realized that we would be losing this great colleague and friend from the Serrano office. From his passion for the environment, to his dedication to creating opportunities for Bronx families, Paul has used his talents to guide many of the initiatives that we have worked on over the past 7 years. We cannot thank him enough for all that he has done.

“I am pleased to announce that I have hired a great person to guide our Bronx office—Angela Fernandez,” said Serrano. “Angela was most recently the executive director of the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights, where she has been a powerful voice on behalf of the immigrant community in New York. She shares my passion for social and environmental justice and is dedicated to empowering disadvantaged communities. I am thrilled to have an accomplished lawyer leading our Bronx staff as we continue to serve the people of our great borough.”

“"It has truly been a privilege to serve the people of the 16th Congressional District, under the leadership of an outstanding elected official,” said Paul Lipson. “Throughout my tenure, I have been inspired by my colleagues and by our office's many extraordinary partners in and out of government.”

“I am excited and honored to serve the people of the Bronx as Representative Serrano’s District Chief of Staff,” said Angela Fernandez. “I look forward to returning to the Bronx in this new capacity, and continuing to strengthen the relationships this office has built with immigrant groups, community-based institutions, advocates and legislators.  Representative Serrano has an impeccable reputation as an honest and ethical legislator, and I am truly humbled to have the opportunity to work for such a statesman.”

Incoming staff member Angela Fernandez is a respected member of the Dominican community and a graduate of the Columbia University School of Law. Her legal experience includes a combination of public interest and corporate work—with a particular focus on the immigrant community. She also wrote a weekly column for El Diario – La Prensa.

Youth Engagement Grant

Application Deadline: March 31, 2011

The Corporation for National and Community Services recently announced the availability of funding to improve student achievement and graduation rates at the community level.  The Youth Engagement Zone initiative uses service learning and civic engagement projects to improve educational and personal development in students. City and state governments, institutions of higher education, and 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply.

For more information about this opportunity, please click here.

For information on other government grants, please go to: www.grants.gov.