Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Bronx City Council Candidate: Fernando Cabrera


Running for: City Council, 14th Council District, The Bronx

Year Running: September 2009 (Democratic Primary)

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Website: http://fernandocabrera.us/

Candidate Bio:

Thanks for taking an interest in my campaign. I have dedicated my life to serving my family, community and churches. I am running for City Council in District 14 because I have a passionate desire to make a positive difference and bring social transformation in our community. As you know, our community is in desperate need for meaningful change and we cannot no longer afford for the needs of the community to be ignored. It is time for proven leadership to be given an opportunity to bring about changes you have been asking for.

Let me share a few things about myself. I have devoted my life, over the last 20 years to serving the Bronx. My wife, Elvia Cabrera, and my two wonderful children, Lissette Feliciano (27 years old), married to youth leader Carlos Feliciano and Joshua (19 years old) have worked together with me to bring positive change in the Bronx. I recently became a grandfather to my first grandchild Zechariah Feliciano. I am a 44 year old native of the Bronx. I grew up in Carolina, Puerto Rico with my parents, Angelo and Iris Cabrera, and three brothers. From the age of 14, I was raised by my single mother, who gave totally of herself to make sure that me and my brothers would gained the education I needed to live a quality life. In 1988, me and my wife started a life changing church called New Life Outreach International, which now has grown to nearly 400 people. As a pastor, I have led a congregation who have brought about community action against violence, implementation of youth leadership programs, free drug rehabilitation services and support groups, all without receiving a salary. I WORK FOR YOU.

I have worked in leadership positions since my early twenties. I directed one of the most successful rehabilitation programs in the nation called New Life for Youth. I have also worked as a Substance Abuse Intervention Prevention counselor servicing most of the Bronx High School. Working in the substance abuse/alcohol field has enabled me to get a real understand of the lack of funding and services needed. In 1992, I became a bilingual school counselor at Walton High School. Working in our public school system was a rude awakening as to how many public schools are failing our children. I earned my doctorate degree in Counseling from Argosy University and in the year 2000 I became the program director for the Counseling graduate program at Mercy College. I am a firm believer in education and granting access to minority students at the college level. The Counseling program almost tripled under my leadership at Mercy College. I also started the first Mental Health Counseling graduate program in New York State. I was the only Hispanic program director in the New York City area colleges. For the last four years, I have co-chaired the Hispanic-Jewish Relations Task for the Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion. We brought communities together to work together, which projects such as “It is My Park” clean up day at St. James Park. I served s a Community District 7 board member from 2004 to 2006. I WORK FOR YOU.

I have lobbied state assembly men to halt the reduction of funding for senior citizens, rehabilitation programs, and schools. Since 2007, I have worked in the process of assuring local jobs for local community members at the Kingsbridge Amory. I led the largest March for Youth in the Bronx, advocating for the old Fordham Library be turned over to the community as a Youth Dream Center. I have coordinated. I have advocated for lower gas and food prices in marches. I WORK FOR YOU.

I am presently leading and working in an innovative joint venture to create 80 apartments and community space. The housing development project will create one of the news green buildings in the area. It is time to green up the Bronx. Having suffered from asthma as a child, and with one third of Bronx children suffering from asthma, I am committed to create a Bronx where children are not so susceptible to asthma prone conditions. I have co-sponsored the Dare to Inspired concert series at St. James Park, providing free first class entertainment to youth and adults. I WORK FOR YOU.

Throughout the years, I have been honored by numerous organizations and political figures, such as a Citation of Merit from Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, Latin and African American Chaplain organization, and other organizations. But my biggest honor has been to have a wife, children, church and community worked together to bring social transformation in our community.

I love the Bronx. That love has brought me to this point and what I hope will be the opportunity to serve the Bronx as the City Councilman in District 14. The Bronx’s future is promising, but we need strong leaders to guide and shape that future. While all the candidates are good people, I am the only one that has the track record of accomplishments and a vision for the future. Further, no other candidate has the education, experience and understanding of the issues that I do. I am the candidate best equipped to serve you in making our city even greater. I hope that you’ll support me as I try to make a difference AND WORK FOR YOU!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so happy Fernando Cabrera is running for Bronx city council. I like it when I can see someone doing work for the community out of their hearts before they even begin politics and he is that kind of Candidate. He has lead many regular people in the community and my church to do activities like park clean ups, food drives, services to the homeless and much more. I really hope the Bronx is ready for Change!

Natasha

DR.ROHINI said...

I can say very good dedication.good luck.