10/09/2023
Sonia Velazquez's activism was inspired by her mother, who was known as the mayor of Bushwick in the early 1970s. Sonia followed in her mother’s footsteps and has been a fixture in the Bushwick community, where she has worked tirelessly with women and the poorest communities for more than 20 years. She has received several citations as a community leader from New York State Assemblymember Antonio Reynoso,NY District 34 Councilman Antonio Reynoso, a COVID hero, and a proclamation by Brooklyn Boro Erica Adams. She was also honored by Morris Health Center and given the BRONX community Above and Beyond award for her distinguished work with the WIC Program and Mothers in Need (MID). Sonia completed her PREP certification and many other certifications through the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in 2016. She has provided HIV testing for over 1800 community residents annually and fed 1.5 million individuals and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sonia’s proudest accomplishment was her election as a judicial delegate in 2016, where she received 98% of the votes, and as well the “Lo Mejor De Nuestra Comunidad” Award from Committee Noviembre 🇵🇷
She currently holds the position of community engagement outreach specialist and site director with Bridge Street Development Corporation at Quincy Senior Residences. Even before Hurricane Maria made landfall, Sonia Velazquez spearheaded a group of community advocates in preparation for the relief effort that would be needed. As soon as the airport reopened, she joined a team of volunteers in Puerto Rico, and after viewing the abject devastation of her parents birthplace, Ms. Velazquez knew that the displaced might not ever be able to return. Ms.Velasquez and her team created Your Network Caring Community Advocate (YNCCA) to respond to the needs of those arriving from Puerto Rico to the mainland. YNCCA has now identified & assisted over 230 families displaced by the storm in securing FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance. She currently celebrated grand openings of new YNCCA offices in Albany, New York, New Jersey , Pennsylvania and Florida
As a of the board members of YNCCA it is an honor to be recognized as Latina of the Year. I must admit this was not a one-woman job but a team that devoted,dedicated and worked sleepness nights to prevent displacement with limited resources within our communities.
I am dedicating this recognition award to one-of the Woman who stood tall and was our fighter for equal justice Latinos.
Cynthia Perez (RIP)
