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The New Rochelle Council of Community Services (NRCCS) will hold its annual Celebratory Breakfast on Friday, June 7th at 8:30 am at the Davenport Mansion. The event celebrates volunteers who have given outstanding service, dedication, and commitment to the people of New Rochelle, and this year’s “Community Champions” are Barbara Crane, Lynn Moloshok Green and Emma Silva. In addition, the NRCCS will award a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving junior at one of New Rochelle’s high schools.

The NRCCS is the umbrella organization for all the non-profit organizations in New Rochelle, including the health and human service agencies, religious institutions and educational facilities. The group meets regularly to assess and address the vital needs of the community. NRCCS President Karenann Carty says the Annual Awards Breakfast “is wonderful from start to finish. The spirit in the room reflects the very best of our beautiful city.”  Scholarship Committee chair William Ianuzzi noted that the NRCCS Scholarship was designed to assist students in furthering their education, either through college, technical school, or vocational training.

Tickets cost $45 before May 25th and $50 if purchased after May 25th. To order tickets or place a journal ad visit https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6304361 If you wish to pay by check, please indicate the names of each attendee and/or journal ad size and mail to: Millicent Lee, Director of Pupil Personnel Services;  City School District of New Rochelle; 515 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801.

The Breakfast event is being chaired by Linda Fosina with a committee that includes Jennifer Lanser, Millicent Lee, Theresa Kump Leghorn, Denise Link, Lisa Itzkowitz, Ann Spindel and Stephanie Tomei. The Scholarship Committee is chaired by William Ianuzzi and includes Edward Castro, Carol Feldman, Angelica Guel, Millicent Lee, Denise Link, Theresa Kump Leghorn, Ann Spindel and Stephanie Tomei.

Barbara Crane moved to New Rochelle in 2016 and has contributed to the community since then in various volunteer capacities.  She is currently on the Boards of the Rotary Club of New Rochelle, the Thomas Paine National Historical Association (TPNHA), and the New Rochelle United Methodist Church.  In addition to her work with these organizations, she has volunteered with other local groups, including the Huguenot & New Rochelle Historical Association (HNRHA), HOPE Community Services, My Brother’s Keeper, and the Westchester Women’s Agenda.  She was recognized for Service Above Self by the Rotary Club in 2017 and received the Thomas Paine Citizen Award in 2022 from HNRHA and TPNHA.  Barbara’s previous career was in global reproductive health and rights, serving for eight years as a senior policy advisor on family planning with the United States government foreign aid program and for 16 years as a member of the executive team of Ipas, an international non-profit based in North Carolina.  She is also widely published and holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Michigan, an MA from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts, and a BA from Wellesley College.  Her son Russell and his wife Omaira live in New Rochelle with her two grandsons, Julian and Daniel, who attend New Rochelle public schools. Her daughter Elizabeth lives in Virginia.

Lynn Green has worked professionally for decades in the nonprofit sector in the field of marketing and development. After leaving her last position as Vice President of Development and External Affairs at Family Services of Westchester, she worked as a consultant to FSW and other Westchester-based nonprofits. In 2004, she was recognized by her colleagues at the Association of Development Officers with the Fundraiser of the Year Award. Lynn has also been honored as a Founder of The New Rochelle Public Library Foundation and by The Guidance Center for the role she played in their development. Currently, she serves as Vice President of the NRPL Foundation, in charge of Development; Vice President of the New Rochelle Council on the Arts; and sits on the board of The Giving Circle of Lower Westchester, all volunteer positions. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Lynn’s first careers were as an Editor at Bantam Books, and in television, working as a writer for Gene Shalit and as a segment producer of the Today show. Other professional positions have included Director of Marketing and Development, East Coast Arts; Director of Development, The Guidance Center; Marketing and Development Consultant working with such clients as the Mental Health Association of Westchester and the Encompass New Opera Theatre Company, in New York City.

Lynn has been married to Steve Green for more than 50 years; they have two children, Aram and Gillian, and three sweet grandchildren.

Emma Silva grew up in the West End of New Rochelle and has been a New Rochelle resident her entire life. She is the mother of two boys and a bonus mom to many children of the community. Throughout her life she has been a community advocate, fighting for those who have no voice. For example, Emma served as a member of the Police Review Committee as well as the City School District of New Rochelle’s African American/Latino Opportunity/Achievement Task Force and its Social Emotional Learning Advisory Committee.

She has also been a leader in several organizations that work with kids and community betterment: She was elected the first President of the Reconstituted Mascaro Women’s Auxiliary Club in 2019, where she has been involved with creating events that make positive impacts on the West End Community. Currently she is also the Executive Director of Better Way Basketball; the President of the Columbus School PTA; and Co-Chair of the West End Civic Association.  In addition, Emma sits on several Boards, including the Hispanic American Advisory Committee for the City of New Rochelle and the My Brothers Keeper Advisory Committee; she is also a member of Better Way NY. She is employed by the New Rochelle City School District.  Emma credits her drive and passion to her parents, who immigrated from Mexico for a better opportunity for their children’s future.

The New Rochelle Council of Community Services (NRCCS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring together community leaders to assess and meet the vital needs of the community by identifying and working towards solutions through mobilization, advocacy, and networking. NRCCS is the umbrella organization for the health and human service agencies, religious institutions and educational facilities of the City of New Rochelle. The Council’s Board of Directors consists of representatives of many of these agencies as well as local residents. The NRCCS welcomes new community resources and seeks to build collaborations to strengthen our community and serve its ever-changing needs.