NYPD, COJO, and Project Hospitality Team Up to Combat Omicron

With the latest surge of the Omicron variant the NYPD has teamed up with Council of Jewish organizations of Staten Island, COJO, and Project Hospitality in helping to bring resources and hope to  Staten Island residents. 

“As a community united, we have come through strong through the darkest moments of the pandemic. As we have turned the corner and began to cautiously emerge from the bleak, dark days of the virus we have developed a strong working relationship, friendship and partnership with the NYPD and Project Hospitality. We are building on that relationship and strong spirt of cooperation and are prepared to tackle the new challenges that Omicron presents. From food and resources distributions to educating the community, we at COJO are proud to work with the NYPD and Project Hospitality in easing the concerns of the  residents of Staten Island and helping them cope and giving them the confidence that we will get through this pandemic together. We could not have had a better friend then the beloved Terry Troia, the venerable president of Project Hospitality, Iva Reuven, COJO, Service Committee Chair, Chief Frank Vega, NYPD Borough Commander, Lt. Rafet Awad, Commanding Officer, Community Affairs, Patrol Borough Staten Island, Inspector Tania Kinsella, Commanding Officer, Pct. 120, and Inspector Bruce Ceparano, Commanding Officer, Pct. 121. I know one day we will reflect on these challenging times and will observe how the Pandemic brought out the best in the community tied together with true fellowship and comradery and that is how we were able to get through it all.” So said, Mendy Mirocznik, President of COJO-SI.

Iva Reuven, Chair of the COJO Service Committee commented. ‘I am proud to be a member of this great partnership working together with Terry Troia, Gloria Novoa, Mendy Mirocznik and the NYPD. Organizing the food distributions and resources giveaways is an eyeopener. I firsthand have witnessed the great need. I feel humbled and blessed to be part of the relief effort. I pray that an end will come soon, and we will have a return to a normal world that has learnt the lesson that we all must respect, appreciate and be there for everyone. Covid taught me, if one person suffers, we are all suffering. Let us take that lesson and make that sensitivity part of the normal world.”

Chief Frank Vega commented, “I fully agree with Iva and I add as the Borough Commander for Staten Island, COJO, Project Hospitality and their leadership and volunteers has made the difference. From a police perspective these wonderful civic organizations are an example of the best that Staten Island has to offer. On behalf of the NYPD, I personally thank, Mendy, Terry, and Iva for being shining head lights leading the charge to a better and brighter tomorrow full of optimism, joy, and confidence.  We will get there because of our trust, great working relationship and collaboration and that is  what this partnership is all about. I thank you for making this a Staten Island reality.”