As part of our Community Visioning process this year,

we are asking ourselves and our neighbors,

What is OUR VISION for a good economy?

what is a LIVING WAGE?  How should businesses serve our community? 

How should our tax money meet our needs? 

What is the South Bronx role in the Global Economy?

How can we hold businesses and elected officials accountable?

Carrion, What's Good?

*                     *                    *

In September, 2005, the president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez Frías, visited the South Bronx on the invitation of Congressional Representative José Serrano, who organized an event at The Point to highlight various organizations that promote the health, education, human rights and wellbeing of the community.  Chavez called on the CEO of Venezuela-owned U.S. subsidiary, CITGO Oil Corporation to address the myriad of issues highlighted at the event by offering oil at reduced-prices, much as PDVSA does in Venezuela and other countries. MOM worked with South Bronx residents and other community leaders to organize a series of public roundtables to further utilize this program to promote economically and environmentally sustainable development in the South Bronx. This PetroBronx proposal was developed to engage in dialogue with CITGO and other local and international stakeholders.

brief timeline...

In December 2005, CITGO and Representative Serrano launched a pilot project in which CITGO facilitated low-cost heating oil for three housing organizations in the South Bronx. 

 

In April, 2006 during the delegation of pilot-project participants to Venezuela, President Chavez publicly announced an additional 30% subsidy to the South Bronx as a cooperative development fund in addition to an expansion to the heating oil subsidies. 

In November, 2006, CITGO expanded the Heating Oil program to distribute 9 million gallons to over 25,000 families across NYC, mostly in the Bronx. 

In August, 2007, PetroBronx community groups and the North Star Fund launched a grants program with CITGO pledging $3.3 million to support community justice work in the South Bronx.

 

In 2008, MOM will be launching a film forum and discussion series on the Venezuelan people's democratic revolution that culminates in a grassroots delegation to get up close and personal!

 

MOM Executive Director and Board Member meet with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in the South Bronx, October, 2005.   President Chavez was impressed by MOM's work and challenged CITGO, the US oil company fully owned by the Venezuelan people to support grassroots projects like MOM, just as oil money is used to support social programs in Venezuela.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Congressman José E. Serrano Representing the Sixteenth District of New York PRESS RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Philip Schmidt (202) 225-4361 Aug 6, 2007 SERRANO TO CITGO: "THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY" Today, Congressman José E. Serrano congratulated CITGO for its dedication to helping underprivileged communities as the oil giant announced a series of grants for community organizations in the Bronx. “CITGO is again leading the way in corporate citizenship,” Serrano said. “Here we have an oil company giving back to the community, not because it is forced to, but because it knows that this is the right thing to do. The organizations that CITGO has selected for these grants are fighting daily to uplift the Bronx and build a better future for Bronx residents. These grants will prove vital in furthering those goals.” CITGO announced that it will give approximately $3.3 million in grants to multiple Bronx organizations over the next three years, including The Point Community Development Corporation, Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, and Rocking the Boat.  The projects funded include environmental restoration projects and a community food co-op.  The North Star Fund, a community foundation that works closely with Bronx organizations, will help administer many of the grants and track the progress of the grantees.  “If CITGO wants to score points with my community by funding good organizations and important projects, then we would be foolish to reject their generosity.  I’d be happy to have any other corporations come here and score all the political points they can afford,” Serrano added. “On behalf of the Bronx, I would like to say thank you to CITGO and its forward-thinking directors for this support. It is deeply appreciated.” “I also want to applaud the groups that are involved in this program. Their work is invaluable to this community. I look forward to seeing the results of their great work. I also want to thank a group that is not a grantee, but had a very significant role in the process: Mothers on the Move. As always, their leadership and work in this process on behalf of the Bronx was instrumental and deeply important.” ###   WASHINGTON OFFICE 2227 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-3216 (202) 225-4361 Fax: (202) 225-6001 BRONX OFFICE 788 Southern Blvd. Bronx, New York 10455 (718) 620-0084 Fax: (718) 620-0658 Email: jserrano@mail.house.gov

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News ** About ** MOM ** MOM History ** Contact MOM ** Home
928 Intervale Avenue Bronx NY 10459
© MOM 2006-2012
Web Development by the Rooster Chronicles