By Maria Angeles-Taveras, Executive Assistant
My Taking a Stand story is about my calling to make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling. Through an all-volunteer effort at The Fulfillment Center, I help manage four events a year in the Bronx, Newark, Jersey City and other places. We go to areas where there is a lot of crime, drugs, and poverty and bring the community together over a meal (we have an event in December for the holidays!).
We feed hundreds of people at each event and the happiest part for me is to see a smile on someone’s face as they eat and talk with others. So many of these people have loved ones in prison or other hardships and it makes me so happy to offer words of hope and encouragement, showing them that they are not forgotten and we can help. We give them cards to fill out to ask about their greatest, most immediate needs and work with local groups and politicians to make things happen. I have roots in the Dominican Republic and I do a lot of this type of work there, too, including at an orphanage. This is my passion – to help people to live better lives!