SENATOR GOLDEN TO HONOR THE HEALING CENTER AS PART OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

Brooklyn - State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today announced that, as part of Women’s History Month, he will be hosting a special event recognizing Antonia Clemente and the organization she runs, The Healing Center (THC), for their work which has impacted the lives of so many in the community.

Antonia Clemente is the Executive Director and co-founder of The Healing Center. THC helps families affected by violence understand their options and how to take steps toward healing and self-sufficiency. Reaching out to different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, THC works to prevent family violence in our community. The Center’s educational workshops, which are offered at local schools and churches, raise community awareness concerning family violence, elder abuse, and sexual assault.  Empowerment support groups provide sessions to encourage self-esteem, offer alternatives and help clients understand the dynamics of violence and the cycle of abuse in their lives. THC also provides safe space for children who witness domestic violence, and offers a special program for teenage girls who  witness and are victimized by violence in the home or through teen dating violence. 

In order to provide assistance to THC, Senator Golden is asking the community to donate gift cards that will be presented to Ms. Clemente during a reception that will be held on April 28th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Norwegian Christian Home, located at 1250 67th St, Brooklyn, NY 11219. Gift cards for supermarkets  and chain store pharmacies can be delivered to the Senator’s District Office, 7408 Fifth Avenue by Thursday April 27th. Please note the amount of your contribution directly on the gift 
card. 

Senator Golden described Ms. Clemente as “a special woman, who has made a real contribution to countless people and families in the community. For nearly two decades, the Center has been a major resource for many of the most vulnerable in our neighborhoods.”

The Healing Center began operations out of a church kitchen in 2000. In 2004, the Healing Center formed a board of directors and in November of 2005, became a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization. In 2008 the Healing Center was invited to partner with Bethlehem Lutheran Church in sharing the good news of hope, peace and healing to victims and survivors of family violence. As THC has expanded its mission, it has developed collaborations with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, CONNECT, Sanctuary for Families, Safe Horizons, and the Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Noting that “ we all have a special woman in our life who has influenced our lives, be it a role model or mentor, a family member, someone from our community or famous person,” Senator Golden is asking members of the community to write brief paragraphs about these special women and what role they play in your life. The paragraph should start with..."This special woman influenced my life because…” 

These letters will be on display during the reception and will also be rotated and displayed in the windows of Senator Golden’s District Office. Letters should be sent to: Senator Marty Golden, 7408 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209 and must be received by Thursday April 27th.

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