It all starts with one call. Then another. Sometimes it is a woman asking for diapers; other times, someone looking for food—or simply a person who needs to be heard. From those voices, a chain was born, one that now sustains Peekskill Hispanic Community Corp., an organization that supports dozens of families across the city. On Sunday, Oct. 19, expectant mothers will be the beneficiaries of the first community brunch party held to celebrate the arrival of their babies.
Dinora Pacheco, president of the organization, explained that the goal of the event is to make the women feel special and supported. Pacheco put it plainly: the current situation has placed many people in difficult circumstances, where help is limited—and that was precisely the motivation behind organizing this event, which will take place at the Peekskill Hispanic Community Corp. headquarters, located at 1005A Park Street, starting at 11:30 a.m. “Someone called me and said she had not been able to have her baby shower. That is how this idea was born,” she recalled.
Pacheco mentioned that, for the past three years, they have kept a diaper bank running. However, this time they wanted to go further, marking the first edition of a celebration that will offer each mother a basket filled with essential products for their baby’s arrival. The event will also include food, entertainment, and informative talks for participants. So far, 12 women have registered, though organizers hope to reach thirty and continue to keep the form open. “If there are more, we will take their contact information and prepare their baskets later on,” she said.
Solidarity is contagious
Pacheco reflected on the importance of solidarity: sometimes people are the ones helping, and other times, they are the ones in need. She recalled the moments when she herself was the one seeking support. “I thought, when I get through this, I will not turn my back on others,” said the head of the corporation, which was founded in 2015 to assist a family who had lost everything in a fire. “We helped them, paid two months of their rent until they were able to recover.”
The board of directors includes three Dominicans, one Ecuadorian, and one Uruguayan. The organization offers assistance without distinction. Pacheco said they have even helped people calling from Queens or Manhattan. “People tell us: I am at the station in Manhattan and need to get to Peekskill because I know someone there,” she explained.
There are stories that have deeply moved Pacheco—women calling in the middle of the night, desperate. “They are in their car with their children, saying they were beaten by their husbands. We have taken them to a hotel and contacted the police,” she remembered.
The focus of Peekskill Hispanic Community Corp. is to stand behind the community. The organization currently runs educational programs for families and distributes food twice a month, with the support of Feeding Westchester. “We have computer classes and are looking for a teacher to restart English courses,” Pacheco said. Additionally, they help people who want to become certified caregivers for older adults at low cost, and they even connect applicants to scholarships.
Although the organization’s mission is comprehensive, young people are among its top priorities. Some come in as volunteers, while others complete their community service hours there. For the Sunday brunch, the youth will take charge of decoration, music, and logistics. On Oct. 22, they will also participate in a carpentry workshop sponsored by an organization allied with Peekskill Hispanic Community Corp.
The Brunch Party will also receive support from NewYork-Presbyterian, which donated utensils for expecting mothers. Pacheco said they are coordinating a talk with a nutritionist who will share advice on maternal health and eating habits during pregnancy.
As Peekskill prepares to welcome its future mothers this Sunday, the organization continues to gather volunteers and resources. “It is worth it for many reasons. Just as we were born out of a fire, Peekskill burns with passion to help its community,” Pacheco concluded.
