HRC Gala Honoring Bishop Powell Raises $100K

by Naomi Lowenthal

(November 15, 2007) Fellow clergymen, political leaders, heads of the Hispanic Resource Center and HRC supporters were among those paying tribute to Bishop Wayne Powell of Strait Gate Church in Mamaroneck at a “Salsa and Sangria” gala on November 8 at Hampshire Country Club in Larchmont. The honors were in recognition of Bishop Powell’s role in the creation of a worker hiring center at Strait Gate. NY State Senator Suzy Oppenheimer, Assemblyman George Latimer and Monica Gonzalez from Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office read proclamations in Bishop Powell’s honor and Westchester County Executive Andy Spano offered his congratulations.

Bishop Wayne Powell (right) receives recognition from Mariana Boneo and John Gitlitz of the Hispanic Resource Center. Photo by Myra Hafetz.

As John Gitlitz, president of the HRC board of directors, presented the “Amigo” award to Bishop Powell, he read from a letter by Rabbi Jeffrey Sirkman of Larchmont Temple.

“The dignity you extended, opening your congregational home, energizing the Strait Gate membership in support, helping your Church-leadership make the welcome real, are gifts beyond words you have given so graciously,” wrote Rabbi Sirkman. “And because you heard that holy call and responded with your heart, honoring the rights of every human being, our community is that much more whole.” (For more on Bishop Powell, see: Bishop Wayne Powell: The Man Behind the "Amigo" Award.)

Mr. Gitlitz also recognized the efforts of the HRC’s executive director, Mariana Boneo, whose work over the past year included establishing the worker center, overseeing flood relief efforts for the center’s clients and other residents of Mamaroneck and coordinating an English as a second language program that currently has 70 students enrolled.

More than 300 people attended the gala, which raised $100,000 for the center. These funds will support existing programs, such as the English classes and computer and job training, as well as new initiatives, such as programs specifically for women.

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