Mix and Mingle with the Yorktown Dems for Boo Bites and a Ghoul Time!
WHAT: Happy Halloween Happy Hour Honoring Yorktown Dems District Leader Greg Rivera with special guests County Executive George Latimer, Senator Pete Harckham, and County Legislators Vedat Gashi and Colin Smith
WHERE: The Gramercy, 345 Kear St, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
WHEN: Sunday, October 23, 2022, 3 PM – 5 PM
Questions/RSVP, email Mark/Marni: [email protected]
To contribute securely: https://bit.ly/ydchalloween
Join us for our annual Ice Cream Social on Thursday, July 14, at 6 pm, at the pavilion at Downing Park in Yorktown.
Fun for all ages! Bring a picnic dinner. Free ice cream, clowning, face painting, and special guests!
The Yorktown Democratic Committee is having a holiday party! Time to mingle and have fun together!
You are cordially invited to our Holiday Potluck Party Sunday, December 12th from 2pm to 5pm at Vedat and Vjosa Gashi’s home. Please join us as we ring in the holiday season and welcome special guests! Bring a dish to share and some family and friends to enjoy a cheerful afternoon with the YDC!
If you have any further questions, please call Marcia Stone at 914.329.3018 or email [email protected].
We can’t wait to see you on Sunday, December 12th!
https://forms.gle/jJV8hEWoDDRsw7wu6
Please join us for a LIVE Campaign Kick-Off in support of the Yorktown Forward Democratic slate with Senator Peter Harckham, County Executive George Latimer, County Clerk Tim Idoni, Town Councilmember Alice Roker, and Town Clerk Diana Quast.
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
5:30 PM, Press Conference
345 Kear Street, Yorktown Heights, NY
Yorktown Forward- Experience with Vision ~ Vedat Gashi for County Legislator, Colin Smith for County Legislator, Ilan Gilbert for Town Board, Vishnu Patel for Town Board, and Aviah Cohen Pierson for Town Justice
To contribute, please visit: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/yorktowndemocrats
Or make check payable to: Yorktown Democrats, c/o Robert Kearney, 247 Maple Brook Court, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
Thursday, July 15 at 6pm at the Pavilion at Downing Park
Join the YDC as we celebrate summer with families and friends together at the park! Bring your kids, friends, neighbors and B.Y.O.Dinner, picnic style! The kids, young and old, will be magically delighted by the talented Margaret Steele, a show surely not to be missed! We will have Coldies and Goodies Good Humor Ice Cream truck on site doling out FREE ICE CREAM, courtesy of the YDC.
So grab some good eats and your favorite people and meet us under the pavilion at Downing Park! The YDC can’t wait to see you all there In-Person!
Rebecca Gerdis
This March, the Yorktown Democratic Committee held their first annual Women’s History Month Celebration. Many were in attendance on Zoom to honor Councilwoman Alice Roker along with other inspiring women. Councilwoman Roker has blazed trails throughout her successful career, and continues to make remarkable contributions within the Yorktown community. Honorees Katherine Quinn of Support Connection, Michelle Neustadt-Kardon of the NYS Office For People with Developmental Disabilities, and Kara Mac of Kara Mac Shoes were also recognized for breaking barriers and having tremendous impacts, both professionally and within the community. These incredible women with different stories serve as inspiring examples of female leaders, paving the way for the next generations of young women.
In addition to honoring these women, the YDC also challenged students in grades 6-12 to write about an inspiring woman who has made an impact on their life in an essay contest entitled, “The Real Woman in My Life Who is My Hero”. From real life figures to fictional characters, the submissions recognized the diverse ways in which we are personally inspired by female heroes.
Julia Whalen, a ninth grader at Yorktown High School, came in first place with an essay about her best friend “S”. She described the support “S” gave her throughout their friendship, as well as the grace and strength shown by “S” when facing her own unanticipated challenges. Learning from her friend, Julia now understands what it means to have empathy and resilience. This beautifully written essay demonstrates the true meaning of a hero; despite being the same age, Julia found a role model in her best friend.
In second place is Caroline Jethmal, a ninth grader from Yorktown High School, who wrote her essay in the form of a letter to her mother. Caroline praised her inspirational mother, whom she described as encompassing the optimism and resilience of Leslie Knope, a fictional character in the television show, “Parks and Recreation”. Her mom proved to her that these positive characteristics are not limited to fiction, but can also be found in our true real life heroes such as herself.
Ryan Zheng, a sixth grader from Mildred E. Strang Middle School, came in third place with an essay about his mother. He described her fortitude when emigrating to the United States from China as a young girl and her perseverance to learn English, break barriers, and create a loving home for him and his brothers. His mother’s kindness, sense of humor, and strength displayed in the face of adversity, are sources of immense admiration and inspire Ryan to work hard in all areas of his life.
The YDC’s Women’s History Month celebration brought positivity during a time of such uncertainty. Whether or not they realize it, countless women continue to inspire us, both professionally and personally. It is important that we acknowledge their amazing contributions and recognize the roles they play as our real life heroes.
The YDC cordially invites you to “Celebrating HERstory” as we shine a light on Women’s History Month on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 5pm via Zoom by honoring and acknowledging the amazing contributions of our well loved Councilwoman Alice Roker (who is retiring at the end of this term) along with honorees Katherine Quinn of Support Connection, Michelle Neustadt-Kardon of the NYS Office For People with Developmental Disabilities, and Kara Mac of Kara Mac Shoes.
Mark your calendars and meet special guest speaker Genevieve Piturro~
Best Selling Author, Speaker, and Founder of Pajama Program
Zoom link upon RSVP/Contribution
Please send checks to:
Yorktown Democratic Committee
Robert Kearney, 247 Maple Brook Court
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
Contributions are not tax-deductible
The YDC invites all young adults in grades 6-12 to join the
judged by the Rotary Club of Yorktown.
Real Women – “The Real Woman in My Life Who’s My Hero.”
300-900 words
Submissions: [email protected]
Deadline: 3/26/21
Think of a woman you look up to and admire. She can be someone in your personal life or a public figure. Write her a letter or an essay describing the impact she has had on your life. Your thoughtful gesture is sure to be appreciated.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes awarded
~About our guest speaker and honorees~
Genevieve Piturro was a successful television marketing executive in New York City for twenty years when a little girl’s question (“What are pajamas?”) changed the course of her life forever. Genevieve jumped off the corporate ladder and began delivering pajamas and books to children in shelters. In 2001, she founded the Pajama Program, which has been recognized nationwide for both its success and Genevieve’s story.
Genevieve, who was born in Westchester and currently lives in Irvington, published Purpose, Passion and Pajamas in August 2020 about her transformation from the corporate life to starting a nonprofit. An international speaker, personal strategic coach and author, Genevieve has made it her mission to inspire men and women across the globe to listen to their heart-voice connection in pursuing their passions to achieve success.
Her book, Passion and Pajamas: How to Transform your Life, Embrace the Human Connection and Lead with Meaning, is available here. Watch Genevieve in her interviews: Hallmark’s Home & Family, Huckabee, OPRAH & More TEDx (Aug 2020)
Councilwoman Alice Roker has blazed trails for decades, both in her career with NBC and in her second career with the Town of Yorktown. She has made a tremendous impact in every area of her professional life and is a cherished member of the Yorktown community.
At NBC, Alice became the Co-Producer of Channel 4’s News Program, “Live at Five,” a job that New York Magazine called “the most powerful job in local News.” She left the television industry in 1987 after she and her former husband adopted a little girl, and then moved to Yorktown with her son.
Alice was elected Town Clerk in 1989, becoming the first African American in Yorktown history to gain a seat in town government.
Under Alice’s direction over the next twenty-five years, the Town Clerk’s Office was modernized and her work was recognized by the New York State Education Department. Alice is most proud of creating Yorktown’s Record Center, which holds one of Yorktown’s earliest books, including the Register of children born to slaves and the Book of Manumissions: the names of people freed from bondage long before the Emancipation Proclamation. Alice is also proud of the book that she co-wrote with Linda Cooper about Yorktown’s history: “Images of America: Yorktown” published in 2003.
A few years after retiring from office, Alice felt the call back to public service. She believed that civility was lacking in Town Board Meetings, the town’s infrastructure was crumbling and needed to be addressed, and a period of economic revitalization was sorely needed. Alice ran for and was elected to Yorktown Town Council in 2017.
Alice has always worked for the betterment of all of the people of Yorktown. Her dedicated service to this community will be an inspiration to others for many years to come.
The book “Images of America: Yorktown” is available here: https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9780738512730
Katherine Quinn is the founding Executive Director of Support Connection. Katherine helped establish Support Connection in loving tribute to her friend, Isabel, who died of breast cancer shortly after the organization was founded twenty five years ago. Their office is based in Yorktown Heights, however, they help people all over the country through their toll-free services. Responsible for the management of the organization, Katherine leads the staff and works with the board, volunteers, and donors in fulfilling Support Connection’s mission. Today, Support Connection serves over 500 different people each year, offering 11 support groups every month, a year-round calendar of educational and wellness programs, and one-on-one counseling provided by three full-time Peer Counselors. Volunteers continue to play an integral role too, helping with events and many other tasks, including high school and college interns who are given the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the world.
Kathy’s enduring and boundless devotion to Support Connection’s mission has made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of people affected by breast and ovarian cancer.
“Support Connection is a gift to so many people. Cancer support is our mission, but Support Connection stands for many other things as well. It’s about the power of caring which brings people together to make life better. It’s about having a dream and gathering the right people to make it a reality. It’s about setting an example, especially for young people, that giving back is good for the community and for the spirit. It’s about creating the extraordinary by giving your all to the ordinary – a smile, a hug, taking a few minutes to listen. It’s about love.”
-Katherine Quinn
Michelle Neustadt-Kardon is the epitome of leadership in all aspects of her life. Throughout her busy week, she balances her time leading a team of dedicated state employees, connecting families throughout the Yorktown Community and within Westchester County, actively volunteering as a board member & coach of local youth soccer club, and cheering on her teenage daughter. With a Bachelor of Arts from Springfield College, Springfield, MA, she focused on Psychology & Art Therapy, and a lifetime love of Special Education.
Throughout Michelle’s 23 years of employment, she has worked for Non-profit and NYS agencies in serving families and individuals throughout their lifetimes. Michelle is currently overseeing the Westchester County team as part of the Hudson Valley Regional Office under the NYS Office for People with developmental disabilities. She works collaboratively with local county entities, various NYS state offices, provider agencies, Westchester County school districts, advocates, and families seeking support, guidance and access to services within Westchester County.
Michelle’s guidance and resourcefulness is a tremendous help to families struggling in times of crisis, having a newly diagnosed child, or those learning to navigate special education and advocacy for their loved ones. Michelle has left an indelible mark on the Yorktown Community and beyond.
Kara Mac is a Shoe Designer and Creator of Kara Mac Shoes. Kara Mac, an entrepreneur who spent 25 years of her life as an apparel designer, later followed through with the idea of creating women’s shoes that work in every circumstance. She had an idea to reduce footwear’s environmental impact with interchangeable components, decreasing the number of shoes dumped in the landfill. After two years of sweat and hard work, she launched Kara Mac Shoes in 2015, making it the first shoe in the world with the instant heel to toe customization. Meet this most A-Maz-Ing woman with multiple dimensions: she teaches Illustrator classes online to high school students, declaring it to be very rewarding, takes tons of educational classes, and participates in webinars with the commitment to lifelong learning.
Listen in to Kara Mac as she digs in deep to learn the importance of keeping your day job as you work to pursue your entrepreneurial goals ~https://youtu.be/ZsXUvNm4r4k
Join in on Saturday, March 20th at 5 pm via Zoom!
Together, we are the Yorktown Democrats—a Yorktown that works for everyone!
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
Yorktowners and youth-led organizers from YHS and LHS organized marches through Yorktown and Shrub Oak in the span of just nine days in June. Support for the Black Lives Matter movement, growing throughout the world in recent weeks, has galvanized young people in our area into political and social action to create the changes we so deeply need in our nation and communities.
In their own words:
On Sunday June 7, in a historic Yorktown event, over a thousand people came out to march and show support to the Black Lives Matter protests happening all over the world. A rally concluded the march and community members, affected by racism in our town, got to tell their stories to shine a light on the existing racism present in Yorktown. Acknowledging the problem is the first step to healing and the coordinators of the event are working with other community members to help continue this important work for our home town. If you would like to get involved in advocacy and activism regarding increasing diversity and inclusion in the many facets of Yorktown life, please join the Facebook group Yorktown for Justice and contact the admins.
– Rachel Frederick- Co-organizer
The March down Main Street {in Shrub Oak} was a formidable gathering of outspoken activists ranging from all ages and walks of life in the Lakeland community. Students, parents, and teachers alike took to the streets in masks and peacefully made their way down, chanting in solidarity against the racism that largely goes unmentioned both in Lakeland schools and the broader Westchester County. Upon reaching the admin building, several heartfelt stories were shared about the Black experience, and how as a collective we need to demand proper reform in schools to diversify learning materials and meet the needs of students of color. People cried, laughed, and held each other up throughout this beautiful display of unity, while also addressing the hard truths about what still needs to be done for the future, especially within Lakeland itself.
It’s very important that this conversation was sparked in a community like Lakeland, which has a predominantly white population but does not remain untouched by the prejudices against people of color that live within it. The March showed that even amidst national turmoil, we can find common ground in humanity, and with one accord, demand immediate action against the systematic racism that plagues our allies in the Black community.
“It was beautiful to see so many community members (or our neighbors) especially our young people everywhere out supporting the Black Lives Matter march for justice in Shrub Oak.”
– Brittany Alexander- Lakeland HS Alum, NYU Student
