It has been brought to my attention that the City of New York is once again considering converting the old Fordham Library into an animal shelter. While I count myself as an animal lover, I love the children of the community more.  For over a year now, we have been trying to convince the city to convert this space into a state-of-the-art youth center. We have patiently met with elected officials and collected 10,000 signatures in a concerted effort to help the city understand the need for youth programs in our area. We conducted the largest march on any given issue last summer, focusing on requesting the old Fordham Library to be turned over as a Youth Dream Center. Unfortunately, it seems that the city may have chosen to turn its back on its youth. The city Health Department is still flirting with the inconceivable idea of placing an animal shelter at the old Fordham Library.

As a community, we are not going to tolerate anyone ignoring the critical and urgent needs of our youth in order to place an animal shelter in this site.  It is inconceivable that the message we will be sending our youth is that they are worth less than animals.

I don’t see this as an either/or situation. Community Board 7 has already wisely and strategically indicated that there are better places for the animal shelter other than the old Fordham Library. Presently, there are no local area youth centers which are meeting the needs of the youth in our community.  Our youth are in dire need of recreational, educational and emotional support. 

What we are looking at is more pressure on the family, single parents and those who raise grandchildren, nieces and nephews who will feel the heat of the city taking more money and not giving anything in return. With the added pressure to survive, we can expect to see more and more youth being distracted in school, finding other ways to compensate for the loss of funds in the home. Crime and misconduct could possibly be on the rise. The old Fordham Library is extremely necessary to keep morale and hope alive during these difficult times in our economy not only as a city but as a nation. We can provide a safe haven for recreation, continued education, social services and more physical activities for the youth of this community.

The Department of Health’s own studies show that recreation and sports reduce depression and anxiety in our youth.  In a generation soon approaching 50 percent overweight youth and the health complications it accompanies, how can the Department of Health even suggest having an animal shelter where the youth should be? The community has spoken; the question is whether City Hall is listening. The youth are for a Youth Dream Center. The local officials are for a Youth Dream Center.  The Community Board is for a Youth Dream Center. The religious community is for a Youth Dream Center. The question is whether the mayor is listening.

-Dr. Fernando Cabrera, Ed.D, LMHC

The writer is senior pastor at New Life Outreach International Church in North Fordham.