In advance of Galentine’s Day, a global holiday that celebrates women’s friendship and mutual empowerment, typically marked on Feb. 13, a collection of pre-loved or new items, including beauty products, accessories, jewelry, hair products, purses, shoes, clothes, and more was organized to support women living at a Bronx Domestic Violence (DV) shelter.

 

The collection was organized by the 4Bronx Project, a community service program focused on supporting the underserved and bringing diversity and inclusion to the community. The project is led by Laura Levine-Pinedo and the program operates at the headquarters of the nonprofit, Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corporation (KRVC), located at 505 West 236th Street, just northwest of Kingsbridge in Riverdale.

“We will be throwing our 2nd Annual Galentine’s Day at a DV shelter on 2/13,” Levine-Pinedo said ahead of the collection day on Sunday, Jan. 21. “We are having a pizza party, game night, and giveaway. We will be setting up a pop-up shop with donations for the ladies to shop (all free of course!).”

 

The UK’s Sunday Telegraph newspaper described Galentine’s Day as follows: “Just remember that Galentine’s Day was born out of rebel spirit, intended as a rebuff to the conventions of Valentine’s Day. It’s about doing exactly what you want to do and feeling thankful for having friends that let you do it.”

Donors to the DV shelter collection were seen throughout Sunday afternoon, dropping off various items which were later sorted and packed by volunteers as well as some staff members based at the location in advance of the Feb. 13th event. Levine-Pinedo said the organizers also had an Amazon wish list for anyone who preferred to donate in that way. “Every purchase made is pure joy and a stress relief!” she said in reference to the beneficiaries.

 

She later thanked all those involved, including community partner, 555 Kappock, for ensuring a successful collection. “They have done so much to redirect items to people in our amazing borough of The Bronx,” she said. Referring to the upcoming Galentine’s Day event, she added, “The ladies will love all of these beauty products! Thank you! They will shop ‘til they drop and pick up their new-found treasures. We will have a gift bag, free raffles, and book giveaway!”

As reported, January marks both National Stalking Awareness Month and Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Survivors and victims of both stalking and human trafficking are sometimes also subjected to domestic violence.

 

Elsewhere in the borough, Bronx Borough President Darcel D. Clark participated in a “Red Sand Project” event outside her office on East 161st Street, on Tuesday, Jan. 23, in conjunction with the group “Not on My Watch,” to raise awareness of the plight of human trafficking. The district attorney, whose office runs a human trafficking unit, said, in part, “We are raising awareness about the crime of modern-day slavery. As part of the Red Sand Project, we poured [red] sand to fill sidewalk cracks, with the grains representing victims who go unnoticed, or ‘fall through the cracks’.”

Experts working in the area of human trafficking say the true numbers of those who fall prey to human trafficking are unknown due to its underground nature, but it is estimated to be one of the most lucrative, illicit businesses in the world due to the fact that, unlike the drug trade, victims can be “sold” over and over again. New York State officials reported that based on 2021 human trafficking data, 73 percent of cases involved sex trafficking, 22 percent labor trafficking, and 3 percent a combination of both.

 

In other human trafficking news, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) joined  Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and a coalition of of elected officials, advocates, and human trafficking survivors on Jan. 18 to call for the elimination of the 5-year statute of limitations to enable human trafficking survivors to press charges against their traffickers.

 

Clark also hosts an Annual Domestic Violence 5K Run/Walk/Roll each fall to bring awareness to the issue of domestic violence. On Jan. 12, sharing a memory from one of the events, she wrote, “I’m saddened by the passing of Lucille ‘Miss Lucille’ Boles-Wilson, who personified The Bronx with her community service, love of people, and amazing spirit.”

Boles-Wilson was a regular participant at the annual 5K event and was known for her colorful, flamboyant attire. “She was a fierce advocate for older adults. She was a talented poet and dancer too. She adored young people,” Clark added.

 

The Bronx DA’s human trafficking unit can be reached on (718) 838-7185. The domestic violence unit can be reached on (718) 838 6688. Anyone interested in becoming a community partner with 4Bronx Project can reach Levine-Pinedo at laura4bronx@gmail.com.

As previously reported, the nonprofit, Freedom Youth NYC, have long been working to help survivors of human trafficking in The Bronx. Email Moniqueriley@freedomyouthfamilyjusticecenter.org or call (929) 612-3667 for more information.

 

Read some previous related stories on this issue here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here.