Morrisania: Back-to-School Giveaway and Stop the Violence Event Held

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES

NONPROFIT, B.A.B.E.S. [BERRY Awesome Blossom Empowered Sisters], which comprises Emily Toro, Maribel Mercado, Betsy Torres, Regina Padilla, and Norwood News photographer, Miriam Quiñones, is led by president, Mercado and vice-president, Padilla. The group hosted a back-to-school giveaway and “Stop the Violence” event on Sept. 10, 2022 at Cauldwell Avenue, between 161st and 163rd streets, in the Morrisania section of The Bronx.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

Nonprofit, Berry Awesome Blossom Empowered Sisters (“BABES”) held a back-to-school giveaway and “Stop the Violence” event at Cauldwell Avenue between 161st and 163rd Street, southwest of Forest Houses housing development, in Morrisania on Sept. 10.

According to B.A.B.E.S., the group came together to make a difference in the lives of those who need help, adding that they were there to help those in need and for those who don’t know where else to turn to when they need something.

THE GUARDIAN ANGELS, who have been volunteering to help keep subway riders safe since 1979, donated backpacks with supplies during a back-to-school giveaway and “Stop the Violence” event hosted by nonprofit, B.A.B.E.S. [Berry Awesome Blossom Empowered Sisters] and partners on Sept. 10, 2022 at Cauldwell Avenue, between 161st and 163rd streets, in the Morrisania section of The Bronx.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

They said they did just that at the recent Back-to-School event, adding that the area is underserved because there is “no representation there.” They said this is because more awareness is needed in Morrisania to stop the ongoing violence seen on its streets and to help low-income families in the area.

JAMES SEXER RODRIGUEZ (left) made a special, memorial backpack for Manuel Yambo (right), father of deceased teen, Angellyh Marieh Yambo during a back-to-school giveaway and “STOP THE VIOLENCE” event hosted by nonprofit, B.A.B.E.S. [Berry Awesome Blossom Empowered Sisters] on Sept. 10, 2022, at Cauldwell Avenue, between 161st and 163rd streets, in the Morrisania section of The Bronx.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

Aleksander Nilaj, president of the Albanian American Open Hand Association, donated cases of bananas, apples, peaches, plums and oranges at the event, and attendees were able to take whatever they wanted.

There were also some entertainers and performers, all of whom donated their time to support the local community, including a singer called Ashley who sang the national anthem, and recording artist, Kenny Supreme, who performed songs from his album, “Heart Break.”

ARTIST, KENNY SUPREME, performs songs from his album, “Heartbreak,” during a back-to-school giveaway and “Stop the Violence” event hosted by nonprofit, B.A.B.E.S. [Berry Awesome Blossom Empowered Sisters] on Sept. 10, 2022, at Cauldwell Avenue, between 161st and 163rd streets, in the Morrisania section of The Bronx.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

SoundBoy Cartagena and El HipHop Jibarito sang a few songs and had everyone dancing along with dancer, Ricky Casanova Cox, while comedian, Roman Surez, AKA “The Funny Latino,” spoke passionately about stopping hate and violence.

(L to R) SOUNDBOY CARTAGENA EL Hiphop Jibartito, Maribel Mercado, president of B.A.B.E.S., dancer, Ricky Casanova Cox (The Funny Latino) and comedian, Roman Surez, joined together for a back-to-school giveaway and “Stop the Violence” event hosted by nonprofit, B.A.B.E.S. [Berry Awesome Blossom Empowered Sisters] on Sept. 10, 2022, at Cauldwell Avenue, between 161st and 163rd streets, in the Morrisania section of The Bronx. During the event, SoundBoy sang a few songs and had everyone dancing, while Surez spoke about stopping violence and hate.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

Cure violence organization, Guns Down Life Up, was also present to show support and offer resources to the community, while, vigilante group, The Guardian Angels, who have volunteered on the subways and streets since 1979, protecting commuters, and who are led by former Republican mayoral candidate, Curtis Sliwa, donated school backpacks, filled with school supplies.

THE CURE VIOLENCE group, Guns Down, Life Up were present to show support and provide resources to the community during a back-to-school giveaway and “Stop the Violence” event hosted by nonprofit, B.A.B.E.S. [Berry Awesome Blossom Empowered Sisters] on Sept. 10, 2022, at Cauldwell Avenue, between 161st and 163rd streets, in the Morrisania section of The Bronx.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

James Sexer Rodriguez made a special memorial backpack for Manuel Yambo, father of fatal gun violence teenager, Angellyh Marieh Yambo, who was gunned down not far from the location of the event earlier this year at the beginning of summer. Yambo said he knew Angellyh would have loved the bag so much if she were alive.

ALEKSANDER NILAJ, PRESIDENT of the Albanian American Open Hand Association donates cases of bananas, apples, peaches, plums and oranges during a back-to-school giveaway and “Stop the Violence” event hosted by nonprofit, B.A.B.E.S. [Berry Awesome Blossom Empowered Sisters] on Sept. 10, 2022, at Cauldwell Avenue, between 161st and 163rd streets, in the Morrisania section of The Bronx.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

The B.A.B.E.S. say the group is led by “strong, empowered women,” and of their organizing efforts, they added, “We find resources, lend a helping hand and make a difference.”

Emily Toro (Berry), Maribel Mercado (Awesome), Betsy Torres (Blossom), Regina Padilla (Empowered), and Norwood News photographer, Miriam Quiñones (Sister), make up the group, led by president, Mercado and vice-president, Padilla.

*Síle Moloney contributed to this story.

admin

Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.