Heather Guerino of Crusaders for Children’s Rights was honored during a special surprise luncheon held Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Williamsbridge Oval Park Recreation Center in Williamsbridge Oval park in the Norwood section of The Bronx.

 

“This gathering is an opportunity to honor Heather’s unwavering advocacy and her invaluable contributions to our community,” the invitation read. “Let’s come together to celebrate her legacy and express our heartfelt appreciation.”

Millie Colon, president of the 41st Precinct Community Council, surprised Guerino with the luncheon, which was attended by her husband, Sirio Guerino of Guerinos against Graffitti*, several community members, including Danielle Herbert Guggenheim, and members of Bronx Community Board 7, including Chad Royer and Betty Arce, along with members of the 52nd Precinct Community Affairs team, Det. Stephen Echevarria and Officer José Torres, and Anthony Rivieccio of Northwest Bronx Democrats, Brenda Irizarry and others.

The Guerinos, who reside in Bronx Community Board 7, have fostered several children over the years, and had in recent years also advocated for the renovation and reopening of the DeWitt Clinton High School swimming pool, which was later facilitated by Councilman Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11).

 

The couple’s children attended the school, and they said it was important to put it back to use and for local students to learn how to swim.

 

The Guerinos and Colon regularly attend community events relating to raising awareness about gun violence prevention, including one held earlier this year in June in St. Mary’s Park in the South Bronx hosted by Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark during Gun Violence Awareness Month.

Various participants spoke at the event and planted various flowers and plants in memory of those lost to the gun violence epidemic.

 

Additionally, Heather recently worked with the Office of State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33) to plan a vigil on Aug. 22 in the Williamsbridge Oval park in memory of late local teen, 14-year-old Ángel Miguel Mendoza Hernández, who was tragically and fatally stabbed by a gang in the Norwood park on Aug. 5.

 

Earlier this year, during National Foster Care Month on May 24, the Guerinos, together with Colon and adoptive and foster mother of 25 years, Regina Cameron, held a candlelit vigil and day of remembrance event at 853 Longwood Avenue in the Longwood section of The Bronx in front of St. Dominic’s Family & Children’s Services, to remember fostered and adopted children who have died.

 

Speaking at that event in Longwood, Heather had said in part, “They’re not here with us today but they are with you, Heavenly Father, with you in the beautiful sky.”

 

She added, “We are here today to bring awareness to what is going on in our foster care system. We’re losing our children.” She added that Crusaders for Children’s Rights was started to advocate for foster children.

 

Heather also advocates for families and victims affected by domestic violence who she alleges sometimes fall between the cracks of family court and housing court.

 

She alleges that, sometimes, when a victim is living (away from her abuser) in a home where repairs are needed, landlords do not always make timely repairs and instead seek to evict the victims and raise the rent once they get them out, even when she said there are laws in place that are supposed to protect such victims.

Lorita Watson of Future of Mosholu Playground, who couldn’t make the luncheon, later said, “I hope it was a lovely event and congratulations to Heather.”

 

Heather was presented with flowers at the luncheon, there was also a special cake made in her honor. Sirio later described Colon as “amazing” and thanked her for “all her love and dedication.”

 

Click here to view a video extract of the event courtesy of Heather Guerino / Guerinos against Graffitti* including other award presentations which took place on the day. Guerinos Against Graffitti* presents its annual Golden Brush award each year to a member of the community who has inspired the group through their advocacy.