With great sadness, BronxWorks shares that our beloved staff member, Rene Ealey, passed away. Rene, a longtime custodian at the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center, had many close friends across the organization and greater BronxWorks community.

Rene frequently went above and beyond her job title, greeting people at reception, working with summer interns, and even taking part in youth events. Rene would often help direct people at the pantry and, most recently, our weekend family program. If you spent just a few minutes with Rene, her personality, quick wit, and unique sense of humor would shine through. Her laugh was contagious, even during the most stressful times of the day, and always maintained her friendly professionalism. Rene always provided service with a smile, and many staff saw her as the glue keeping operations at the community center together.

We send our deepest condolences to her husband and our BronxWorks colleague, Robert, as well as her family, friends, and all our staff who are still devastated by this loss. BronxWorks will strive to honor her legacy.

We asked staff to share some memories of Rene:

John Weed, Assistant Executive Director: Rene was a very dedicated and caring worker.  She worked many years in the early slot at CMCC, opening the building in the mornings. Rene was one of the most reliable staff I knew and could be counted on to always give a helping hand where needed.  Rene was personable and pleasant with both staff and clients alike.  One year, while receiving one of her Years of Service awards, I had the pleasure of standing for pictures with her and she looked so proud to be a BronxWorks employee.  Rene will surely be missed by all of us at BronxWorks.

Julie Spitzer, Department Director, Homelessness Prevention and Access To Benefits: My fondest memory of Renee is how helpful and youthful she was. I remember I used to carry things in to the office from my car, and she would see me struggling and she would snatch it from me and say, “Give it to me before you hurt yourself.” I would say “Rene, you are making me look bad,” and we would both laugh. She would then carry it in with ease.

Kenneth Marshall, Facilities Manager: Rene was a very dedicated employee. She was one person I could rely on who knew the ins and outs of the building. Rene never said no whenever I made a request. Her positive attitude and hard work are what made her great. Rene is sorely missed; we will keep her memory alive.

Daisy Pinero, Food Service Coordinator: My memory of Rene is our early talks in the morning. I would sit in the front desk with her after I start the meals. I would love to bother her about her socks & she would jab at me too. I would kick her out the kitchen, she would say, “I’m leaving, you going to need me!” If I would try to hug her she would run away, yelling at me, laughing. I’m really going to miss her…heartbroken.

With great sadness, BronxWorks shares that our beloved staff member, Rene Ealey, passed away. Rene, a longtime custodian at the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center, had many close friends across the organization and greater BronxWorks community.

Rene frequently went above and beyond her job title, greeting people at reception, working with summer interns, and even taking part in youth events. Rene would often help direct people at the pantry and, most recently, our weekend family program. If you spent just a few minutes with Rene, her personality, quick wit, and unique sense of humor would shine through. Her laugh was contagious, even during the most stressful times of the day, and always maintained her friendly professionalism. Rene always provided service with a smile, and many staff saw her as the glue keeping operations at the community center together.

We send our deepest condolences to her husband and our BronxWorks colleague, Robert, as well as her family, friends, and all our staff who are still devastated by this loss. BronxWorks will strive to honor her legacy.

We asked staff to share some memories of Rene:

John Weed, Assistant Executive Director: Rene was a very dedicated and caring worker.  She worked many years in the early slot at CMCC, opening the building in the mornings. Rene was one of the most reliable staff I knew and could be counted on to always give a helping hand where needed.  Rene was personable and pleasant with both staff and clients alike.  One year, while receiving one of her Years of Service awards, I had the pleasure of standing for pictures with her and she looked so proud to be a BronxWorks employee.  Rene will surely be missed by all of us at BronxWorks.

Julie Spitzer, Department Director, Homelessness Prevention and Access To Benefits: My fondest memory of Renee is how helpful and youthful she was. I remember I used to carry things in to the office from my car, and she would see me struggling and she would snatch it from me and say, “Give it to me before you hurt yourself.” I would say “Rene, you are making me look bad,” and we would both laugh. She would then carry it in with ease.

Kenneth Marshall, Facilities Manager: Rene was a very dedicated employee. She was one person I could rely on who knew the ins and outs of the building. Rene never said no whenever I made a request. Her positive attitude and hard work are what made her great. Rene is sorely missed; we will keep her memory alive.

Daisy Pinero, Food Service Coordinator: My memory of Rene is our early talks in the morning. I would sit in the front desk with her after I start the meals. I would love to bother her about her socks & she would jab at me too. I would kick her out the kitchen, she would say, “I’m leaving, you going to need me!” If I would try to hug her she would run away, yelling at me, laughing. I’m really going to miss her…heartbroken.

Olga R., a grandmother of four and a great-grandmother of six, is a frequent visitor and beloved member of our Heights Older Adult Center, going back as early as 2009. She loves to dance, talk with her friends, do art projects, read, and play BINGO!

In 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, all older adult centers across the Bronx closed. As the centers remained closed, she said, “It was horrible. I felt kidnapped in my own house and I lost mobility.”

The elderly population was among the most heavily affected by the pandemic. Olga recalled, “I had to do my errands alone, like going to the supermarket, looking for medicines at the pharmacy, going to medical appointments. Having to go out scared me a lot, but above all I missed everything I could do in the center. Not being able to go to the center during the pandemic affected me a lot because the center is my only source of entertainment and where I can do different programs that keep me active.” Even after things started to open up, Olga was reluctant to return to the center, isolating herself despite being incredibly active prior to the pandemic.

In 2023, BronxWorks began the Bingocize program. Bingocize is an evidence-based health management program for seniors, based on playing the famous BINGO game beloved by so many while doing easy exercises for the elderly. The program lasted ten weeks. All the seniors who participated at the Heights Bingocize class received certificates of completion at the conclusion of the class.

Olga said of Bingocize, “I have always liked playing BINGO, and combining it with exercises is a great idea. I like that we do exercises and at the same time we play and win prizes. In my case, doing this program helped me feel better physically, and I had a lot of fun. My legs feel stronger and I feel like I can walk faster without getting tired quickly.”

With a newfound interest and fun program to look forward to, Olga is now back to being one of the more active members of the older adult center! In addition to Bingocize, Olga could be found this year handing out flower ribbons at an event recognizing International Women’s Day and dancing with her friends at the end-of-summer senior trip.

“I have my freedom back,” Olga said. “I do many more activities than before and every day I wake up motivated to go to the center and share with others.”

Olga R., a grandmother of four and a great-grandmother of six, is a frequent visitor and beloved member of our Heights Older Adult Center, going back as early as 2009. She loves to dance, talk with her friends, do art projects, read, and play BINGO!

In 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, all older adult centers across the Bronx closed. As the centers remained closed, she said, “It was horrible. I felt kidnapped in my own house and I lost mobility.”

The elderly population was among the most heavily affected by the pandemic. Olga recalled, “I had to do my errands alone, like going to the supermarket, looking for medicines at the pharmacy, going to medical appointments. Having to go out scared me a lot, but above all I missed everything I could do in the center. Not being able to go to the center during the pandemic affected me a lot because the center is my only source of entertainment and where I can do different programs that keep me active.” Even after things started to open up, Olga was reluctant to return to the center, isolating herself despite being incredibly active prior to the pandemic.

In 2023, BronxWorks began the Bingocize program. Bingocize is an evidence-based health management program for seniors, based on playing the famous BINGO game beloved by so many while doing easy exercises for the elderly. The program lasted ten weeks. All the seniors who participated at the Heights Bingocize class received certificates of completion at the conclusion of the class.

Olga said of Bingocize, “I have always liked playing BINGO, and combining it with exercises is a great idea. I like that we do exercises and at the same time we play and win prizes. In my case, doing this program helped me feel better physically, and I had a lot of fun. My legs feel stronger and I feel like I can walk faster without getting tired quickly.”

With a newfound interest and fun program to look forward to, Olga is now back to being one of the more active members of the older adult center! In addition to Bingocize, Olga could be found this year handing out flower ribbons at an event recognizing International Women’s Day and dancing with her friends at the end-of-summer senior trip.

“I have my freedom back,” Olga said. “I do many more activities than before and every day I wake up motivated to go to the center and share with others.”

With great sadness, BronxWorks shares that our beloved and fiercely loyal board member, Emily Menlo Marks, passed away last week at the age of 85. For so many years and in so many ways, Emily made countless contributions to BronxWorks, the communities we serve, and the New York City settlement house community. A New York City native, Emily earned a Bachelor’s degree from Smith College in 1959, a Master’s degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Business, and a certificate from Columbia School of Social Work. Her life of service, leadership, and commitment to community is marked by a long and successful career spent at various organizations, boards, and agencies. Most notably, Emily Menlo Marks was the Executive Director of United Neighborhood Houses (UNH) from 1988-2002. During that time, she revitalized UNH and the settlement house movement. Under her leadership, BronxWorks, then Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), joined the UNH network.

Upon her retirement, Emily became a dedicated member of the BronxWorks Board of Directors and served as the Development Committee Chair, and more recently as the Governance and Nominating Committee Chair. She was passionate about our work and extremely proud of the BronxWorks staff for all of their collective accomplishments and commitment to the BronxWorks mission. Emily was as strong an advocate for the underserved and vulnerable as anyone, and she relished her role as a very active board member. Emily’s impact on the Bronx is immeasurable and we will truly miss her steadfast, invigorated presence.

We send our deepest condolences to all those who she held dear; her family and her countless network of friends and associates. As an organization, BronxWorks will strive to honor her legacy.

In June 2023, we sat down with Emily to discuss her history working in the nonprofit sector and to reflect on 50 years of BronxWorks. Here is a brief excerpt from that interview.

Read Emily Menlo Marks’s full obituary here.

With great sadness, BronxWorks shares that our beloved and fiercely loyal board member, Emily Menlo Marks, passed away last week at the age of 85. For so many years and in so many ways, Emily made countless contributions to BronxWorks, the communities we serve, and the New York City settlement house community. A New York City native, Emily earned a Bachelor’s degree from Smith College in 1959, a Master’s degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Business, and a certificate from Columbia School of Social Work. Her life of service, leadership, and commitment to community is marked by a long and successful career spent at various organizations, boards, and agencies. Most notably, Emily Menlo Marks was the Executive Director of United Neighborhood Houses (UNH) from 1988-2002. During that time, she revitalized UNH and the settlement house movement. Under her leadership, BronxWorks, then Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), joined the UNH network.

Upon her retirement, Emily became a dedicated member of the BronxWorks Board of Directors and served as the Development Committee Chair, and more recently as the Governance and Nominating Committee Chair. She was passionate about our work and extremely proud of the BronxWorks staff for all of their collective accomplishments and commitment to the BronxWorks mission. Emily was as strong an advocate for the underserved and vulnerable as anyone, and she relished her role as a very active board member. Emily’s impact on the Bronx is immeasurable and we will truly miss her steadfast, invigorated presence.

We send our deepest condolences to all those who she held dear; her family and her countless network of friends and associates. As an organization, BronxWorks will strive to honor her legacy.

In June 2023, we sat down with Emily to discuss her history working in the nonprofit sector and to reflect on 50 years of BronxWorks. Here is a brief excerpt from that interview.

Read Emily Menlo Marks’s full obituary here.

Men at BronxWorks Jerome Avenue Men’s Shelter (JAMS) preparing to move into permanent housing took a cooking and nutrition class together led by BronxWorks Community Health Programs.

JAMS is a NYC Department of Homeless Services shelter providing beds to 200 men with mental illness who are experiencing homelessness. The site offers multiple social services to its residents, including housing case management, programming to address mental health and substance abuse issues, and other social activities. Residents can remain at the shelter until they are placed into permanent housing.

The class began with all the residents and staff in attendance sharing their favorite fruits and vegetables and discussing the health benefits of different types of fruits and vegetables. “BronxWorks is committed to food justice for our neighbors,” said Rachel Gill, Director of Community Health Programs at BronxWorks. “Part of addressing food insecurity is providing nutrition education to our neighbors. We wanted the men taking this class to learn not only about the health benefits of vegetables but how to incorporate them into meals that are easy and inexpensive to cook.”

Rachel and her staff, including some SYEP interns, taught the JAMS residents how to make a chicken, broccoli, and pepper stir-fry. The dish incorporated sliced chicken breast as well as fresh broccoli, onion, and bell pepper. In preparing and cooking the dish, Rachel’s staff gave tips on food safety and how to prepare and safely cook all the ingredients.

Ernest J., a resident preparing to move into permanent housing soon, is a former chef. He really appreciated the class, saying, “There’s a lot to it. They’re teaching us how to be able to prepare a meal for ourselves once we’re home. I also appreciate them teaching us important food safety techniques like not leaving chicken on the counter all day. A lot of us didn’t know that sort of thing growing up.”

Like Ernest, all the men in the class were getting ready to move out of the shelter and into permanent housing within the next couple months. Joshua R., another shelter resident planning to move into his own apartment soon, was grateful for the class. “I liked learning how you can use parts from the broccoli that we cut off and use it to make soups,” he said. “This class will definitely help me when I move out.”

For taking part in this class, each of the men will receive a set of pots and pans and a bag of groceries to bring with them to their new housing. The grocery bag will contain all of the items that were used in the recipe.

“It’s good that y’all are doing this,” said another resident. “This is a huge help.”

Men at BronxWorks Jerome Avenue Men’s Shelter (JAMS) preparing to move into permanent housing took a cooking and nutrition class together led by BronxWorks Community Health Programs.

JAMS is a NYC Department of Homeless Services shelter providing beds to 200 men with mental illness who are experiencing homelessness. The site offers multiple social services to its residents, including housing case management, programming to address mental health and substance abuse issues, and other social activities. Residents can remain at the shelter until they are placed into permanent housing.

The class began with all the residents and staff in attendance sharing their favorite fruits and vegetables and discussing the health benefits of different types of fruits and vegetables. “BronxWorks is committed to food justice for our neighbors,” said Rachel Gill, Director of Community Health Programs at BronxWorks. “Part of addressing food insecurity is providing nutrition education to our neighbors. We wanted the men taking this class to learn not only about the health benefits of vegetables but how to incorporate them into meals that are easy and inexpensive to cook.”

Rachel and her staff, including some SYEP interns, taught the JAMS residents how to make a chicken, broccoli, and pepper stir-fry. The dish incorporated sliced chicken breast as well as fresh broccoli, onion, and bell pepper. In preparing and cooking the dish, Rachel’s staff gave tips on food safety and how to prepare and safely cook all the ingredients.

Ernest J., a resident preparing to move into permanent housing soon, is a former chef. He really appreciated the class, saying, “There’s a lot to it. They’re teaching us how to be able to prepare a meal for ourselves once we’re home. I also appreciate them teaching us important food safety techniques like not leaving chicken on the counter all day. A lot of us didn’t know that sort of thing growing up.”

Like Ernest, all the men in the class were getting ready to move out of the shelter and into permanent housing within the next couple months. Joshua R., another shelter resident planning to move into his own apartment soon, was grateful for the class. “I liked learning how you can use parts from the broccoli that we cut off and use it to make soups,” he said. “This class will definitely help me when I move out.”

For taking part in this class, each of the men will receive a set of pots and pans and a bag of groceries to bring with them to their new housing. The grocery bag will contain all of the items that were used in the recipe.

“It’s good that y’all are doing this,” said another resident. “This is a huge help.”