Fr. Richard Gressle Upon Reflection…The Nyack Center

Villagers in the Nyacks know something about bridges. We travel over a big one and are watching a bigger one being built in our midst. The Tappan Zee Bridge is an ever present fixture in the village landscape. It is by the bridge that we stay connected to the rest of the State, the country, and, if one watches carefully the license plates of the cars moving on the bridge, we are connected to international travelers as well. This bridge, like all the others, connects people.
 
The Nyack Center is a lot of programs and a lot of volunteer hours, and a lot of work, and, ultimately, a bridge builder.  All of what the center does connects people who would not perhaps normally be together. It is a place for people of good will to share narratives, to help educate, to empower, and to strengthen relationships. For example, I would not have come to know a group of children without the Breakfast Program to provide the bridge. A decade later I see them and we greet one another. What joy! And where would our community go to mourn injustice or to celebrate our freedoms if not the Nyack Center. These passages build bridges between us and with us, and we don't have to worry about pedigree or background, faith community or political party. One just has to show up with a skill or a need, and a bridge is built.
 
So kudos to the other bridge builder of the Nyacks, the Nyack Center, for years of keeping faith in the value of helping people connect, and strengthening the lives of all of us.
 
Fr. Richard Gressle
Grace Episcopal  Church  [ret.]

Nyack Center is celebrating 25 years of service to our community this year. As part of that celebration, every Tuesday for the remaining weeks of 2015, we will share a testimonial that answers the question "Why We Need Nyack Center."  Past and current board members, graduates and participants in our programs, elected officials, non-profit leaders, community members and friends under the guidance of Bill Batson will share their experiences during our 25 years of service.  Bill Batson is an activist, artist, writer and member of Nyack Center's Board of Directors. 

Our 25 Years blog will be part of many special moments and milestones leading up to our 25th Anniversary Legacy Gala on November 14, 2015. The 25 Anniversary Legacy Gala is an elegant event when we honor community leaders who have made a difference in the life of our organization and community. This years Legacy Honorees are Chris & Bert Hughes and Sally & Roger Seiler. The event to benefit Nyack Center’s programs and our Legacy Fund.

We hope you Save the Date and join us November 14 at 7pm for Nyack Center’s 25 Anniversary Legacy Gala. For ticket and journal information go to www.nyackcenter.org

If you are reminded of a story, or a moment, or an event that you would like to share about Nyack Center, please share it as a comment on the blog.

#nyackcenter #everychildmatters #endpoverty

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