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Executive Committee Members:

  • Internal Chair: Secretary Robert Rodriguez
  • President: Reverend A.R. Bernard (Christian Cultural Center - New School of Biblical Theology)
  • Jennifer Jones Austin (CEO Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies)
  • Rabbi Deborah Bravo. (Founder, Rabbi Makom NY)
  • Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum. (Senior Rabbi Congregation Beit Simchat Torah)
  • Maury Litwack. (Managing Director Orthodox Union)
  • Monsignor Kevin Sullivan (Executive Director Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese. of New York)
  • Pastor Darius Pridgen (Senior Servant True Bethel Baptist Church)
  • Reverend Kia Brooks
  • Reverend Dr. Franklyn Richardson (Senior Pastor Grace Baptist Church Mount Vernon , New York)
  • Bishop Frank White (Zion Cathedral COGIC)
  • Reverend John Carter. (Abundant Life Christian Church
  • Imam Mansoor Rafiq.
  • Bishop Raymond Rivera (President/Founder of the Latino Pastoral Action Center, and the Council of Holistic Christian Churches and Ministries)
  • Reverend Dr. Malcolm J. Byrd
  • Pastor Carl Washington, Jr. (Dr Carl L Washington Jr. Pastor New Mount Zion BC, Harlem New York Dean National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, NBC USA INC)
  • Reverend Dr. Johnnie Green (Senior Pastor of Mount Neboh BC - Harlem President of MPAC-NYC)
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Building Stronger Communities

The Interfaith Council is a diverse group of clergy from across the state, who believe in the collaboration of Faith and State to bring the necessary services and resources to our respective communities. We embrace interfaith dialogue and cooperation and the power of collective effort in addressing the social issues challenging the most vulnerable in our state.
 
Our vision is to create a model for interfaith dialogue, cooperation and strategic partnership with government. The Executive Committee, also a diverse representation of faiths from across the State of New York, is a focus group for government and a vehicle to facilitate dialogue and cooperation amongst clergy.
 
Specifically, the Council’s role is the engagement of our governor, pertinent agencies and authorities throughout the year as it pertains to:
 
1.  Funding and Grants
2.  Partnerships for Community Programs
3.  Understanding Tax Exempt Status 
4.  Capacity Building and Training
5.  Policy and Practice Education
6.  Safety and Security Measures
7.  Facilitating Volunteerism
8.  Technical and Legal Assistance
9.  Affordable Housing and Community Development
10. Infrastructure Support
 
We solicit your prayers as we continue to build the Council and support the development of The Office of Faith and Non-Profit Development Services.

Support for State Grant Opportunities

The Governor has committed over $1 million for technical support and services to assist our houses of worship and non-profit organizations in obtaining state grants. With the collaboration of the Advisory Council and Faith Office, we will work together to identify grant opportunities, connect state agencies to communities in need and provide the technical support for those new and old to the RFP and grant process. The State provides an array of grants in areas including but not limited to affordable housing and development, responding to bias and prevention of hate crimes, access to quality health and mental care, tackling maternal and infant mortality, agriculture and public safety.