As a life-long resident, born raised, and educated in East Harlem/El Barrio, I’ve been a committed liaison and community activist as well as an advocate on various needs on housing, economic, education, social justice, and health for the ever-changing cultural fabric of East Harlem.

I have been working for the 116th Street Block Association, Inc., a community-based organization located in East Harlem for the past 21 years, and advanced to Executive Director a position I have maintained with fervor for the past 20 years.

I have extensive experience in the community with business retention, economic development, and housing development; creating affordable (low income) housing opportunities in East Harlem for multicultural families and senior citizens leveraging over 18 million dollars invested into securing housing choice vouchers and section 8 based units. Work with assisting the formerly incarcerated with access to services as returning citizens so that they can have an opportunity to regain possession of their lives and change stigmatism. Continuously, I have spearheaded with community leaders, organizations, agencies, and institutions in creating opportunities and securing effective city and state services for our neighborhood.
During the Corona Virus Pandemic shelter in place, I was able to secure food service delivery and food pantry packages and PPE in partnership with elected officials, local and pantry organizations, museum institutions, restaurants, and local community garden members with the help of volunteers for the residents of the community, this service is continuous.
In addition, I coordinated the food pantry (funded by FEMA administrated under Catholic Charities) servicing families and individuals in need.

I served as a catechist, teaching religious faith to the youth, as well as formed and coordinated a youth group for the underserved young people and managed a haven environment sponsored by local businesses. These valued efforts resulted in food assistance programs, recreational programs, and extracurricular activities after school.

Finally, I was actively working with the Sisters of Charity Elizabeth Ann Seton with victims and survivors of Domestic Violence, PLWA/HIV fostering spiritual renewal for self-improvement and empowerment. My work with victims and survivors of Domestic Violence is a personal passion for me.

My work and life experience has been so diverse; it gives me pleasure to see the benefits of individuals positively impacted by the undaunted gift of personal community service.

Current member of boards

Manhattan Community Board 11

Member of the City Properties Land Use/Zoning, Housing and Oversight Committees

Served in the Executive committee as Vice Treasurer, former Chair of the following committees- Land Use, Landmark and Zoning, Housing Committee and Senior Citizen Committee 

Served on Committees of Youth and Education, By Laws, Liquor License Taskforce and Economic Development 

Mt. Sinai Hospital Community Advisory Board-member

New Leaf Coalition- Treasurer

James Weldon Johnson Resident Association- Executive Board member- Secretary

Young Bucks Sports-Member

 Keep Rising to the Top 3 (KRT3)- member-Treasurer (2014-Present)

Former Board Member 

Henry J. Carter Specialty Hospital-member

Metropolitan Hospital Community Advisory Board 

Executive committee as Secretary and Treasurer

Chaired Patient Care and Finance committees

Awarded the Marjorie Matthews Award

Andrew Draper Academy Elementary School (Rename- Mosaic Prep)

Elected Title 1 Parent Representative (2005-2007)

Student Leadership Team (SLT) (2005-2007)

Mujeres del Barrio/Women of El Barrio(one of the Co-Founders)

East Harlem Chamber of Commerce

Aside from my community involvement I am currently a County Committee member, alternate Judicial Delegate and have served eight terms as elected female Democratic District Leader for the 68^th Assembly District- Part B (96^th Street First Ave. (part of First Ave.) to 125^th Street Park Ave)

Served as a Judicial Delegate and Democratic Presidential Delegate for the 2004 Presidential Campaign (Kerry/Edwards)

Media and Articles and Awards

Carmen Villegas Community Service Award-Ascendent

 Certificate of Achievement – NYS Senator Bill Perkins

Community Activist- VAC/Veteran Action Group, Inc

Herspanic Community Service Recognition Award-East Harlem Chamber of Commerce

Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition-Congress Charles B. Rangel

Women of Service Award

Community Service Award-El Teatro Moderno Puertorriqueno, Inc

Shero Community Award- Council member Inez Dickens & Assemblymember Keith Wright

Community Service Recognition citation- City Council member Melissa Mark-Viverito

Community Service Award- Progress, Inc.

Featured in the NY Times as a role model community activist contributing to the Go Green Cook book published by then Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer input and recipes from community leaders, businesses and residents  forever developing healthy cooking and eating as part of the fabric of New York City.

NY 1 – Featured as New Yorker of the week for the East Harlem Gas Explosion- During the gas explosion at 116^th Park Ave. -provided warm meals and extended late hours services for the residents impacted and/or displaced from their apartments due to the explosion.