Uncategorized

See this story at TimesLedger.com.

By Naeisha Rose

TimesLedger Newspapers

Just 26 years old, the newly elected state Assemblyman Daniel Rosenthal (D-Flushing) announced Tuesday he will jump right into tackling issues plaguing his community by joining five committees in the 2018 legislative session. He will join the Aging, Insurance, the Labor, Real Property Taxation and Social Services committees.

“It is truly exciting to be able to serve on committees that will help deliver essential services to my district and better the lives of all New Yorkers,” he said. “I look forward to getting to work on these committees and getting results for my constituents.”

Rosenthal, who represents the 27th Assembly District for residents in Kew Garden Hills, Kew Gardens, Electchester, Pomonok, College Point, Whitestone, Briarwood, Richmond Hill and Forest Hills, was sworn in as the new assemblyman on Nov. 16 after winning a special election on Nov. 7 to replace Michael Simanowitz, who died two months earlier.

Days after being sworn in he had announced the focus of his administration and legislation from his office would be on ensuring fair wages for working families, funding community schools and increasing public heath awareness, according to his office.

“I am honored to serve the people of the 27th Assembly District,” Rosenthal said. “Whether it is advocating for constituent needs, fighting to fund essential services, or sponsoring legislation to help families, my office will be on the front lines assisting our community. I look forward to hitting the ground running and getting to work for my constituents.”

Rosenthal’s office said he wants to use his membership in those committees to be a voice for minority and women-owned businesses, to help seniors in his district, discuss property tax reform and to make sure New Yorkers are insured and have the social services they need.

His office said it would be advocating for the increase of minority and women-owned enterprises in College Point and Kew Gardens as well as finding a fair and equitable solution to property tax reform throughout the city and maintaining protections for middle class families in the Electchester Houses.

With the senior population growing and becoming more diverse, he wants senior centers in his district to not only reflect diversity, but also to make sure the elderly are well cared for at these spots and at Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities.

He will be joining the fight to fully fund NORCs, a building or neighborhood where a substantial number of the residents happen to be 60 years old or more, according to nyc.gov. He also wants to make sure the aging community receives the essential services they need.

With the impending Congressional Tax Plan targeting the Affordable Care Act’s Individual Mandate, which he believes could possibly leave New York state with a $4 billion deficit in the upcoming budget, he hopes to fight and make sure New Yorkers receive the social services and proper medical coverage to which are entitled.

Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4573.

Comment on this story.

Source: Times Ledger

See this story at TimesLedger.com.

By Nicholas Diunte

TimesLedger Newspapers

Imagine a great Sunday Italian feast, only this time with 100 members of your extended family and at the helm sits the incomparable Bobby Valentine. For those in attendance last week at Carmine’s in Brooklyn, this epic gathering was a reality, led by the former New York Mets manager in support of the Italian American Baseball Foundation.

Valentine sat elated at the head of the table as the foundation’s guest of honor during their second annual fund-raiser Dec. 7. As he stepped to the stage to accept his award, the recognition humbled the usually boastful Valentine.

“I have goosebumps right now receiving an award that I’m probably not even worthy of,” Valentine said.

The 67-year-old Valentine, who is currently the athletic director at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, dazzled the crowd with the story of how his luck began when his grandparents emigrated from Italy to Ellis Island on the same boat and settled in Stamford, where he built his legendary athletic career.

His standout prowess in three varsity sports at Rippowam High School led the Los Angeles Dodgers to select him with their first-round draft pick in 1968. He described how his fortunate journey continued with the guidance of a prominent Italian-American baseball luminary that developed into a five-decade friendship.

“When I got off the plane after signing as a No. 1 draft choice, the guy who picked me up at the airport was the rookie league manager,” Valentine recalled. “He said to me, ‘Hey, I don’t like you because you’re Italian, I like you because I’m Italian!’ I played for that guy in 1968 in rookie ball at Ogden, Utah. I was just with him at his 90th birthday party at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California. That guy has been a lifelong friend, Tommy Lasorda.”

While Valentine captured the hearts and minds of those in attendance with his tremendous display of pride for his Italian-American heritage, a new wave of Italians in Major League Baseball was making their pitch to carry on the tradition, including current New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo.

Nimmo played for Team Italy during the 2017 World Baseball Classic, causing him to dig deep into his roots to verify his eligibility. Suiting up for Team Italy after officials confirmed his maternal great-grandparents’ birth certificates, Nimmo has enjoyed the backing he has received from a new legion of fans.

“It’s been a blast just getting to go back into my mom’s heritage,” Nimmo said. “It opened up a different part of me that people didn’t know about. It brought in a different fan base and a whole new support system, so I’m very thankful for that.”

The fresh-faced outfielder was all smiles throughout the entire evening, receiving a genuine Brooklyn welcome from supporters of the IABF. He stayed until the close of the event, graciously posing for photos with seemingly every member of his newly minted extended family.

“This is why I’m here because these people are amazing; it’s a family atmosphere,” he said. “Just being able to play with Team Italy and support other people getting into baseball and to help get an academy over there in Italy is awesome. Any way that we can grow the game and bring people closer together and bring this family atmosphere anywhere we can, I’m all for it.”

Valentine was eager to welcome the likes of Nimmo, as well as Mets farmhands L.J. Mazzilli and J.J. Franco, who were also at the event, as the next wave of the members of the Italian-American baseball family that will carry on a rich tradition within the sport. He expressed the utmost confidence that both the game and the growth of the IABF are secure in their hands.

“I’m here to tell you that we’re going to have a great dinner and that this dinner will live on for many years,” Valentine said. “Players like Brandon Nimmo, who are just coming into their own, guys like J.J. Franco and L.J. Mazzilli are going to allow this organization not only to prosper, but to be an organic growing, living culture of Italian and American baseball. I believe that in my heart.”

Comment on this story.

Source: Times Ledger

See this story at TimesLedger.com.

TimesLedger Newspapers

Film

The Princess Bride — A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a long separation and save her. They must battle the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited with each other.

When: Saturday, Dec. 16, and Sunday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Where: Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria

Cost: $15

Contact: (718) 784-0077

Website: www.movingimage.us

The Muppet Christmas Carol — The Dickens classic is recast with Muppets, including Gonzo as Charles Dickens, Kermit at Bob Cratchit, and Fozzie Bear as Fozziewig. This faithful adaptation is as full of Christmas spirit as the original.

When: Saturday, Dec. 16, and Sunday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m.

Where: Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria

Cost: $15

Contact: (718) 784-0077

Website: www.movingimage.us

Events

Tinker Fest and Holiday Tree Lighting — The home of inventor and son of fugitive slaves, Latimer House Museum invites the community to participate in its annual holiday event.

When: Saturday, Dec. 16, from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Where: Lewis H. Latimer House Museum

Contact: (718) 961-8585

Holiday Cookies and Crafts — Stop by the Castle for a walk-in workshop. Families are invited to craft delightful decorations celebrating the winter season. Hot cocoa and cookies will be served, and Santa will be making a guest appearance.

When: Saturday, Dec. 16, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Bayside Historical Society

Cost: $5 per child; $15 maximum per family

Contact: (718) 352-1548

Ninth Annual Jackson Heights Winter Caroling Stroll — Continue the tradition and join the group of the 9th Annual Jackson Heights Winter Caroling Stroll. Santa hats and seasonal costumes are welcomed and encourages. Bring a well-protected candle, lantern or flashlight to guide your way. Acoustic instruments and jingle bells are needed. Dress warmly.

When: Saturday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m.

Where: Meet in front of Cassidy’s Ale House

Contact: www.facebook.com/events/1426636640904001

Chanukah Festival — Celebrate the Festival of Lights with inflatables, games, arts and crafts, face painting, science experiments and more. Snacks will be for sale. Every child receives a holiday surprise.

When: Sunday, Dec. 17, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Central Queens Y, Forest Hills

Contact: (718) 268-5011

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens Candlelight Service — Celebrate December holidays across the religious and cultural spectrum. Listen to music of the season, performed by the UUCQ Choir with Music Director Jed Levine, and join in with congregational singing. The last musical selection will involve everyone singing as each person passes a flame from their candle to another. Rev. James Macomber will deliver a message of warmth, joy and renewal that is inclusive of all.

When: Sunday, Dec. 17, at 4 p.m.

Where: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens

Contact: (718) 353-3860

Website: www.uucq.org

Music

Queens College Choral Society Concert — The group will perform Mozart’s “Requiem” and “1001 Voices: A Symphony for a New America” in concert, conducted by director James John.

When: Saturday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m.

Where: Queens College (Colden Auditorium)

Cost: $20

Contact: (718) 793-8080

Website: www.kupferbergcenter.org.

Oratorio Society of Queens Holiday Concert — The Oratorio Society of Queens performs selections from Handel’s “Messiah,” as well as traditional Christmas favorites and Hanukkah songs. OSQ will perform with its 125-plus member chorus under the direction of Maestro David Close with featured soloists Jennifer Gliere, soprano; Byron Singleton, tenor; Vaughn Fritts, bass-baritone; guest artist Cantor Jerry Korobow; and OSQ’s orchestra, the Orchestral Arts Ensemble of Queens.

When: Sunday, Dec. 17, at 4 p.m.

Where: Queensborough Performing Arts Center

Cost: $35 advance sale; $40 day of; $30 for seniors 62 and older and students with ID; $10 for children 12 and under (accompanied by an adult)

Contact: (718) 279-3006

Classical Christmas — Presented by the Queensboro Symphony Orchestra, the new concert series debuts with Christmas carols such as “O Holy Night,” “Brandenburg Concerto No. 4,” and more.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m.

Where: Moakyang Presbyterian Church, Whitestone

Contact: (646) 957-1241

Cost: Free

Comment on this story.

Source: Times Ledger

See this story at TimesLedger.com.

By Gina Martinez

TimesLedger Newspapers

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) is urging the Office of Management and Budget to revise its data collection standards for a more accurate 2020 Census.

According to Meng, OMB officials should review outdated federal standards for data collection before the Census Bureau submits final questions for the 2020 Census to Congress by March 31. Any changes to federal data collection standards would have to be made now to allow the Census Bureau sufficient time to respond.

Meng said research shows that shifting from a two-question approach on race and ethnicity to a one-question approach would improve data collection and lead to more reliable and more accurate results. She believes OMB should adopt this approach so that government at all levels can better serve every community. She pointed out that data concerning race and ethnicity are used in everything from how federal resources are allocated to the distribution of congressional seats.

Meng is asking that OMB to implement a single, comprehensive question on race and ethnicity within its Statistical Policy Directive No. 15. As a Queens congresswoman.

The Flushing congresswoman is part of the delegation that represents the country’s most ethnically diverse county.

She contends that Census Bureau research shows that a single, comprehensive question leads to much better data collection than the current two-question approach that first asks a question about Hispanic ethnicity, followed by a second question on racial identification.

The research shows a mismatch between Latino identification and the current Census question sequence and race categories. According to the research, over 43 percent of Latinos chose “Some other race” or did not answer the race question in the 2010 decennial Census.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders also face mismatches with self-identification as the current two-question approach only includes listed race categories of “Asian Indian” and “Other Asian” with an option to write in a more specific race.

There are also concerns that the upcoming Census, which for the first time will be done mostly online, will lead to inaccuracies.

In 2015, the Census performed an extensive evaluation of the content of the Census questionnaire and tested the traditional two-question approach to race and ethnicity compared to the one-question approach that asked for both racial and Hispanic ethnicity identification through a single question. The single question was found to be the most optimal question format to gather data, Meng said.

In a letter to Mick Mulvaney, the director of OMB, Meng stressed the importance of the accuracy of Census data, which supports the allocation of over $600 billion of federal funds annually.

“It is imperative that all populations are accurately represented in Census data to minimize the burden to the government of producing statistical knowledge and to ensure all Americans receive their fair share of the important resources that will be allocated with the 2020 Census data.

Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmartinez@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4566.

Comment on this story.

Source: Times Ledger

See this story at TimesLedger.com.

By Naeisha Rose

TimesLedger Newspapers

Terrorism, education and mental patients were some of the issues on the agenda for the last Community Board 13 meeting of 2017 Monday night in Bellerose.

The meeting took place at the Assembly of God Church, located at 240-15 Hillside Ave., just over 12 hours after Bengali terror suspect Akayed Ullah, 27, failed to detonate a pipe bomb strapped to him while he was in a pedestrian walkway under the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Capt. Kevin Chan of the 105th Precinct gave board members, civic leaders, residents and Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman (D-Springfield Gardens) a rundown on what happened in Manhattan that morning.

“He exploded pretty much,” Chan said. “He was taken to the hospital and this happened around 7:20 a.m.”

Later Chan listed the items Ullah allegedly used to make the bomb.

“It was made out of Christmas tree light bulbs, small batteries, zip ties, sugar and Velcro,” Chan said.

The captain said there were only three injured, including the accused bomber, but he reminded everyone at the meeting how to respond to suspicious activity when they are on the subway.

“If you see something, say something because we have to work together, hand-to-hand,” Chan said.

During the meeting, Hyndman expressed her worries for about a backlash against the Muslim, South Asian and Bengali communities because of Ullah’s actions.

“I think it is important to reach out to our South Asian and especially our Bengali communities and let them know we stand strong with them,” Hyndman said. “Queens is the most diverse place on the planet, so we have to make sure our Muslim brothers and sisters aren’t subjected to any form of hate crime.”

Throughout the evening education was also brought up.

Many civic leaders who have visited the schools in southeast Queens and are a part of the school boards and parent-teacher associations meetings were happy with the progress those institutions were making.

Learning that Martin Van Buren High School was off the struggling schools’ list as of Dec. 1 brought smiles to the civic leaders in the room.

Hyndman, who is an IS 109 alum, announced the middle school in Queens Village would be one of the first intermediary institutions in School District 29 to have classes for exceptional students.

“I am proud to announce IS 109 would have the first districtwide gifted and talented program for sixth to eighth graders starting fall of 2018,” she said.

The mood changed in the church, however, as civic leader after civic leader mentioned the quality-of-life issues that have become more pressing because of outpatients from Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens Village roaming throughout southeast and eastern Queens and disturbing residents.

“In the past year and a half there have been problems with the patients of Creedmoor,” said Bobby Sher, the board president of Bell Park Manor Terrace Civic Association.

According to Sher and the other civic leaders, the patients have been walking onto residents’ property and sometimes leaving it in disarray, panhandling, harassing the elderly and defecating near dining establishments and homes.

Many of the civic leaders blamed Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s policies to deinstitutionalize mental patients by calling them outpatients, which means they can come and go from Creedmoor and other hospitals as they please, according to the civic leaders.

“It’s very sad, because technically they were inpatients, but because of a whole political thing with Gov. Cuomo they are now outpatients,” Sher said. “They are sent out in the street after breakfast…what are they supposed to do and where are they supposed to go?”

Sher hopes that a stronger police presence at the hospital could ameliorate the situation until a better and permanent solution to handling the patients is found..

Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4573.

Comment on this story.

Source: Times Ledger

See this story at TimesLedger.com.

By Tammy Scileppi

TimesLedger Newspapers

The baroque period – from around 1600 to 1750 – was an interesting time.

A music revolution was underway in Europe. You could say it was like the rock ‘n roll revolution of the sixties when the Beatles took America by storm.

During that musical renaissance, non-religious and instrumental century music exploded on the scene after the church released its grip, and folks could now enjoy concertos, sonatas and operas written by composers like Bach, Vivaldi and Handel, who were the superstars of that enlightened time.

Other Baroque creatives sought the limelight as well. Born in Paris into a family of artists, French composer Jean-François Dandrieu was a gifted child who became a well-known harpsichordist and organist. He gave his first public performance at age 5, when he entertained and delighted France’s King Louis XIV with his harpsichord.

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber became best known as a composer of violin works. Some say he was rather avant-garde for his time. If you listen to his Vivaldi-like works, you’ll find that they are both relaxing and energizing.

Over in Milan, Italy, Giovanni Sammartini – widely regarded as “the father of the symphony” – was that city’s most famous composer back in the 18th century, and creating awesome chamber music was his thing.

This Saturday evening, you can enjoy his revival-worthy sounds and relax to heavenly works written by Dandrieu, Biber, and others, to celebrate the season, that will be authentically performed by The Queens Consort.

This temporary escape from reality will take place in an intimate candlelit concert setting at St. Marks Church, located at 33-50 82nd St. in Jackson Heights. This is the group’s third “Music for Yuletide” concert, as they are currently in their third season.

Two local musicians have made such unique experiences possible, and it all started with their passion for early music.

First violinist Claire Smith Bermingham, is a Jackson Heights resident. She plays Baroque Violin and performs with Sunnyside-based Baroque violist Margret Hjaltested. The two friends made their joint vision a reality when they founded The Queens Consort in 2015.

“We love our audiences and appreciate their support,” said Bermingham, who is joined by other professional city musicians in the group, who also play instruments that were used during the baroque period. Dan McCarthy, Baroque Violin; Anneke Schaul-Yoder, Baroque Cello; Aya Hamada, Harpsichord.

“I choose the repertoire for our concerts based on studies I am doing on certain composers and based upon things I see on my travels that inspire me to want to explore certain composers and compositions in more depth, and to find musical connections between them,” Bermingham said.

“We find pieces of music that were written in the Baroque era to celebrate the season and perform them on period instruments and in period style, so that people can feel closer to the music as it was originally written and played.”

As the first early music ensemble for the borough, The Queens Consort has managed to skillfully adopt and share the flavor of that special period in musical history with modern day audiences, who are curious and wish to find out more about early composers and their works.

“While I play and enjoy a wide variety of styles of music from different periods and regions, playing early music is my greatest musical joy. I feel deeply connected to the music of this period and I greatly enjoy looking at a manuscript, free from later editorial markings, trying to find the original intention of the composer and give it new life for an audience,” said Bermingham.

“I love researching the history behind the works we program and finding the musical connections between the composers and pieces chosen.”

What better way to celebrate the holiday season than with beautiful, almost otherworldly, music from a bygone era? Concert-goers can enjoy wine and food (in the Parish Hall) during the festive reception, which follows the “Music for Yuletide” performance.

“The holidays for me have always been about family, and also about music. I have lived far away from my family for all of my adult life in order to pursue my musical career. But I do travel home each year at the holidays. But the way I celebrate and connect with the season is through music,” Bermingham said.

“I love creating the “Music for Yuletide” programs for the people of Queens, and the fact that I get to play it with my close friends is very rewarding to me.”

Early music lovers can look forward to upcoming concerts in the spring: March 24 at 7 pm – Musica Reginae Concert Series – “Dance Music for the Sun King” at Church in the Gardens, Forest Hills.

And on April 28 at 7 pm – “The Arne Project” at St. Mark’s Church. “This is a special concert and we have done much fundraising work to produce it. We are bringing a musicologist and scholar, Dr. Paul Rice, down from Memorial University in Newfoundland, to discuss the historical context around little-known cantatas of English Baroque composer, Thomas Arne. These pieces will be Queens and North American premieres of the works which were written in the 18th century,” Bermingham noted.

“It promises to be a marvelous experience for our audiences to be the first North Americans to hear these engaging works.”

Comment on this story.

Source: Times Ledger

See this story at TimesLedger.com.

By Mark Hallum

TimesLedger Newspapers

A former Bayside substitute teacher has pleaded guilty to attempting to lure a 14-year-old girl into performing oral sex in exchange for $500 in an undercover police sting, the Queens district attorney said.

Christopher Tselios, 29, appeared Monday before Queens Supreme Court Justice Richard Buchter and accepted blame on a four-count indictment for an attempted criminal sexual act, attempt to disseminate indecent material to minors, attempt to patronize a prostitute and attempt to endanger the welfare of a child.

“The defendant has admitted to trying to meet an underage teenager for sex and will now go to jail for his actions. This case underscores the crucial importance of internet surveillance by law enforcement to protect children from sexual predators,” Brown said.

“This case, and the many others my office has prosecuted over the years, should serve as a warning to parents that they must closely monitor their children’s internet activities. Despite the numerous publicized arrests for exactly this type of behavior, sexual predators continue to relentlessly troll the internet for victims. Do not let your child become one of them.”

Tselios was a substitute teacher with the city Department of Education until 2015 and claimed to be planning a permanent relocation to South Korea to teach kindergarten. The Queens DA said the South Korean Consulate was notified to prevent the suspect from traveling to their country without knowledge of his legal standing in the United States.

After being forced to surrender his passport at the time of his arraignment, Tselios was released from custody in August 2016 after making a $50,000 bail. But he will be sentenced to three months in jail, 10 years on probation and will be ordered to register as a sex offender at his sentencing on Feb. 8, the DA said.

“This case underscores the crucial importance of Internet surveillance initiative by law enforcement to protect children from sexual predators,” Brown said when charges were brought up against Tselios in August 2016.

An NYPD vice detective posing as an underage teenage girl responded to a Craigslist post looking for “fun with a teen or younger,” the DA’s office said. The suspect responded and explicitly asked for the girl’s age and as the conversation progressed the suspect was sent photos of a female undercover officer, according to the DA.

Tselios set up a meeting with the girl he believed to be only 14 years old at a Forest Hills eatery with the rendezvous planned for 11 p.m., the DA said.

The undercover female officer depicted in the photos was waiting with other officers for Tselios to arrive and when he did, according to the DA, they took him into custody, finding $500 in his possession.

Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhallum@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4564.

Comment on this story.

Source: Times Ledger

See this story at TimesLedger.com.

By Bill Parry

TimesLedger Newspapers

A Corona woman who survived a harrowing ordeal at the hands of human traffickers was honored with a prestigious national award for her international advocacy on behalf of other women trapped in the world of sex slavery. Shandra Woworuntu, 41, was named the 2017 L’Oreal Paris Woman of Worth National Honoree at a star-studded ceremony at Manhattan’s Pierre Hotel last week for founding the Astoria-based Mentari USA, a non-profit which has helped hundreds of victims reintegrate into society by offering them resources, education and mentoring.

“Honestly, I don’t like awards and I just want to be me out of the spotlight, but this means so much to our organization and really puts it on the map,” Woworuntu said. “To become a national honoree means my dedication to my organization is now unstoppable. This award provides a much greater platform for my mission. I dedicate my life to these women so they can be independent survivors and contribute to society and not be dependent on public welfare.”

Woworuntu’s personal odyssey began in her native Indonesia in 1998 as a 21-year-old, college-educated financial analyst who lost her job in the Asian banking crisis and needed a job to care for her daughter. With no options available, she answered an ad for a six-month seasonal waitressing job in Chicago that required an initial $3,000 employment fee promising to pay $5,000 per month and cover food and living expenses. The job offer was a hoax.

Woworuntu traveled to the United States in 2001, landing instead at JFK International Airport where she was met by a Malaysian man named Johnny, who took all of her documents and passport and led her to a car which took her to Flushing and eventually a brothel in Brooklyn, where a few hours after her arrival in the United States she was forced to have sex.

For more than five months Woworuntu was transported from brothel to brothel along the I-95 corridor as a sex slave nicknamed “Candy” with other girls from Indonesia, Thailand, China and Malaysia always under the threat of violence and forced to take drugs and alcohol.

“When I look back at my life during that time, it wasn’t so hard because I had an inner strength,” Woworuntu explained. “I knew I was not a prostitute. I was a victim, and people must understand the difference. The problem is people see trafficked women as prostitutes, and they see prostitutes not as victims but as criminals. I was always planning an escape, but the opportunities were rare.”

Later that year, Woworuntu jumped from the window of a Sunset Park brothel in Brooklyn with another woman and sought help from the NYPD and the Indonesian consulate to no avail. Homeless, she often slept in the subways or on the Staten Island Ferry until a sailor from Ohio met her in a Brooklyn park, fed her, listened to her story and called the FBI. Federal agents smashed the human trafficking ring and eventually delivered Woworuntu to Safe Horizon, a non-profit that provided her with resources to get a job and shelter while she stayed in the United States to testify against her captors, a process that took years.

She was reunited with her daughter in 2004, married and had a son, but her husband turned out to be abusive and the marriage ended in divorce. Woworuntu found a home in Corona near Junction Boulevard but she would have flashbacks and required counseling.

In 2014 she founded Mentari, which is defined as “The Sun” in Indonesian, which teaches survivors the culinary arts with a professional chef and provides other employable skills. Nearly 200 survivors have found employment and independence since.

“Each night I distribute literature and female hygiene products beneath the 7 line in Corona, Elmhurst and Jackson Heights. Sometimes I go to Main Street in Flushing,” Woworuntu said. “You find these women everywhere and I try to coax them out of the shadows and into the sunlight. Many are victims who don’t even know they are victims and they need help desperately.”

She also became politically active as a lobbyist testifying at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on behalf of the National Survivor Network and in 2015 President Barack Obama appointed Woworuntu as a member of the U.S. Advisory Council on human trafficking.

When she accepted her award Dec. 6, she was cheered by the likes of Eva Longoria, Andie MacDowell, Ariana Huffington and Gayle King.

“I was amazed and I was crying because I had no idea there would be so many powerful women there,” Woworuntu said.

She was also awarded $35,000 to support her cause.

“That will be very helpful because so many of our clients are homeless and right now they can use our help,” Woworuntu said.

For more information on Mentari’s programs call (929) 354-3000 or visit Mentariusa.org.

Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4538.

Comment on this story.

Source: Times Ledger