NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order Thursday to start the Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships (OFCP).
“Our faith community has gone above and beyond the past two years, working tirelessly to keep our people fed, safe, and healthy, mentally and physically,” said Adams. “It’s past time that the city recognized the critical role they play in uplifting people across our city.”
The office will act as liaison between the city government and faith organizations, as well as religious non-profits.
“This office builds bridges among city government, diverse religious communities, and nonprofit organizations to better serve all New Yorkers,” the mayor’s office said in a press release.
The office will be led by Pastor Gilford Monrose, a long-time confidant and ally of Adams.
Monrose serves as a Faith advisor to the Adams administration and the pastor of Mt. Zion Church of God 7th Day in Flatbush. He was the director of faith and clergy initiatives for the office of the Brooklyn Borough President under Adams.
The new office will be a part of the mayor’s Community Affairs Unit.
“The Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships reminds us that though we may travel on separate paths to our respective houses of worship, there comes a time when we of many faiths must walk together as one family with strength and support for one another,” said Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis. “We are a divided country but spiritually we are a united community.”
George W. Bush started a program called the White House Faith-Based & Community Initiative via executive order in January of 2001. It was designed to give faith organizations and nonprofits direct access to the federal government and federal grants. Adams’ new OFCP seems to emulate that model.
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