Are you a park volunteer or supporter in Staten Island? Join us for our annual Staten Island Parks Connections to mix and mingle with community leaders and NYC Parks staff in your borough. At this networking event and workshop, discover strategic ways to recruit volunteers and keep them engaged. Whether you’re a first time or seasoned volunteer, enjoy a free brunch and good company as we celebrate the community of Staten Island park advocates and work to make it stronger!

Topics Include: 

• A rundown of the latest resources and staff here to support you
• Characteristics of a thriving park group
• Tips on keeping volunteers motivated and engaged
• Inspiration from active & experienced community leaders

Featured Speakers: 

• Joseph Homsey, Chief of Staff to the Borough Commissioner, NYC Parks

Joseph Homsey, a native Staten Islander, has worked for NYC Parks in a variety of positions for the past six years ranging from enforcement to outreach. He is currently serving as chief of staff to the Staten Island borough commissioner. In his role, Joe works with community groups, park patrons, and elected officials to assist the administration in creating and maintaining City parkland in Staten Island, proudly known as the Borough of Parks.

• MK Moore, Chair, New York – New Jersey Trail Conference Metro Region

Mk Moore is the Chair for the New York – New Jersey Trail Conference Metro Region, which builds and protects trails across all five boroughs.  He has supported NYC “Friends Of” groups across the city helping them to organize, bolster their membership, and tap into available resources. Mk is currently the President of the Friends of Forest Park, and helped establish the Friends of Alley Pond Park just last year. 

• Stefanie Gutierrez & Carmine Raimondi, Staten Island Outreach Coordinators, Partnerships for Parks

Stefanie and Carmine are the Partnerships for Parks outreach coordinators for Staten Island, acting as the first point of contact for park groups and volunteers in their respective districts. They both work to support and sustain existing community park groups, and to guide new groups that are just starting out by helping them find the appropriate people and resources to transform their green spaces.  

• Marouh Hussein, Community Coaching Manager, Partnerships for Parks

Marouh provides one-on-one coaching to community park groups on a variety of topics, including goal setting, group structure, and volunteer management. In her previous work at Project Harmony, Marouh designed community development workshops and secured funding for local chefs and food justice advocates. Marouh is a native New Yorker and active community gardener in Central Harlem. 

• Lindsay Sierra, Grants & Resources Manager, Partnerships for Parks

Lindsay Sierra has been with PfP for four years, starting out with grassroots organizing around capital improvements in Staten Island and Queens. She now works as the grants manager helping to administer grants and resources city wide. As a New Jersey resident, Lindsay loves New York City parks enough to cross the Hudson every day to support them!

For more information or questions, please email relzinga@cityparksfoundation.org