United Communities Alliance, in conjunction with local professional and business leaders, invited the community to its Empowerment and Outreach Awards Dinner, which took place at the Fairfield Pavilion in Richmond Hill on Friday, June 19.
The theme of the evening was making government work for the community through dialogue, inclusion and by building better relationships with elected officials.
The UCA honored a dozen community leaders, including Albert Baldeo, Mark Weidler, Victoria Schneps-Yunis, Blair Burroughs, Bob Monahan, Dr. Philip Baldeo, Mendra Singh, Lou Kirchgessner, Anthony Gellineau, Gary Comorau, Baldath Ramdeen and Don Desmond.
Public officials who attended, or were represented, included state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-Queens and Brooklyn), Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica), Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Ozone Park) and Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park).
The UCA seeks to empower and improve the quality of life of residents living in Queens, according to Baldeo. Its goals include fostering a greater civic voice for the community and solving issues and conflicts that affect various neighborhoods.
