We remember Sandra Hernandez

Sandra Hernandez was instrumental in helping to launch Brook Park. As a respected elder in the community she supported our efforts from the beginning and involved the youth from Freedom Communuty Center in our joint activities and events over the years. We look to dedicating a tree, painting a mural or naming a street or engaging in some action to remember her. Harry

From the prestigious Union Square Awards description...

SANDRA HERNANDEZ
founder & director, FREEDOM COMMUNITY CENTER

Sandra Hernandez is the founder and director of the Freedom Community Center (Freedom), which was created to improve the quality of life for residents in a four-block area of Mott Haven. It is staffed by volunteers who live in the neighborhood and dedicate their efforts to community service programs that increase availability of quality housing, enhance delivery of social services and build community capacity. Specifically, Freedom offers support to families as they relocate from homeless shelters, temporary housing or substandard housing by providing case management, information, leadership training and referrals. Freedom works with the elderly, substance abusers and the physically disabled to provide referrals for mental and health care, job training and placement assistance.

A walk down 139th Street reflects concrete evidence of Freedom's organizing work. At a 10-story building on the block, Ms. Hernandez helped organize a tenants' association that convinced the Department of Housing and Urban Development to make improvements. Several neatly fenced empty lots on the street are products of a march on the City Sanitation Department. Freedom plans to continue addressing issues raised by residents at open meetings. The goal is to make institutions accountable to the community and people that they are funded to serve.

455E 140th Street, Basement
Bronx, NY 10454
phone: 718-402-2236
fax: 718-402-2236

I leave you with some words From our sister Esperanza Martell...

Sandra was a powerful sister who dedicated her life to her family and community. She is the first of our Circle Sister's to pass,becoming our loving ancestor. She will be missed by all those that worked with her and were touch by her love. When Sandra came to the first Circles and experience its power of transformation. She made sure she broth us to her block. She is the reason CASA ATABEX ACHE is were it is physically. She is the reason the young women's program was created. She served on the CASA broad, learned every thing she could and with our support created the Freedom Community Center to supplement our work. Many of our young women begun with Sandra and at the age of12 came to CASA. We worked with parents jointly. She wanted to make sure our youth did not sarcoma to the street culture as she had. Her work to free her spirit from all the ills of capitalism was powerful. Sandra we learned so much from you. She was against the war being waged in her community and across the world. She went with us to Cuba, supported us taking community youth to Viegues,PR and was with us at peace demonstrations and many women rights conferences all over the country. She was generous, carriages, sister worrier and friend.
Beloved Sandra we will never forget you. To your family we send our love. We will continue to stand with the women and children of Mott Haven of the world. We Love You and Thank You for Being You. Con Mucho Amor.
Esperanza Martell



Funeral Information

St. Peters Church

427E 140th Street Between Willis and Brook Ave

Bronx, NY

Tuesday December 4th 3-9 pm (Viewing)

Wednesday December 5th 10am (Funeral)

Subject: Sandra Hernandez Passed away...

December 2, 2007


Dear Community Members:

It is with great sadness that I inform you that Sandra Perez, aka Sandra Hernandez, founder of Freedom Community Center, longtime community organizer and activist died on Friday, November 30, 2007,after a long battle with cancer.

Viewing will be held at St. Peter's Church on Tuesday, December 4th from 3 PM to 9 PM. Funeral Services will be held at St. Peter's Church on Wednesday, December 5 th at 10 AM.

St. Peter's Church
427 East 140th Street
(Btw Brook & Willis Avenues)
Bronx, NY 10454


Sincerely,
Joe Perez