A Tribute to Dr. King

The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County (the Y) commemorated the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King at its 36th annual memorial breakfast on Jan. 17 in Long Branch.

More than 450 guests from all corners of the Jersey Shore region gathered for the annual event, honoring the social justice work of civic leaders, and celebrating winners of the Dr. King student essay contest.

The event at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa set an inspiring tone for the observance of the Dr. King federal holiday on Jan. 20, which also marks 30 years since it was designated as a national day of service.

“Dr. King believed in the transformative power of community,” said Michael A. Wright, chief volunteer officer of the YMCA and chairperson of the event’s advisory committee. “As we honor his legacy today, let’s commit to strengthening the foundations of our communities with compassion and inclusivity.”

Awards were presented to three community leaders for their efforts to empower positive social change:

• Terrence Porter, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Red Bank and a resident of Scotch Plains, was presented the YMCA MLK Human Dignity Award. He helped establish the JBJ Soul Foundation and Pilgrim Baptist Hope and Comfort Center, a place of shelter for homeless men and women. As president and executive director of the Red Bank Affordable Housing Corporation, he also spearheaded the Cedar Crossing development, enabling 36 families to experience homeownership.
• Itzel Perez Hernandez, a resident of Red Bank and member of the Y board of directors, received the YMCA Togetherhood Champion Award for her volunteerism. She immigrated to the United States from Mexico with her family when she was 10 and continues to advocate for immigrant rights as an organizer with the American Friends Service Committee.
• U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) was honored with the YMCA Social Responsibility Award for his life-long public service. Although not at the event, he shared his thanks for the award via video. Kim served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and is the first Korean American elected to the Senate. He has served at the United States Agency for International Development, the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House National Security Council, and in Afghanistan as an advisor to General David Petraeus and General John Allen.

As part of the Y’s commitment to fostering civic engagement among youth people, the winners of this year’s Dr. King essay contest presented their essays. Nathan Chertog, of Marlboro, a senior at the Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health & Science, and Emily Perez Hernandez, of Red Bank, a senior at Red Bank Regional High School, both wrote about the personal sting of racism and how they grew stronger from these difficult experiences.

The essay winners each received a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey Natural Gas, and PorterPlus Realty, and a one-year youth membership to the Y.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago presented the morning’s keynote address, emphasizing the importance of “recognizing humanity” in our system of justice. He noted new community partnerships to help ensure that people with mental health issues and victims of domestic violence get the vital support they need.

The program also included an invocation from the Rev. Ron Sparks, from Bethel AME Freehold, and a benediction from the Rev. Janet Jones of the Shrewsbury Avenue AME Zion Church, Red Bank. Bernadine Wilson Gibson provided the music.

The Y’s President and CEO Laurie Goganzer thanked attendees for joining hands with the Y “to give back to our community and to make it a better place for all.”

About YMCA of Greater Monmouth County
For 150 years, YMCA of Greater Monmouth County has empowered youth, improved health, and fostered connections that unite and uplift the community. Serving 42,000 people annually, we’ve provided over $5 million in financial assistance in the last five years. With locations in eight communities and programs integrated into more than 100 schools across Monmouth and Ocean counties, we are dedicated to strengthening communities. Named a New Jersey Top Workplace for three consecutive years by NJ Advance Media, we’re based in Shrewsbury, NJ. Learn more at www.YMCAnj.org.