Nonprofit Branches LI's New Community Center 'Absolute Dream'

RONKONKOMA, NY — Branches Long Island started as one Long Island woman trying to help, and now it is a busy community nonprofit looking forward to its first-ever community center.

The organization is dedicated to helping "those in need with no judgments," according to the Middle Island-based group's mission statement. The volunteers work with social workers and homeless shelters on LI to offer services, connect those in need with essential items and assist families in crisis.

Founder Samantha Morales and a group of volunteers have been operating out of an outreach center in Middle Island, and she tells Patch that having a brand-new community center building will be her "absolute dream."

Anthony Donofrio owns Middle Island Pizza, and rents the outreach center space to Branches. He is building the new community center for the group, which is expected to be ready by the spring.

"If people come for services we can then send them to the pantry or vice versa. We also have a community social services liaison on staff and she will be able to meet with people confidentially to help them get services and refer them elsewhere if it’s something we can’t help with," Morales explains.

Donofrio is building the center to the group's specific needs, she added, like adding bigger doors to accept large deliveries.

"I’m very lucky that I have someone willing to work with me and build me a beautiful spot tailored to our needs so we can better help the community."

Morales estimates that Branches is helping an average of 100 families a day with food and basic necessities. The new center will allow them to offer educational programs, children's programs, counseling and a "safe space for kids after school."

Morales can't divulge the exact location yet but it will be close to the current outreach center. Branches LI will be hiring paid staff to help, and they will need "more volunteers than ever," she says.