Aid From Harlem’s First Corinthian Baptist Church And District Council 9 Painters Union

August 29, 2023

First Corinthian Baptist Church and District Council 9 held their annual Hope for Harlem block party and community service event over the weekend.

The groups donated thousands of groceries, hygiene products, and back-to-school supplies and offered employment opportunities and health resources to members of the local community. New York State Senator Cordell Cleare and Democratic Nominee for City Council Yusef Salam attended and supported the efforts.

The Hope for Harlem initiative takes a holistic approach to serving the community, focusing on the mind, body, and soul of Harlem’s residents. Beginning during the COVID-19 pandemic, this annual event has become a hallmark for the neighborhood and stands as a testament to the power of community.

“Community service is a value at the core of our union,” said Joseph Azzopardi, BM/ST of District Council 9. “Every year, our members are proud to lend a hand at the Hope for Harlem event and help their neighbors get ready for school or work this fall. Thank you to First Corinthian Baptist Church for partnering with us on this event once again.”

“At FCBC, we believe we are commissioned by God to serve. That service extends past the four walls and into the community and the world. We believe we must be architects of change. To put on an event of this magnitude for those who need it most, in collaboration with so many other organizations and sponsors is a testament to our ability to work together to benefit the whole,” said Desiree Elder, Associate Pastor at FCBC.

First Corinthian Baptist Church

First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC), located in Harlem, was first organized in 1933. FCBC is an ever-evolving community of visionaries, dreamers, and doers who are on a mission to live the lives they were created to live; love beyond the limits of prejudices and honor the commission to serve. FCBC has a strong footprint supporting the Harlem community through initiatives like our food pantry, clothing drives, and annual public facing events. FCBC is focused on providing a sanctuary for Harlem’s residents in the forms of the arts, theater, and music, as well as providing resources for leadership development, economic empowerment, and mental health support.


DC 9

District Council 9 is a chapter of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, an organization of painters, decorators, wall coverers, drywall finishers, sign painters, metal polishers, bridge & structural steel painters, civil service painters, lead abatement workers, glaziers & architectural metal glassworkers, paint makers and allied trades. The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades is dedicated to securing and improving wages, benefits, and overall working conditions for its members.

For more information on DC 9’s continuing efforts to provide pathways to the middle class for New York’s residents visit www.districtcouncil9.net.

Photo credit: District Council 9 Members Volunteer at Hope for Harlem Event.


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