Volunteer Malatesta Honored by Chatham Borough Council for her ‘Outreach’ to the Homeless, Dedication to Foster Children – TAPinto.net
CHATHAM, NJ – Lucy Malatesta has raised three children in Chatham, but she’s still managed to find time to help children in need as a court-appointed special advocate for Foster Care children in Essex County.
Locally, she’s been the driving force behind the “Bridges Outreach” program that delivers brown bag meals to the homeless in Newark, Irvington and New York. She’s been organizing the trips through Stanley Congregational Church for the last 15 years.
“It’s only the first step,” Malatesta said. “You have to go longer, you have to go deeper.”
Council member Carolyn Dempsey introduces the resolution honoring Chatham volunteer Lucy Malatesta
Lucy Malatesta talks about the “first steps” she’s taken to help others as a volunteer
Lucy Malatesta-outstanding Chatham Borough Volunteer
Whereas, Lucy Malatesta, is a long time Chatham resident, has raised her three children here, has served tirelessly at Stanley Congregational Church and volunteered numerous hours, in many different capacities, to enrich the lives of her fellow Chathamites and beyond,
Whereas, she has volunteered with Bridges Outreach, whose mission is to bridge the gap between the housed and the homeless, for nearly 15 years. Bridges Outreach annually has over 2,600 volunteers who serve more than 14,000 homeless friends and delivers in excess of 60,000 brown bag lunches.
Whereas, in volunteering for Bridges Outreach she has made it her mission to educate numerous youth groups in Chatham, including Stanley Church’s Pilgrim Fellowship, sports teams, robotics teams, Scouting troops, elementary school students and youth of all ages, on the importance of service work at every age.
Whereas, in leading youth in making and serving meals to homeless neighbors in Newark, Irvington and New York City, she has imparted the importance of recognizing the dignity and humanity of our homeless friends.
Whereas, in recognizing the contributions of the young volunteers, she ends each Bridges Run with a “love letter” to everyone involved in the project to make sure they understand the reach of their volunteer work. This “love letter” is then sent to the school principals, parents volunteers and media as a thank you and as a way to raise the profile of Bridges Outreach.
Whereas, growing out of her Bridges Outreach experience, she chose to become trained and officially sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. In this capacity she advocates for the rights and needs of children in foster care in Essex County. In that role she attends court hearings, visits and writes reports on specific children, makes care recommendations and attends school meetings for these children who otherwise have no parental presence and no one to speak for them.
Whereas, she regularly cares for homeless neighbors in our local houses of worship through the “Family Promise” organization.
Whereas, through her many efforts, Lucy has served the most vulnerable members of society and taught scores of young people and adults in Chatham the importance of valuing and respecting every human being, no matter their station in life.