August 13, 2008 4:14 PM
Jim Claffey, a fixture on the immigrant rights scene on Long Island for a decade, is leaving his post at the Long Island Community Foundation (LICF) to take a position working with young people in Central America.
I met Jim shortly after he moved to Long Island following a long stint doing humanitarian work for the Catholic Church in Panama. Jim was the head of Catholic Charities immigrant services which he helped develope and grow. He was one of the first Long Islanders to recognize the crisis over immigration in Farmingville and he created a "Listening to Farmingville" project which worked for sensible solutions to racial tensions there.
Jim later went to work at the New York Immigration Coalition where he became an expert on state and federal immigration policies. He brought that expertise to the founding of the Long Island Immigrant Alliance and to his new position at the LICF. A frequent speaker at colleges and community groups, Jim was always a calm voice in a crisis.
Last year he brought all his skills to his position as the Chair of the Long Island Wins steering commitee.
Jim is well-loved among his colleagues and his courage and intelligence will be sorely missed. I wish him well in his new position and will keep you updated on his work.
Read Jim's essay on the lessons of Farmingville
This Sunday, August 17, is a day that we can use to celebrate our achievements and reflect on the challenges ahead. Assemblyman Phil Ramos will be joining us for the occasion. I hope that you will do so too. But if you can't, I hope that you will be with us in spirit and take a moment to donate to LIIA so that we can carry the torch for you, and for the people that you care most deeply about.
The fundraiser for LIIA takes place this Sunday at 3 pm, thanks to the generosity of the Shelter Rock UU Congregation, in the Art Gallery,
48 Shelter Rock Road
Manhasset, NY 11030
Donation of $25. and a appetizer are requested, if you can. We will be saying godspeed and farewell to Jim Claffey, a founder of the Long Island Immigrant Alliance, who has been a mentor, friend and a skilled advocate. His calm demeanor belies a strength that makes us all proud. Jim and his wife will be dedicating their time and efforts to empowering the impoverished in Honduras. That is entirely in line with Jim's calling and his work with immigrants on Long Island. Let's celebrate Jim's achievements and give him a great send-off!
http://liiafiesta-emailinvite.eventbrite.com/?invite=NzA5MTcvc2FnaGFyYm9ybW9AZ21haWwuY29tLzE%3D%0A
By Jocelyn McCalla August 13, 2008 05:10 PM