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Elmont Cultural Center searches for a home Haitian population, which includes Johnson herself. “We need to reconnect, especially in The Elmont Cultural Center the environment that we are assumes many roles across in,” she said. “I feel like society Elmont and beyond, but plan- has lost it.” She aims to continning events can be difficult ue providing programs that when your organization has no bring the community together. A permanent home for the headquarters of its own. The center would reprecenter is looking sent common for a place to call ground where peohome, where it can ple could gather as host events that the org anization showcase the work continues to serve it does throughout them. Johnson the year. envisions filling Board member such a space with Tamar Bailey, the c o m m u n i t y daughter of the resources, such as organization’s health professionf o u n d e r, M i m i als and educational P i e r re Jo h n s o n , workshops. It explained how the would also be a center would bene- NIkkI LoNg place where people fit from having its Board member could reconnect own per manent with their roots building. Since Johnson founded the organiza- and keep their cultural identity tion in 2009 to serve youth and alive. She gave an example of establish after-school programs, it has been focused on elderly Haitian immigrants helping the community meet having to navigate an unfamilits needs despite not having so iar world. A headquarters for the center would be a place much as a permanent office. Elmont has a richly multi- where they could connect with cultural community, which others and find help. “The Elmont Cultural CenJohnson does not want to see lose its roots. It has a sizable Continued on page 10
By HAILEY FULMER
hfulmer@liherald.com
Hailey Fulmer/Herald photos
Franklin Square Chamber swears in 2026 leadership A new year, a freshly energized Franklin Square. On Jan. 13th, dozens gathered at Filomena’s, a prominent Italian spot, to commemorate and witness the swearing-in of new and familiar leaders for the 2026 year at the Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce Installation dinner. The honorees of the evening were sworn in, and Councilman Thomas Muscarella delivers a speech, excited to witness the growth of Franklin Square in 2026. Story, more photos, Page 3.
T
he Elmont Cultural Center is such a staple, not only in Elmont, but in Nassau and Suffolk.