INCORPORATING THE WEST HEMPSTEAD BEACON VOL. 75 No. 45
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November 7-13, 2025
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ABBA Leadership Center celebrates 20 years Group aims to reduce criminal recidivism
“It takes a village to raise a dream,” added Benjamin’s son, Tarell Huddleson, ABBA’s director of job developWith testimonials, citations and ment. “We turn youth into leaders.” Benjamin and Huddleson honored thanksgiving, ABBA Leadership Center Inc. marked 20 years of successful six other social support organizations ministry to men, women and youth that have partnered with ABBA or enmeshed in the criminal justice sys- shared its mission across time. One honoree was the Hempstead tem. About 200 attendees gathered to cel- Cluster of H.E.V.N. (Help End Violence ebrate at Verdi’s of Westbury on Oct. Now), an anti-gang outreach founded 30. ABBA’s executive director, Reggie in 1998. Its current director, Rev. LynBenjamin, received commendatory nwood Deans, has pastored Bethlehem citations from state, county and village of Judea Church in Hempstead since officials. 1975. ABBA is an acronym for Able Body Bethlehem of Judea has hosted the of Believer’s Alliance. Benjamin, 69, offices of ABBA since its inception. formally incorporated the organization The other honorees were the Ecoon Jan. 26, after observing the relation- nomic Opportunity Commission of ship between fatherlessness and recidi- Nassau County Inc.; United Way of vism, especially in the Long Island; the Leaderlives of male prisoners. ship Training Institute The starting point for of Nassau County; A B B A’ s m e n t o r i n g Empowering Young Probecame the concept of fessionals, founded and God as an unfailing directed by Luis Mendez; heavenly father. Buildand Cultivating Lives, ing on the spiritual confounded and directed by cept, Benjamin simulta- REggIE BENjAmIN L a S h aw n L u k e s a n d neously arranged practi- Executive director ABBA Jammie Freeman. cal job training, assis- Leadership Center A crowning touch to tance in job hunting, the evening was the reveclasses in financial skills development lation that ABBA is opening a new two— and the critical element of long- room office in the massive former bus term, supportive oversight by Benja- terminal at 100 Main St. in Hempstead min and his staff. on Nov. 18. The village government has Since then, hundreds of men and designated the site for workforce develwomen have found gainful employment opment and business incubation. through ABBA, many of them on conSeated in the near-finished main struction projects in Hempstead vil- office at 100 Main on Monday, Benjalage. Thousands of families have bene- min explained why his ministry generfited, including youth who have experi- ates such reliable results. enced ABBA’s encouraging outreach. “I walk people through their strug“Ninety percent of our youth minis- gles in life,” he said. “This population try went to high school dropouts,” Ben- is not so disciplined about basic life jamin said at last Thursday’s festivi- skills like accountability and responsities. “Parents lack resources, so the bility. They didn’t grow up with role kids are going to do something to get models. When you don’t know better, what they need. We try to take some you can’t do better.” pressure off those parents.”
By REINE BETHANY
Special to the Herald
Deliah Roberts/Herald photos
a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for the Feil Family Pavillion was held on Oct. 21
Gala raises funds for expanded cardiac care Mount Sinai South Nassau’s annual Soirée Under the Stars gala lit up The Lannin in Eisenhower Park on Saturday as supporters, staff, and community leaders gathered to raise funds for the expansion of advanced cardiac care on the South Shore. In addition to serving Hempstead residents, Mount Sinai South Nassau serves
the residents of the South Shore of Nassau County from the Rockaways to the Massapequas. . This year’s theme, “Bringing Heart Home,” celebrated the hospital’s growing cardiovascular program and the forthcoming launch of open-heart surgery services at its Oceanside campus. Funds raised will support new cardiac catheterCOntinued On Page 3
O
nce you make a commitment, I will hold you to it.
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Stephen Bradley singing the national anthem