PRESS RELEASE

Release Date: September 5th, 2007

Subject: “Yes, Haile Rivera Is Running for City Council in 2009”

Haile Rivera, a proud graduate of Hostos Community College (Class of 2003) and a community activist from the Bronx, has announced his intentions of pursue public office in 2009. Haile, after graduating from Hostos with his Associate in Public Administration, decided to continue his education at Lehman College and pursue his Bachelor in Political Science.

At Hostos, Haile served as President of the Dominican Students Association, Founder of Fuerza Latina and was overwhelmingly elected as President of the Hostos Student Government Organization. In the latter position, Haile was a strong advocate for the students and the Teachers as well. Some of his major accomplishments were fighting to make sure the campus cafeteria was opened for evening students, leaving a budget surplus at the end of his term, fighting to keep Spanish courses that were slated to be removed, opposing the student activity fee increase and increasing the Student Government's role on campus.

Haile has also been the Founder and Executive Director of Hands On New York, Inc, a Bronx-based community organization with a simple mission: help the community. Since its founding in 2002 and with the strong support of its Co-Founders, Prof. Jacinto Malespin and Mr. Antonio Rivera, Hands On New York has organized annual toy drives for homeless children; coat drive for those in need; helping individuals enroll in college and apply for financial aid; helping people apply for food stamps and housing; getting people registered to vote and providing assistance in completing immigration/citizenship forms, just to name a few of the services.

Haile currently works for the Food Bank For New York City where he oversees over 400 emergency feeding programs (food pantries, soup kitchens, youth programs, senior centers, daycare centers and substance abuse programs) across the five boroughs. He spends much of his time visiting these programs and making sure that they have what it takes to continue feeding the hungry.

Haile is also proud to have worked for New York Cares, CUNY Preparatory Transitional High School Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC, Hostos CC (Admissions Office) and Community School Board #1. Haile also worked for J.P. Mascaro & Sons, a solid waste company based in Audubon, Pennsylvania where he was a Sanitation Worker and then was promoted to Recycle Truck Driver. He also worked for fast-food chain, Burger King, for five years and also for Temco Service Industries in NYC for a short time as a Cleaner/Janitor.

Haile is running for the 14th District of the New York City Council, which represents University Heights, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Morris Heights, Burnside and the Northwest Bronx (area surrounding Bronx Community College).

Why is he running? In his own words:

"I'm running because I feel that my experiences, both personal and professional, have prepared me for this opportunity. The opportunity to be in a position where I can raise my voice on behalf of the people I represent; the opportunity to make sure that my community's issues and concerns, are heard loud and clear; the opportunity to restore faith in our local political system; the opportunity to make sure that those of us who have long been neglected, are a part of it. I want to seek office because I care about my community and I care about its future. Many people walk or drive by those 12 year-old kids selling drugs in our corners and that is my problem too. A kid dropping out of school is my problem too. A kid failing in

his/her school, that is my problem too. Someone without a job, that is a definitely my problem as well. This is my calling and I hope and pray that the people of the 14th Council District support, not mine, OUR campaign for strong and courageous leadership in City Hall. I come from a very poor family, raised by a single mother and being the father-figure for three younger brothers. I have had some rough times in my short life. Circumstances led my mother and all for us to live in shelter as we ran away from an abusive partner. I have had times when I found a roof as my bedroom for the night. I know what is like to go to sleep on an empty stomach, sometimes several times during the week. I have lived, and continue to live, the struggles of an average person. I know what it takes to get the job done and make sure our community is well represented in City Hall.”

“It’s time the community has a Councilmember who is present and active in our Community Board meetings. It’s time to elect a Councilmember who has its doors open during evenings and weekends for those who work during the day. It’s time for the people to elect a Councilmember who understands the issues but more importantly, who can fight to resolve them. It’s time to change the traditional style of politics in the Northwest Bronx. It’s time for our community to be heard”, concludes Haile.

The next step? Fundraising. We are planning a small donor fundraiser for November. Please stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we encourage you to visit Haile's personal page at www.hailerivera.com. If you wish to contact Haile directly, please send an email (to this address) and he will contact you as soon as he can.

We are also asking for anyone who met Haile at some point and wanted to share his/her views/moments with him to send it to us at: hailerivera@gmail.com

Thank you all for your time.

Cossette Morillo
Campaign Manager
Friends of Haile Rivera
718.312.9063