Grand St. Settlement is set to announce this morning the appointment of Robert Cordero as its new executive director. He comes to the large social service organization from BOOM!Health, a Bronx-based non-profit that provides health services in low-income communities.
“Robert is a true community leader whose vision and expertise have roots in the settlement house movement, said Grand St. Board President Sylvia Montero. “His vast experience in both city-wide and community-based collaboration will help Grand St. Settlement expand our impact and propel our mission to empower individuals, support families and advocate for communities.”
In February, Margarita Rosa decided to step down after leading the settlement house for 20 years. She stayed on while a search took place for her replacement.
Cordero will be responsible for all of the organization’s programs on the Lower East Side, as well as throughout the city. Grand St. has 270 employees, a $15 million annual budget and offers early childhood, adult and senior programs to 10,000 New Yorkers every year. A press release noted that Cordero will also oversee the organization’s involvement in Essex Crossing. Grand St. is the lead community partner in the large development project coming to the former Seward Park urban renewal area.
BOOM!Health was created through the merger of two other organizations, CityWide Harm Reduction and Bronx AIDS Services. Cordero was responsible for managing the transition. “I am thankful to the BOOM!Health community and now humbled by the honor of joining Grand St. Settlement,” Cordero said. “I grew up in Chicago’s Erie House day care program and will now lead Grand St. Settlement’s amazing array of impactful early childhood, youth and aging adult programs in the 21st century. It is a dream come true!”
Cordero will be on the job by June 22.
I applaud Grand Street Settlement for hiring a leader.
Why isn’t anyone asking why Sylvia Montero abruptly resigned, especially so closely to the indictment of Shelly?
Less we forget Grand Street Settlement with Rapfogel / Met Council and developer Rattner were to be the Holy Alliance hand picked by Shelly for the SPURA development. Had Rapfogel not fallen the Holy Trinity would be spearheading SPURA right now.
I wonder if you follow the Shelly corruption if the road leads back to SPURA?