Over 1,500 people from the Bronx came together on a cold February night to start a new citizens' group called The Bronx First. This group wants to help families in the Bronx have better lives. The meeting was led by two community leaders - one who runs a nonprofit that helps 65,000 people each year, and another who leads 11 mosques serving 10,000 worshippers weekly.
They talked about how the Bronx has changed over the years. While violence and fires are less common now, it's much harder for families to afford housing and move up in life. Rising rents are crushing families, and it's nearly impossible to buy a home.
The new group joins a network of similar organizations in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan that work together to solve community problems. They have already made progress on affordable housing, mental health services, and public safety in other areas. The Bronx First now represents 50 institutions and thousands of leaders who are committed to putting Bronx families first.
The meeting included people speaking in many languages including Spanish, English, French, and others, showing the diversity of the community coming together to create change.