Looking Back on 2022:
Happy New Year from the Oyate Group
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Friends & Family,
Happy New Year! As we approach our third year of existence, we wanted to thank you all for your partnership and support.
This year, as the escalated cost of living exacerbated financial instability, violence plagued our most vulnerable communities and the health of marginalized groups continued to be at risk, your support has allowed us to tackle these issues and create a safer and more prosperous New York City. Thanks to you, we can continue the fight to ensure that the fundamental causes of inequalities are recognized and dismantled.
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NYC'S MOST SUCCESSFUL GUN BUYBACK EVER
Since our inception, reducing violence and poverty has been a focal point of our endeavors, and decreasing the abundance and accessibility of guns aids in this mission. To work toward a safe and healthy environment, we hosted a gun buyback in December in partnership with Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzales and the NYPD.
Our Brooklyn gun buyback was the most successful gun buyback in New York City’s history. Two hundred and six guns were collected from the community, and a total of more than $60,000 in prepaid gift cards was distributed directly to participants in advance of the holiday season.
Buybacks like these incentivize residents with up to $500 for their participation in ending the cycle of violence, and they work. Across our three gun buybacks in 2021 and 2022, we removed a total of 403 guns off the streets and provided over $130,000 in cash directly to the community.
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FIRST OYATE DOCUMENTARY SCREENING
We hosted the first ever private screening with supporters of our upcoming documentary, Chasing the Cure. Directed by our very own Cyrille Njikeng and starring the entire Oyate team, the film is a look back on the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on the Bronx and our efforts to protect our community through on-the-ground, grassroots outreach and vaccinations. Our efforts resulted in over 40,000 people being vaccinated in 2021. We can’t wait to share the film with you all.
Keep an eye out for public screenings in 2023.
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TURKEY GIVEAWAY
This Thanksgiving we hosted our third annual Turkey Giveaway, distributing 2,000 turkeys to families across New York City. We worked in conjunction with 15 local non-profit organizations and community leaders to address inflation and food insecurity to ensure everyone was able to celebrate the holiday. This year’s turkey giveaway shattered our previous two years’ records, bringing our three-year total to 3,500 turkeys given directly to New Yorkers for Thanksgiving.
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TOYS FOR TOTS
To ensure a joyful holiday season for families in our communities, we gave away more than 350 toys as part of our Toys for Tots program this December. We’re thrilled to know that kids across the Bronx got to unwrap Legos, basketballs, dolls and more this season!
It’s been a wonderful year, and we know next year will be even better. We can’t wait to share all that’s in store and hope that you will join us in continuing to reverse the impacts of poverty and disinvestment in our communities. When we empower each other, we rise together!
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We rise together,
The Oyate Team
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