Nonprofits and Schools

The entire New York Cares community is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Aria Doe, Founder and Executive Director of Far Rockaway’s The Action Center, a partner of ours since Hurricane Sandy. Aria, who passed away Friday, April 7, started The Action Center, with her husband, Semeo, 13 years ago and built it from a self-financed operation run out of the couple’s basement to a multi-faceted human services organization serving 66,000 area families.

In addition to Sandy recovery efforts, New York Cares has been proud to support The Action Center’s work in a variety of ways, from staffing meal service operations to packing supply kits for to launching a volunteer initiative with the New York Mets. We look forward to many more years of following Aria’s inspiring example and serving the community of Far Rockaway. We offer our sincerest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues at this most difficult time.

“I was frustrated with the disparity in the schools on the Rockaway Peninsula and I came home one day determined to pull our kids out. My husband said we could either be a part of the problem, or a part of the solution. Knowing he was right, we left our corporate jobs, cashed in our 401Ks, and began The Action Center. We have never looked back.”
                            – Aria Doe