“Where The River Flows Everything Will Prosper.” 
That was the theme and message of the York Street Project’s 20th Annual Spring Event that was held on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at the JPMorgan Conference Center in Jersey City New Jersey. The two-hour cocktail reception was attended by more than 250 friends and supporters of The Project, and raised more than $130,000 to support out life changing programs.
Sister Kristin Funari, then- Executive Director of the York Street Project served as this year’s guest speaker. When making the connection of the theme to the mission of the York Street Project and the neighboring Hudson River, Funari had this to say, “The ebb and flow of prosperity, the endless cycles of economic expansion and depression are strongly influenced by the Hudson and all of our precious waterways. Those of us who witnessed the final death throws of the manufacturing industry in the 60’s and 70’s – the well planned redlining and disinvestment in neighborhoods that boarded the factories and river— the first blush of revitalization in the early 80’s and the full-blown renaissance during the last 20 years – understand the life-giving force of this river and its long, silent witness to both the hope and despair created by those who determine her use for economic growth and development. When the river flows at the end of an economic growth cycle, the poor have access to her shores because all that could be taken and used appears spent; when her flow brings a new cycle, vision and opportunity the poor are pushed out, denied access because their presence is not deemed a part of the highest and best use of land. The cycles come and go, but the poor, the tired, the homeless tempest-tossed remain with us.”
During her speech, Sr. Kristin shared the news of her resignation as Executive Director of the organization with her captive audience. “The Project is going through its own time of deep transition and change. My leaving the position as Executive Director has put many of us in deep thought, but certainly not in a state of panic or fear. Our roots are too deep and intertwined, our services are too essential to the survival needs of the poor, our institutional foundations too strong for us not to move forward with passion and purpose.” She has spent the last 35 years of her life serving in a twelve block radius of downtown Jersey City; 24 of those years have been intimately tied to the physical rehabilitation of the York Street Project properties and its program development.
Sr. Kristin closed her remarks with a reflection on the gift of the river. “The scriptures are replete with images and metaphors of raging, flowing, still and peaceful waters. Living Waters - Waters of life where deserts become verdant valleys and wastelands flower into cities. I am blessed, taught and challenged by the gift that the river has been in my life. She has brought new friends and opportunities. You, like our sister the river, have sustained, enlivened and strengthened our roots during these last 20 years. With a heart full of gratitude and joy I pray the fullest of God’s blessings upon all of you and upon all who are dear to your hearts.”
