CEC 21 celebrates ‘like family’ at annual breakfast

It was another breakfast for the books.

Community Education Council 21 came together with local educators, elected officials and friends on Friday, May 15 for its seventh annual legislative breakfast and community forum.

“We hold this breakfast annually to which we invite community based organizations, elected officials, PTAs, parent coordinators, principals and more to come together,” explained CEC 21 President Heather Fiorica. “I love it because it’s fun and it’s the one true event where we can come together like a family. It’s a really great opportunity to get to talk to people on an intimate level where it’s not an official meeting with an agenda; it’s more laid back and one-on-one.”

Networking aside, the breakfast is held each year to say “thank you” to those legislators who have worked hard for the schools in their district. On hand this year were Councilmembers Mark Treyger and Vincent Gentile, Assemblymember William Colton, and representatives from the mayor and Brooklyn borough president’s offices, among others.

“It’s really an opportunity for us to say thank you for their hard work,” Fiorica said, adding that it’s not every day that educators and parents are in the same room as their local elected officials. “Here, they get to tell these legislators about what makes their schools great, and invite them to visit.”

This year’s legislative breakfast was sponsored by Bridg-it, a comprehensive anti-bullying initiative, with community based organizations like New York Tennis League and NIA Community Services on hand to talk to educators about after-school programs.

This year’s event was held locally – something Fiorica was thankful for – at Gargiulo’s Restaurant, 2911 West 15^th Street.

“We love being able to stay in the community and bring everyone together like this,” she said. “It’s all about being a family; it’s everybody’s child, not just my child that I’m looking out for.”