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NYRA Cares: A new home will fulfill a long-running dream for the New York Race Track Chaplaincy

by NYRA Press Office

From the desk of his cramped office at the New York division of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (NYRTCA) on Belmont Park’s backstretch, Chaplain Humberto Chavez can gaze out the window at what he calls, “something we’ve been planning for and dreaming of for years.”

Directly north of the NYRTCA’s current office, a team of New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) carpenters, electricians and plumbers are at work constructing the Chaplaincy’s new 3,500-square-foot building, which will double the Chaplaincy’s current space and become its hub. The new building will house a chapel, a multi-purpose room, a classroom to be named after Hall of Famer and longtime NYRTCA supporter Cot Campbell, and staff offices.

“People ask about the best racing in the country, and we have that in New York,” said Chaplain Chavez. “Great people on the back stretch? We have them as well. What this new building gives us is another big positive for New York racing: a place that will welcome everybody. People will come in and they’ll be home. This is something we’ve dreamed of for a long time. To see it happening is exciting.”

The New York Racetrack Chaplaincy Center, designed by Frost Hurff Architects of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., will ease space issues at its current headquarters, now comprised of two double-wide trailers. The Chaplaincy will continue to utilize the trailers for its weekly food pantry and clothing drive, which are currently held outdoors. A core component of the NYRTCA, the non-denominational services now held at the track’s recreation hall, will move into a dedicated chapel within the new building.

A consortium of longtime NYRTCA supporters have contributed major funding to the construction of the new building including the late-Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson, former NYRA President & CEO Chris Kay as well as Kenny and Lisa Troutt of WinStar Farm.  

Thoroughbred owner and NYRA board member Michael Dubb supplied the bulk of all materials for the new Chaplaincy Center. Mr. Dubb is also the founder and chairman of the Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA) at Belmont Park; and he and his wife, Lee, founded Faith’s House, the BCCA childcare center for the backstretch community at Saratoga Race Course, which opened last summer.

The work kicked off on February 7 and is proceeding on-schedule. A groundbreaking ceremony for the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy Center is scheduled for March 28, with a full move-in as early as the fall.

“The Racetrack Chaplaincy provides indispensable services to the backstretch community, and NYRA is proud to be able to make this new building a reality” said Dave O’Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “We congratulate Chaplain Chavez and his team, and look forward to opening the doors of the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy Center in short order.”

The NYRTCA dates to 1986 and ministers to the spiritual needs of the backstretch community at all three NYRA racetracks - Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course. In addition to non-denominational prayer services, the NYRTCA provides wide variety of social and educational services to the backstretch community.

Though the Chaplaincy’s work with NYRA dates back several decades, the relationship rose to a new level in March 2020 when NYRA was forced to suspend live racing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s when the essential work of caring for the needs of a small city at Belmont Park – anywhere from 450 to 600 backstretch workers living in approximately 500 rooms among 69 cottages, along with hundreds of others living in the local community with their families – took on a new urgency.

Chavez joined NYRA’s Preparedness and Response Plan Committee, comprised of key NYRA staff members, along with representatives of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.),the BCCA and Premise Health. For the next year-and-a-half, the Committee used an effective team approach in dealing with the effects of COVID-19 on the men and women living and working at Belmont Park.

Committee members used the same team approach in providing the most updated information on COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, followed by crucial information on COVID-19 vaccinations. Chavez played a key role in a wide variety of areas and worked as a translator for local health officials and EMTs.  

“We’re proud of all of the ways in which our team have stepped in as needed during the pandemic while keeping up with regular services like the food pantry, which became a real lifeline at a tough time,” said NYRTCA Board Chairman Terry Finley, who is also the President and CEO of West Point Thoroughbreds. “What this new building will do is help us take the next step in continuing to meet the needs of backstretch workers.” 

Chaplain Chavez agreed.

“We’re so grateful to the people and organizations that have helped make the new building a reality,” he said. “This marks the start of a new era for our community, and we can’t wait.”

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To learn more about the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, visit: https://www.rtcany.org/

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In the community...

The Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.)  is in line to be recognized as “the best.” B.E.S.T is a semi-finalist in the 10th annual Long Island Imagine Awards, which recognizes the best in innovation and leadership in the Long Island, New York non-profit sector.

B.E.S.T. is among the seven Long Island-based non-profits nominated for the Cerini & Associates’ “Social Impact Award,” to be presented April 26. The Imagine Awards also present awards in categories that include Arts & Culture; Innovation; Leadership Excellence; and Rising Star. The program showcases the best of the Long Island-based nonprofit sector; winners of each category earn a $5,000 grant.

Based at Belmont Park, B.E.ST. (https://www.bestbackstretch.org/) is dedicated to meeting the health and social welfare needs of backstretch workers at the three NYRA tracks, Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, by providing on-site counseling and primary healthcare services, access to health insurance, and case management assistance. For more information on the Long Island Imagine Awards, go to https://imagineawardsli.com/finalist/.

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The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development has applications available for the Summer Youth Employment Program [SYEP]. The program connects New York City youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experiences each summer. The deadline to submit applications is 4/22/2022. For more information and to apply, visit: https://application.nycsyep.com/

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A helping hand…

Business For Good in support of the TRF

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), through a generous grant from Business for Good, will see every dollar raised up to $25,000 be matched to be used in New York as they expand their unique programs.

The average age of the TRF herd, now at over 450 retired racehorses at farms throughout the country including New York, is 22-years-old. The TRF herd have been promised a home with care, comfort and dignity for their entire lives. Caring for senior equines comes with extra costs and the TRF is asking for your help to keep that promise through this unique grant opportunity.

To learn more and to donate, please visit: https://www.trfinc.org/winter-2022-ny/

We Are NY Horse Racing - Send a message in support of our industry

NYRA is a founding member of the We Are NY Horse Racing coalition, a diverse group of small businesses, labor unions, non-profits, trade organizations, and community groups working to advocate on behalf of the 19,000 women and men who are working in and around the sport. Since its initial launch in September, We Are NY Horse Racing has rapidly grown to now include nearly 50 member organizations.

Recently, the coalition launched a tool that allows the racing community to engage with decision makers in Albany in a quick and efficient way. By completing the form linked to below, you can support the sport of horse racing by emphasizing its importance to the New York State economy.

Please complete the required fields at www.nyhorseracing.com/take-action

In addition, We Are NY Horse Racing has released its first television ad to further communicate the benefits of the sport and the broader industry. Please take a moment to view the ad here and share on social media We Are NY Horse Racing – The Shape of New York - YouTube

About NYRA Cares

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), which holds the exclusive franchise to conduct thoroughbred racing at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, sponsors its NYRA Cares initiative to support the charitable endeavors of industry-related non-profits, service providers and community groups.

In New York, NYRA has long provided sustaining financial contributions to deepen the impact of the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST), the Racetrack Chaplaincy of New York and the Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA). 

NYRA Cares partners with national organizations such as the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the American Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program among others. 

The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is marked by a number of special events and community partnerships sponsored and supported by NYRA. These include the annual Belmont/Elmont Parade, the jockey visit to the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island and the Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer. 

At historic Saratoga Race Course, NYRA Cares’ signature initiative is the Community Outreach Booth, which each season highlights a total of 40 local and industry non-profit organizations by providing them with a unique platform to share information about their work and fundraising initiatives. One non-profit per day of the summer racing season receives the exclusive opportunity to interact with the thousands of guests who visit Saratoga Race Course. The Community Partner of the Day is also featured in the Post Parade racing program and on televisions throughout the venue. 

To learn more about NYRA Cares, visit: https://www.nyrainc.com/community.