Mayoral Assembly Report & Recap

On Sunday, October 19, fifty Riverside congregants and community members gathered in solidarity with Metro IAFfor the Mayoral Candidate Accountability Assembly—a powerful demonstration of faith in action. Together, we joined thousands of New Yorkers calling for real, transformative responses to the issues that most affect our communities, including affordable housing, improving conditions in public housing, addressing the mental health crisis, and building truly safe and thriving neighborhoods.

We heard directly from some of the most vulnerable voices in our city: residents living in public housing plagued by mold and leaks that threaten their health; immigrants fearing harassment from federal law enforcement; and Jewish neighbors deeply concerned about rising antisemitic violence. Their testimonies laid bare the urgent need for bold and compassionate leadership.

Metro IAF leaders presented concrete, achievable plans to meet those needs—identifying specific sites, subsidies, and staffing required to build 40,000 units of affordable housing, and proposing mental health crisis response centers in every county. We also listened as mayoral candidates responded, sharing how they intend to meet these community-driven goals.

To view a recording of the event, click here: Watch the livestream.

At Riverside, we believe that being the Church means bringing our faith beyond the sanctuary walls—into the public square where justice, dignity, and love are needed most. Our partnership with Metro IAF connects us to a broad, faith-rooted network of congregations and community organizations committed to building a New York where every person can live safely, affordably, and with hope.

When we show up through Metro IAF, we do more than attend an event—we stand shoulder to shoulder with those most impacted by systemic neglect. We listen deeply, follow their leadership, and lend our collective voice to amplify their power. In doing so, we move together from charity to justice, from sympathy to solidarity, and from good intentions to transformative action.