Saying she will have a challenge following in the footsteps of Eleanor Tiefenwerth, newly-named Executive Director Ana Quintela took lead of the Bayonne Equal Opportunity Foundation on March 7.
“I know it will be a challenge, but I like challenges,” Quintela said.
Jerry Kelly, chairman of the BEOF board, said Quintela was selected after a search for candidates.
Born and raised in Bayonne, Quintela attended Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Elementary School, Bayonne High School, and Berkeley College in Manhattan.
“I know it will be a challenge, but I like challenges.” – Ana Quintela
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“I traveled around the world,” she said, which included trips to South and Central America, the Orient and other locations. “To tell you the truth, I’ll miss traveling, but I’m looking forward to this.”
Although this will be the first time Quintela has been involved with the BEOF, she said she is familiar with many of its programs, especially the Head Start program for which she did recruitment at Booz Allen Hamilton.
The BEOF is the designated Community Action Program for the City of Bayonne.
As an outgrowth of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, a Community Action Program, initiated under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, uses federal funds and other grants to help fight poverty on a local level, and helps provide programs geared primarily for low income citizens, senior citizens, and the handicapped. Along with programs such as Meals on Wheels, the BEOF helps provide emergency food programs, help with heating, temporary housing help, even programs for homelessness assistance. The BEOF offers meals to seniors at two locations, and is involved with the Cluster Soup Kitchen at the former Our Lady of Assumption School.
One of the largest components of the BEOF is running the early educational program called Head Start, which has three locations in Bayonne.
With federal and state funding for many community action programs throughout the nation being cut back, Quintela – who has a background in grant writing as well – will likely have to focus on finding new ways to fund programs.
“I want people to know that I will work hard and I am glad for the opportunity to build on what Eleanor has done,” she said.
“Ana is coming into the BEOF at a critical time,” said Tiefenwerth, who will be staying for a short time to help Quintela become familiar with the operations.
“There’s a lot to learn,” Quintela admitted. “I know I’m going to have a hard time measuring up to what Eleanor has done, but I like challenges.”
She said she will be looking for more funding opportunities.
Tiefenwerth, however, said she will not be fading away and that she will begin lobbying for funding for the BEOF.
“That was something I was not permitted to do under federal law while I was employed here,” she said.
Tiefenwerth, who just turned 84, is retiring after serving as the executive director for 30 years. But combined with her volunteer work, which started with the founding of the BEOF in 1965, she has been involved with the BEOF for 45 years.
“I think Ana is an excellent choice,” Tiefenwerth said. “She is the right person to deal with what the community is faced with today.”
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.