To the honorable members of the: East Elmhurst Community 
Subject of Petition: 
 
 
The Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens, represented by Rev. Darrell DaCosta, and trustee Asuncion Dabao-Salvador of Our Lady of Fatima parish have entered into a 30-year lease with YAI, a benefactor of Catholic Charities in collaboration with The Dormitory Authority of The State of New York to convert the former convent on 80th Street and 30th Avenue, adjacent to Our Lady of Fatima School (on a residential block with attached homes just a few feet across the street) as a home for mentally ill and  chemically dependent young adults against the advice of the Parish Council who are all members of the surrounding community. There is no guarantee that YAI will remain the primary tenant throughout the duration of this 30-year lease. The current lease states “Children” between the ages of 8 and 18, however, with the written consent of Reverend DaCosta (the signee), or his successor, the lease can be amended at any time over 30 years essentially allowing not only chemical dependent, also criminal mentally ill adults, and anyone else that he signs off on. Reverend DaCosta has changed his announcements and weekly bulletins numerous times contradicting themselves since his 1st announcement on 1/19/25 till the current Parish bulletin. Coleen Ceriello, in the month of January this year, representing the Brooklyn/Queens Diocese, spoke to a small select group of important members of Our Lady of Fatima pertaining to the issue at hand and holding a meeting to address both Rev. DaCosta and Principal Margaret Rogers. Not a single announcement, bulletin or letter from both the parish and school has been accurate reflecting the current lease to date. YAI has been convicted of Medicaid fraud in the past and had to pay $18 million in civil damages. There is also no guarantee that YAI will be the tenant for the full 30 years as this religious structure is being converted into a NY State Dormitory.

We, the members of the Parish and residents of East Elmhurst and surrounding community are deeply concerned regarding the recent decision by the church in conjunction with the diocese to prioritize financial gain over the safety and welfare of our community. Many other initiatives were discussed by the Parish Council on methods of raising funds, all which have been ignored, one example - involving 75 years of School Alumni (many who still reside in the area) who have been completely ignored and have left OLF for one of the many neighboring Parishes over the last 10 years. 
Collectively, we the residents oppose a home for mentally ill as well as chemically dependent young adults in our quiet residential community, located directly adjacent to a grade school for kids from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. Our signatures below represent our commitment to this cause and our shared belief in the importance of addressing this issue for the benefit of the community as it has caused tremendous stress, anxiety and fear throughout our close knit – family oriented, diverse community.