A Successful Denim Day & Missing Children Day

By Katie McFadden

The 4th Annual Denim Day and Missing Children’s Awareness Day event was a success, with participants leaving with heartfelt stories to share, resources at their disposal and new knowledge of how to prevent future tragedies.

On Saturday, May 2, Theresa Racine of XtremeMeasure welcomed the community to the Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center for a program that featured performances, speakers who experienced domestic violence or have loved ones missing, tables full of resources from the NYPD, Queens District Attorney’s office and more, and even self-defense demonstrations.

The program began with a prayer led by Moises Reyes, a minister at Highland Church in Jamaica, and music sung by the Baby Jesus Choir from St. Rose of Lima, while everyone was asked to plant a pinwheel into the ground as a symbol for missing children, in the hopes that they’ll be found.

Racine then invited up Curtis Turney-Rentas, director of the B.R.I.D.G.E. FEC, who is running for NYS District 31 Committee Member. “Denim Day is a day that we should never forget, and I applaud Theresa for bringing together organizations to celebrate this day because it’s often forgotten,” Turney-Rentas said. “Those who are impacted by sexual assault and domestic violence should never go unnoticed, and we have kids who are missing, and we need to come together to support those who are in the fight to find missing children.”

Turney-Rentas and his organization, Eileen Murray Savelli, Lisa DeFillipo and others collected and donated jeans for the Denim Day aspect of the event, which were given away that day.

Rose Cobo bravely spoke about the 10-year ordeal she’s been going through to find her missing daughter, Chelsea Cobo, who went missing from Brooklyn at age 22 and may be a human trafficking victim. Cobo has been featured in several TV programs, including “Missing” on Hulu. “I am constantly trying to make people aware of how dangerous and real missing is,” Cobo said. Cobo is part of organization 911Missing.org, which has since created a phone app called Find Missing Now to give everyone a way to participate in finding missing people quickly.

Coming from New Jersey to speak was Nativad Nazario, a former Rockaway resident and the author of “The Monster in My Head,” a new book about her survival of childhood abuse. Nazario shared that she was raped by her uncle as a child, and she lived in silence and carried shame for many years. She reminded others, “What happened to you is not your fault. Silence may feel like protection, but it becomes a prison.” She went on to say how her trauma affected much of her life until someone came into her life who empowered her to heal and find her voice.

In between speakers, Theresa Racine and Seph Figueroa gave a dance performance to the inspirational song, “I Still Rise” by Yolanda Adams. Racine danced with flags while Figueroa gave an interpretative dance performance to the lyrics. Figueroa then did a flag performance to the religious song, “Open Every Door.”

The performances were followed by lunch and workshops. Assistant District Attorney Jessica Melton of DA Katz’s office provided real-life examples of human trafficking situations and provided tips on how these things can be prevented. Crime Prevention Officer Jason Farrell of the 100th Precinct spoke about digital dangers and how predators use social media and gaming platforms to lure in young victims. Moises Reyes of Valiant Karate gave a self-defense demonstration, teaching kids and adults different ways to break free from an abductor and how to fight back.

Renee Hastick-Motes, MPA, Chief Executive Officer, was honored to make the Addabbo Center available for the event. “At the Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center, we are proud to serve as both a healthcare provider and a trusted community anchor. Hosting this event in partnership with Xtreme Measure reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing awareness, prevention, and access to critical resources for families impacted by missing and exploited children,” Hastick-Motes said. “Through initiatives like this, we are not only addressing immediate needs, but strengthening the foundation for a safer, more informed, and more connected Rockaway community. We remain committed to deepening these partnerships and continuing this important work.”

Racine was grateful for all who made it possible. “I’d like to extend my gratitude to all the organizations and performers who participated. In today’s world, it’s essential for our community to unite and protect one another, particularly children. We must be the voice for those who are unable to speak for themselves. One never thinks that adversity will strike their own family, but when it does, a supportive community is invaluable,” Racine said. “By attending, you’ve already become part of the change and a vital component of the solution. I was thrilled to see so many caring individuals listening to our speakers and actively participating. Next year, I plan to expand my reach with events in the Jersey Shore, Manhattan, and the Rockaways, which will require a dedicated team. If you’re interested in joining, please contact me at 646-408-1200. This endeavor has always been about more than just me — it’s about safety, giving a voice to the voiceless, and promoting awareness.”