The other day, in my tenth speech detailing my vision for New York City, I unveiled six ways the City can better work with the community of faith to deliver services to those who really need them.   

Speaking at NYU’s Hillel chapter, I urged Democrats to reclaim our partnership with faith.

Let me be clear: my vision is not about politics or division. My plan is about inclusion, and practical solutions to real problems. 

Working together with the faith community, we can do more to serve the poor, the needy, the hungry, the homeless and the sick. By partnering with religious organizations throughout the five boroughs we join hands for the greater good.

I want to create a Non-Profit Czar to help religious institutions navigate the complicated City bureaucracies that get in the way of helping the neediest. I want to work with the faith community to provide health care services to seniors and low income communities, make it easier for growing religious families to afford housing, keep Catholic schools open, and keep religious institutions like Yeshivas safe.

Part of the problem is that we’ve been too locked into the orthodoxy of the opposition.

But just because the Republicans say something, doesn’t mean we should swing into, ‘not now, not ever’ mode.

Democrats have to be willing to stand up to Republicans who claim ownership over the faith community. And Democrats have to be willing to stand up for our values.

They are the right values and they are the values that will guide me as Mayor.

— Anthony