GUAAC Beginnings
GUAAC began almost ten years ago when members of the Uniondale community congregated to work to improve their surroundings. In the first brainstorming meeting, members voiced their concerns about Uniondale in addition to proposed solutions. While we agreed that Uniondale was an incredibly community, we were also worried about the housing crisis, lack of green space, and funding problems. It was through these initial conversations that GUAAC came to be with the defined goals that still stand today.
Since it’s inception, members of GUAAC have worked tirelessly to give Uniondale a voice and to make Uniondale reflect its hardworking, talented, diverse, and beautiful citizens. The coalition is ever grateful to the contributions of Dr. Maney, and will continue to uphold the vision set forth by Dr. Maney and GUAAC founders: community betterment through unified, high impact campaigns.
Dr. Greg Maney
GUAAC would not be what it is had it not been for the late Dr. Gregory Maney. Dr. Maney was a Hofstra professor, community advocate, ally, and friend. Dr. Maney worked at Hofstra as a sociology professor from 2001 until the time of his death in 2017. One of his many achievements at Hofstra included his installation as the Harry H. Wachtel Distinguished Teaching Professor for the Study of Nonviolent Social Change. As part of his advocacy, Dr. Maney served as the director of the Center for Civic Engagement, through which he established a system that connected student fellows with Hofstra and community partners. In addition to his Hofstra activism, Dr. Maney served on the boards of the Central American Refugee Center and the Long Island Immigrant Alliance. He also furthered the Irish Studies program at Hofstra. Dr. Maney left an invaluable impact on GUAAC, Hofstra, and Long Island through his passion and kindness. GUAAC is honored to have been part of his life.