The CURE Board of Directors

Louis Gelormino
From a humble beginning, through many personal hardships and difficulties, scholastic challenges and the hurdle of professional obstacles, Louis has achieved the position of Deputy Commissioner of Law, Employment and Special Projects for the New York City Department of Probation from May 1994 to May 28, 2002 under Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and his present position as Executive Director & Counsel to the Local Conditional Release Board under the present Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Born in South Brooklyn, he overcame a difficult family environment, the death of his father at 13 years old, his mother’s long suffering from a debilitating disease and his brothers’ victory in a courageous battle with drug addition. Louis, himself, was delivered from a street gang called “The Little Gents” through the energies, and the selfish love of dedicated individuals such as Mary Sansone and the Congress of Italian-American Organization (C.I.A.O.).In addition, moreover Louis attributes his success and achievements to his faith in God, which received from his mother Rose Gelormino.

As a young adult, Louis, Louis committed himself to defeating the adversities of his early childhood. During his high school years, he took on diverse responsibilities as a family worker, a youth counselor and an ironworker. He was the first Italian-American to be awarded a full scholarship from the College Discovery Program at the Borough of Manhattan Community College of New York (B.M.C.C.) and the City College of New York (C.C.N.Y.)

Upon earning his Bachelor of Arts, Louis was beginning to taste victory. Additionally, he was the first Italian-American to receive a full scholarship from the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (C.L.E.O.) to Temple University School of Law, where he received his Jurisprudence (J. D. Degree).

His unwavering efforts brought the realization of childhood dreams:

  • An accomplished criminal trial attorney with the Legal Aid Society.
  • A successful Prosecutor/Senior Trial attorney in the office of the Honorable Charles J. Hynes, District Attorney of Kings County assigned to the prestigious Trial Code and the Major Offense Bureau.
  • The establishment of a successful private practice in his beloved Bensonhurst. Ten successful years handling Real Estate, Domestic Law, Will & Estate and Personal Injury Law.
  • Appointed by the Mayor, the Honorable Rudolph W. Giuliani, in May 1994, to the position of Deputy Commissioner of the Law, Employment And Special Projects for the New York City Department of Probation.
  • As a member of Member Boards of Directors that assist thousands of poor and needy throughout New York City such as (C.I.A.O.) Congress of Italian-American Organization, Christian Herald & Bowery Mission for the Homeless, Columbian Lawyers’ Association, (C.U.R.E.) Counsel for Understanding Racial Equality.

From May 1994 to May 2002 as Deputy Commissioner for Law, Employment & Special Programs, Louis was responsible for the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Office of General Counsel, Office of the Advocate, Drug Prevention & Treatment, Community Service, Volunteer Services and Restitution under his present position of Deputy Commissioner of Law, Employment and Special Programs.

While having these offices under this watch, he successfully re-engineered the innovative “Nova Ancora” a Vocational Training and Employment Program for drug-free probationers, helping positively motivated probationers avoid a recidivistic life style, thus ensuring public safety and the rehabilitation of these clients. Last year over 1200 obtained employment and a new positive direction in life through the Nova Ancora Program. Since the reactivation of the Nova Ancora Program, it has been featured in a number of national compendiums and newspapers such as The National Corrections Compendium (1997) and the El Foro National Puerto Rican Forum, Inc. (Oct/Nov 2000) as well as various cable television shows. This effective and efficient program has been cited as one of the best Vocational & Training Programs in the country. A total of 9000+ probationers have received employment opportunities from 1994 to 2002. Louis has recently received a new assignment as Executive Director & Counsel of the Local Conditional Release Commission as a new appointment under Mayor Bloomberg’s Administration.

Below, please find Achievement & Merit Awards received and Civic Associates:

Achievement & Merit Awards Received

  • Congress of Italian American organization (C.I.A.O) from Mary Sansone, Executive Director 1989
  • New Era Democrats (N.E.D.) June 7, 1992 - President Joseph Crisalli - for outstanding leadership in community affairs and deep commitment to the problems of the poor and needy.
  • Author of book titled Gent ’s Prayer, autobiography of Louis Gelormino published by the Authors of Unity.
  • Boro Park Community Counsel, December 17, 1989 - Jacques Friedman, Chairman, Simon D. Frankel, President.
  • Bensonhurst Civic Association, April 22, 1990 - Maria Scalise, President
  • Christian Legal Society and Italian American Law Students Association of Brooklyn

Law School , December 11, 1991 . Appreciation for dedicated community volunteer service and leadership.

  • Grand Marshall, the Santa Rosalia Feast of Bensonhurst - August 1996 Achievement and Merit Award for outstanding community and legal services.
  • The Congress of Italian Americans Organization Inc., (C.I.A.O. C.U.R.E) recognition of selfless commitment to others and relentless, persistent devotion to C.I.A.O. December 1996 Mary Sansone, Executive Director
  • The Bowery Mission - In appreciation for exceptional dedication to the cause of New York City ’s homeless, December 1996 Ed Morgan, CEO Christian Herald
  • Pakistan Independence Day Parade & Fair Committee N.Y. 1997-Award of Appreciation

Civic Associations

Vice President, New Era Democrats (N.E.D)

  • Independent Political Organization assisting qualified candidates with their campaigns for Public Office (1988-1995)

Members of Community Understanding for Racial Equality (C.U.R.E.)

  • Promote understanding and harmony among various ethnic groups

Member of Citizens for Neighborhood Action

County Committeeman of the 52 nd A.D., 46 th E.D. (1965-1977)

Member of Community Planning Board No. 15 (1975-1977)

Member of Community Planning Board No. 11 (1983-1985)

  • Chairman of the Legal Committee, Vice Chairman of the Land Use Committee

Legal Counsel to the United Veterans of New York State (1985-1987)

President, Congress of Italian-American Organizations (CIAO)

  • Help poor and needy of New York City , regardless of race, color, creed and/or sexual orientation (1990-1992)

Member of the YMCA Board of Managers and Knights of Columbus (1976-1978)

Member of Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Navy Yard (1996-1998)

Vice President of E.O.N.

  • An organization of Christian professional businessmen in the Tri-State area dedicated to helping the poor and needy with physical and spiritual needs.

Volunteer Legal Counsel to the Bowery Mission for the Homeless (1979-1980)

  • Assists in supplying the physical, occupational and spiritual needs of the homeless in New York City

Legal Counsel to Our Father’s Ministries for the Homeless

Working with various Churches and professionals to assist the homeless (1980-1982)

Louis has been married to his beautiful wife Elaine for 24 years, and together they have raised their 22-year-old son Louis Jr., who recently graduated as a honor student at NYU Stern Business School and is employed full-time as a trader in Feinstock & Co.