Bill de Blasio, the current mayor of New York City, recently appointed Chirlane McCray, his wife, chairwoman of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, a nonprofit that raises money to support a variety of city causes.  De Blasio said he needed someone who understands New York City, its struggles, and is driven and dedicated to creating positive change within city communities to lead the nonprofit.  He believed his wife was the perfect candidate in that respect.

Defining the couple’s relationship during her husband’s campaign process and the road ahead McCray said, “If there is one thing I know from all our years together, it is that you and I are happiest when we are united behind a common cause.  That’s our marriage, and that’s our partnership, and I thank you.”  De Blasio emphasized that fact that the city’s Conflict of Interest Board had cleared the appointment of McCray to chairwoman of the city nonprofit and that she would be unpaid.  “By agreeing to do this for free, she’s giving a great gift to the people of New York City, and I think people will receive it as such,” de Blasio added.

Under Michael Bloomberg, the previous mayor of New York City, the nonprofit organization supported various environmental causes, anti-poverty goals, and public health and youth initiatives.  McCray said that she would add helping immigrant communities, children and families to the nonprofit’s agenda.

Gabrielle Fialkoff, the chairwoman of de Blasio’s inauguration committee, was given the role of senior adviser to the mayor in addition to being named the director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships.  The Office of Strategic Partnerships oversees the Mayor’s Fund and other similar organizations like the Fund for Public Schools and the Fund for Public Health.

For more information about McCray becoming chairwoman of the Mayor’s Fund please visit http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/07/nyregion/de-blasio-appoints-chirlane-mccray-his-wife-to-lead-nonprofit-group.html?_r=0.