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April 28, 2022 Dear Guests, It has been 3 years since we last gathered in person and we are so pleased you are here with us this evening. Your belief in our organization has made it possible for us to permanently change the trajectory of the lives of so many members of our Westchester community.
For over 40 years, Lifting Up Westchester (LUW) has made sure that all of our clients have critical resources like nutritious food, stable housing, access to healthcare and education, and the strong support systems they need to regain their independence. We provide safety, restore resilience, and build a foundation for self-sufficiency for our clients. Your support and our clients’ success makes it possible for us to build stronger communities, a stronger economy, and a stronger society. Tonight, we celebrate M&T Bank, Lois & Stephen Fendler, John Delfs & Jade de Saussure, and Barbara & Charles Wiggins, community voices and advocates who courageously pursue restoring the well-being of our Westchester neighbors in need. We are also honoring four exceptional staff members, each of whom has dedicated over 25 years to Lifting Up the men, women, and children of Westchester: Barbara Bento-Fleming, Ada Raiford, Denise Reshard, and Eileen Torres. Our honorees play a pivotal role in building the reservoir of support necessary for our Westchester neighbors to flourish. They embody the true spirit of service and demonstrate that when we support each other, we are able to achieve a better, more equitable community. Thank you for being with us tonight and for your dedication to Lifting up Westchester. Gratefully,
Anahaita N. Kotval Chief Executive Officer
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At M&T Bank, we know how important it is to support those organizations that make life better in our communities. That’s why we offer our time and resources, and encourage others to do the same. Learn more at mtb.com/community. M&T Bank is proud to sponsor Lifting Up Westchester and the 2022 Community of Hope Gala
SPONSORS M&T Bank Jeffrey & Mara Talpins Wells Fargo Tesser, Ryan & Rochman, LLP
Kathleen Kiernan & Matt Darnall Lois & Stephen Fendler Cuddy & Feder LLP Hudson Valley Credit Union
Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, LLP
John & Debbie Morrison
Martin LLP
Bombas
John & Hannah Nelson
AvalonBay Communities
Anahaita Kotval & Zubeen Shroff Right Click Solutions, LLC Peapack-Gladstone Bank Max Mara Nanette Bourne & John Delfs
Janine & Lloyd Daughtry/Walter & Sylvia Simon The Shipp Family QuantumView Wealth Management PNC Bank The Building & Realty Institute
HONOREES M&T Bank
Lois & Stephen Fendler Good Wolf John Delfs & Jade de Saussure The Legacy of Barbara & Charles Wiggins Special Honor to Lifting Up Westchester Staff of 25+ Years Barbara Bento-Fleming Ada Raiford Denise Reshard Eileen Torres
Each year, Lifting Up Westchester serves between 2,500 and 3,000 men, women, and children experiencing homelessness and hunger by providing safety, restoring their resilience, and building a foundation for selfsufficiency
BOARD OF DIRECTORS George Kontogiannis, President Diane Aparisio, Vice-President Michael E. DiNizo, Treasurer Despina Kartson, Secretary Calvin Chin Lisa Choi Janine Daughtry Joseph Gallo Max Gaujean Steve Groth Mamta Mamik William Malpica John E. Morrison Hannah M. Nelson Adam Rodriguez John Sabalja Neal Siena
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COMMUNITY COUNCIL Kristin Ashman Matt Darnall Sharon Salomy Douglas Hans Dorsainvil Louis Gallo Andrew Heath Kathleen Kiernan Nicola Lloyd Wayne Lloyd Adil Mistry Ravi Mittal Naomi Proctor Larry Ruggieri Dr. Arlene Sharpe Jim Shipp Harri Taranto Patricia Thomas Penelope Yates Clare Xu
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EVENT COMMITTEE Calvin Chin, Co-Chair Jessica Rosen Klein, Co-Chair Rob Brown Nanette Bourne Robert Heath
Linda Heath Lauren Hurwitz John E. Morrison Hannah M. Nelson
Nino Pesce Jennifer Premisler Barbara Satow Jessica Sherman
M&T Bank Founded on the principle of providing exceptional financial products and friendly, personalized service, M&T Bank has been committed to our customers and the communities we serve for more than 160 years. Let
us help you reach your financial goals. By being a part of M&T Bank, you are part of an organization that believes in working hard to understand what is important to our customers, clients, and communities.
Lucid Candle
Lois & Stephen Fendler Lois & Stephen Fendler have supported Lifting Up
Westchester for over 30 years and have a deep understanding of the holistic nature of our work. As strong advocates from LUW’s beginnings as Grace Church Community Center, to Emceeing Fundraising events, to donating PPE during the pandemic, the Fendlers have a long history of demonstrating their commitment to Lifting Up our neighbors in need.
Wells Fargo 1
Finding a purposeful way to assist one another, turning belief into action, and working toward shared goals – these are the driving forces that lift up humanity and make a difference one person at a time. Wells Fargo is a proud sponsor of the 2022 Community of Hope Gala and salutes Lifting Up Westchester for its efforts to support neighbors in crisis by restoring the foundation necessary for them to rebuild their lives. Louis P. Gallo
louis.p.gallo@wellsfargo.com
© 2022 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved. 7216801
Good Wolf
John Delfs & Jade de Saussure Good Wolf, founded by Dr. John Delfs, is a nonprofit organization that translates neuroscientific knowledge into practical applications designed to empower individuals and organizations to become more pro-social, and hence,
more effective and productive in their behaviors and policies. Dr. Delfs and his colleague, Jade de Saussure, MSW, have donated hundreds of hours to facilitate LUW staff growth and empowerment to strengthen our organizational culture.
Nanette Bourne & John Delfs
The Legacy of Barbara & Charles Wiggins Barbara & Charles Wiggins were active members of Grace Church and the White Plains community as well as avid supporters of
Lifting Up Westchester. Their legacy is one of deep love for humankind and the hope that together we can make the world a better place for everyone. Lifting Up Westchester is honored that Charles and Barbara left us a legacy gift to support the heart of our mission – to make our community better for everyone.
Bleakley Platt
Barbara Bento-Fleming Barbara Bento-Fleming joined Lifting Up Westchester in 1995 and served as our Housing Director for 20 years before becoming Chief Program Officer for Residential Services where
she oversees all shelter, housing, and supportive services programs. Prior to her 27 year tenure at Lifting Up Westchester, she worked as both a consultant and in senior positions developing and managing transitional housing and shelters. As a lifelong resident of Westchester, Barbara has spent her life giving back to build a stronger community.
Bombas
Ada Raiford Since 1981 when Lifting Up Westchester was originally named
Grace Church Community Center, Ada Raiford has worked to Lift individuals up in our community. She has served in a variety of roles in our shelters, our street outreach team and our program for youth with developmental disabilities. For over 40 years, Ada has been a hallmark in the community helping people to achieve greater self-sufficiency.
Denise Reshard Throughout Denise Reshard’s 26
year career with Lifting Up Westchester, she has fought alongside her clients to help them strengthen their resilience and overcome the barriers they face in achieving their goals. She has helped hundreds of clients find and maintain their housing. Denise never gives up and never turns anyone away who needs help.
Martin LLP
Eileen Torres Eileen Torres is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Bilingual Counselor, and Mental Health Counselor in the Yonkers School
District and has been the Director of Lifting Up Westchester’s Next Generation Youth Services Program for 34 years. For more than three decades, Eileen has been the driving force and biggest advocate for supporting Westchester youth who aspire to graduate high school, attend college, and pursue their career goals.
Avalon Bay
Myth: Everyone experiencing homelessness is severely mentally ill or on drugs. Fact: Nationally, 40% of individuals experiencing homelessness do NOT have a mental illness or drug problem. 30% of individuals experiencing homelessness do have a mental health diagnosis compared to 6% of the general public. 30% of individuals experiencing homelessness do have a drug problem compared to 15% of the general public.
Cuddy Feder
Hannah Nelson
Orange Bank
HVCU
Tesser Ryan
Myth: People who are homeless don’t want to work. Fact: 60% of our clients experiencing homelessness work part-time jobs and 35% work full-time jobs. The problem is, they come in with low-wage jobs and can’t afford the rent, or they had a catastrophic event like a medical expense or the loss of a spouse during Covid and couldn’t afford their apartment with only one income.
Peapack Gladstone
Myth: Becoming homeless means you live on the street. Fact: In Westchester County, on any given night, 1,800 people are experiencing homelessness and staying at a shelter or living on the street. This does not account for the 2,300 children and their families who are living with 2 or 3 families in cramped housing or individuals who couch surf between friends and family or those using the last of their life savings to stay in a motel.
Right Click
John Morrison Card
PNC
Paul Anderson-Winchell
Wells Fargo 2
Finding a purposeful way to assist one another, turning belief into action, and working toward shared goals – these are the driving forces that lift up humanity and make a difference one person at a time. Wells Fargo is a proud sponsor of the 2022 Community of Hope Gala and salutes Lifting Up Westchester for its efforts to support neighbors in crisis by restoring the foundation necessary for them to rebuild their lives. Louis P. Gallo louis.p.gallo@wellsfargo.com
© 2022 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved. 7216801
Odds of someone living at or below the poverty line becoming homeless: 1 in 25. Odds of someone living above the poverty line becoming homeless: 1 in 200.
Max Mara Event Promo
Daughtry/Simon
Anahaita
A lack of a high school diploma or GED is the top risk factor for young adult homelessness, resulting in a 4.5x higher likelihood of experiencing homelessness.
Fendlers
Max Mara Ad (regular)
Grace Church
BRI
John Morrison Personal
Barhite & Holzinger/Corcoran Legends
Thank You For Dressing Our Staff Honorees!
Thank You To Our Silent Auction Donors 105 – TEN Bar & Grill
Lucid Liquid Candle Works
Antonio Alvarez Crosscurrent Outfitters
Marc Jacobs International
Jak Cukaj
Marla Beth Designs, Inc.
D’Errico Jewelry
Master Card
John Delfs & Nanette Bourne
Max Mara Scarsdale Golf Club
Dilemma Fashions Neal Siena Epstein’s of Yonkers Linda & Robert Heath
Steve Sohn’s Krav Maga Training Center
June Hersh
Ten Twenty Post
Igor M Salon
Wine Enthusiast
Nick Krzemienski
World Cup Schools
La Crémaillère Restaurant
Xaviars Restaurant Group
Featuring Silent Auction Items Including…
18 Karat Pave Set Round Diamond Band
Brunch for 2 at X2O or Restaurant X
La Crémaillère Dinner for Two The Weekend Max Mara Pasticcino Bag
Sunset Sail on the Rascal
4 Fun Nights at The Reef at the Atlantis Resort!
Birthday Party for 14 at World Cup Gymnastics
Threesome Round of Golf at Trump National Golf Club, Westchester
Cocktail Party at Ten Twenty Post for Up To 25 People!
"Sunday in the Park" Artwork
4 Yankee Tickets & 4 Passes to a Priceless Pregame Reception! 8-Piece Wine Enthusiast Entertaining Set
…And Many More!
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At M&T Bank, we know how important it is to support those organizations that make life better in our communities. That’s why we offer our time and resources, and encourage others to do the same. Learn more at mtb.com/community. M&T Bank is proud to sponsor Lifting Up Westchester and the 2022 Community of Hope Gala
5th Annual Essay Contest “What Role Does Housing Play in Influencing Our Future?” was the topic for the 2022 essay contest sponsored by Lifting Up Westchester. All 7th-12th graders who live in or attend school in Westchester were invited to explore the importance of equitable access to housing. Congratulations to all of our 2022 Essay Contest Winners! 7th & 8th Grade: 1st Place: Mioko Martin, Ardsley Middle School 2nd Place: Kendal Mangum, The Ursuline School 3rd Place (tie): Kaia White, Sleepy Hollow Middle School 3rd Place (tie): Zoya Nabeel, Seven Bridges Middle School Honorable Mention: Eloise McGibbon, Pelham Middle School Honorable Mention: Mia Ritossa, Pelham Middle School 9th & 10th Grade: 1st Place: Natasha Pereira, Scarsdale Public High School 2nd Place: Isabella Vembenil, The Ursuline School 3rd Place: Sofia Choudhri, Briarcliff High School 11th & 12th Grade: 1st Place: Kylie Staebler, North Salem High School 2nd Place: Lamyaa Hamid, Peekskill High School 3rd Place: Arianna Suarez, Peekskill High School ESL: 1st Place: Hirokatsu Tao, Keio Academy 2nd Place: Mayuka Kitada, Keio Academy
Thank You To Our Esteemed 5th Annual Essay Contest Judges! Diane Aparisio
Spencer Barback Nanette Bourne Meg Broderick Robin Buchanan Linda Burger
Georgia Carreira Sandra Malpica Chaiken Renee Cohen Janis Colella Matthew Darnall David Eddy Melissa Brown Eisenberg Michael Friedman Linda Gallo
Emily Goodman
Sandra Harwitt
Isabelle Bari Nelson
Jack Hughes
Jonathan Nelson
Brian Huizingh
Rosemary O’Grady
Lucy Iscaro
Chris Porcelli
Maki Itoh
M. Akeera Ramjohn
Despina Kartson
Karen Kolbert Richelli
Kathleen Kiernan
Chris Schwartz
Terry Kirchner
Deborah Schwarz
Diane Kissner
Judy Siegel
Anahaita Kotval
Diane Solomon
Daulat Kotval
Annick Tabb
Alexandra Lyras
Allison Taylor
Vivian Maher
Martha Trujillo Torp
Danny Massey
Sandra Vaughn
Ellen Massey
Kristen Vetter
Sydney Massey
Clare Xu
Robert Edward Miss
Judy Zendell
SENIOR LEADERSHIP Anahaita N. Kotval Chief Executive Officer
Carl Williams Controller
Willa Brody Chief Operating Officer
Barbara Bento-Fleming Chief Residential Program Officer
Lauren Candela-Katz Chief Development Officer
Eileen Torres Director of Youth Services
Carolyn Kihm Human Resources Director