PAST ANDREW ZIMMERN AWARD WINNERS

We are excited to have three of the past five Andrew Zimmern Award winners with us this evening and to be able to share with you brief background and an update on how well each of them are doing now.

KRISTIN STREZNETCKY won last year’s award for her perseverance to overcome multiple life traumas, dedication to turning her life around, and for her strength shown when giving back to her community. After surviving a horrific past, a severe substance abuse issue, and an untreated mental health diagnosis, Kristin ended up in the New York City Homeless Shelter program with her newborn son for 4 years, and had just enrolled in college before coming to S:US’ supportive housing program. By utilizing the services S:US offers, and with the continuous support of S:US’ staff, she was able to maintain a clean and healthy lifestyle, while staying on track to accomplish her goals.

Kristin is currently employed with S:US as the Advocacy & Research Associate in Supportive Services, and hopes to stay connected to S:US in perpetuity. On June 2nd, she graduated cum laude from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, with a bachelors in criminology, a minor in dispute resolution, and will continue there to earn her doctorate. Kristin is looking forward to enjoying the summer with her 2 sons and is saving to buy a home outside NYC, to secure a better way of life.

DAVID ARNOLD was the 2019 Andrew Zimmern Award winner for having strength in overcoming adversities, his sense of optimism, his outgoing personality and for the willingness to support others in his community. David, who is diagnosed with developmental disabilities and was abandoned at a New York City hospital by his mother after giving birth, was raised by a supportive foster mom before coming to S:US in 2006 with a passion for life and the desire to become more independent. At S:US, David received consistent attention and assistance from staff, and has since moved into an Individualized Supportive Services (ISS) apartment with a roommate, maintaining a clean apartment, managing his necessary appointments, and navigating NYC transportation alone.

For nine years, David has been working at ‘Cleaning with Meaning,’ and after learning the tricks of his trade, wants to start his own cleaning service in the future. David likes to cook, hang with friends, and he connects with his very supportive family. David is looking forward to starting school to obtain his NY State Realtors License. He also believes that everyone needs to be in their own setting so they can be themselves and can make their own rules to live by.

TINA MILLER won the award in 2018 for her determination, resilience, and hard work to improve the lives of her children and herself. Having gone through the traumas of domestic violence and challenges of substance use, Tina moved into S:US supportive housing from the NYC Homeless Shelter System in 2009. With guidance from her S:US Case Manager and Vocational Counselor, she was able to enroll in college, and gained viable employment as a medical assistant.

After winning the award, Tina has remained employed, but throughout the pandemic, finished her medical assistant certification remotely, and started a small online ‘scrubs’ shop, to subsidize her lost income. Tina has two children: a 7-year-old son who loves youth football, and a 16-year-old daughter who soon will be touring colleges. Today, with determination and devotion to succeed, Tina works as an LPN at White Plains Hospital and will be graduating Hunter College School of Nursing in December.

a ability to seize new opportunities that improve overall will have demonstrated resilience, perseverance, optimism,