S:US works with communities and individuals in every corner of the city and on Long Island to make sure every New Yorker has the chance to find their home.
Because home is more than a roof. Home is stability, safety, community, and a sense of belonging.
And the opportunity to find home is the right of every New Yorker.
OUR MISSION
We transform the lives of people with disabilities, people in poverty and people facing homelessness.
OUR VISION
We have eradicated homelessness and are keeping New Yorkers healthy.
OUR UNIQUENESS
Our Uniqueness lies in our ability to take what we learn on the ground and use it to change systems and impact policy. By delivering high quality services that address the complex circumstances of each person, we help transform lives, improve neighborhoods and boost future generations.
OUR IMPACT
S:US serves tens of thousands of New Yorkers each year facing poverty, homelessness, and life with disabilities. We create pathways to rich and productive lives through high-quality housing, employment, skills-building, treatment, recovery, food security, and eviction prevention services.
A MESSAGE FROM
Gail K. McCallion, Esq. Chair, Board of Directors
Perry Perlmutter President & CEO
At Services for the UnderServed, we believe all New Yorkers—especially individuals facing homelessness, poverty, behavioral health challenges, and developmental disabilities—deserve the opportunity to live healthy, stable, and fulfilling lives. We are guided by the understanding that permanent housing, paired with essential supports such as counseling, health care, healthy food access, and employment services, creates the conditions for people not only to remain housed, but to thrive.
Thank you for joining us this evening at Dinner for a Better New York. Coming together in community allows us to celebrate what is possible by the people who make it possible. Tonight, we are honored to recognize the leadership, generosity, and commitment of our honorees, Richman Housing Resources LLC and S:US Board Member, Victor Rosenzweig, as well as our partners and supporters who champion our mission and strengthen our city. We are deeply grateful to our Board of Directors, the chefs, our Sponsors, and all who have helped bring this evening to life.
S:US plays a vital role in ensuring that New Yorkers, regardless of circumstance, can build purposeful lives. Each year, we partner with tens of thousands of individuals and families across NYC and Long Island, including people exiting homelessness, survivors of domestic violence, veterans, individuals living with mental health and substance use challenges, people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, and those navigating poverty and food insecurity. Since our founding in 1978, S:US has grown into one of the city’s largest and most respected providers of housing and support services—rooted in dignity, compassion, and results.
We have set an ambitious goal to help end long term homelessness in New York City. Over the next decade, we will be working with public and private partners to dramatically reduce that number by expanding access to supportive housing, which is well underway. At the same time, we remain committed to addressing basic needs that are essential to health and wellbeing. We believe access to fresh, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food is a human right. Through our Urban Farms, Community Fridges, and Food Tote Delivery program, we are helping to reduce food insecurity and support healthier communities.
None of this work happens without the dedication of our staff, who show up every day to build trust, provide care, and walk alongside the people we serve as they navigate life’s challenges and pursue their goals.
Your contribution this evening is critical to sustaining flexible support as we continue to deliver and expand our impact every day. It moves S:US closer to our vision of a city where everyone has a place to call home, access to good health, and the opportunity to contribute and connect. We are profoundly grateful for your generosity and partnership as we work together to create a better New York for all.
TONIGHT’S FOOD OFFERINGS CURATED BY Andrew Zimmern
Host, Dinner for a Better New York
Andrew Zimmern has built a career on curiosity and the belief that food tells the world’s most important stories. A cultural anthropologist, Emmy-winning creator, executive producer, and host of several acclaimed shows including Bizarre Foods, The Zimmern List, What’s Eating America, Family Dinner, and Wild Game Kitchen, he’s spent decades exploring how food can bridge social divides and foster change.
Through his extensive travels, Zimmern has become one of television’s most trusted voices on global food systems. His work has earned him four James Beard Awards and established him as a leading advocate for cultural understanding through food storytelling. Beyond television, Zimmern is the founder of Intuitive Content, named a top 100 production company by Realscreen, and Passport Hospitality, a restaurant and food service development company. He’s authored five books, including the Ippy Gold Medal-winning AZ and the Lost City of Ophir and The Blue Food Cookbook, co-authored with Barton Seaver in collaboration with Fed by Blue, a complimentary publication to the Emmy and James Beard-nominated documentary series Hope in the Water
Zimmern’s focus extends far beyond entertainment. As a Global Goodwill Ambassador for the UN World Food Programme and The Nature Conservancy, he leverages his platform to fight hunger and promote sustainability. He serves on numerous boards including Autism Speaks, AltaSea, Services for the UnderServed, Giving Kitchen, EXPLR Media and Soigné Hospitality. He is a founding member of the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture and the Independent Restaurant Coalition.
TONIGHT’S PROGRAM
WELCOME
ANDREW ZIMMERN
TV Personality and Chef Member, S:US Board of Directors
S:US VISUAL PRESENTATION
PERRY PERLMUTTER
President & CEO, S:US
ANDREW ZIMMERN AWARD VISUAL PRESENTATION
LAVON TURNER
2026 Andrew Zimmern Award Winner
SUPPORT S:US
LIVE AUCTION
JAIMIE ALEXANDER
Actress and Advocate
GAIL K. MCCALLION, ESQ.
Chair, S:US Board of Directors
VICTOR ROSENZWEIG
Honoree
S:US Board of Directors
ARLO CHASE
Senior Vice President
Real Estate Development, S:US
RICHMAN HOUSING RESOURCES LLC
Honoree
Accepting Award
Moshe McKie-Krisberg President
TONIGHT’S HONOREE
Over the last five years, The Richman Group and our affiliates have been the nation’s premier sponsor of affordable housing tax credit funds. To date, the organization has structured and sponsored real estate investment funds that have surpassed 1,600 properties acquired. Our properties are located in forty-nine states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Through public and private offerings, the firm has raised $14 billion of equity dollars that has been invested in real estate transactions having a property cost of nearly $25 billion.
One characteristic that distinguishes The Richman Group is our acquisition philosophy, which is based on the premise that reducing risk is the prime objective of our partners. Drawing on our diverse competencies, we actively work with developers during the project design and structuring stages to reduce investment risk for our investors while enhancing economic performance for our thirdparty developers, both for-profit and not-for-profit. The result is that not one of our approximately 1,300 tax credit properties is experiencing economic default.
TONIGHT’S HONOREE
VICTOR ROSENZWEIG
Member, S:US Board of Directors
Victor Rosenzweig, Esq. graduated from New York University School of Law. Over the course of his 50-year law career, including two judicial clerkships, Victor counseled corporations and investors regarding every aspect of corporate and securities law at the firm of Olshan Frome & Wolosky. Although no longer engaged in active practice, Victor has mentored the firm’s lawyers, advising on career development and client service.
Victor is currently a director at Shenkman Capital Management, Inc., a registered investment adviser specializing in high-yield securities, alternative credit, and leveraged loan strategies. He also was a board member of American Pacific Corporation, a Nasdaq-listed company, and is a newly elected, as well as former board member and then foundation chairman (from 2002 to 2007) of Services for the UnderServed. He served on the Board of Editors and Advisors for the Securities Regulation Law Journal from 2004-2018 and authored the Journal’s Quarterly Survey of SEC Rulemaking and Major Appellate Decisions.
Victor was a director of Reverse Mortgage Investment Trust Inc., a qualified FHA and GNMA lender, until its sale in December 2020 and served as counsel to several investment advisory firms, advising clients in the areas of Federal Securities law and investment company management.
Currently, Victor mentors students and provides scholarships at Baruch College, his alma mater, where he also serves as a member of The Benchmark Society.
A Very Special Thank You
for making this evening truly memorable
DINNER CO-CHAIRS
Josh Bider
Erin Felker Bond
Gail K. McCallion, Esq.
Linda Nguyen
Marie Isabelle Palacios Hardy
Deborah Wolfe
Members, Board of Directors, S:US
TONIGHT’S TAKE-HOME GIFT SPONSORS
Dinner
Co-Chairs
Josh Bider
Erin Felker Bond
Gail K. McCallion, Esq.
Linda Nguyen
Marie Isabelle Palacios Hardy
Deborah Wolfe
WINE AND SPIRITS PURVEYOR
A Very Special Thank You to our Chefs for making this evening truly memorable
THE CHEFS
THANK YOU TO THIS EVENING’S SPONSORS
List as of May 29, 2026
CITY CHAMPIONS
SUZANNE & VICTOR ROSENZWEIG
IMPACT LEADERS
SANDRA STARK & JIM MERSFELDER JANINE TRAMONTANA & GARETH OLD
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
LORI & SLOAN GAON | TERESA & LARRY HAMDAN JOHN MCKESSON
THANK YOU TO THIS EVENING’S SUPPORTERS
List as of June 16, 2026
FRIENDS AND DONORS
Adam Jame
Adam Kurzer
Advantage Wholesale Supply LLC
AFLAC - Elizabeth Imperial
All Boro Inc.
Andrew Berkowitz
Apex Building Group, Inc.
Arlo Chase
Arrow Security
Art Edwards
Ashley Blaise
Azar Decorating
BankUnited
BerlinRosen
Birch Family Services
Blue Column Capital
Bradley Alperin
Briason Associates
BSK
Butler Human Services Furniture
C&S Pharmacy
Camber Property Group
Carmen Lopez
Carolyn Powell
Casino Security Corp
CB Emmanuel Realty LLC
Chicago Title Insurance
Cigna HealthCare
Cole Whaley
Comfort Bedding
Community Care Rx
Corner Electronics Inc
Courtney Morgan
Cozen O’Connor
Curtis & Ginsberg Architects
Darrell Silver
Dattner Architects
David Lerner
Dawn Urbach
Dayforce
Deborah Wolfe, Esq.
Dennis Mensch
Difference Card
Dira Realty LLC
Doug Walerstein
Earl Brown
Ed & Barbara Hammel
Ed & Fernanda Hubbard
Enterprise Community Partners
Erin & William Bond
ESKW/Architects
Euroclear
Evan Sullivan
Federated National Land
Gail McCallion
Germain Consulting Services, RN, PLLC
Greg Klurfeld & Linda Blumkin
Harris Beach Murtha, Attonerys at Law
Interior Innovations
Jacquie Holmes
Jajaida Gonzalez
Jane & Oscar Chase
Jen & James Marden
Jeremy Vogelmann
Jerome Schoenfeld
Jhanvika Thakkar
JoAnn Sacks, Ph.D.
Josh & Susan Korzon
Josh Bider
Joy Construction Corp.
JP Morgan
Julie Oberhand
Kenneth Schlesinger
L+M Development Partners
Land Appliance
Laymen Global
Liberty Mutual Surety
Linda Nguyen
Loretta Neuhaus
Lori Cabrera, RN
Margaret-Ann Cole
Marie Isabelle Palacios Hardy
MarshMcLennan Agency
Martin Cooper Martinez Cleaning
MDG
Melissa DaCosta-England
MHH Clinical Services
Michael Shuman
Millin Associates, LLC
Mishell Kneeland
Monica Santos
Morgan Lewis Bockius LLP
Nadjete Natchaba
Neil Klar
NetSmart
Nixon Peabody LLP
Novick Edelstein Pomerantz P.C.
Olga Kovalchuk
Perry Perlmutter
Peter Lattanzio
Phaxis LLC
Planned Companies
Pride Health
Ride Health
Robert Friedman
Samreen Hasan & Asif Rehman
Sedgwick Pharmacy Inc.
Shani Rosenzweig
Shenkman Capital Management, Inc.
Shimmie Horn
Soloh Partners
Tandym Group
Tempositions
Thea Jandzio
Tom Bean
Total Care Rx
Transamerica
TriState Apartment Furnishers
Universal Services Corp
Varsity Plumbing and Heating, Inc.
Vincent J DiCalogero, CPAs, LLC
WeeksLerman - Bob Caracci
WhiteCap Search
Xenolith Partners LLC
2026 ANDREW ZIMMERN AWARD WINNER
LAVON TURNER
Lavon Turner, a Brooklyn native and one of five siblings, has faced significant adversity throughout his life. In 2014, he lost his youngest brother to gun violence, and dealt with his mother’s struggles with addiction amid the crack epidemic. Lavon began experimenting with drugs at the age of 12, a pattern that continued into adulthood and led to repeated incarcerations and unsuccessful treatment attempts. Eventually, he reached a turning point and knew it was time for lasting change.
That’s when he was introduced to S:US and a program designed to support individuals through trauma recovery, sobriety, vocational training, and stable housing. Today, Lavon is a college graduate and a proud full-time employee at S:US.
THE ANDREW ZIMMERN AWARD is presented to an individual served by S:US, and honors a person’s ability to seize new opportunities that improve the overall quality of their life. The recipient of this award will have demonstrated resilience, perseverance, optimism, and an adventurous spirit, and a loving heart, as exemplified by S:US Board member and Dinner for a Better New York curator, Andrew Zimmern.
TONIGHT’S AUCTIONEER
LUCAS HUNT is the president of HUNT Philanthropy and a celebrated American poet, whose published books include IOWA, HAMPTONS, and NEW YORK. Over the past 12 years, he has helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars for organizations like St. Jude, Make A Wish, American Cancer Society, and The Museum of African American History. He is a graduate of World Wide College of Auctioneering, and a Benefit Auction Specialist (BAS) with the National Auctioneer’s Association.
S:US BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS
Gail K. McCallion, Esq. Chair
Jacquie Holmes Vice Chair
Erin Felker Bond Secretary
Edward Hubbard Treasurer
MEMBERS
Josh Bider
Amelia Wright Brewer
Earl D. Brown
Art Edwards
Sloan Gaon
Lawrence Hamdan
Joshua D. Liston, Esq.
John A. McKesson
Linda Nguyen
Gareth Old, Esq.
Marie Isabelle Palacios Hardy
Carolyn P. Powell
Victor M. Rosenzweig
JoAnn Y. Sacks, Ph.D.
Deborah Wolfe, Esq.
Andrew Zimmern
AFFILIATE MEMBERS
Michelle Ballan, Ph.D.
Peter Lattanzio
Phillip A. Saperia
COUNCIL OF ADVISORS
George C. Biddle
Robert B. Catell
Donna Colonna
Sherrie Dulworth
Andrew Hurwitz, Esq.
Alice Korngold
HOST COMMITTEE
Michelle Ballan, Ph.D.*
Josh Bider*
Erin Felker Bond, Esq.*
Lee Brathwaite, Apex Building Group
Amelia Wright Brewer*
Earl D. Brown*
Bob Caracci, Weeks Lerman
Oliver Chase, HSE
Adam Cole, BDO
Art Edwards*
Joe Gallitto, Jr., D&J Transportation
Sloan Gaon*
Lawrence Hamdan*
Jacquie Holmes*
Edward Hubbard*
Andrew Hurwitz, Esq.*
Peter Lattanzio, Esq.*
Barbara Lehrer, Beacon Therapy Group
Joshua D. Liston, Esq.*
Hossam Maksoud, RPh, Community Care Rx
Gail K. McCallion, Esq.*
John A. McKesson*
Linda Nguyen*
Gareth Old, Esq.*
Marie Isabelle Palacios Hardy*
Perry Perlmutter**
Carolyn P. Powell*
Jen Press Marden
Victor M. Rosenzweig*
JoAnn Sacks, Ph.D.*
Phillip A. Saperia*
Deborah Wolfe, Esq.*
Andrew Zimmern*
EVENT TASK FORCE
Josh Bider*
Earl D. Brown*
Erin Felker Bond, Esq.*
Peter Lattanzio*
Linda P. Nguyen*
Marie Isabelle Palacios Hardy*
Carolyn P. Powell*
JoAnn Y. Sacks, Ph.D.*
Deborah Wolfe, Esq.*
Andrew Zimmern*
* S:US Board Member
** S:US President & CEO
We have a cure for homelessness. It’s called housing.
S:US addresses the challenges that prevent individuals and families from leading independent lives in safe, secure homes of their own. We offer emergency, transitional, and permanent housing for people who have lost their homes and may be facing a variety of challenges—from mental illness to histories of incarceration, unemployment or poverty, from substance use disorders to HIV/ AIDS. The stability of a home, in our experience, makes recovery, employment, and health possible.
Homelessness is an injustice.
Housing is a right.
We help people see their strengths. And build on them.
The services we tailor for individuals with autism and other intellectual/developmental disabilities focus on helping each person live to their fullest potential: building social connections while participating in the community and deepening relationships with friends and family while living and receiving services in the community of their choice.
Our community residences and day habilitation programs offer opportunities for volunteering, obtaining competitive employment, and gaining skills for independent living.
NO NEW YORKER SHOULD FACE CHALLENGES ALONE NO NEW YORKER SHOULD FACE CHALLENGES ALONE
People can overcome the biggest obstacles, with the right supports.
At S:US, we offer services to people whose mental health and substance use challenges or other life circumstances have led to homelessness or have prevented them from maintaining a stable and productive life.
Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and their children. For families that have survived abuse, S:US operates shelters offering safety, security, and the opportunity to heal and rebuild lives. In addition to providing housing, we offer help with public assistance, planning and achieving long-term goals, and referrals to therapy and childcare.
Our comprehensive treatment and recovery supports work with people at any stage of their life. S:US’ mobile teams, community clinics, and residential treatment and crisis centers offer compassionate support in even the most difficult circumstances.
NO NYC VETERAN SHOULD BE IN A BATTLE WITHOUT BACKUP NO NYC VETERAN SHOULD BE IN A BATTLE WITHOUT BACKUP
We serve Vets in what can be a tough fight – coming home.
As one of New York City’s largest veteran services providers, S:US serves vets as they struggle to reintegrate to civilian life, coping with post-traumatic stress, depression, unemployment and homelessness.
We help vets find and maintain permanent housing, connect to mental health services and offer job training, placement, and on-the-job support.
We find fertile ground in the city where new possibilities flourish.
S:US has created and maintains more than 75 urban farms and gardens throughout New York City, most in neighborhoods where produce is scarce and the number of people with diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure is disproportionately high. Farms and gardens are located in the backyards and on the rooftops of our residences, shelters, and other programs.
Our urban farms make it possible for individuals with disabilities to find steady employment. The farmers receive ongoing training and job coaching that build employable skills in urban agriculture, landscape maintenance, and basic carpentry. Participants also receive the healing benefits of therapeutic horticulture and can enjoy the healthy products of their labor: fresh, organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
S:US has increased its focus on food security by expanding Urban Farms, creating Community Fridges, and initiating a Food Tote Delivery program. Our committed staff works tirelessly, partnering with those we serve to empower them with the skills needed to overcome life’s challenges.
Involved with
Services for the UnderServed (S:US) provides safe homes and essential services to tens of thousands of New Yorkers each year. The people we serve are the most marginalized New Yorkers, including people with disabilities, people in poverty, and people facing homelessness.
Please help us make a difference.
Become a tainer Become a
tainer
Make a monthly, quarterly, or annual recurring taxdeductible gift and join us in our work to right societal imbalances and build a city of opportunity for all.
For more information, email donate@sus.org or visit sus.org/become-a-sustainer/
