A THREE-PART SERIES OF VIRTUAL EVENTS HOSTED BY CHEF ANDREW ZIMMERN SUPPORTING
OUR MISSION
We drive scalable solutions to transform the lives of people with disabilities, people in poverty and people facing homelessness: solutions that contribute to righting societal imbalances.
OUR VISION
We envision a city where everyone has a roof over their head, is healthy, productive and can enjoy the social connections that create a life of purpose. We’re a nonprofit with a staff of 2,000 that provides more than $250 million in services. Our efforts are supported by various local, state and federal government entities as well as foundations, corporations and individual donors. Most importantly, our vision allows us to deliver the same quality of services to one individual or to thousands. No challenge is beyond our scope.
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.
WHY WE’RE HERE
“We don’t empower people, we give people the tools to empower themselves.” –Donna Colonna, CEO, Services for the UnderServed At S:US, we don’t prescribe paths that define people but offer solutions that support each person’s definition of a life of purpose. When you look closely, the injustices facing our society are really a universe of highly individual obstacles. When an individual’s life is put on hold for circumstances unique to them, establishing a relationship with them is step one. It’s our guide to the services we provide. The results: Individuals and families are no longer limited by their obstacles but propelled by opportunities for a richer experience with the world. A ripple effect that extends from individuals out into their communities. This is how we beat back stigma. This is how we build communities. This is how we create Opportunity for All. 2 l WHAT’S EATING NEW YORK?
A Message from Leadership
Welcome and thank you for joining us for What’s Eating
New York?, our three-part series of virtual events featuring thoughtprovoking conversations addressing the issues of hunger, homelessness, and addiction. These topics are especially important and timely as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately impact the people we serve – including people living in poverty, people who have lost their home, people with developmental disabilities, people with mental health challenges, chronic health conditions, and histories of trauma. For more than 43 years, Services for the UnderServed (S:US) has been a leader in providing services and supports to New York City’s most vulnerable residents. Our innovative, adaptable, and inclusive approach enables us to serve more than 37,000 people each year. We recognize that everyone comes with their own set of challenges, often compounded by a chronic lack of opportunity and by systemic societal injustices. Our service model is innovative, person-centered, and rooted in choice and self-direction, allowing us to treat the whole person, providing opportunities that would not exist without these supports. We pride ourselves on being leaders, on helping to build strong communities, and on our ability to help the people we serve lead a life of purpose. We embrace diversity, and work to advance social justice and racial equity. In this way we create “Opportunity for All.” Through your support of What’s Eating New York?, you join us in creating opportunities that generate permanent, positive change for thousands of our city’s most underserved individuals and families. Thank you again for helping S:US advance its vital mission.
Jen Press Marden
Donna Colonna
Chair, Board of Directors, S:US
President and CEO, S:US
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JANUARY 26, 2021 EVENT TOPIC #1: HUNGER PROGRAM WELCOME JEN PRESS MARDEN, Chair, Board of Directors, S:US
DISCUSSION WITH PANEL ANDREW ZIMMERN, HOST TV Personality & Chef, Member, Board of Directors, S:US
DONNA COLONNA President and CEO, S:US
MATT JOZWIAK Founder + CEO, Rethink Food
NICOLE PONSECA Cookbook Author, Restaurateur, Social Justice Advocate, Filipino Food Pioneer, Creative Director
MARCUS SAMUELSSON Award-winning Chef, Restaurateur, Author, Philanthropist and Food Activist
BILLY SHORE Executive Chair, Share Our Strength
ENTERTAINMENT MICHELLE BRANCH Grammy Award-winning Singer / Songwriter 4 l WHAT’S EATING NEW YORK?
VIRTUAL EVENT HOST
Andrew Zimmern
Chef, TV Personality, and Member, S:US Board of Directors Andrew Zimmern is an Emmy and four-time James Beard Awardwinning TV personality, chef, writer, teacher and social justice advocate. In February 2020, Andrew returned to television with What’s Eating America, which premiered on MSNBC, and in 2021, he will premiere Family Dinner on Chip & Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network. Both shows were created by Intuitive Content, the full-service television and digital production company that Andrew heads as both founder and CEO. As the creator, Executive Producer and Host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods franchise, Andrew Zimmern’s Driven by Food and Emmy Awardwinning The Zimmern List, he has devoted his life to exploring and promoting cultural acceptance, tolerance and understanding through food. Andrew is also the founder and CEO of Passport Hospitality, a restaurant and food service development company. He is passionate about his philanthropic endeavors and sits on the board of directors of Services for the UnderServed (S:US), Project Explorer/EXPLR, and Soigne Hospitality. He serves on City Harvest’s Food Council and is the International Rescue Committee’s Voice for Nutrition. Andrew is a founding member of the Independent Restaurant Coalition, fighting to save restaurants affected by Covid-19. He resides in Minneapolis.
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PANELIST
DONNA COLONNA President and CEO, S:US
Donna Colonna joined Services for the UnderServed in 1997. Ms. Colonna has spent her 45+ year career at various nonprofit organizations, having started in State government at the NYC regional level. She has served in industry leadership positions in statewide and NYC trade associations and on numerous government committees that have shaped policy and program implementation. Ms. Colonna served as a member of the NYS Medicaid Redesign Team’s Behavioral Health Reform and Affordable Housing Workgroups. She is a founding member and Board Chair of Care Design NY, a Care Coordination Organization (CCO) for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and a collaborative network of Developmental Disabilities providers designed to integrate services in the emerging model of managed care. She serves on the Behavioral Health Advisory Board of Healthfirst and United Health. Ms. Colonna is a member of the DOH & OPWDD Joint Advisory Council, charged with advising New York State with respect to the oversight of managed care for people with developmental disabilities. She is also a member of the NYS Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council (DDAC). In February 2020, Ms. Colonna was appointed a member of Governor Cuomo’s Medicaid Redesign Team II. She serves on the NY Community Advisory Board of Enterprise Community Partners, and on the Board of Directors of the Supportive Housing Network of New York. Ms. Colonna’s most recent honor was being named by City & State New York in 2021 among the top 100 most powerful healthcare executives leading New York through the coronavirus crisis. Throughout her career, Ms. Colonna has been a vocal advocate for the rights of, and services for, individuals and families with developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges, and for people living in poverty. Her life’s work has been dedicated to breaking down the stigma of disability and homelessness, building community and helping to right societal imbalances. 6 l WHAT’S EATING NEW YORK?
PANELIST
MATT JOZWIAK
Founder + CEO, Rethink Food
In 2017, Matt Jozwiak founded Rethink Food, a not-for-profit whose mission is to reduce food insecurity with practical solutions that will have lasting impact. Rethink Food develops distribution models, including partnering with restaurants, to provide nutritionally dense, culturally sensitive meals for underserved communities. Prior to founding Rethink Food, Jozwiak worked on the culinary team of notable restaurants worldwide including Auberge de L’ile Barbe in Lyon, Noma in Copenhagen, and The NoMad in New York before becoming a chef de partie at Eleven Madison Park in New York, at age 27. Prior to this, he completed his professional culinary training with Pierre Orsi in Lyon, France in 2015. Jozwiak is a member of the board of Rethink Food and also serves on the advisory board of The Foundation for New York’s Strongest. He has published opinion pieces on food insecurity and distribution in publications such as New York Daily News and frequently lectures on these issues at Cornell and Columbia Universities. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jozwiak currently resides in New York City.
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PANELIST
NICOLE PONSECA
Cookbook Author, Social Justice Advocate, Restaurateur, Filipino Food Pioneer, Creative Director James Beard Award nominated Nicole Ponseca is a restaurateur and cookbook author best known for bringing Filipino food to the American mainstream. First with Maharlika then with Jeepney, Ponseca was responsible for exposing discerning New York diners to Filipino flavors. The popularity of her two restaurants translated into a best-selling debut cookbook called I Am a Filipino which received a James Beard Award nomination for Best International Cookbook in 2019, and was on the best cookbook lists of 2019 by The New Yorker, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, New York Times Book Review, Houston Chronicle, Food52, PopSugar, and more. Ponseca has made appearances on NBC News, Beat Bobby Flay, Chopped, Worth It, Munchies, Tasty, Zagat and was featured in the documentary ULAM: Main Dish. Born in Philadelphia, Ponseca was raised in San Diego and has spent 20+ years in New York City. In her past life, she was an advertising executive working with Fortune 500 clients by day. At night, she was moonlighting as a restaurant hostess, determined to learn as much as she could about the restaurant business. Her first solo foray into the restaurant scene began with a wildly successful series of pop-up engagements when the concept of a pop-up was still brand new to most people. Fast forward a few years later and Ponseca was one of the 1.3% of female-owned businesses that exceeded $1MM in revenue (as estimated by the NY Times). I Am a Filipino is in its third printing and a follow-up book is coming soon. 8 l WHAT’S EATING NEW YORK?
PANELIST
MARCUS SAMUELSSON
Award-winning Chef, Restaurateur, Author, Philanthropist and Food Activist Marcus Samuelsson is the acclaimed chef behind many restaurants worldwide including Red Rooster Harlem, MARCUS Montreal, Marcus B&P and Red Rooster Overtown in Miami. Samuelsson was the youngest person to ever receive a three-star review from The New York Times and has won multiple James Beard Foundation Awards including Best Chef: New York City and Outstanding Personality for No Passport Required on PBS. He is a longstanding judge on the hit Food Network show Chopped. He is the author of multiple books including The New York Times bestselling memoir Yes, Chef and his latest book, The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food, debuts on October 27. His podcast, This Moment with Swedish rapper Timbuktu is out now.
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PANELIST
BILLY SHORE
Executive Chair, Share Our Strength Billy Shore is the executive chair of Share Our Strength, which through proven, effective campaigns like No Kid Hungry and Cooking Matters, connects people who care to ideas that work. Since founding Share Our Strength in 1984 with his sister Debbie, Billy has led the organization in raising more than $600 million to fight hunger and poverty, and has won the support of national leaders in business, government, health and education, sports and entertainment. Billy is also the chair of Community Wealth Partners, Share Our Strength’s forprofit consulting firm that helps leaders and communities solve social problems. Before founding Share Our Strength, he served on the senatorial and presidential campaign staffs for former U.S. Senator Gary Hart and as Chief of Staff to former U.S. Senator Robert Kerrey. In 2014, congressional leaders appointed him to the National Commission on Hunger, a group tasked with finding innovative ways to end hunger in America. In addition to his work with Share Our Strength, Billy is a leading voice in the national conversation on hunger and poverty. He is the author of four books focused on social change, including “Revolution of the Heart” (Riverhead Press, 1995), “The Cathedral Within” (Random House, 1999), “The Light of Conscience” (Random House, 2004) and most recently, “The Imaginations of Unreasonable Men” (Public Affairs, 2010). He also hosts Add Passion and Stir, a weekly podcast that brings together high-profile chefs and change-makers to talk about the central role food plays in social justice. Billy was named one of America’s Best Leaders by US News & World Report. 10 l WHAT’S EATING NEW YORK?
MUSICAL GUEST
MICHELLE BRANCH
Grammy Award-winning Singer / Songwriter One day in 2012, Michelle Branch wrote a song called “City” that would turn out to be eerily prescient. “I was nearing my 30th birthday and I thought, ‘Something needs to change in my life,’ she says. “I felt stagnant in this weird holding pattern, but I never acknowledged it to myself until I wrote that song. A lot of huge things happened to me really young. I got signed at 17 and released my first album a month after I turned 18. I met my ex-husband when I was 19, got married at 20, and had a baby at 21. ‘City’ was a song about me realizing that I wanted to make a change. It was one of the first things I wrote that felt really honest and it was kind of an ‘A-ha’ moment for me. Once I sang it, I thought, ‘Oh, here we go.’” “City” is the closing track on Branch’s album Hopeless Romantic, and Branch’s world has completely changed since she wrote it. The Sedona, Arizona-born singer, songwriter, and musician went through a divorce, changed record labels, moved from Los Angeles to Nashville, fell in love, and, in the process, made the album of her dreams with her producer and now partner, Patrick Carney of The Black Keys. “I truly believe everything happens for a reason. I made music I’m enormously proud of and, in the process, found the love of my life, and it just feels like it was supposed to happen this way.”
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THANK YOU TO THIS EVENING’S SPONSORS P R I N C I PA L S
William & Erin Bond Erin & Peter Friedland Ed & Fernanda Hubbard Jen & James Marden Marie Isabelle Palacios-Hardy Janine Tramontana & Gareth Old
List as of January 25, 2021 12 l WHAT’S EATING NEW YORK?
THANK YOU TO THIS EVENING’S SPONSORS UNDERWRITER
Larry & Teresa Hamdan
List as of January 25, 2021 SERVICES FOR THE UNDERSERVED l 13
THANK YOU TO THIS EVENING’S SPONSORS CHAMPION
Donna Colonna
PAT R O N S
Josh Bider John A. McKesson Carolyn Powell Thomas Juul-Hansen, LLC Stacey Weston & Jean-Patrick Guilbert
List as of January 25, 2021 14 l WHAT’S EATING NEW YORK?
THANK YOU TO THIS EVENING’S SPONSORS SUPPORTER
Ty & Amelia Brewer Earl Brown Richard and Fran Hofstetter
A D V O C AT E S
Nina Bond Charles Catalano, C&S Pharmacy Consultants Erin Leider-Pariser STAT Monica Santos Tracy Tang Limpe List as of February 8, 2021 SERVICES FOR THE UNDERSERVED l 15
THANK YOU TO OUR OUR SUPPORTERS List as of January 25, 2021
Bradley Alperin Jason Amarante Susan Barron - Artist Audrey Bilbraut Nakia Blenman Bombas John and Elizabeth Bond John and Nina Bond Jason and Tifani Bradley The Bridge, Inc. Cal Hedigan, Community Access, Inc. Megan Campbell Julio Castaing Stephanie Chang Charles Catalano, C&S Pharmacy Consultants F. WORDS Gear Felicia Crabtree Haywood Don Crocker Lorna DeLaCruz Sharon Dorr Sherrie Dulworth Art & Michaela Edwards Maria Feliciano Ann Felker Jeannie Fenceroy Kerry & Daniel Golden Molly Geary Mary Hargrove Amanda & Bill Healy Lucile Herbert I.Javette Hines Jon Harper, Henry Street Settlement Judith Jones Dr. Robert Joseph Korngold Consulting LLC
James & Marjorie Kuhn Jason Kupperman Peter R. Lattanzio Chris Lipari Karla Lowry Regina Lucas Yuning Ma Trish Marsik Nancy McGraw Jennifer Merritt-Yulfo Michael Fontaine, GKV Architects Marie Miranda Linda Nguyen Brianna Nordlander Amanda Parker Lejnieks Perry Perlmutter Nathan Pham Anjoli Podder Jozette Prescott Annette Priester Shanak Rahman Sharolyn Samaroo Brandon Scott Jane Son Sandra Stark Andrew Steginsky Betty Stephens Anna Swann Irene Vale Alexa Van de Walle Enid Waite Lara Weatherholtz Deborah Wolfe Sarah Yu Daniel Zanella
SPECIAL THANKS TO Jimmy Ferguson | JWJ Films LLC Sponsor Gifts Donated by Jen & James Marden 16 l WHAT’S EATING NEW YORK?
S:US LEADERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jen Press Marden Chair Amelia Wright Brewer Vice Chair Jacquie Holmes Secretary Edward Hubbard Treasurer
BOARD MEMBERS
Josh Bider Erin Felker Bond, Esq. Earl D. Brown Chris Cheney Sherrie Dulworth Art Edwards Peter Friedland Larry Hamdan Joshua D. Liston, Esq. John A. McKesson Linda P. Nguyen Gareth Old, Esq. Marie Isabelle Palacios-Hardy Carolyn P. Powell JoAnn Y. Sacks, Ph.D. Deborah Wolfe, Esq. Andrew Zimmern
AFFILIATE MEMBERS
Michelle Ballan, Ph.D. Peter Lattanzio Gail K. McCallion, Esq. Phillip A. Saperia
COUNCIL OF ADVISORS
George C. Biddle Robert B. Catell Andrew Hurwitz, Esq. Alice Korngold Saundra Thomas
EVENT CO-CHAIRS
Josh Bider* Erin Felker Bond* Jen Press Marden* Marie Isabelle Palacios-Hardy* Deborah Wolfe*
EVENT TASK FORCE
Jen Press Marden, Chair* Josh Bider* Earl D. Brown* Lois Krasilovsky Peter Lattanzio* Linda P. Nguyen* Carolyn P. Powell* JoAnn Y. Sacks, Ph.D.* Drew Train Barbara Warren Deborah Wolfe, Esq.* Andrew Zimmern*
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C A M PA I G N C A B I N E T
Jen Press Marden, Chair* Chris Cheney* Sherrie Dulworth* Peter Friedland* Larry Hamdan* Jacquie Holmes* Edward Hubbard* Joshua D. Liston, Esq.* John A. McKesson* Gareth Old, Esq.*
R E A L E S TAT E PA R T N E R S
Apex Builders B+B Urban Bronx Pro CB Emmanuel Dunn Development Corp. L+M Development Partners Riseboro Community Partners
* S:US BOARD MEMBER
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WE SALUTE
FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES OF PROVIDING SERVICES AND SUPPORTS THAT ADVANCE SOCIAL JUSTICE, BEAT BACK STIGMA, BUILD COMMUNITIES, AND CREATE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
MARIE ISABELLE PALACIOS-HARDY and JIMMY FERGUSON
A very special
“Thank You!”
to Andrew Zimmern, Donna Colonna, Matt Jozwiak, Nicole Ponseca, Marcus Samuelsson, Billy Shore and Michelle Branch for an incredible and inspiring evening. All for
Erin F. and William O. Bond
We are proud to support S:US and Marcus Samuelsson Richard & Fran Hofstetter
LIKE. FOLLOW. SHARE.
@Servicesfortheunderserved
@SUS_org
@SUS_org
@Services-for-the-underserved
NO NEW YORKER SHOULD SLEEP HERE 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.
“I feel very lucky where I live! I can open my window at night and hear people laughing. The fact that I live somewhere where people actually talk to each other and laugh makes me feel good.” - Samuel
34 l WHAT’S EATING NEW YORK?
On any given night: S:US provides housing and shelter to 4,500 people. On average: S:US engages in 2,500 prevention interventions, including providing anti-eviction resources, and helps 150 individuals and families from entering the shelter system. SERVICES FOR THE UNDERSERVED l 35
In 2019, individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities served by S:US volunteered over 160,000 hours to their communities. Individuals spent over 8,300 hours in giving back to their communities in early 2020. Volunteer opportunities were canceled in March due to COVID-19 pandemic.
36 l WHAT’S EATING NEW YORK?
NO NEW YORKER SHOULD BE DEFINED BY LIMITATIONS 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.
“I would like to thank S:US individuals for helping to clean our theater for every performance. Your work means that I have one less thing to worry about.” - Regina Opera House
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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.
“Everyone I met at S:US was there for me every step of the way, helping to guide me as I reinvented myself.” - Marina 38 l WHAT’S EATING NEW YORK?
Last year:
600 individuals moved from our shelters, residential treatment, and transitional housing into permanent homes of their own.
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Each year: S:US serves over 3,000 veterans and their families.
40 l WHAT’S EATING NEW YORK?
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 also provide direct outreach to homeless individuals along the rail lines on Long Island, connecting them with housing, support, and necessities like blankets and food.
“They are here to make a better future for you… this is a new beginning. Some suffering other people just can’t hear or want to take on. But S:US did.” - Karen
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NO NEW YORKER SHOULD LIVE IN A FOOD DESERT We find fertile ground in the city where new possibilities flourish. S:US has created and maintains more than 50 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.
“Every time I come here, I feel good.” - Marc
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Each year: Urban Farms engages over 500 people served by S:US and yields over 7,000 lbs. of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and products such as honey and pickles.
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Looking for a meaningful way to engage with S:US? Volunteer as an individual or with your corporate/civic network. For more information Email volunteer@sus.org Call 917-408-1622
THANK YOU FOR JOINING
sus.org
To make a donation:
donate@sus.org 212-633-6900
Visit sus.org/donatenow OR Mail check payable to: Services for the UnderServed Attn: Resource Development 463 7th Avenue, 17th Floor New York, NY 10018 (Memo line: What’s Eating New York?) Thank you!
@servicesfortheunderserved @sus_org
@sus_org
@Services-for-the-UnderServed