BEAUTY OF SURVIVAL 2017 JOURNAL

8th Annual

Beauty of

SURVIVAL

Journal 2017

Violence Intervention Program, Inc.

Mission

Our mission is to lead Latina victims of domestic abuse to safety, to empower them to live violence-free lives, and to reach and sustain their full potential. We pursue this mission by raising community awareness, engaging in activism, and by providing culturally competent services.

Violence Intervention Program, Inc. congratulates our

8th Annual

Beauty of SURVIVAL honorees Philanthropy Activist Ana L. Oliveira President The New York Women’s Foundation

Organization Activist Alpha Beta Alumnae Chapter Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Community Activist Valerie Reyes-JimĂŠnez Associate for NYC Community Mobilization Housing Works, Inc.

VIP is proud to honor the work of socially conscious leaders.

Benefit Committee

Helene Banks Jane Byrne Robin Chappelle Erin Enright Lisa Ferri Salome Galib Michael & Maribel Gallin Cecilia M. GastĂłn Dr. Rosa M. Gil Amy Glickman Damaris Hernandez Betsy Mallow Leonor Motta Milga Nadal Morales Silda Palerm Rosemonde Pierre-Louis Katherine A. Rocco Yvonne Saavedra Limb Manuel J. VĂŠlez

Trailblazers MJK Foundation

Sponsors

Leaders OMEGA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC.

Advocates

James & Gretchen Rubin

Defenders

FMTC Realty Corp

Special Thanks

Anne Ashton Carlos David Carmen Covaci Doud Meredith Judith Meredith Douglas Carter III Exhale to Inhale Lex Tirado Made by Two Angels

Margarita MartĂ­nez Mayra Oviedo Mildred Tolentino Noelle K. Timmons Richard Hall Rolinda Ramos Tropical Plants & Orchids

Manhattan

Our History

STOP

Established as a domestic violence awareness project in East Harlem.

1984

VIP splits from EHCHS and opens the Manhattan office to offer non-residential services.

1989 1988

Opens MorivivĂ­, a domestic violence shelter for immigrant Latinas in NYC.

MorivivĂ­

30th

Casa Sandra

Opens Casa Sandra, the only transitional housing program at the time to serve DV survivors.

2005 2001 Bronx non-residential office is opened.

Bronx

The Promotoras initiative empowers survivors to become community health advocates and leaders.

2009

VIP celebrates 30 Years of operations

VIP begins Building system of Data Collection and Quality Assurance.

2014

2016

2006

2010

2015

Queens non-residential office opens to provide service to adults, children and youth.

Economic empowerment services initiative is established.

Strategic planning efforts reaffirm VIP´s mission

Queens

Our Services

Community Education & Outreach Program Known as La Voz (The Voice), the CEO program focuses on raising public awareness about the detrimental impact of domestic abuse and sexual assault in the Latino community while promoting civil action and community partnership.

Hotline

VIP manages the only live-operated bilingual (EnglishSpanish) 24-hour holine in New York City. Counselor Advocates provide an array of services including over-the-phone crisis counseling, safety planning, emergency shelter information, and referrals to housing and other community-based social service providers as needed.

Moriviví Safe-Dwelling Site Residential Program VIP´s emergency shelter is an option for survivors as they move toward establishing violence-free lives. Families are housed in scattered-site apartments from 90-180 days and receive a range of services including individual and group counseling, advocacy, and case management.

Casa Sandra Residential Program

VIP provides eligible families coming out of domestic violence shelters with up to two years of transitional/supportive housing. Clients are referred via New York City’s network of emergency domestic violence shelters or other community-based organizations.

Non-Residential Programs

VIP’s Non-Residential component operates out of our Manhattan, Queens, and Bronx locations. Counselor Advocates support clients by providing information, referrals, advocacy, counseling, economic empowerment skills and financial literacy skills buildings, children and youth services, emergency assistance and lifeskills building.

Economic Justice & Survival Programs At VIP, we strive to reach and support the most marginalized Latinx survivors who often cannot access mainstream services due to immigration status, language and other barriers. The Economic Justice and Survival Program (EJSP) addresses survivors’ needs with cultural humility and enhances clients’ skills in financial literacy, and business. We honor the presence of historical oppressions. We cover subjects like gender roles and the influence of it in women’s relationships with money, culture, and other systemic structures.

Our clients

59%

67%

report Spanish as their primary language

are not born in the United States

79%

81%

have an individual income of less than 15K

are between the ages of 22-45 years old

They self-identify as 3% White

2% Other

17% African American 78% Latina

Welcome letter

Dear Friends, Thank you for celebrating with us tonight. The Beauty of Survival is now in its 8th year—and what a year it has been! For many 2017 has been a year of upheaval, from the climate to the political landscape, the undercurrent sense of instability and unpredictability is palpable. For those who are experiencing abuse or trying to rebuild and heal post-abusive relationship, that sense of instability and unpredictability is multiplied. To be able to come together in these difficult times to recognize the contributions of honorees who have prioritized the needs of survivors and victims while simultaneously raising the critical funding needed to provide life-saving services is both a privilege and an honor.

We remain committed to supporting survivors and their families in the here and now as we collectively work towards creating the world we all deserve.

Your allyship and support keeps us going.

With gratitude,

Cecilia M. GastĂłn Executive Director

Silda Palerm

Chair, Board of Directors

Honorees

Philanthropy Activist Ana L. Oliveira

President The New York Women’s Foundation Ana L. Oliveira became the President & CEO of The New York Women’s Foundation in 2006. Under her leadership, The Foundation has grown in several dimensions, establishing a new strategic plan, sponsoring landmark research reports, increasing visibility and public awareness of The Foundation’s presence in NYC and dramatically increasing the impact of The Foundation, with the distribution of a record $5 million in grants in its 25th year, in 2012.

Ana has worked in the health and human services field for 25 years, developing programs for vulnerable populations throughout NYC. She served as the Executive Director of Gay Men’s Health Crisis for more than seven years, overseeing a complete turn-around of the agency. Before working at GMHC, Ana directed innovative community-based programs at Samaritan Village, the Osborne Association and Kings County and Lincoln hospitals.

Ana has served as a member of the New York City HIV Planning Council, on the New York City Commission on AIDS, co-chaired the Board of the Women’s Funding Network, chaired the NYC Commission for LGBTQ Runaway and Homeless Youth and co-chaired Mayor Bloomberg’s Young Men’s Initiative.

In 2005, Ana was profiled in Newsweek as “America’s Best,” a series highlighting ordinary individuals using their extraordinary vision on behalf of others. Her awards feature: Mutual Welfare League Certificate (Osborne Association); Liberty Award (Lambda Legal & Education Defense Fund); Community Service Award (Empire State Pride Agenda); the Rosie Perez Fuerza Award (Latino Commission on AIDS), and the New York City Civil Liberties Union Liberty Award, among others.

Ana was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil and resides in Manhattan. She has an M.A. in Medical Anthropology from the New School for Social Research. She has just been awarded an Honorary Doctor Degree by her alma matter.

Community Activist Valerie Reyes-Jiménez

Associate for NYC, Community Mobilization Housing Works, Inc. Valerie Reyes-Jimenez is a National AIDS activist and spokesperson. She is a tireless advocate who works to enhance the lives of others who are living with HIV as well as folks who are dealing with homelessness or addiction. She has participated in many civil disobedience actions over the years, putting her body on the line and risking arrest. She served on President Clinton’s Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS, and has served on the board of Praxis Housing Initiatives. She has been honored

by SisterLove for her advocacy work and recognized by HIV Plus Magazine as one of the 20 Most Amazing HIV-Positive Women.

Valerie is a native New Yorker. The first in her family to be born on American soil. A true Nuyorican.

She grew up on the avenues and the streets of what was known as Alphabet City; not today’s East Village. She has been living with HIV since 1989 when, at the age of 24, she learned she was HIV positive. By the age of 27 she was a widow and single mother of two. She is currently working on her memoir, which addresses her journey of self-discovery from addiction and HIV to AIDS activism, motherhood, and grandmotherhood. She is a kind, daring and bold woman with inner strength and fortitude. She is filled with the power and the spirit of her ancestors. A wearer of many hats. A grandmother, daughter, sister, friend... Valerie is a longtime AIDS survivor. As such, she is a positive woman in many aspects and in many ways.

Valerie became involved with VIP earlier this year after her cousin, Diana Rodriguez, went missing and her husband subsequently confessed to killing her. Valerie pushed through her grief and organized a public vigil in her cousin’s honor to raise awareness of domestic violence. Additionally, she mobilized her community around a fundraising campaign to support the life-saving services VIP provides to victims and survivors.

Honorees

Honorees

Organization Activist Alpha Beta Alumnae Chapter Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Omega Phi Beta has dedicated itself to combating and championing for domestic violence awareness and awareness of violence against women.

Recognizing that violence against women hinders progression, Omega Phi Beta has broadened the scope of their National Philanthropy to include ALL forms of violence affecting women, including but not limited to: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Mutilation, Stalking and Human Trafficking.

Throughout the years, Omega Phi Beta has worked hand-in-hand with organizations such as the Voices of Women, Safe Horizon, Sanctuary for Families, and Amnesty International, in an effort to spread awareness of this crippling issue. Thus through their broadened national philanthropy, Raising Awareness of Violence Against Women, they will continue to dedicate themselves to the community while making a profound commitment to women’s rights. Omega Phi Beta acknowledges the rigorous battle that lies ahead.

Violence Intervention Program, Inc.

Silda Palerm

Chair, Board of Directors Silda Palerm has been the Chair of the Board of Directors of Violence Intervention Program Inc. (VIP) since 2014. She is also the Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Commission on Gender Equity, and since June, a member of the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood NYC. Silda had a long legal career in New York City, that included work as Executive Vice President and Legal Director of Legal Momentum, formerly the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund; Vice President and global head of litigation at Warner Music Group; Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York; and associate at Cahill Gordon & Reindel.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Silda obtained her bachelor’s degree from Princeton University. She studied law at the University of Puerto Rico (J.D.) and at Harvard Law School (LL.M.). Silda clerked in the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico for the Honorable Federico Hernandez Denton and in the First Circuit Court of Appeals for the Honorable Stephen Breyer, now Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. From 2001 to 2007, Silda was a member of the Board of Directors of the New York Women’s Foundation. Silda has also served on the board of directors of the John Jay College Foundation and MFY Legal Services.

Silda is married to Richard Hall and together they have a daughter, Victoria Hall-Palerm.

Cecilia M. Gastón Executive Director

Cecilia M. Gastón began her tenure as Executive Director of VIP in June 2008. She has a strong track record of service to disenfranchised groups, especially in the Latina community. In 1998, she was recognized as one of El Diario/La Prensa’s Outstanding Women of the Year for her commitment to social justice and women’s health issues. Prior to heading VIP, she worked at Inwood House, one of New York City’s leading teen pregnancy prevention programs. She has also served as program director of multiple supportive housing programs serving people living with HIV/AIDS. Ms. Gastón has been a board member of The New York State Coalition against Domestic Violence and represents the Coalition of Domestic Violence Providers on the NYC Continuum of Care in the struggle for affordable housing. She has served as a board member for the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc. and the New York Women’s Foundation and has been a member of the New York Women’s Foundation Grants Committee. She was a National Urban Fellow and recipient of the Capstone Award in Public Administration. Currently, she is a member of the NYC Mayor’s Office Commission on Gender Equity, founding member of the Gender Justice Task Force and member of the Mayor’s Office Task Force on Domestic Violence.

Born in Havana, Cuba to a Cuban father and Mexican mother, she traveled often between the two countries. In 1961, she immigrated with her family to the United States. This uniquely bicultural and multinational background, coupled with her family’s high standard for academics and social awareness, has given her a distinct perspective in her work with Latino and disenfranchised communities.

Ms. Gastón earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s Dominican College in New Orleans and holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Baruch College.

Board of Directors

Silda Palerm, Chair

Susan Migliaccio

Betsy Mallow, Vice Chair

Vanessa Ramos, ESQ

Co-Chair Mayor’s Commission on Gender Equity Executive Deputy Commissioner and COO New York State Homes and Community Renewal

Mayra Oviedo, Secretary

Director, Advisory, Forensic Services PricewaterhouseCoopers Director of Training and Development New York City Commission on Human Rights

Marizaida Umpierre, PhD

Director Morgan Stanley & Co.

Research Associate, Mount Sinai School of Medicine Dept. of Psychiatry

Margie Bechara

Manuel J. VĂŠlez

Managing Attorney Her Justice

Robin Chappelle-Golston President & CEO Planned Prenthood Empire State Act

Milga Morales

Dean and Vice President for Student Affairs Brooklyn College

Intellectual Property Counsel Mayer Brown, LLP

Executive

Cecilia Gastón

Executive Director

Maria Mondéjar

Exectuive Assistant

Margarita Guzmán

Deputy Executive Director

Lillian Robles

Director of Development

Asli Ozdemir

Director of Quality Assurance and Compliance

Kelly Guajardo

Communications and Policy Manager

Julia Sick

Data and Research Manager

Fiscal Department Eliazar Suriel Comptroller

Mario Martínez Bookkeeper

Diane Ojeda

Office Manager

Bronx Non-Residential María Elena González

Staff

Program Coordinator

Keyla Nuñez

Senior Counselor

Laurence Contreras Counselor/Advocate

Jeannette Ozorio Counselor/Advocate

Carina Chavarria

Counselor/Advocate

Perla Hidalgo

Program Assistant

Manhattan Non-Residential

Morivivi Safe Dwelling

Program and Educational Coordinator

Program Assistant

Vianey Romero

Christine Rodríguez

Modesta Castaño

Ruby García

Jennifer Ruiz Díaz

Kelly D’Gracia

Luz Madera

Nancy Morales

Counselor/Advocate Counselor/Advocate Counselor/Advocate

Cinthya Simisterra

Counselor/Advocate Counselor/Advocate Counselor/Advocate 24-Hour Bilingual Hotline

Counselor/Advocate

Yainel Peña-Furment

Queens Non-Residential

Olga Rocha

Dayhana Olivo

Program Coordinator

Yesenia Cortés

Counselor/Advocate

Carmen Tavarez

Counselor/Advocate

Claudia Guzmán

Hotline Coordinator Hotline Counselor

Angela Díaz

Hotline Counselor

Community Education & Outreach Rocio García

Program Coordinator

Counselor/Advocate

Hilary Pérez

Casa Sandra Supportive Housing

Mariana Salazar

Michelle Pérez

Program/Property Manager

Janet Sánchez

Counselor/Advocate

Senior Outreach Specialist Vista Fellow

Economic Justice & Survival Program Lorena Kourousias

Neriluc Gómez

Director

Hilda Alba

Solidarity Economy Advocate

Catherine Espina

Solidarity Economy Advocate

Eries Torres

Housing Justice Advocate

House Monitor/Hotline PT House Monitor/Hotline PT House Monitor/Hotline PT House Monitor/Hotline

Gismel González

PT House Monitor/Hotline

Francy Madroñero Isamar Padilla

Lisette Gutiérrez

Batalá Batalá New York is a part of a global arts project made up of over 30 bands around the world. The music of Batalá originates in Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia, in northeastern Brazil. The international Batalá family owes its existence to Giba Gonçalves, a percussionist, composer and choreographer from Salvador. The first representation of Batalá in New York City, known as ‘Batalá NYC,’ was born in 2012.

In the summer of 2016, under new leadership, this band incorporated as a not-for-profit organization, now called simply ‘Batalá New York.’

Our instruments and costumes are all made in Salvador. The main musical genre we play is samba-reggae, a heavily percussion-based form that typically employs the five drums played in Batalá.

Music

Commitment to Community

Š 2017 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

We are proud to support the Violence Intervention Program and applaud its mission to end domestic abuse and family violence within the Latino community.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP proudly supports

Violence Intervention Program’s

8th Annual Beauty of Survival quinn emanuel trial lawyers quinn emanuel urquhart & sullivan, llp

los angeles | new york | san francisco | silicon valley | chicago | washington, d.c. houston | seattle | tokyo | london | mannheim | hamburg | munich | paris hong kong | sydney | brussels | zurich | shanghai | perth | stuttgart

Safety, Strength

&

Support Mayer Brown stands by Violence Intervention Program and its celebration of female empowerment.

Americas | Asia | Europe | Middle East | www.mayerbrown.com

We’ll see you at our 9th Annual

BoS