YOUTHBRIDGE-NY A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION GRADUATION & ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
CONCEPT CREATED BY VICTORIA ANDRE, YB-NY FELLOW
Kenneth L. Davis, MD, President and CEO and the Mount Sinai Health System congratulate the YOUTHBRIDGE-NY 2019 Honorees and its GRADUATING BRIDGERS
YouthBridge-NY is a nonprofit leadership development organization that convenes and trains young people to meet the challenges of an increasingly diverse New York City. Since 1997, YouthBridge-NY youth leaders have been proactively involved in enhancing the leadership and diversity landscape of our city and are dedicated to improving the quality of life for all. The YouthBridge-NY Fellowship is a two-year program for high school juniors and seniors. First-year Fellows participate in monthly skill building workshops and specialized action committees focused on either grant-giving, diversity through art and photography, or an internship to understand diversity in the workplace. After a year of acquiring important leadership skills and experiencing diversity learning, second-year Bridgers are given the opportunity to further enhance and hone these skills. Bridgers meet monthly to learn about community organizing, advocacy, and opportunities in college. Fellows and Bridgers also participate in an orientation summer retreat, special meetings with corporate and city leaders, build friendships with peers from all fiveboroughs, and much more!
EVENT PROGRAM
Welcome to the celebration! Walk through the Cultural Eye photo exhibit and silent auction. Bidding starts at $35! Grab some appetizers and a refreshing drink before the official ceremony begins.
YOUTHBRIDGE-NY FELLOWSHIP GRADUATION CLASS OF 2019: Opening Remarks Engaging Workplace Diversity Committee Cultural Eye Committee Shared Resources for a Shared Future Committee awards a mini-grant to a non-profit Bridger Remarks
AWARD CEREMONY FOR OUR DISTINGUISHED HONOREES Stuart Appelbaum Community Leadership Award HealthFirst Corporate Diversity Award Teddy Otobo-Sheriff Distinguished Alum Award HOSTED BY:
SPONSORED BY:
YouthBridge-NY is managed by the Center for Community Leadership at the Jewish Community Relations Council of NY, a proud partner of UJA-Federation of NY.
STUART APPELBAUM COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD
Stuart Appelbaum became President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union on May 1, 1998. He was reelected in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. He also currently serves as an Executive Vice-President of the 1.3 million-member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Appelbaum previously served as International SecretaryTreasurer, Vice-President, Executive Board Member, Assistant to the President and Coordinator of Special Projects for the RWDSU. Appelbaum is a Vice-President of the national AFL-CIO and a member of the federation’s Executive Council, where he co-chairs the federation’s International Affairs Committee. He also currently serves as a vice president of the New York State AFL-CIO, and a member of its Executive Committee. Appelbaum is a member of the Democratic National Committee where he serves on the DNC’s Executive Committee and co-chairs the DNC's Resolutions Committee. He also serves as the Acting Chair of the DNC Labor Council. Appelbaum served as a delegate to the 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Democratic National Conventions and an alternate delegate to the 1992 Democratic National Convention. He is chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store International Union and Industry Benefit Funds. Appelbaum is the President of the Jewish Labor Committee; and he is a member of the Executive Council of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. He is also a board member of the Latino Victory Fund. He is an officer of two global union federations: International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations and (UNI) Union Network International. Appelbaum is President of UNI Global Commerce. He is a Vice President of the Consortium for Worker Education. Appelbaum was appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo to the Regional Economic Development Council for New York City, where he serves on the Executive Committee.
HEALTHFIRST CORPORATE DIVERSITY AWARD
Healthfirst is New York’s largest not-for-profit health insurer serving the needs of New Yorkers. We offer high-quality, market-leading products for individuals and families at every stage of life. We provide Medicaid plans, Medicare Advantage plans, long-term care and other integrated plans, qualified health plans, and individual and small group plans to nearly 1.4 million members in New York City, Long Island and now Westchester. What makes Healthfirst unique is our relationship with New York’s top-rated hospitals which is a real benefit to our members. By working closely with our sponsor hospitals, we can fulfill the company’s mission to put members first and help deliver access to top-quality care We have been part of the community for over 25 years and have more than 20 community-based offices across the greater metropolitan area that serve as local resources for members and providers. We are dedicated to serving all New Yorkers and work closely with community leaders and organizations, like YouthBridge-NY, to promote healthier and active communities.
TEDDY OTOBO-SHERIFF DISTINGUISHED ALUM AWARD
Teddy Otobo-Sheriff is the Founding Senior Pastor of Richmond Christian Church; a non-denominational congregation committed to “preaching Jesus and loving people.” Born in Houston to West African immigrants and raised in Staten Island, Teddy enjoys personal friendships with faith and community leaders across cultural, ecumenical, racial, and political lines. Teddy has served at some of the largest houses of worship in Staten Island including International Christian Center and Christian Pentecostal Church. He is an active member of the Staten Island Council of Churches. During his teenage years, Teddy was recommended by the College of Staten Island’s Liberty Partnership Program to join a new program being managed by the New York Urban League: Derek Jeter’s Student Leadership Program. As one of the founding participants of the Jeter’s Leaders Program, Teddy promoted academic achievement, healthy living, and positive choices among students, attended Global Youth Village, interned for the Mayor’s Office of New York City, and served as one of the founding participants of YouthBridge. Teddy earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Studies from Northpoint Bible College, Haverhill, MA., where he was recognized for leadership for his work as founding editor of the college newspaper. When he is not ministering, Teddy enjoys reading books, watching TED Talks, and racking up RedBox points. Teddy’s favorite breakfast meals all contain Raisins, his favorite hangout spots are NYC parks, and his favorite people are his wife, Almena, and daughter, Avenel.
GRADUATING BRIDGERS Zoe Bernstein SAR High School
Abigail Jacob Ramaz Upper School
Chelsea Cheung Stuyvesant High School
Max Kaneff Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School
Tess Futterman High School of American Studies at Lehman College
Samuel Kim Forest Hills High School
Aura Glazer SAR High School
Alexander Liu Stuyvesant High School
Rachel Gorman-Cooper New Rochelle High School
Alif Matin The Bronx High School of Science
Cameron Greene Bronx Leadership Academy 2
Harold Miller Academy for Young Writers
Jessica Gruboy Stuyvesant High School
Elliott Ottensoser Hebrew Academy of Five Towns and Rockaway
Ali Harb Razi School Nia Howard Fenton The Calhoun School Kelli Hu Stuyvesant High School Rachel Jacob High School of American Studies at Lehman College
Oscar Rachmansky Eleanor Roosevelt High School Akif Rahman Hillcrest High School Ashten Rodriguez Bronx Collegiate Academy Jocelyn Tang Stuyvesant High School Rachel Weiss Harvest Collegiate High School
CONTINUING FELLOWS Victoria Andre Midwood High School
Ruby Klawans Abraham Joshua Heschel School
Elizabeth Avakov Stuyvesant High School
Keisha Lacayo Bronx Health Sciences High School
Joseph Cabrera Urban Assembly Gateway School for Technology
Tara Mavinakere Stuyvesant High School
Vivian Fang Trinity High School
RosalÃa Minyety Frank McCourt High School
Beverly Feng Stuyvesant High School
Shayaan Mohammed The Bronx High School of Science
Gail Hafif Ramaz Upper School Florence Hariri Brooklyn Prospect Charter School Maya Hoff Ramaz Upper School
Ethan Oliner Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway Carolina Padilla Brooklyn Technical High School
Zameer Hoque Stuyvesant High School
Osmar Perez Gramercy Arts High School
Rachel Huang The Brooklyn Latin School
Viyan Poonamallee Homeschool
Matthew Jedwab Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway
Sharon Ren Stuyvesant High School
Noa Kalfus SAR High School Christopher Kim Stuyvesant High School
Ayal Smith SAR High School Joshua Song Manhasset High School Tina Zheng Stuyvesant High School
YOUTHBRIDGE-NY COMMITTEES Cultural Eye Committee: Fellows work with staff to understand and capture the many facets of diversity in NYC by taking pictures of themselves, their friends, their cultures, and their communities. Fellows learn to look at the world in a different way. At the end of the committee year Fellows create an exhibit and sell their work. Victoria Andre ● Maya Hoff ● Keisha Lacayo Rosalía Minyety ● Osmar Perez Shared Resources for a Shared Future Committee: Fellows have the opportunity to explore the world of grants within the context of diversity and resource sharing. The Fellows are given money to distribute mini-grants and create an RFP. They receive applications from non-profit organizations addressing diverse issues, and through consensus building choose grant recipients. Elizabeth Avakov ● Beverly Feng Gail Hafif ● Florence Hariri ● Zameer Hoque Rachel Huang ● Matthew Jedwab ● Noa Kalfus Shayaan Mohammed● Ethan Oliner Viyan Poonamallee ● Sharon Ren ● Ayal Smith Engaging Workplace Diversity Committee: Fellows are trained in workplace diversity and professional etiquette in preparation for a six-week summer internship where they are placed at a corporate, government, or nonprofit office. Fellows also research and present an entrepreneurship project at the end of the summer. Joseph Cabrera ● Vivian Fang ● Christopher Kim Ruby Klawans ● Tara Mavinakere ● Carolina Padilla Joshua Song● Tina Zheng
YOUTHBRIDGE-NY BOARD OF DIRECTORS William Abramson Christopher Auguste Martin Bienenstock Suzanne R. Davidowitz Charlotte K. Frank Joanne Jaffe Bradley Korn
Joel Levy Patricia McGann Michael S. Miller Mohammad Razvi Lynn D. Sherman Elizabeth Velez Jason Williams
FOUNDERS (EX-OFFICIO) David Chen Hector Gesualdo* Michael Gill Marvin Jacob
Virginia Kee Serafin Mariel Ira Millstein Dennis Walcott
STAFF Bob Kaplan Founding Director Samantha Klein Program Coordinator
*Deceased
Karen Lander Managing Director
The Jewish Community Relations Council of NY is proud to support
YouthBridge-NY and recognize the 2019 Honorees
Stuart Appelbaum HealthFirst Teddy Otobo-Sheriff and the Graduating Bridgers & Continuing Fellows
Charles S. Temel President Cheryl Fishbein President-elect Michael S. Miller Executive Vice President & CEO
Our sincerest appreciation to
YouthBridge-NY for honoring us tonight
Healthfirst congratulates this year’s honorees for their commitment to improving our communities. And, most importantly, we salute this year’s Fellowship graduates. We look forward to seeing you grow into the leaders of tomorrow.
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Healthfirst is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Healthfirst group of affiliated companies. © 2019 HF Management Services, LLC 0750-19 INA19_26
UJA-Federation of New York is proud to join the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York in honoring
STUART APPELBAUM
with the Community Leadership Award
HEALTHFIRST
with the Corporate Diversity Award
TEDDY OTOBO-SHERIFF
with the Distinguished Alum Award for their extraordinary commitment to serving our community. Your dedication inspires us all.
Jeffrey A. Schoenfeld President
Robert S. Kapito Chair of the Board
Eric S. Goldstein Chief Executive Officer
We YouthBridge-NY salute the We salute andChildren's all the Honorees Starlight Foundation for the wonderful work and all the Honorees that you do!
for the wonderful work that you do! Lori & Susan Buchbinder & William Abramson Lori & Susan Buchbinder, Eugene Warren, William Abramson, Debby Schwartz and Rosemary Paparo Real Estate Brokerage & Management Residential & Commercial
Real Estate Brokerage & Management Residential & Commercial Specializing in Cooperatives and Condominiums
Specializing in Cooperatives and Condominiums SALES & LEASING
SALES & LEASING (212)243-2200 (212)243-2200
William Abramson
MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT (212)243-6722
(212)243-6722
Rosemary Paparo
1 Union Square West, 4th Floor New York, NY 10003 www.BuchbinderWarren.com
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE GRADUATES, WE BELIEVE IN YOU! Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today. ~Malcolm X
Presidio & Cisco in partnership with Healthfirst, are proud to support YouthBridge’s Annual Graduation. Get Social: #WeAreCisco @Cisco
presidio.com
@Cisco
@Cisco
Cisco.com
Congratulations to YouthBridge-NY and the 2019 Honorees
Stuart Appelbaum HealthFirst Teddy Otobo-Sheriff and
the Graduating Bridgers & Continuing Fellows
Suzanne Davidowitz
Kramer Levin is proud to support
YouthBridge-NY and congratulates honorees
Stuart Appelbaum Health First and
Teddy Otobo-Sheriff
We are proud to support YouthBridge-NY and the honorees and Graduating Bridgers
Lynn D. Sherman, Hank Halperin, Laura Sherman Halperin
Joel and Carol Levy and family Renanit, Steve, Amarya, Barra and Yona Aharon and Nadia
salute YouthBridge-NY
Congratulations and Best Wishes to the Graduating Bridgers & Continuing Fellows and to the distinguished honorees
Stuart Appelbaum HealthFirst Teddy Otobo-Sheriff Fondly, Dr. Charlotte K. Frank
Congratulations to all the YouthBridge-New York participants.
You are our Leaders of Tomorrow!
Darma V. Diaz JCRC Brooklyn Fellow & 54th Assembly District Leader
The best means of benefitting the community is to place within its reach the ladders upon which the aspiring can rise. Andrew Carnegie
Mazal Tov to the graduates and Yasher Koach to Karen Lander for her leadership of this important community program Lieba and Steven Lander
Congratulations to all of our YouthBridge-NY students for a wonderful year of great accomplishments!
Congratulations to all of our YouthBridge-NY Fellows & Bridgers! Joanne Jaffe
Jason T. Williams YouthBridge-NY Board ViceChair and Development Committee
Retired Chief, NYPD YouthBridge-NY Board Member & Senior Advisor at Success Academy Charter Schools
Congratulations to Stuart Appelbaum HealthFirst Teddy Otobo-Sheriff Velez Organization
Council of Peoples Organization
is a proud supporter of
Youth Bridge New York and congratulates all of those being honored in
A Night of Celebration
Fulfilling the “American Dream” for Immigrants
110 William St - Suite 2402, NEW YORK, NY 10038 212.684.5500 | VELEZORG.COM
GREETINGS!
In honor of current Fellow Maya Hoff, and Hannah Hoff, YouthBridge graduate. And, thank you to the staff who makes this program a reality. Rachel and Eliot Hoff To Rachel Weiss: We are so proud of you. We know that you will make a difference in this world! We love you and congratulations! Mom, Dad and Arielle
GREETINGS! Congratulations! - Matthew J. Maryles
Congratulations on the good that you do! Cheryl Fishbein & Philip Schatten
Congratulations and good wishes for future success. - Patricia McGann
** CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES**
YouthBridge-NY’s A Night of Celebration Honorees
Stuart Appelbaum
Community Leadership Award HealthFirst
Corporate Diversity Award Teddy Otobo-Sheriff
Distinguished Alum Award Marcus & Pollack LLP The Property Tax Law Firm assessment appeals - tax exemptions 633 Third Avenue 9th Floor New York, NY 10017 taxappeal@marcuspollack.com www.marcuspollack.com Joel R. Marcus, Esq. Robert M. Pollack, Esq.
The Allianz Foundation for North America congratulates Stuart Appelbaum, HealthFirst, and Teddy Otobo-Sheriff on being honored by YouthBridge-NY as well as the graduating Bridgers and continuing Fellows of 2019. It is a privilege and pleasure to join these distinguished honorees in advancing the work of YouthBridge-NY. We are proud to call YouthBridge-NY our partner in preparing a new generation for leadership on issues of diversity and inclusion, thus empowering young people to shape a more secure future for all.
