Tag: Charity

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Events

enCourage Kids Night at Citi Field

Featured photo provided by enCourage Kids

On Thursday, June 13th, the enCourage Kids Foundation hosted their 17th annual “enCourage Kids Night” at Citi Field during the Cardinals and Mets game. Big names such as NY Mets Hall of Famer Mookie Wilson, former NY Jets Erik Coleman, his wife Sabrina Coleman and 2018 Miss New York Dorian Solimano were all in attendance.

enCourage Kids is a remarkable nonprofit that works to “humanize healthcare for children and their families by resourcing impact-driven pediatric programs and supporting the Child Life Community.” Each year, the organization plans events such as Six Flags trips, camping adventures, sports events, and more. Last year, they provided nearly $1 million to hospitals across the nation. The funding helped with everything from hospital admission and comfort kits to creative arts and technology.

Photo taken by Joseph Solimano

I spoke with Joseph Solimano, father of Dorian Solimano, and he really put into perspective how amazing enCourage Kids had been to their family. “They really do it all,” says Joe. “They plan all sorts of events like tonight, and they do a great job of making everything feel personal.”

Joe’s daughter, Dorian, is quite an amazing individual. She was diagnosed with congenital heart disease at an early age and has been fighting it ever since. Although she is only ten-years-old, she holds the esteemed title of Miss New York, is a National Ambassador for American Heart Association, and will be wearing brands, such as Versace, while walking during Fashion Week. As a part of enCourage Kids Night, Dorian had the honor of throwing the first pitch, and she did it as flawlessly as you expect a model to!

Even Dorian vouched for how wonderful enCourage Kids is and said that all of their events were her favorite “especially tonight… and the camping trip!”

Michele Hall Duncan is the President & CEO of the enCourage Kids Foundation, and she loves the organization with a visible passion. She walked around the event and greeted every single family with so much charisma, which instantly put a smile on each child’s face. She started as a volunteer with the foundation and eventually took on a full-time role in 1996.

Duncan explains that the organization does not solely focus on the negative of any situation. “We host events to get the whole family involved- siblings, parents, grandparents, everyone!” says Duncan. “We make it our mission to make sure that no one feels left out.”

The enCourage Kids Foundation is actively seeking volunteers and donations to support their cause. Find a way to help a foundation that provides so much hope and happiness here.

Categories
Culture Entertainment Featured Music NYC

New York Public Radio Rocks Out At Brooklyn Bowl Fundraiser

High and Mighty Brass Band kicks the night off at New York Public Radio Live
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - JUNE 13: High and Mighty Brass Band performs during New York Public Radio Live at Brooklyn Bowl on June 13, 2019 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for New York Public Radio)

Thursday night, June 13th, New York Public Radio held a live event and fundraiser at Brooklyn Bowl. The event offered music, cocktails, fried chicken, and a chance to rub elbows with some of NY Public Radio’s biggest names. Early guests milled about, talking over drinks, filling out social experience bingo cards, and snacking on popcorn at some of the tables near the stage.

After a short DJ Set by members of indie rock band Yo La Tengo, the event exploded with live music from High & Mighty Brass Band. The musicians, looking like the world’s most Brooklyn marching band, marched in from the front of the room toward the stage. A crowd gathered as they performed in all of their Hawaiian-shirt-clad glory, the trumpet player sipping a beer between notes.

Comedian Michelle Buteau MC's New York Public Radio Live
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – JUNE 13: Michelle Buteau speaks onstage during New York Public Radio Live at Brooklyn Bowl on June 13, 2019 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for New York Public Radio)

With attention drawn to the stage, Michelle Buteau–comedian, podcaster, and actress in the recent film Always Be My Maybe–introduced one band after another. Music was the centerpiece of the evening. The High & Mighty Brass Band got a second act, sandwiched between newcomers Red Baraat and Real Estate. Between songs, WNYC Radio Host John Schaefer snuck on stage to ask band members a few questions exploring, for example, the bhangra-driven music of Red Baraat with dhol-playing lead singer Sunny Jain.

Red Baraat Rocks Out at New York Public Radio Live
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – JUNE 13: Red Baraat performs onstage during New York Public Radio Live at Brooklyn Bowl on June 13, 2019 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for New York Public Radio)

All in all, it was a good time. The drinks flowed and the music brought the house down. I was, however, unable to locate that fried chicken. Maybe next year.

Next year, fried chicken. Next year.
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – JUNE 13: A view of atmosphere during New York Public Radio Live at Brooklyn Bowl on June 13, 2019 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for New York Public Radio)
Categories
Art Culture Music

Sing for Hope Unveils 500th Piano

By Michael Izquierdo

Whether you’re eager to play the piano or digital piano in front of a live audience or looking to admire originally-designed artwork, the Sing for Hope Pianos project returns to the streets of New York City for its eighth consecutive year.

From June 4th to the 23rd, Sing for Hope will display 50 artist-designed pianos in parks and other public spaces across the five boroughs for any passerby to walk up and play a tune. The piano designs are vibrant, striking expressions of the creativity found within the city, featuring designs like the New York City skyline, an underwater theme, and pride-colored stripes. The non-profit organization founded in 2006 by opera singers Monica Yunus and Camille Zamora celebrates as they unveil their 500th Sing for Hope Piano this year.

Sing for Hope was built upon the foundation of being a resource for New York artists to use their art to give back to the community, and they continue to abide by their roots. This year’s masterpieces were created by a wide range of artists, including the Broadway casts of Mean Girls, Dear Evan Hansen, and Jersey Boys; along with prominent visual artists around the world, including artist/designer Alpana “Tejaswini,” Florida-based educator Bridget Wendt, Staten Island-based family of artists Rob, Peggy and Megan Padovano, and many others.

  • Photos by Addison Franz

The Sing for Hope Pianos project is made possible in partnerships with New York City Parks and Recreation, New York City Department of Education, the Office of the Mayor, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, with additional support from Fosun International. This year, the pianos will be distributed in high-traffic locations included Virginia Park and Van Cortlandt House Museum, Brooklyn Bridge Park: Pier 6, Coney Island Boardwalk, Tompkins Square Park, Central Park, Unisphere Flushing Meadows, Midland Beach, and many more.

Once the Sing for Hope Pianos project is over, the pianos will find permanent homes in NYC public schools starting this fall. This initiative will extend the outreach of educational programs to over 100,000 NYC students and community member annually.

Earlier today, Downtown Magazine had the opportunity to attend the official unveiling of the 2019 Sing for Hope Pianos event at Fosun Plaza on 28 Liberty in NYC.

Categories
Events

The Project Renewal Annual Gala is Tuesday, June 4

Project Renewal 2018 gala
Project Renewal 2018 gala

Tickets are still available for the annual Project Renewal gala, to take place at Pier Sixty at the Chelsea Piers, on Tuesday, June 4, from 6-10pm. This year, the organization will honor Jonathan Rose of Jonathan Rose Companies. This visionary company, under the leadership of Rose, supports the well-being of communities by creating environmentally, socially, and economically responsible housing. Jonathan has partnered with Project Renewal to develop Bedford Green House, which will provide 234 apartments and support services and wellness amenities to low-income residents and families leaving homeless shelters.

The theme of this year’s gala will be “Project Renewal Works,” and will highlight the organization’s workforce development programs, including the Culinary Arts Training Program, City Beet Kitchens, Next Step, and the Next Step Internship Program. There will be a City Beet Kitchens tasting station at the gala, in addition to an auction, all benefitting the work of Project Renewal.

Project Renewal gala 2018
Geoff Proulx, Chair of the Board of Trustees, at last year’s gala.

Last year’s gala raised $1.5 million, and was attended by nearly 600 guests who enjoyed cocktails, dinner, and a live auction. The event celebrated the Project Renewal new Bronx supportive and affordable housing development, Bedford Green House. The evening was sponsored with support from organizations such as Morgan Stanley, Hollister Construction Services, Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel, Architects, DPC, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, The Johnson Company, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, The Brodsky Organization, Capital One, Delaware North Companies, Fisher Brothers, Guardian Life, ICON Interiors, Jonathan Rose Companies, J.T. Magen & Company, Lane Office, Northwell Health, Sera Security Services, SterlingRisk Insurance and White Hare Solutions.

MISSION: Project Renewal is a New York City-based nonprofit organization that works to end the cycle of homelessness by empowering individuals and families to renew their lives with health, homes and jobs. The organization’s innovative programs are designed to end the revolving door of emergency rooms, jails, shelters, and the streets. For over 50 years, their pioneering approach has created uniquely integrated and comprehensive programs that are replicated around the nation, helping even beyond the 16,000 homeless New Yorkers Project Renewal serves every year. To purchase tickets to the gala, or to donate, visit events.projectrenewal.org.

Categories
Bars Culture Dining Events Featured

Serving Up Home, Breaking Ground’s Spring Cocktail Benefit

Since 1990, Breaking Ground has helped more than 13,000 people escape and avoid homelessness. They’re on the streets of New York every day of the year, 24/7, engaging with the homeless to bring them inside and connect them with services to restore their lives. They are the city’s largest supportive housing provider and operate 22 transitional and permanent housing residences, primarily in New York City.

Each year, the organization hosts a spring benefit titled Serving Up Home to raise critical funds for their street outreach program, which helps the most vulnerable street homeless New Yorkers come indoors and find a permanent home. This year’s event is a cocktail edition, featuring top NYC mixologists creating a top-shelf tasting event for guests to enjoy. This year’s edition features mixologists Marcio R Araujo of The Honeywell, Tynan Craycraft of Barbuto, Kacie Lambert of Handle Bars consulting, Thom Mullen of Frankies Sputino Group, and Chris Whalen who works in NYC and LA. We talked to Brenda Rosen, CEO of Breaking Ground, about cocktails and how this event will help Breaking Ground meet its goals.

Downtown: How did this event come to be? 

Brenda Rosen: As a nonprofit, our critical programming is funded in part through donations and philanthropy, and the Serving Up Home event is a vital way to raise funds that build and sustain our amazing outreach program, which is on the streets 24/7/365 helping vulnerable New Yorkers. This year, we’re so excited to have our Junior Board host the event to help build awareness around Breaking Ground’s mission to help New Yorkers experiencing homelessness.

Downtown: What are you most excited about cocktail wise at the event?

BR: Each specialty drink at the Serving Up Home event will be made with our product partner’s Nolet’s Silver Gin, so I’m very excited to see each mixologist’s creative spin. The drinks are all in the spirit of gin-erosity, for a great cause!

Downtown: What does this event help Breaking Ground accomplish? 

BR: The money raised from this event will benefit Breaking Ground’s street outreach program, helping the most vulnerable street homeless New Yorkers come indoors, get the help they need, and find a permanent home.

Downtown: What are some of the support services you offer people living in Breaking Ground housing?

BR: Breaking Ground partners with excellent local social service organizations who provide on-site case management, mental health counseling, medical services, job resources, and more. We also have staff who organize events and other activities in the building to engage residents socially, which decreases isolation, builds community, and helps them re-enter society.

Downtown: How do the transitional and permanent housing locations differ?

BR: Our transitional housing (known as Safe Havens) gives the homeless a safe place to stay and access services while we work with them to secure stable, permanent housing. Our permanent supportive housing is rent-stabilized housing – so everyone has a lease – paired with onsite supportive services designed to help people maintain a home for the long term.

Downtown: How long do people stay in the program? 

BR: Once people are in our permanent housing, they tend to stay. Our resident stability rate is consistently higher than 98%.

Downtown: Can you explain the partnership between Breaking Ground and the Prince George Ballroom?

BR: Built in 1904, the Prince George was once one of New York City’s premier hotels. After many years of decline and neglect, it was restored by Breaking Ground and reopened in 1999 to provide 416 units of affordable housing for low-income and formerly homeless adults and persons living with HIV/AIDS. The Prince George is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2005, Breaking Ground completed the restoration of the building’s 5,000-square-foot Neo-Renaissance ballroom – an incredible space from the building’s hotel days. Working with four other non-profit groups, including Alpha Workshops, Parsons School of Design, Brooklyn High School of Preservation Arts, and YouthBuild, the Neo-Renaissance ballroom was completed as a design-build project by Beyer Blinder Belle Architects. The Prince George Ballroom is now an event venue, available for rental with proceeds supporting the expansion of Breaking Ground’s programs and housing development work.

Categories
Design Featured Living

Housing Works Gives Back at 7th Annual Groundbreaker Awards Dinner and Design on a Dime

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 24: CNN Anchor Don Lemon and actress Patricia Clarkson attend the Housing Works' Groundbreaker Awards Dinner 2019 on April 24, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Housing Works)
CNN Anchor Don Lemon and actress Patricia Clarkson attend the Housing Works’ Groundbreaker Awards Dinner 2019 on April 24, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Housing Works).

On April 24, 2019, Housing Works held its 7th annual Groundbreaker Awards Dinner on the eve of Design on a Dime—an event celebrating the 15th edition of its fight to end AIDS and homelessness through design. The moving dinner, which celebrated leaders in design, art, and philanthropy, was hosted by luminaries across all fields. CNN anchor Don Lemon kicked off the night with some hilarious yet poignant remarks while Portia de Rossi and Patricia Clarkson brought some levity and spirited banter. Jim Shreve (President and CEO of Baccarat) and Darren Walker (President of Ford Foundation), were both honored for their philanthropic efforts and continued contributions in the fight against HIV/AIDS and homelessness. Not to be forgotten, Matthew Bernardo (President of Housing Works) and James Huniford (Founder of Design on a Dime,) also gave some moving speeches. All in all, it was a night to remember, and the actual event was yet to come!

Design Entrepreneur Award Winner, Founder & CEO, General Public, Portia de Rossi, Design on a Dime Founding Chair, James Huniford, and Designer Cliff Fong pose during the Housing Works' Groundbreaker Awards Dinner 2019 on April 24, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Housing Works)
Design Entrepreneur Award Winner, Founder & CEO, General Public, Portia de Rossi, Design on a Dime Founding Chair, James Huniford, and Designer Cliff Fong pose during the Housing Works’ Groundbreaker Awards Dinner 2019 on April 24, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Housing Works).

On Thursday, April 25th Design on a Dime’s 15th edition kicked off. A benefit started in 2004, the four-day-long event is now one of the design industry’s most loved and esteemed fundraisers, bringing together some of the most sought-after creatives in the field of interior design. At each Design on a Dime event, a select group of designers donates their time and skills to create one-of-a-kind vignettes with furniture, art, home décor items, and more, with items donated by caring vendors. The opening night starts with a 5:30 pm preview. At 6:30 pm, visitors are allowed to shop every single item in each booth—all marked at 80% off the retail value. Influential tastemakers, celebrities, and design aficionados flock to DOAD year after year, happy to shop for a cause. Proceeds from Design on a Dime and the Groundbreaker Awards dinner go toward the nonprofit’s supportive housing, lifesaving services, and advocacy efforts to bring social justice to marginalized New Yorkers and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Design on a Dime 2019; Photograph Mike Van Tassell.

This year’s edition did not disappoint. The designers went bold with beautiful color palettes, art galore, striking furnishings, and accessories and objets d’art for days. With designers and brands such as Carlos Jungueira for ESPASSO, Carl Barnett, David Kleinberg Design Associates, Foley & Cox, Erick Espinoza of Anthony Baratta, Drew McKukin Interiors, Anthony George Home, Benjamin Moore, Aparment 48, Ron Marvin, Beth Diana Smith, Saudah Saleem Interiors, and Eneia White Interiors, it was impossible not to cause a big splash. In fact, the event was so successful that to date, over 1.1 million dollars was raised for the nonprofit. Cheers to that!

Housing Works' Design on a Dime 2019; Photograph Mike Van Tassell.
Design on a Dime 2019; Photograph Mike Van Tassell.