At one of our happiest annual events, we awarded $63,000 to seven local nonprofits, thanks to proceeds of Treasures Thrift Shop. Representatives of the nonprofits met the Treasures volunteers, and even had a chance to shop!
Representatives from Hope's Door, which works to end domestic violence and to support victims, spoke of their challenges and their appreciation of Treasures, noting the shop helped them "style" a guest for an event she was otherwise unprepared for.
The Hudson Valley Honor Flight provides American veterans with "the welcome home they never got." Among the vets hosted are two star generals, Tuskeegee Airmen and Buffalo soldiers. Their most recent flight carried an 85 year old Korean War veteran who played the armed forces anthems on the harmonica during dinner!
Chet and Mary Edwards reported their most recent flight of veterans out of Westchester Airport took place
on May 30!
Executive Director of The Pantry Trina Ward Fontaine reported that they feed 600 local households weekly, about 2000 people. She noted that they coordinate support for their guests with other nonprofits at this event, such as Neighbors Link.
Neil Klar of ReSET of Westchester told about their mission to help refugee families prepare for their life in the US. They partner with Neighbors Link, and help with housing, jobs, learning English and how to drive. Their goal is to make independent and self-sufficient families, and they have worked successfully with immigrants from Afghanistan, Haiti, Ecuador, and Ukraine.
Cesar Zepeda, Development Officer at Neighbors Link, said they'd benefited from the efforts of 880 volunteers last year who helped in their work to integrate immigrants into the community. They offer a worker center, ESL classes, legal services and parent education.
Joanne Hochstein is President, and Angie Kung is Treasurer of the Emergency Shelter Partnership, which needs little introduction, as we hosted the ESP for a week just last month, shepherded by John Bernson. ESP hosts locals with nowhere to sleep during the coldest months, and provides a warm meal, breakfast and a bag lunch. Thanks to two big snowstorms this year they hosted extra large numbers, with food arriving at the hosting church on foot from neighbors during the worst of one blizzard
And finally, Joel Jimenez, Program Director of Hudson Link (for Higher Education in Prison) told of how the program has expanded to seven prisons partners. They have awarded 1300 degrees, and will have 111 graduates this year from five prisons, despite a prison guard strike impeding the program. They also help graduates with reentry, and show a 2% recidivism rate.