Lena Cavanna, head of our Mission & Outreach Committee, worked with Treasures co-managers Lauren Thompson and Sharon Stern, to hold our second annual reception for the beneficiaries of Treasures net proceeds. We donated $50,000 to these important nonprofit organizations.
St. Stephen's members and non-profit representatives had a chance to meet and mingle.
Barbara Turk of Hope's Door told about their essential mission to end domestic violence, offering 19 beds to shelter the survivors, and working to end the cycle of abuse by educating young people.
Sean Pica of Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison was inspiring, relating how his organization works with seven NY prisons to educate the incarcerated and prepare them to become positive members of their communities. With a typical prison recidivism rate of 60%, Hudson Link students have a rate of 2%. He expressed gratitude not just for the financial donation, but also for men's clothing donated by the shop, allowing their graduates to make good impressions as they re-enter the work force.
The non-profit representatives attending were, from left, Chet and Mary Edwards (Hudson Valley Honor Flight), Sean Pica (Hudson Link), Sharon Seidell and Trina Fontaine (Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry), Alison Leisawitz (Neighbors Link), JoAnne Hochstein (Emergency Shelter Partnership), and Barbara Turk (Hope's Door).
Our indefatigable Treasures volunteers were thanked for their hard work, yielding a banner year.
To top off the day, Fr. Garrett, Lauren Thompson and Sharon Stern delivered a framed print of the Wampus Pond gazebo, with a plaque of appreciation, to John DeCicco, to honor their continuing delicious provisions donated to St. Stephen's and the Emergency Shelter Partnership. We are so grateful to our generous neighbors, DeCicco's!