The New York Junior League Announces Its 2024 Outstanding Sustainers and Outstanding Volunteers to be Honored at the 72nd Annual Winter Ball

 The New York Junior League (NYJL) is pleased to announce the selection of the 2024 Outstanding Sustainers and Outstanding Volunteers, who will be honored at the 72nd Annual Winter Ball on Saturday, February 24, 2024. As the organization’s highest honors, the Outstanding Sustainer and Outstanding Volunteer awards are reserved for those women who exemplify a superior standard of excellence in volunteerism. These exceptional women are dedicated to serving the New York City and NYJL communities, living the NYJL’s core values, and leading by example.

The NYJL Sustainer Nominating committee selected the two 2024 Outstanding Sustainers: A. Gale Kroeger and Elizabeth Timberman.

The NYJL Nominating committee selected the five 2024 Outstanding Volunteers: Mona Kelly Lopez, Moriah K. Lutz-Tveite, Susan Timmons Marks, Elizabeth Ann Beller Staryak, and Megan Zuckerman.

“These seven women embody the New York Junior League’s humanitarian spirit and their compassion and commitment to serving their community keeps us at the forefront of meeting the needs of women, children, and families in New York,” said NYJL President Serra Eken.

The Outstanding Sustainers and Outstanding Volunteers will be honored at the NYJL’s 72nd Annual Winter Ball: Glamour in Gotham: Celebrating New York City’s Historic Past and Vibrant Future, on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Cipriani South Street. Since 1952, the Winter Ball has helped raise essential funds for the NYJL’s community programs while bringing together volunteers, family, friends, and supporters for presentations of the award recipients.

Winter Ball Harriman Circle Benefactor VIP tickets are available for $900, Advance Dinner Admission for $600, and Dessert & Dancing Admission for $275. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nyjl.org/events/winter-ball/.

New York Junior League
Megan Zuckerman
848-448-2728
www.nyjl.org
press@nyjl.org

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The New York Junior League Announces Settlement Housing Fund and SCAN-Harbor as 2023-2024 Community Improvement Project Partners

 The New York Junior League’s (NYJL) Community Improvement Project (CIP) has selected Settlement Housing Fund and SCAN-Harbor as its 2023–2024 community partners. The NYJL’s hands-on restorations of these vital community spaces will create a welcoming environment for single parent families at Settlement Housing Fund who have previously experienced homelessness and are working towards long-term housing security and enable SCAN-Harbor to expand its programming for nursery school students in one of New York City’s most underserved communities.

As one of the NYJL’s largest community programs, CIP has partnered with organizations across the City since 2012 to provide community space renovations. CIP will provide a trained team of NYJL volunteers to lead and carry out the renovations, contributing hundreds of hours of work, and an investment of more than $70,000 in supplies and in-kind services to maximize impact.

“The NYJL is proud to work with community partners addressing two of the biggest issues facing New Yorkers today — homelessness and childhood literacy,” said NYJL President Serra Eken. “Through these large-scale renovations of community spaces, the Community Improvement Project will support our partners in expanding critical programming and improving lives.”

Settlement Housing Fund provides affordable housing and supportive services for lower income families, including a substantial number who have experienced homelessness. CIP plans to renovate Settlement Housing Fund’s Semiperm Residence on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, which serves approximately 50 single parents and their children who have formerly experienced homelessness. CIP’s renovation of the building’s community room and administrative office will enable Semiperm to increase programming and host a dignified, self-affirming space for clients to meet with case workers. Amidst New York City’s current housing and homelessness crises, Settlement Housing Funds’ work providing stable housing and programming is more important than ever — allowing families to access critical pathways to long-term affordable housing, education, employment, and wellness.

SCAN-Harbor’s Eisman Nursery at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)’s Holmes Towers, located in Yorkville, provides a learning space for approximately 60 children from ages 2-5 years old. CIP will transform an underutilized room currently used for storage into a children’s library and gathering space for students and staff. The new library and gathering space will be used for increased programming, helping students achieve age-appropriate literacy early in their development. Research has shown that the first five years of life are critical for a child’s brain development, with early childhood literacy a critical component of future success in school and in life, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

To learn more about the NYJL, visit nyjl.org. Community organizations are encouraged to email cip@nyjl.org to be alerted when the application to be a 2024-2025 CIP partner opens in Spring 2024.

About the New York Junior League
Since 1901, the New York Junior League (NYJL) has responded to New York City’s most pressing socioeconomic challenges. Powered by over 2,400 women volunteers, the NYJL works with more than 60 community-based organizations to advance children’s social-emotional learning and to provide life skills programs to youth and adults who are navigating periods of difficult transition. Bringing their diverse experiences and talents, trained NYJL volunteers engage women and children in health, education, and arts workshops specially customized to their needs. The NYJL also advocates with state and city government for women- and children-centered policies and develops volunteers’ leadership skills for service in the NYJL and on other nonprofit boards, all while cultivating a community that reinforces women’s personal relationships and collective power as drivers of positive change.

About Settlement Housing Fund
Settlement Housing Fund creates and sustains high quality affordable housing and programs, building strong and economically diverse neighborhoods throughout New York City. Settlement Housing Fund works closely with community partners to provide low- and moderate-income New Yorkers with pathways to long-term affordable housing, education, employment, and wellness.

About SCAN-Harbor
Founded in 1977, SCAN-Harbor is a non-profit youth and family service organization that provides a variety of integrated support to the highest risk children and families of Harlem, East Harlem and the South Bronx. Serving over 7,600 children and teens and 1,000 adults and families each year at 23 program sites, SCAN-Harbor is the largest youth service provider in Harlem, East Harlem and the South Bronx.

New York Junior League
Megan Zuckerman
848-448-2728
www.nyjl.org

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The New York Junior League Hosted 71st Annual Winter Ball, Raising Over $600,000 for Training and Community Programs

 The New York Junior League (NYJL) held its 71st Annual Winter Ball, a black-tie event and the organization’s largest fundraiser, on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Cipriani South Street, one of Manhattan’s newest and most glamorous event spaces. This year’s sold-out Winter Ball broke historical attendance records, raising over $600,000 and counting, thanks to the support of generous donors through ticket purchases, corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and a silent and live auction.

This year’s Winter Ball honored recipients of the NYJL’s Outstanding Sustainer and Outstanding Volunteer Awards, the organization’s highest honors. Since 1952, the Winter Ball has helped raise essential funds for the NYJL’s training and community programs while bringing together volunteers, family, friends, and supporters for presentations of the award recipients.

The evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a delectable three-course dinner during which guests enjoyed the awards presentation and live auction. Following dinner, guests satisfied their sweet tooth with desserts and danced the night away to the sounds of the Midnight Project in the breathtaking waterfront setting of Cipriani South Street. Over 800 guests, including a record-breaking number of VIP Harriman Circle patrons, attended this year’s Winter Ball to celebrate the NYJL’s work serving the New York City community for over 120 years.

During Winter Ball, the NYJL honored recipients of the organization’s highest honors, the Outstanding Sustainer and Outstanding Volunteer awards, reserved for those women who exemplify a superior standard of excellence in volunteerism. The 2023 Outstanding Sustainers are Barbara Etzel and Marion S. Hedges and the Outstanding Volunteers are Blythe Winchester Brock, Marie T. Finan, Andrea Theresa McDermott, Christina Bott Murphy, and Contessa Officer. These exceptional women are dedicated to serving the New York City and NYJL communities, living the NYJL’s core values, and leading by example.

The dinner came to a finale as acclaimed auctioneer Sebastian Clarke hosted the live auction lots. Guests enthusiastically bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences and memorabilia, including a Tradewind Aviation private jet charter to St. Barths for a weeklong stay at WIMCO Villas, a signed Jon Bon Jovi guitar and 3L bottle of Hampton Water Rosé, a round of golf at the legendary Maidstone Club in East Hampton and a stay at the Pridwin Hotel & Cottages on Shelter Island, an exclusive and private experience at the newly renovated Tiffany & Co. Global Flagship, and a stay at the luxurious Four Seasons Ocean Club resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

“The NYJL has made a crucial impact on the New York City community as the city continues to feel the effects of the ongoing socioeconomic crisis, with our Outstanding Sustainers and Outstanding Volunteers serving as prime examples of our work. We are so grateful to our generous sponsors and donors for ensuring that this year’s Winter Ball was the most successful to date so we can continue to serve our city,” said NYJL President Serra Eken.

Corporate sponsors included Jenny Yoo and Sheffield Haworth. In-kind sponsors included Bar and Books, Beck Bags, Bow Bridge Blooms, Hampton Water, and Trivvidraws. The event’s venue sponsor was Cipriani.

Proceeds from Winter Ball support the NYJL’s community and advocacy work and leadership development.

New York Junior League
Megan Zuckerman
848-448-2728
www.nyjl.org

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Several Junior and Youth National Records created in Khelo India Women’s Weightlifting tournament




Multiple National Records have been created in Phase 2 of the Khelo India Women’s Weightlifting tournament which ended today in Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh. The tournament took place across the Senior, Junior and Youth age categories. It was organised by the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) and supported by the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.



Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) bagged the Winners’ team trophy in the Senior Women category, while Maharashtra bagged the Winners’ team trophies in the Junior Women and Youth Girls category.


The tournament saw participation from weightlifters who are a part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme as well as the Khelo India scholarship scheme. The National Records were created by Akanksha Vyavahare, Bhawana, Martina Devi, Yogita Khedkar and Kalpana Yadav.


The three best lifters in the tournament on the basis of points were the following: Komal Johar (Senior Women), Sanju Devi (Junior Women) and Akanksha Vyavahare (Youth Girls).



The total amount of support put forward by the Govt of India to conduct the Khelo India league across all editions is Rs 1.88 Crore, which includes a total cash prize of Rs 48.3 Lakh to the top 8 ranked weightlifters across 10 weight categories in all age groups.



NRs created:


Youth: 40kg – Akanksha Vyavahare (Snatch: 60kg, C&J: 71kg, Total: 131kg); 64kg – Bhawana (Snatch: 88kg, C&J: 113kg, Total: 201kg); +81kg – Martina Devi (Snatch: 83kg, Total: 191kg);


Junior: 64kg – Bhawana (Snatch: 88kg, C&J: 113kg, Total: 201kg); 81kg – Kalpana Yadav (Snatch: 90kg, Total: 201kg); 87kg – Yogita Khedkar (Snatch: 78kg, C&J: 105kg, Total: 183kg); +87kg – Martina Devi (Total: 191kg)


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New York Junior League’s Community Improvement Project Announces Lantern Community Services and Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter as 2022-2023 Partners

 The New York Junior League’s (NYJL) Community Improvement Project (CIP) has selected Lantern Community Services and the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter as its 2022–2023 community partners. Each year, the NYJL’s CIP partners with Manhattan-based nonprofit organizations to renovate their facilities to increase their impact. Over the next eight months, CIP will lead NYJL volunteers in restoring the Lantern Community Services and Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter’s spaces by providing a trained team of volunteers to paint and renovate their spaces and donating a total of $70,000 in supplies and in-kind services for capital improvements, ultimately helping the organizations expand their capabilities for their constituents.

“We are thrilled that our Community Improvement Project (CIP) will once again work with two community partners, rather than one, for the second year in a row, in order to have the highest possible impact,” said NYJL President Serra Eken. “As homelessness continues to be an increasingly prominent challenge that many New Yorkers face in the wake of COVID-19, we are proud to partner with Lantern Community Services and the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter. I am excited to see the beautiful spaces that our volunteers will renovate and look forward to the ribbon-cutting ceremonies in 2023.”

Lantern Community Services’ Schafer Hall, located at 117 East 118th Street in East Harlem, is a 91-unit supportive housing site that houses formerly unhoused single adults, young adults exiting the foster care system, and low-income families. NYJL volunteers will upgrade the dining and community areas to foster vibrant spaces that support therapeutic programming for residents. With flexibility built into its design, these renovations will create new opportunities for counseling, culinary education, meditation, movement, and leisure.

Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter serves those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. CIP will renovate Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter’s Chance for Change, an outpatient substance-use treatment program, located at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church at 921 Madison Avenue. Chance for Change provides substance use treatment and mental health services for homeless or formerly homeless clients. NYJL volunteers will renovate the program’s community room and client lounge to create a welcoming, comfortable environment for guests to relax, gather, and meet with case workers.

To learn more about the NYJL and CIP, visit nyjl.org or email cip@nyjl.org.

About the New York Junior League

Since 1901, the New York Junior League (NYJL) has responded to New York City’s most pressing socioeconomic challenges. Powered by more than 2,300 women volunteers, the NYJL works with more than 60 community-based organizations to advance children’s social-emotional learning and to provide life skills programs to youth and adults who are navigating periods of difficult transition. Bringing their diverse experiences and talents, trained NYJL volunteers engage women and children in health, education, and arts workshops specially customized to their needs. The NYJL also advocates with state and city government for women- and children-centered policies and develops volunteers’ leadership skills for service in the NYJL and on other nonprofit boards, all while cultivating a community that reinforces women’s personal relationships and collective power as drivers of positive change.

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About Lantern Community Services

Founded in 1996, Lantern Community Services champions the independence and well-being of New Yorkers impacted by or threatened with homelessness. Across Lantern’s 19 supportive housing and shelter programs, person-centered programs bring residents and staff together to work towards the empowerment and independence of those they serve. Lantern’s passionate staff lead with empathy and provide their residents with meaningful opportunities that promote ongoing stability, independence, and quality of life.

About Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter

Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter (NCS) helps New Yorkers who have a history of homelessness, often compounded by mental illness or substance use, to achieve their highest level of independence. The organization was established in 1982 by faith and community leaders on Manhattan’s Upper East Side who believed that homelessness is the responsibility of the entire community. NCS provides New Yorkers who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with a home, a community, and access to the services that they need to thrive.

New York Junior League

Megan Zuckerman

848-448-2728

www.nyjl.org

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