A lot of us look at NYSD Party Pictures pages just to look at people. For me it’s an opportunity to get a sense of life around us. Most important, even crucial, is using these channels to bring important information to everyone in the community.
It’s summertime in New York, the season of pleasure. It’s important to take all of us into consideration. For example, last month the New York Center for Children hosted its Annual Spring Benefit at the Peninsula New York. This year marked NYCC’s 29th year of helping children heal from abuse to achieve their greatest potential.
These are hard times for many out there. And when times are hard, the children are the most vulnerable victims especially in the home. The benefit raised almost $175,000 in support of the Center’s mission of providing trauma-focused therapy services. These are providing to victims of child abuse, free of charge, for as long as their healing requires.
The funds raised at this event are not enough; they need more. There are more and more children enduring the tough times of their family these days. Children suffer the most as well as being marked by that aspect of life at the very beginning.
The evening. This year’s theme — Harmony Heals — focused on the strength and healing power of music for children who have experienced trauma. Special guest for the night was music therapist Tom Sweitzer, who gained popularity for his 2023 one-man show, 20 Seconds, where he discusses his childhood.
Tom has proven his dedication to helping people face, navigate and overcome life’s challenges through music therapy, expressive arts and performance. Tom is co-founder, creative director and head of Music Therapy at “A Place to Be,” a non-profit organization offering music therapy in Northern Virginia. It is definitely needed everywhere.
The night included a gala and charity auction with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, with all proceeds of the night benefiting the Center. The Charity Auction included luxury items ranging from one and two-night stays at various The Peninsula locations, including New York, Chicago, and London, to lunch for 12 people in Clement Restaurant in the Private Dining Room at The Peninsula New York, among other items.
The New York Center for Children, founded in 1995, is the only independent center in New York City to provide free, comprehensive evaluation and therapy services to children who have experienced physical and sexual abuse, and their families for as long as their healing requires.
In addition, NYCC also provides groundbreaking training programs on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of child abuse, attended by medical students, doctors, nurses and first responders worldwide. More than 20,000 professionals have been trained through NYCC’s educational programs.
More photos, more assistance. On a recent Friday, Red Door Community hosted their annual Celebrating Women Working and Living with Cancer Luncheon at the Metropolitan Club in New York City. The event raised more than $300,000 while shining a light on the women who inspire us through their daily courage and leadership.
Ever hear of it? Red Door? I hadn’t either, but like assisting the children, Red Door helps us all — or those of us who really need it. More than 175 guests attended, including Red Door Community donors, corporate allies, and members who participate in the free cancer support programs, bringing together people from all walks of life. It was an opportunity to socialize and learn about the organization’s initiatives that are designed to supplement clinical cancer treatments with essential psychosocial support.
The luncheon was hosted by Gerri Willis, author and correspondent with Fox Business News, who shared her own experience with cancer, and the event featured several key speakers, including its new CEO Dan Latore who spoke of the uniqueness of their work which “provides unwavering support at every stage of the cancer experience, so no one faces cancer alone.”
The star of the show was LaDawn Jefferson, a single mother residing in Brooklyn, and living with advanced cancer. She talked about her experience with cancer, from the impersonal way she learned of her diagnosis to the repeated treatments of chemotherapy and radiation.
She said her cancer diagnosis did not excuse her from her roles as “chef, counselor, referee, mediator, and mother, who must continue to nurture and love her children no matter what type of day she was having.”
LaDawn had no one to share her feelings with until she found Red Door Community.
LaDawn went on about Red Door Community: “I was welcomed with open arms, and I felt right at home. I had the freedom to open up and get out all that was buried in me. I was finally able to speak to people who understood the mental battles in my head, the self-image issues, and the fear of dying. I know that in my group I can talk about anything and not be judged for my thoughts or feelings.”
Before she was introduced to Red Door Community, LaDawn’s only outlet for her feelings was her journal, where her first entry talked about her fears and how she was being perceived by people on the outside. She continued referencing her entry, “however, inside, I just want to run like hell. The only catch is, the cancer will run with me because it is inside of me. I NEED HELP, PLEASE HELP ME. Well, Red Door did just that … from day one.”
Run she will. In a stunning announcement, LaDawn announced that she will be running in this year’s TCS NYC Marathon as a part of the Red Door Runners, a team that is running to raise money on behalf of Red Door Community. Her inspiring words were met with thunderous applause, and she invited the audience to come out and cheer the team on. She ended her speech with a simple “Thank you for your support.”
To support LaDawn and thousands of other Red Door Community visit: RedDoorCommunity.org/donate
