Promotions, Announcements & Appointments

Hantzopoulos to lead Botanical Garden

Evie Hantzopoulos took over as executive director of the Queens Botanical Garden, succeeding Susan Lacerte, who retired in September 2021 following a 27-year tenure in the position.

“Queens Botanical Garden is such a unique and special place,” said Hantzopoulos. “Now more than ever, access to public, open space is essential to our wellbeing.” Her appointment comes at an exciting chapter in the garden’s history, as the 39-acre oasis in Flushing prepares to break ground on its new state-of-theart Education Center

HANTZOPOULOS this year. Hantzopoulos is an award-winning educator and nonprofit leader with extensive experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning, fundraising, and program development.

Until recently, she served for 11 years as executive director of Global Kids, Inc., a nonprofit organization that develops youth leaders through global education and leadership development programs.

During her tenure, she led the organization to unprecedented programmatic and financial growth, expanding its programs to Washington D.C. and Houston, growing the organization’s budget from $3.6 million to $7.6 million, and receiving the Non-Profit New York Excellence in Overall Management Award in 2020.

Prior to this role, Hantzopoulos served as the Global Kids director of Programs for 14 years, overseeing the development, supervision, and expansion of programs in New York City, as well as professional development programs for teachers and youth workers nationally and internationally.

An Astoria resident since 1999, Hantzopoulos is actively involved in community affairs and serves on Community Board 1. She co-founded Frontline Foods Queens in March 2020, which has provided over 60,000 meals from local restaurants to frontline hospital workers, food pantries, and NYCHA residents across Queens.

She is also a founding member of Astoria Mutual Aid Network, Astoria Urban Ecology Alliance, and the 31st Avenue Open Street.

“Evie’s proven leadership and commitment to Queens are the perfect fit for our Garden,” said board chair Raymond Jasen. “As we prepare to break ground on our Education Center later this year, we are confident that Evie will be the right person to lead our organization into this exciting new era.”

In fall 2022, QBG will begin construction on its new Education Center. It will feature innovative design, four classrooms, teaching kitchen, education solarium, green roof, and space for indoor and outdoor programming. It is scheduled to open in late 2024.

“The Garden is an exceptional place and the new Education Center is a game changer,” said Hantzopoulos. “I can’t wait to get started.”

Slade, Greenberg join Pheffer Amato team

Gregory Slade will serve as Legislative Director for the office of Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato.

Slade, a native of New York, has previous work experience in the Assembly and is credited with being the driving force behind several major and impactful pieces of legislation that have been signed into law. “It is an outstanding honor and a privilege to join the Assemblywoman and this team,” said Slade. “We have some amazing work in store and I look forward to delivering for the people of this disSLADE trict, for Queens and our great State.”

Prior to his work in the state legislature, Slade lived in the United Kingdom working and earning his master’s degree. For years he had played a role in city government and previously worked in the nonprofit world at a national and international level.

Meanwhile, Jason Greenberg will serve as Constituent Liaison and Scheduler in the assemblywoman’s office. Greenberg is a lifelong resident of Queens and has experience in the public sector across all levels of government.

“The assemblywoman has done fantastic work for the people of Southern Queens,” said Greenberg. “I love Queens and have always wanted to focus GREENBERG on serving the people of this fine borough.”

Greenberg graduated from Binghamton University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in the midst of the pandemic. He interned with Congresswoman Grace Meng in Washington, D.C., during his time at Binghamton, and would later go on to work for the congresswoman’s re-election campaign.

Taylor to take over at Hour Children

Hour Children, a leading provider of services for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children in New York State, announced today that founder and Executive Director Sister Tesa Fitzgerald has stepped down from her leadership position after 30 years.

Dr. Alethea Taylor, who formerly served as a distinguished doctoral lecturer with Hunter College School of Education and as the executive director of Greenhope Services for Women, will succeed her as executive director.

Sister Tesa established the Long Island City- TAYLOR based nonprofit in 1992 and remained at its helm for the last three decades.

“I welcome Alethea with an open heart and the utmost support as she assumes leadership of Hour Children,” said Sister Tesa, who was

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NONPROFIT NEWS FOR FOSTER KIDS, SUPPORT IS EVERYTHING

MANY PITCH IN TO MAKE HOLIDAY SEASON ONE TO REMEMBER

Forestdale Inc., a foster care and human services agency based in Forest Hills, makes a point of providing a joyful holiday experience for all of the children we work with. Many of these children have known significant trauma during their young lives, impacting their emotional well-being, physical development, and future prospects.

A simple holiday celebration can work wonders, mitigating the longterm impact of some negative childhood experiences.

These past 24 months have been extremely challenging for everyone. In response to the pandemic, Forestdale adapted all client services to continue remotely. In December 2020 and 2021, we had to forego our usual indoor party with 600-plus people and have the celebration outside on our campus.

So instead of a traditional party, small family groups moved through a “Winter Wonderland” complete with activities, warm beverages, snacks, and information about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas. As a finale, each child received a gift.

As a nonprofit, Forestdale relies on the kindness of supporters, including individuals, foundations, community groups, corporations, and other nonprofits, to make these annual celebrations happen. Otherwise, the expenses related to them would divert funds away from essential programming.

Forestdale board members rallied their friends and colleagues, and got the Pinnacle Building in Forest Hills and the School of the Blessed Sacrament in Manhattan to purchase and donate hundreds of gifts.

The Good+ Foundation, a longstanding donor of diapers, coats, and infant formula to Forestdale, awarded Forestdale $20,000 to pay for over 600 presents and warm winter wear for our Strong Mothers, Strong Fathers, and Preventive services clients.

In addition, “Tote”-ally Loved, a small Queen-based nonprofit, generously supplied tote bags filled with self-care items for the young women in the Strong Mothers program.

Forestdale offers a myriad of resources and experiences to help the families we serve move beyond trauma and towards a thriving future. We provide evidence-based services, clinical interventions, life coaching, parenting support, youth internships, and more.

In addition, we have supply drives throughout the year that help provide material goods and experiences for children in foster care. But sometimes, what a child really needs is a winter coat, warm meal, and a brandnew toy they can call their own, or a staff member or donor willing to go the extra mile to ensure they have what they require to flourish.

It might sound simplistic, but these experiences can help a child who has gone through adversity heal over time.

If you wish to find out more about Forestdale’s work and how you can get involved throughout the year, either individually or with your company, find us on Facebook or visit forestdaleinc.org.

Children served by Forestdale with their holiday gifts.

PROMOTIONS & APPOINTMENTS

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honored by the White House as a Champion of Change in 2013. “It is a sacred and honored role to be of service to Hour families and to grow Hour programs inside prisons and in the community.”

Dr. Taylor brings over 20 years of experience serving incarcerated or formerly incarcerated women. She is a member of The Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform and serves as a consultant with the New York Women’s Foundation on its Justice Fund Initiative.

A graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Dr. Taylor holds a doctorate in Rehabilitation Counseling, as well as a master’s degree from New York University in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. She is a certified Rehabilitation Counselor.

“The mission that Sister Tesa started is phenomenal,” said Dr. Taylor. “We will continue to help advance the fight to end the mass incarceration of women. The mission has not changed, the commitment has not changed, but we still have much work to do.”

Hour Children helps hundreds of women and children each year, including through their onsite presence at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, Taconic Correctional Facility, and Rikers Island Correctional Facility.

“Sister Tesa’s passion and dedication to this cause is equal parts inspiring and commendable, and we’re excited to continue and expand her work as Dr. Taylor steps in to lead, build and move this organization forward,” said board chair M. Jane Stanicki.