Good Things

REALTOR® FOUNDATION HONORED

The Hudson Gateway Realtor® Foundation in White Plains, the charitable arm of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors® was honored recently by Visions/Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired at its annual awards event at the Pelham Bay/Split Rock Golf Course in the Bronx.

Gail Fattizzi, president of the HG Realtor® Foundation, accepted the award on behalf of the foundation. HGAR Affiliate Member Anthony Mormile of Orange Bank & Trust Co. was also among the awardees, as well as Maritza Fernandez, New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene and Evan Mittman, Castle Cap Advisors.

“Visions was delighted to honor the Hudson Gateway Realtor® Foundation, a true partner in Visions’ mission to open doors and opportunities for people with impaired vision. The members of the HGAR Foundation have generously sup - ported our programs,” said Nancy D. Miller, Visions executive director and CEO.

At 97, Visions, a rehabilitation and social service organization dedicated to assisting people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired to lead independent and active lives in their communities also strives to educate the public to understand the capabilities and needs of people who are blind or visually impaired.

Since 2014, the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation has donated thousands of dollars to charities and nonprofits throughout Hudson Valley.

A not-for-profit trade association representing more than 14,000 real estate professionals doing business in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Orange counties, as well as the Bronx and Manhattan HGAR is the second-largest Realtor® Association in New York, and one of the largest in the country.

Walking For Disability Independence

The 17th annual ARI Walk for Independence took place on April 30 at Cove Island Park in Stamford. More than 300 participants walked in support of programs and services for nearly 100 individuals with developmental disabilities. This year Barbara Aronica Buck and Peter Buck along with the Russo Family were honored for their support of ARI over many years.

Members from the ARI Board and ARI President and CEO Susanne Kuligowski and Board Chair Gimbels Pon, Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and State Representatives Matt Blumenthal and Corey Paris were present at the event. The program warm-up was led by Dance With El owner

Eleanor Casale and her team and the start of the walk was led by the Stamford Police with more than 300 participants. The event exceeded all expectations, raising over $46,000 to support ARI programs.

“Despite the weather, not only did this year’s event exceed all of our goals, it was the most successful Walk to date. It was great to be together walking in support of the individuals we serve,” said Kuligowski.

ARI thanks the corporations, local businesses and families that joined as sponsors of the Walk, including Corporate Sponsors for this event: FD Rich, The Umbrella Club, The Kiwanis Club of Stamford, Eversource, Workers’ Compensation Trust,

ShopRite, Stamford Hospital, Northeast Generator, The Community Thrift Shop and Connecticut Pharmacy, Carmody Torrance Sandak Hennessey LLP, First County Bank, Connecticare, J&A Mechanical Service, Sound Engineering Associates, NFP, Sovereign Financial Group, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Aquarion Water Company, MBA Graphics, Dance With El, Stew Leonard’s, ACME, Liz Sue Bagels, Trader Joe’s, Pepperidge Farm, Pepsi and Subway. Special thanks were extended to John Martin and Chris Martin for photographing the event.

ARI provides jobs, homes and services for nearly 100 adults with developmental disabilities in Stamford.

Chase And Precious Dreams

Volunteers with JPMorgan Chase recently partnered with the Precious Dreams Foundation to assemble and deliver sleep care bags to children at the West Help Mount Vernon Homeless Shelter through its Comfort Drop program, which teaches youth to self-comfort through inspirational stories and self-discovery activities. Volunteers personally delivered bedtime comfort items like plush toys, blankets, pil- lows, and journals to West Help Mount Vernon –– the contents in the Precious Dreams bags –– reminders to self-comfort as they transition through foster care and shifting housing circumstances

Volunteers created more than 75 Precious Dreams bags and read them The Quest, a graphic novel adventure from Chase that teaches kids about the basics of earning, saving and spending money.

Construction Institute Honors Firm With Recognition Award

Hoffmann Architects + Engineers, a Connecticut design firm specializing in the rehabilitation of building exteriors, has been awarded the Construction Institute’s Special Industry Recognition Award for outstanding contributions to the industry and community, specifically honoring the firm’s work advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Construction Institute’s awards program recognizes professionals whose actions strengthen the Institute and the architecture, engineering and construction fields. The Special Industry Recognition Award honors a firm, organization, or institution, recognizing impactful actions that enrich not only the AEC industry, but also the larger community.

“Hoffmann Architects + Engineers is a trailblazer in promoting equity and inclusion in the design and construction industry,” said Nancy Greenwald, executive director of the Construction Institute. “The Board was impressed with the depth of Hoffmann’s commitment and actions

Wcc Student Named Jack Kent Cooke Scholar

to make the AEC industry more inclusive. Hoffmann’s many initiatives in this area evidence the kind of leadership we want to recognize. In addition, Hoffmann’s commitment to mentoring and supporting students, especially those underrepresented in our industry, is worthy of recognition through this award.”

The Special Industry Recognition Award will be presented at the Construction Institute Annual Dinner on June 8 at Saint Clements Castle & Marina in Portland, Connecticut. and Inclusion

In April 2023, John J. Hoffmann, FAIA, founder and executive chairman, received the Community Kindness Heroes Award from Liberty Bank/Hartford Yard Goats, which recognizes community members who are making a difference in the space of diversity, equity and inclusion.

In awarding Hoffmann the Special Industry Recognition Award, the Construction Institute noted the active role the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee plays in the company culture, organiz-

Zefferino Carriero of Yonkers became the 13th student in SUNY Westchester Community College history to win the highly competitive Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which provides winning students with up to $55,000 a year to complete their bachelor’s degree.

Zefferino came to SUNY WCC in large part due to its lowest-in-the-county tuition, but also for its Honors College, which provides guaranteed tuition coverage and substantial textbook stipends from the WCC Foundation. Honors College scholars have access to specialized co-curricular programming, including study abroad and internship opportunities.

“I’m beyond grateful for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s generosity,” said Zefferino. “The support I receive from the ing team-building and service initiatives and hosting educational programs with DEI consultants. Moreover, the Institute recognized Hoffmann’s contributions to the community, particularly through the establishment of the Hoffmann Diversity Advancement Scholarship, in partnership with the Connecticut Architecture Foundation. Through this program, a promising student from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group will not only receive funds toward tuition in an architecture or engineering program, but also the opportunity for a paid internship in one of Hoffmann’s offices.

In addition to the scholarship, Hoffmann established a pioneering Student Loan Repayment Benefit to assist employees in paying down student debt, which disproportionately impacts people of color. Hoffmann team members serve in leadership roles in advocacy organizations such as the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), Women United, AIA Women in Architecture, and the

Foundation will enable me to advance in my studies in ways that I never would have thought possible. Now I can pursue my dream of earning my Ph.D. and becoming a professor. SUNY WCC has been an essential factor in providing me with a solid educational foundation upon which this scholarship will help me build.”

“The entire SUNY Westchester Community College community is very proud of Zefferino’s accomplishments,” said WCC President Dr. Belinda Miles.

In addition to financial support, new Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars will receive comprehensive educational advising to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year college and preparing for their careers. Scholars will additionally receive opportunities for internships, study abroad and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of Cooke Scholars and Alumni.

Builders of Color Coalition.

Founded in 1977, Hoffmann Architects + Engineers specializes in the rehabilitation of building enclosures. The firm’s work focuses on the exteriors of existing structures, diagnosing and resolving deterioration within facades, roofing systems, windows, waterproofing materials, plazas/terraces, parking garages and historic and landmark structures. To learn more, visit hoffarch.com.

The Construction Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association of diverse professionals working to improve the industry by sharing experiences and knowledge, advancing relationships and developing business leaders. Its members are made up of owners and facility managers, architects and engineers, contractors and subcontractors, project managers, consultants, manufacturers and distributors, governmental agencies, lawyers, accountants and many other support services. For more information, visit construction.org.

Today, nearly half of the students pursuing college choose to attend twoyear institutions. Research commissioned by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation found that community college students who transfer to selective institutions have equal to or higher graduation rates as students who enrolled directly from high school or transferred from four-year institutions.

SUNY Westchester Community College provides over 20,000 full-time and part-time students with an education taught by award-winning faculty at one of the lowest tuition rates in New York state. The college reflects the rich diversity of its region and was the first SUNY campus to be designated a Hispanic Serving Institution.

New Employees For Yonkers Downtown Bid

Leslie Cabrera Rosas and Maimouna Casset recently joined the Yonkers Downtown Waterfront BID (YDWBID) as the new marketing associate and operations assistant, respectively.

“Leslie’s marketing and social media expertise, as well as her wealth of local knowledge as a longtime resident, makes her an excellent addition. Maimouna started with us as an intern. We are proud of her growth and excited for her to step into the role of operations assistant,” said Sara Brody, executive director, Yonkers Downtown Waterfront BID.

In her role as the marketing associate, Cabrera Rosas will develop, implement and manage initiatives to promote all events and happenings within the Downtown Yonkers area. She will manage strategies and tactics, including digital and social media, content creation and graphics, website management and assisting with events.

A first-generation Latina marketing student who is proud of her roots and culture, Cabrera Rosas has had digital marketing experience with handling social media platforms at a startup company, where she oversaw analytics and content creation to optimize audience engagement and exposure. She also brings photography and videography skills to the role.

Starting out as an intern in the YDWBID’s Summer Youth Employment Program in 2021, Casset worked closely with the staff assisting them with operations and events.

Now as the operations assistant, she will be playing a larger role assisting with the seasonal events, continuing to work closely with the YDWBID Rangers as well as the local businesses.

The Downtown/Waterfront Business Improvement District Inc. of Yonkers, New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that maintains the economic vitality of the district by providing the local business and residential community with a variety of services.