The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

fundraising

Finding Their Voice: Hope’s Door Survivor Advocacy Group

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At a Hope’s Door Gala Fundraiser

Holidays can be stressful for everyone, especially for those in domestic violence circumstances. Experts contend that the pressure of the celebrations can inflame emotions and behavior. Other stressors can also contribute to domestic abuse. The National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice reported an 8.1% increase in U.S. domestic violence incidents following the pandemic stay-at-home orders in 2020.

Maya Lloyd, MPH, director of Outreach and Development for Hope’s Door, has witnessed this phenomenon. To help, she has formed the Hope’s Door Survivor Advocacy Group. “The purpose of the group is to include former and active Hope’s Door clients in policy advocacy and give them the opportunity to use their voices and talents to support other survivors, educate the public, and amplify their stories,” says Maya.

Survivor Advocacy Group members volunteer to take part in speaking engagements, media interviews, agency outreach, fundraising events, and to provide support to others as they navigate the court system. “It’s empowering for members to speak their truth and help others,” says Maya, “It helps them find their voice, take their power back, and break the cycle of abuse.”

A Voice Found

Melisa Dean* learned about domestic and relationship violence in high school health class. What she learned was merely a chapter from what turned out to be a very complicated book. “We were taught that it can happen in any home,” says Melisa. “We learned some red flags, but you never think it will happen to you.”

That’s one reason Melisa joined Hope’s Door Survivor Advocacy Group. “When I was presented with the opportunity, I knew it was important to share my story,” she says. “It was very hard to open up, yet I knew if I didn’t do it now, I might not have the guts to do it in the future.”

Sharing her story has allowed her to spread the word on the seriousness of domestic violence. “I know sharing my story is 100% helpful to others,” she says. “It’s so common to be in denial. On average, it takes seven attempts for a victim to leave their abuser. If my story can help someone, that’s all for the better.”

Melissa knows because she was that person. At just 19, she found herself wooed into a relationship with a man 10 years older. She was one of the lucky ones who reached out for help and escaped with the assistance from a local police detective who sent police escorts to help her leave the home. “That was the most emotionally and physically draining day of my life,” she says.

The transition was rough. At first, Melisa says she was in denial about needing additional help. But once she reached out, she was glad she did. “Hope’s Door helped me build a new life,” she says. They helped her with the legal and court processes, and she saw a counsellor there for almost a year. She says Hope’s Door also helped her answer the big questions that she was left with in the wake of her experience–where does she stand in the world? Can a relationship ever be safe?

The End of Silence

Lilliana Estes* also knows that building a new life is a challenge. The manipulation she suffered in an abusive relationship distorted her reality. “You think you are the only one to be in this situation, you feel ashamed, and that shame keeps you silent,” she says.

She was confused but trying to find her way out when, on one of her visits to the local police precinct, an officer asked Lilliana if she wanted him to pass her name on to an organization that could help. She said yes, never expecting to hear from anyone. “I got a call from Hope’s Door the very next day and that call changed my life,” she says.

The physical violence and mental abuse she suffered had worn her down, but through counselling at Hope’s Door, Lilliana began to understood trauma bonding. She became committed to her emotional growth and the personal responsibility she had to take for her life. “In my case, I came to understand it wasn’t just about choosing the wrong partner, it was deeper than that,” she says.

For her, joining Hope’s Door Survivor’s Advocacy Group is part healing and part helping. “I had become wired to be silent, but now I have a voice, and I am going to use it to help others.” Lilliana says.

* name changed to protect anonymity

A local nonprofit, Hope’s Door runs a 24-hour bilingual hotline, 888-438-8700. The agency’s confidential and free services help with safety planning, offers counseling, legal assistance, and emergency shelter to those in need. hopesdoorny.org

7 Ways You Can Help at the Holidays … and Beyond

1) Select Hope’s Door for your #GivingTuesday charity of choice on November 29, 2022.

2) Shop for Hope’s Door through AmazonSmile Charity Lists. This is a meaningful way for you to shop and donate items directly to Hope’s Door. In addition, AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of your eligible Charity List purchases to the organization at no cost to you.

Hope’s Door Donation List on Amazon.com features items such as bedding, clothing, shoes, household items, and toiletries that can help domestic violence victims start a new life. The process is simple. Just visit smile.amazon.com, select Hope’s Door and start shopping.

3) Donate from the Hope’s Door Wish List. Gift cards to local supermarkets, drugstores and department stores are always welcome. See hopesdoorny.com for more information.

4) Attend the Gala Fundraiser events held each fall and spring or organize your own event to support Hope’s Door.

5) Volunteer to join the Friends Committee and help plan and organize Hope’s Door major fundraisers.

6) Invite the Love Shouldn’t Hurt Workshop to your school or organization. This interactive Hope’s Door workshop is designed for middle schools, high schools, colleges, and community-based sites to educate students and residents.

7) Volunteer your talent. Volunteers are needed to help with childcare, translation services, and administrative duties. If you have a skill–sewing, resume writing, self-defense training–offer to share it.

The Tremendous Impact of Stefanie May’s Brainchild–‘THE CAP CARES’ Volunteer Rewards Program

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Editor’s Note: Behind the scenes of the iconic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, impressive efforts to help the community in multiple arenas, are an ongoing pursuit, thanks to the efforts of Marketing Director Stefanie May and her small army of volunteers.  Here’s but a snapshot of #TheCapCares programming, and how you can make a difference too simply by supporting the amazing shows and artists performing throughout the year. Visit www.thecapitoltheatre.com 

When Stefanie May took on the role of Marketing Director at the legendary Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, she knew she wanted to make a difference. Beyond selling out shows with successful marketing campaigns from Tame Impala & Kacey Musgraves to Elvis Costello & Cheap Trick, Stef created “The Cap Cares” volunteer rewards program that has made a tremendous impact on the local community.

  • Stefanie hand-picked volunteer opportunities last September and October, from gardening to sorting medical supplies, that community members could pick from and receive free concert tickets for their hard work.
  • After seven weeks, Stefanie gathered 192 volunteers across 18 events from 11 non-profit organizations, with 475 hours of service (more stats below).
  • Stefanie is working to make the volunteer program part of a larger year-round program that will promote food drives, toy drives, and fundraising campaigns aimed at improving lives within the venue’s community.
  • She has worked with Westchester County companies like Afya Foundation, which “rescues unused medical supplies and equipment and humanitarian goods to help those in need around the world,” the non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization Our New Way Garden, which was created to educate the public about locally and naturally grown food, and the Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center, which is dedicated to the development and advancement of sustainable agriculture.
  • Due to the devastating effect that COVID-19 has had on the live music industry, Stefanie also volunteered her time on the Social Media team for the National Independent Venue Association to pass the Save Our Stages Act in December 2020
  • About The Capitol Theatre: Designed by celebrated architect Thomas Lamb in 1926 and listed in The National Register of Historic Places, The Capitol Theatre is located 30 miles from NYC. The 2,000-capacity theater, known as “the original rock palace,” showcased legends such as Traffic, The Grateful Dead, Black Sabbath, Chuck Berry, David Bowie, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, and The Rolling Stones. Jerry Garcia called it one of his two favorite venues in the USA. In 2012, the theatre underwent a major renovation under the guidance of music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro. Since then, it has hosted major performers including Bob Dylan, Phil Lesh, Ringo Starr, Joan Baez, Skrillex, Bonnie Raitt, Snoop Dogg, Kacey Musgraves, The Strokes, Tom Petty, Cyndi Lauper, and Willie Nelson, as well as comedians like Kevin Hart and Amy Schumer. The New York Times raves: “A rock theater that looks and sounds as good as the Capitol is something to celebrate.”

Sparkle for a Cause Events at Crabtree’s Kittle House Continue to Shed a Light and Raise Funds for Area Non-Profits

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Photo by Grace Bennett

 

 

Envision the setting: It is a beautiful spring or summer evening, you are surrounded by lush plants and colorful flowers in full bloom, servers glide by with trays of tasty tapas and sparkly drinks held aloft and deliver them to your elegantly set table while acoustic guitar music plays in the background, mingling with the sound of animated conversations. No, you are not on a tropical island; you are at Crabtree’s Kittle House for Sparkle for a Cause on a Tuesday, supporting a worthy charity while enjoying a night out.

Sparkle for a Cause is an organization sponsored by the Amy Marie Crabtree Foundation benefitting a wide variety of local, not-for-profit causes, such as brain and other cancer research, women and children’s issues, homeless shelters, helpless animals, and domestic violence, to name a few. The events take place in the picturesque Amy’s Garden, which, along with the foundation, are named for Amy Marie Crabtree, late wife of John Crabtree, owner of Crabtree’s Kittle House and president of Team Amy. She passed away in 2009 after a battle with brain cancer and the causes the Foundation supports were near and dear to her heart.

“She had always talked about fixing up the garden,” John Crabtree explains. Once Crabtree, along with the help of his sister, began the endeavor, word quickly spread throughout the community and offers of support came pouring in. “People donated time, fountains, a fire pit, and a group of neighbors had a plaque made,” he reports. He decided to incorporate charitable causes that were important to Amy.

Before long, Tuesdays became dedicated to charity. Restaurant patrons have the choice of eating outside in the garden (weather permitting), in the Tap Room or main dining room. If there is inclement weather the event is held indoors–it is never canceled. If diners identify themselves as supporting the Sparkle for a Cause event taking place, 30 percent of the proceeds (prior to tax and gratuity) from all participants are donated to the featured charity of the evening. Specialty wine-based as well as non-alcoholic drinks and tapas-styled appetizers are created for these events, but guests may order from the Tap Room or main dining room menus as well.

The SPCA, Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, League of Women Voters and the Make a Wish Foundation are but a few of the local charities that have participated. Each August, there is a Backyard Barbeque at the Kittle House benefitting the foundation and charities representing their four core causes. Those charities are honored with the recognition of their diligent efforts and compassion, and each also receives a portion of the evening’s donations.

While Sparkle for a Cause was initially more of a ladies-night-out type of evening, it has evolved and now anyone from the community attends. It is perfect for date nights, group outings, friend get-togethers, or just a fun dinner out.

“I love the Kittle House, and supporting local nonprofits is important to me, so I have been going to Sparkle events since they started eight years ago. You never know who you will meet there so it’s a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together in support of the many local charities. A nice thing about it too is that you can feel comfortable coming alone and join a table because there is a great sense of community,” said Chappaqua resident Ronni Diamondstein.

Due to its growing popularity, reservations are highly recommended, particularly if you want to dine in Amy’s Garden where the entertainment is. If you are affiliated with a local charity interested in having your fundraising event there, there are some remaining dates available. Call the Kittle House (914-666-8044) or follow the link below for more information. Sparke events take place from June through the end of October. For more information, visit kittlehouse.com

Upcoming Sparkle for a Cause events:

June 4 NAMI Westchester (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
June 11 WIHD (Westchester Institute for Human Development)
June 25 Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson
July 9 Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival
July 16 Mt.Kisco Childcare Center
July 23 Friends of Karen
July 30 914 Cares /Kids Kloset
August 6 League of Women Voters
August 20 A-Home
August 27 Adopt-A-Dog
September 24 Mt. Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry
October 22 Ronald McDonald House

Fashion Funds the Cure

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PHOTOS BY RICK MAUPIN

The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) will be holding their inaugural event Fashion Funds the Cure at The Westchester on Saturday, March 23. The Fashion Funds the Cure events started 16 years ago in Tampa at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Raymond James Stadium. This year, they plan on having at least 13 shows across the country. The event at The Westchester will feature a fashion show, food, cocktail reception and a silent auction. The NPCF funds clinical trials by collaborating with a network of hospitals including The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore to fast-track less toxic and more targeted treatments to end childhood cancer. With 43 children diagnosed with cancer per day and more than 95 percent of those who survive childhood cancer having a significant health issue by the time they are 45 as a result of being treated with drugs designed for adults, NPCF hopes to discover safer and more effective treatments for children with cancer. To learn more about the event or to purchase tickets, visit NationalPCF.org.

Northern Westchester Hospital 2018 Annual Benefit Raises over $1.5 Million

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More than 750 supporters of Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) attended the 2018 Annual Benefit Gala, raising over $1.5 million, which will support the Bruce and Andrea Yablon Cancer Health & Wellness Program, the hospital’s music therapy program, and professional development for clinicians and nurses. The event honored philanthropists Ellen and Kamran Hakim, and physicians Drs. Adina and Jeffrey Keller, and was co-chaired by Jennifer and Jon Klein, Luba and Steve Seidman and Cathy and Adam Brodsky.

“Thanks to the generosity of our community, NWH is able to offer innovative practices, treatments and therapies that move us all toward a healthier future,” said NWH President and CEO Joel Seligman. “We are delighted to honor the Hakims for their long-term, generous support of Northern Westchester Hospital, and the Kellers for their clinical excellence and leadership roles. These couples exemplify the community support, commitment and dedication that enables NWH to provide high quality, patient-centered care to all members of our community.”

The gala’s underwriter was longtime NWH supporter and philanthropist Seema Boesky and the event was sponsored by The Durst Organization, Diamond Properties, Polaner Selections and Intuitive®, maker of the da Vinci® Surgical System.

Longtime supporters of NWH, the Hakims have hosted two fundraising galas for the hospital at their Old Salem Farm. The couple are married for 53 years and have lived in Westchester for just as long. They have four children, 12 grandchildren and reside in Chappaqua.

Adina Keller, MD, FACOG, a community-based physician, has dedicated her professional life to women’s health and cancer prevention. Jeffrey Keller, MD, FACS, FAAP, is board certified in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and a Pediatric Otolaryngologist who has devoted his career to taking care of children. The Kellers live in Chappaqua with their two teenage sons.

The Hakim Family: Ellen and Kamran Hakim with 3 of their 12 grandchildren
The Keller Family: Tyler Keller, Dr. Jeffrey Keller, Dr. Adina Keller and Justin Keller

About Northern Westchester Hospital:

Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), a member of Northwell Health, provides quality, patient-centered care that is close to home through a unique combination of medical expertise, leading-edge technology, and a commitment to humanity. Over 650 highly-skilled physicians, state-of-the-art technology and professional staff of caregivers are all in place to ensure that you and your family receive treatment in a caring, respectful and nurturing environment. NWH has established extensive internal quality measurements that surpass the standards defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA) National Hospital Quality Measures. Our high-quality standards help to ensure that the treatment you receive at NWH is among the best in the nation. For more information, please visit www.nwhc.net and connect with us on Facebook

About Northwell Health:
Northwell Health is New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, nearly 700 outpatient facilities and more than 18,500 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 68,000 employees – 16,000-plus nurses and 4,000 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners – are working to change health care for the better. We’re making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. We’re training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu.