Public Housing Community Fund

I can’t think of a time when I wasn’t involved in a non-profit organization that impacts people’s lives. It has always been important to me to give back. There is a responsibility to philanthropy, particularly from those who have been able, whatever the circumstances are, to find financial success.

The first board I chaired was MOUSE. I would take our kids to schools and after-school activities locations to meet the kids, who sometimes were the same age as them. I learned a lot in that role and am thrilled about what we accomplished. MOUSE began in 1997 and is still making an impact. I was the first Chair.

The second organization I chaired was Hot Bread Kitchen. HBK began in 2008, and I became the first Chair. I moved on once I accomplished the list of things I put forth in my head. HBK still exists today and continues to grow.

The following organization was Path Forward, which I co-chaired. Path Forward began in 2016 and is still growing and evolving.

I have sat on a few non-profit boards, such as the High Line, which is near and dear to my heart. The High Line just brought on a new Executive Director, and he is making me excited again to be part of this organization.

A few years ago, I joined the Fund for Public Housing board. I was excited until the first board meeting, when my excitement turned to frustration. I talked to a friend of mine who always gives sound advice. She said, “You are not going to fix this.” Who doesn’t love a good challenge? I certainly do.

Fast forward, I pushed to bring on a new Executive Director who I talk with weekly, change the branding, separate from NYCHA yet only support NYCHA residents, and start to think about building a board. This organization has gone through stops and starts, mostly stops, and now it has only just begun.

Last week I was voted in as the Chair for the Public Housing Community Fund. That small change has shifted my head to see what we can accomplish. There is a theme here in being the first Chair of three organizations and the fourth here, a pure reboot.

Public Housing in NYC (all boroughs) is bigger than Atlanta, housing one in every 17 NYers. If it were a country, it would be the 35th largest. Public Housing should be applauded, and there should be more, not less. Our job is to engage people and partners to invest in transformative programs that enhance the lives of over 500,000 residents across NYCHA communities and to build a more vital, more equitable New York City by investing in public housing communities.

Please look at our website, follow us on Instagram, Tiktok, YouTube, and Twitter, and watch to see the impact I hope we make. And if you are inspired, please donate. It is private funding that supports our mission.