Project Renewal Board Member Alan Belzer with honoree Deanna Mulligan
Project Renewal, the nonprofit organization that empowers homeless New Yorkers to renew their lives through comprehensive medical, housing and job programs, raised over $1.5 million at its 27th Annual Gala Benefit and Auction held June 8 at Spring Studios.
More than 600 guests—a record for Project Renewal galas—celebrated the 50th anniversary of the organization, which started as the city’s first medical detox clinic on the Bowery in 1967, and has since expanded to serve over 16,000 men, women, and children annually with a wide range of innovative programs. The evening included cocktails, dinner and a live auction.
“We are delighted to celebrate Project Renewal’s pioneering role in helping homeless New Yorkers renew their lives and reclaim hope over the last 50 years,” said Project Renewal President and CEO Mitchell Netburn. “We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our board members, donors and volunteers. Their support will enable us to expand our work to break the cycle of homelessness for the 16,000 men, women and children we help each year.”
At the event, Project Renewal also honored Deanna Mulligan, President and CEO of Guardian and former member of Project Renewal’s Board of Trustees, who has demonstrated her dedication to ending homelessness in New York City through her generous support of the organization.
“The scope of Project Renewal’s programs is unparalleled in New York City, helping hundreds of thousands find housing, healthcare and jobs over the past 50 years,” stated Ms. Mulligan. “I’m honored to be part of the Project Renewal community.”
Ms. Mulligan was instrumental in developing a strategic plan for Project Renewal in 1996 that led to the creation of two of the organization’s signature programs: Renewal Farm, a residential addiction treatment program in Garrison, New York; and City Beet Kitchens, a social-purpose catering company that employs formerly homeless, unemployed, and at-risk men and women.
During the gala’s seated program, guests viewed a new film that illustrates the impact Project Renewal has had on the lives of homeless New Yorkers over the last five decades, featuring the stories of three of the organization’s former clients. The film is now available here on Project Renewal’s YouTube channel.
The gala’s co-chairs were Thomas and Megan Brodsky. Many organizations generously sponsored the evening, including The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, Morgan Stanley, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, The Johnson Company, BlackRock, Inc., The Brodsky Organization, Capital One Bank, Fisher Brothers, Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel, Architects, Goldberg Lindsay & Co. LLC, Icon Interiors, Lane Office, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Pershing Square Capital Management, LP, Quality Protection Services and SterlingRisk Insurance.
