Union Settlement Association Celebrates 120 Years of Service to East Harlem
East Harlem’s Oldest and Largest Social Services Provider Holds “Solutions Benefit” Honors Theresa Bischoff, Lisa Caputo, and Amy Sherman.
New York City – [May 5, 2015] – Union Settlement Association, East Harlem’s oldest and largest social service provider, tonight will celebrate 120 years of service in East Harlem at its 2015 Solutions Benefit at Guastavino’s in Manhattan. At the event, Union Settlement will honor three premier leaders in the fields of business and health care: Theresa Bischoff, Partner at RC Consulting; Lisa Caputo, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Travelers; and Amy Sherman, Principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP. Union Settlement also will present awards to legal services partner Axiom and corporate partner Finsbury.
Each year the Solutions Benefit brings together hundreds of New York City’s business and community leaders, government officials, and honored guests to support Union Settlement’s mission and service to the East Harlem community. Attendees will also welcome CBS News Correspondent Michelle Miller as a distinguished guest and master of ceremonies.
This year’s event, being held on May 5th – Cinco de Mayo – will have a Mexican theme both because of its date and because East Harlem is a portal community for large numbers of new immigrants, including a growing number of Mexican immigrants. With a rich history as one of the great cultural bastions of New York City, East Harlem is one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Manhattan – but also one of the very poorest communities in the nation. By paying special attention to the individual needs present within the greater neighborhood, Union Settlement works to effect real and lasting change.
“We’re excited to celebrate 120 years of service in East Harlem – home to people of many different languages, cultures and backgrounds,” said David Nocenti, Executive Director of Union Settlement. “Our role in the community is much deeper than the litany of programs and services we provide. We are not just in East Harlem – we are truly part of East Harlem and part of building our community.”
The Solutions Benefit serves as a time and place to recognize solutions to overcome current challenges in our community. Union Settlement offers the following facts and solutions to consider:
• FACT: Just 49% of 3rd graders in East Harlem meet English language standards, compared with 87% statewide.
• SOLUTION: Union Settlement helps thousands of children ages 2-18 succeed in school through our early childhood, in school and after school tutoring and literacy programs.
• FACT: 28% of seniors in New York City are hungry and do not consistently have enough nutritious food to eat.
• SOLUTION: Union Settlement serves more than 250,000 healthy meals a year to seniors in our centers and through our Meals-on-Wheels program.
• FACT: East Harlem rates of hospitalization for mental illness are nearly three times the citywide average.
• SOLUTION: 1,242 individuals, an increase of 40% over last year, benefitted from Union Settlement’s mental health counseling services for children, teens, adults, couples and families.
Honoring NYC Leaders in Public Service
Union Settlement will honor Theresa Bischoff for her leadership in healthcare and medicine in New York City and abroad. Ms. Bischoff is currently a Partner at RC Consulting LLC and is focused on strategic consulting for healthcare. From 2004 to 2010 she served as CEO of the American Red Cross in Greater New York, the largest chapter in the country. An advocate of improved healthcare, she has held many positions including Chair of the Greater New York Hospital Association and Chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges. She is also the co-founder of the Foundation for a Better Puerto Rico, whose purpose is to support programs in education, health, environment, economic development, and disaster preparedness and response.
In honoring Lisa Caputo, Union Settlement expresses its appreciation of her dedication to advancing the role of women in business and government, and her commitment to community service as a longstanding supporter of Union Settlement’s mission. Ms. Caputo joined Travelers in 2011 as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. Previously, Ms. Caputo served as EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Citigroup from 2000 to 2011 overseeing marketing, corporate affairs and community relations and was a senior advisor to three CEOs. She also was the founder, chairman and CEO of Citi’s Women & Co. She often appears as a television commentator and public speaker on politics, women and leadership and corporate reputation management.
Union Settlement is also pleased to honor Amy Sherman, both for her distinguished career in the private sector, and for her dedicated and thoughtful service to East Harlem. Ms. Sherman was a member of on the Board of Directors of Union Settlement for six years, including serving as the Treasurer, and her leadership helped to successfully guide the organization through challenging and changing times. Amy Sherman is currently a Principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP focused on insurance technology, and the Executive Sponsor of Deloitte’s P&C Core Systems Transformation market offering. She has been with Deloitte since 1996; she previously served as the Service Area Talent leader for Technology, and Regional Service Area Leader for the Northeast Region’s Technology Integration practice.
Recognizing Partners
In addition, Union Settlement will recognize the important support of two partner firms:
Legal Services Partner Awardee Axiom is a 1,200+ person firm, serving over half of the Fortune 100 companies through 14 offices and 5 centers of excellence globally. As leaders and experts in the business of law, they help companies solve business problems through in-sourcing, out-sourcing and individuals projects. In 2013 Axiom selected Union Settlement as their local charity partner and since then Axiom and its staff members have enthusiastically supported Union Settlement.
Corporate Partner Awardee Finsbury is a global leader in strategic communications and a trusted adviser to boards of directors and executives of many of the world’s most successful companies and organizations. With offices in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the firm has deep experience managing complex communications challenges with clarity and impact when it matters most: during times of opportunity, change and crisis. For more than a decade, Finsbury has given generously of their wise counsel and generously support Union Settlement.
The support of Union Settlement’s benefactors enables the organization to effect real change. Union Settlement gratefully acknowledges the support of Solutions Benefit Platinum Sponsors Cheryl and Blair Effron, Gold Sponsor Citi and co-chairs Rick Harrison, Ellen Levine and Edward Skyler.
About Union Settlement Association
Union Settlement Association is an on-the-ground resource for East Harlem residents of all ages, and a passionate advocate for the needs of underserved communities. Since opening our doors in 1895, we have brought education, wellness and community-building programs to our neighborhood, empowering New Yorkers with opportunities to better their lives. By helping our neighbors realize their goals, we build the vitality and success of East Harlem. For more information visit www.unionsettlement.org.
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