2008 Events
Candlelight Vigil
On February 13, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m., the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless held its annual "Have a Heart for the Homeless" Candlelight Vigil at Farmingdale State College. Professional wrestler Mick "Mankind" Foley, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and Father Frank Pizzarelli joined hundreds of volunteers, consumers, government representatives and members of faith-based organizations, non-profit organizations, and school and community groups to make this year's Vigil a tremendous success! Musical guests Miles to Dayton performed for what we estimate were over a thousand attendees. Donations of unused baby items, diapers and formula, along with toiletries, non-perishable foods, clothing and blankets were received and distributed at the event.
We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank our sponsors for their support:
2008 "Have a Heart for the Homeless" Candlelight Vigil Sponsors
DIAMOND Concern for Independent Living RUBY Russo, Karl, Widmaier and Cordano, PLLC SILVER Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Community Housing Innovations BRONZE Astoria Federal Savings B+G Foods Butler Woodcrafters Community Development Corporation of Long Island Family Residences & Essential Enterprises Occunomix Options for Community Living ALLSector Technology Group Apple Entertainment Benchmark Title Company Cerini & Associates, CPA Community Abstract Corp. Community Preservation Corp. Family Service League HELP Suffolk Mercy Haven, Inc. MTI Residential Services National Equity Fund Rosicki, Rosicki and Associates South Shore Association for Independent Living Society of Saint Vincent de Paul COMMITTED PARTNERS/GROUPS Angelo J. Melillo Center for Mental Health Adelphi University Amityville High School Babylon High School Bay Shore High School Boy Scouts (various troops) Suffolk Legislator Kate Browning Catholic Charities Community Advocates Comsewogue High School Connetquot Teacher’s Association Courthouses Kiwanis Cub Scouts (various troops) Cub Scouts 362/Weebloes Two, Selden Suffolk Legislator Lou D’Amaro Dinitto Nicole Dooley East Islip School District Eastport South Manor High School Marc and Lauren Edelstein Education & Assistance Corporation EMMC Music Ethical Humanist Society Ethical Humanist Society Youth Group Family and Children’s Association Federation of Organizations Mick Foley Girl Scouts (various troops) Hofstra Men’s Lacrosse Team Holy Spirit Social Ministry Hope House Ministries Hornets Soccer Huntington YMCA The Interfaith Nutrition Network Suffolk Legislator John M. Kennedy The Kirsch Family Laconia Music Lake Grove Soccer Team Leadership Training Institute Liccione Long Island Builders Institute Long Island Cares Long Island Rabbit Rescue Group MacArthur Key Club, Levittown Make A Difference Club, Nassau Community College The Melting Pot Restaurant Mercy Medical Center Miles to Dayton Miller Place High School Momma’s House Mooshian Societe Mount Sinai High School Murphy Junior High School Chorus Suffolk Legislator Elie Mystal Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence Nassau County Department of Social Services Nassau County Office for the Physically Challenged Nassau County Veterans Service Agency Nassau/Suffolk Law Services North Shore Youth Council NYPIRG Peace Valley Haven Sharon Peters Plainedge High School Plainedge Middle School – S.A.D.D. Club Port Jefferson Middle School Prudential Realty RIA Insurance Company rockCANroll Rocky Point School Roosevelt EOC Roslyn School District Saint Anthony’s High School St. John's Church of Copiague St. Joseph’s College Saint Mary’s Parish Social Ministry, Manhasset Saint Vincent de Paul Sayville Congregational United Church of Christ Leonard. I. Saltzman 7-Eleven Starbucks Stony Brook Behavioral Sciences Center Stony Brook Community Church United Methodist Youth Fellowship Stony Brook Football Team Stony Brook Soccer Team Suffolk Community Council Suffolk County Department of Social Services Three Village High School Choir Touro Law Center Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock United Veterans Beacon House Valley Stream School District Vision Long Island Ward Melville High School Key Club Ward Melville High School Student Government Wyandanch Homes & Property Corporation |
Thanks to everyone for their support, and for having a Heart for the Homeless!
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Diaper Bag Distribution
Thanks to a wonderful donation from Feed the Children, coordinated through Sarah Benjamin of Eastern Suffolk BOCES, the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless distributed over 2,000 new diaper bags filled with baby and toddler items, along with two pallets of diapers of various sizes, to Long Island agencies serving homeless and at-risk families. The distribution took place on Monday, April 14, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Suffolk County.
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Stand-Up for the Homeless
On Friday, June 27, 2008, NSCH joined other homeless housng and service providers at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Deer Park at the first annual Stand-Up for the Homeless, a special event created by the Office of Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy. Homeless families and individuals were provided with access to services from federal, State, County, and non-profit agencies. Such services included health and dental screenings, hair cuts, vaccinations, employment opportunities, public assistance counseling, comfort and hygiene kits, diaper bags, and financial, housing, educaitonal, and benefit services.
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Left to right: Charles Russo, NSCH Board Chair; Mike Majikas, NC Office for the Physically Challenged; Julee King, NSCH Manager of Housing and Services; Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy; Greta Guarton, NSCH Interim Executive Director |
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Stand-Up for the Homeless Attendees |
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TJX Foundation Grant
In August, 2008, the TJX Foundation awarded a $2,500 grant to the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless. We are honored to receive the recognition and support of the TJX Foundation!
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| TJX Foundation Representatives and the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless |
2nd Annual "Back Pack Pirates" Event/Supply Our Students Drive
The Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless and Every Child's Dream held the 2nd Annual Back Pack Pirates event on Fire Island on August 13, 2008. Nearly 250 children between the ages of 8 and 15 spent a fun-filled day at the beach, participating in various planned activitites. Activities included a ferry ride to Fire Island, a pirate show, a treasure hunt, volleyball, swimming, live music and a performance by "Story Pirates." At the end of the day, each child was provided with a backpack filled with school supplies. Many thanks to the 100+ volunteers who helped make Back Pack Pirates an exciting and unforgettable event!
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| Ken Mangan and children on the ferry to Fire Island. | Children on the ferry look out for pirates! |
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| Arrrgh! | Avast! |
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| Children check out a pirate's loot. | Children enjoying the ocean. |
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| Preparing to hunt for treasure. | Back at Sayville to receive backpacks. |
20th Annual Keys for the Homeless Conference
The 20th Annual Keys for the Homeless Conference was held on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at Touro Law Center in Central Islip, New York. This year’s Conference was the most highly attended yet, with approximately 345 attendees and 23 sponsors and exhibitors. Keynote Speaker Mike Yankoski, author of “Under the Overpass,” shared his experience with homelessness during the afternoon plenary. Three Helen Martin Scholarships were awarded, as were two Key of Excellence Awards. The Conference included workshops on runaway and homeless youth; resources for persons with HIV/AIDS; avoiding foreclosures/evictions; regional ten year plans; spotlight on homeless veterans; preventing bedbug infestation, and more.
The Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless would like to thank the NSCH Board of Directors, Keys Conference Planning Committee, volunteers, and sponsors and exhibitors their support!