NRCCS Celebrates Community Champions

The New Rochelle Council of Community Services (NRCCS) held its annual Celebratory Breakfast on Friday, June 5th at the Davenport Mansion, celebrating community volunteers who have given outstanding service, dedication and commitment to the people of New Rochelle:. This year's “Community Champions” were Tony and Liz Aiello, Leslie M. Demus and Ally Gallin. In addition, the NRCCS awarded two $1,000 scholarships to deserving juniors Addyson Nelson from Huguenot Academy and Ivan Oceguera from New Rochelle High School, with $500 scholarships awarded to runners-up Arianna Forte and Efrain Jacob, both students at New Rochelle High School.

New this year NRCCS also awarded four micro-grants to local nonprofits. The micro grants were created to engage residents of New Rochelle in an innovative way, build community, and connect people and organizations from different areas within the city. Winners of the micro grants included the New Rochelle Council on the Arts, which received $2,500for its Art at the Station program, a new initiative that brings New Rochelle’s artists together to network, share their passion for the arts, be inspired and learn from one another; $2,500 to Songcatchers for bringing live music to HOPE's community meal program; $1,500 to Phoenix Village for a student-led mural project in New Rochelle that will engage local youth in a collaborative public art initiative; and $1,500 to the Trifecta Steppers & Company Inc. for a youth step program in New Rochelle that supports team development while engaging the community through performances and step competitions.

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NRCCS President Karenann Carty said “I am always amazed at the breadth of talent in the volunteer community in New Rochelle, and the depth of their dedication to making our community stronger. Today, we celebrated community champions who have made a positive impact in countless ways over many years. We were also delighted to recognize our deserving scholarship recipients from New Rochelle High School and the Huguenot Academy, and four community non-profits who were awarded micro-grants for initiatives designed to foster collaboration and innovation.”

Will Iannuzzi, Chief programming Officer for the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle and President of City School District of New Rochelle Board of Education, congratulated the scholarship winners, noting especially "two outstanding young leaders from the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle,” Ivan Oceguera and Arianna Forte. He praised Ivan’s “leadership, service, and commitment to making a difference in our community”, and Arianna’s “dedication, perseverance, and involvement in both the Club and the community. Their hard work, leadership, and commitment to serving others represents the very best of our Club.”

The New Rochelle Council of Community Services (NRCCS) is the umbrella organization for all of the non-profit organizations in New Rochelle, including the health and human service agencies, religious institutions and educational facilities. The group meets regularly to assess and address the vital needs of the community. To learn more about NRCCS visit the website at https://www.nrccs.org/

The Breakfast event was chaired by Linda Fosina with a committee that included Karenann Carty, Jennifer Lanser, Theresa Kump Leghorn, Ann Spindel, Stephanie Tomei and Arleen Zuckerman. The Scholarship Committee included Denise Link, Colleen Davis Gardephe, Ann Spindel and Stephanie Tomei. The Micro Grants Committee included Lisa Burton and Ann Spindel.