Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle To Honor Memory of Janifer Lighten During Awards Ceremony & Luncheon on May 31st

As a wife, mother, sister, friend and philanthropist, Janifer Lynn Lighten had a positive impact on everyone she touched. Mrs. Lighten, a former Wall Street banker, turned full-time wife and mother of four to Adrienne, Alexis, Christopher and Michael was renowned for giving back.  She focused her formidable talents on serving her alma mater, Yale University, as well as local organizations in the non-profit sector in her beloved community of New Rochelle, New York.

Mrs. Lighten was the inaugural President and Chair of the Yale Black Alumni Association.  Additionally, she dutifully served numerous organizations in her community including the Board of the New Rochelle Public Library Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, which positively impacts 2,000 local children each year.  She and her children founded the Remington Leadership Financial Literacy Program at the Remington Unit of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle.  She also served on the Head of School Committee and the Executive Board of the Horace Mann School in Riverdale, New York, her children’s secondary school.  Furthermore, she was a Trustee of the Jack and Jill of America Foundation and held various leadership positions with The Links, Incorporated and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

In light of her commitment to excellence and vast contributions to the community, the Lighten family and Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle joyfully announce the establishment of the Janifer Lynn Lighten Leadership Awards. These awards were designed to recognize college bound students, from underrepresented communities, who excel in their scholastic achievements, athletic pursuits and demonstrate leadership within their community. Applicants must be high school juniors or seniors, who plan to attend a four year college. They must also:

·         Be a resident of either Mount Vernon or New Rochelle, New York.

• Have an overall high school academic grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
• Demonstrate financial necessity.

Upon review of all submitted applications, scholarship award recipients will be announced during a ceremony and luncheon at Wykagyl Country Club on May 31, 2014.

“Janifer firmly believed that the road to success is paved with hard work, perseverance and excellence, said Quay Watkins, Executive Director for the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle.  Her commitment to our Club and its kids was unparalleled. The positive impact of her energy and efforts will be felt for years to come! ”

In recognition of her community service and philanthropic endeavors, Mrs. Lighten received a 2010 resolution from New York State Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins which stated “Rare indeed is the occurrence of such compassionate blending of strength, intellect and commitment as that demonstrated by Janifer Lynn Lighten over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others…”

Co-Chairs for the 2014 Janifer Lighten Leadership Awards Luncheon include: Lori Hall Armstrong; Heather Bryant; Kimberly B. Davis; Douglas & Priscilla Dixon; Susanna Herlitz-Ferguson; Caroline Clarke Graves; Monica Foreman Hyacinthe, MD; Phyllis Hyacinthe; Derek & Cheryl Jones, Paul & Mary McEvoy, Lianne Merchant, Ginger McKnight-Chavers; Harvey K. Newkirk; Michelle Sanchez-Boyce; Jodi Smart; Karen R. Smith, Tracey & Richard Travis and Quay Wallace Watkins, Esq..

Admission tickets to the awards ceremony and luncheon are $100 per person. A reserved table of 10 is $1,000. Sponsorship and journal advertising opportunities are also available for purchase. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit “Smart Girls”, a Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle program for girls ages 8-12 and 13-17 that builds self-esteem and self-worth by learning to nurture their own mental and physical well-being.  

The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle offers high quality programming for children ages 6-18 at five locations throughout the city. The programs are designed to enhance self-esteem, life skills, career development and good behavior. In addition to after school and vacation programs, there is also a summer camp. The Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle stresses character and leadership, education and career development, the arts, health and life skills and sports and fitness.

For more information about Janifer Lighten Leadership Awards, contact Rudy Breedy, Chief Development Officer, at (914) 235-3736 or rbreedy@bgcnr.org or visit www.bgcnr.org.