Local Resident to be Honored

Community Housing Innovations, Inc., Long Island’s largest provider of housing for the homeless, is honoring Judge Gregory J. Blass of Jamesport and Anthony Marino, Jr. of Port Jefferson at its upcoming Harvest for the Homeless Luncheon.

“These are two remarkable individuals who have dedicated their professional and personal lives to providing those who are less fortunate with respect, dignity and a clean and safe place to live,” said Alexander Roberts, executive director of CHI.

Judge Blass is the former commissioner of the Suffolk Department of Social Services, where he served with distinction and compassion during the worst economic decline since the Great Depression and a corresponding explosion is social services caseloads. Appointed in both Democratic and Republican administrations,  career in public service spanned 35 years. He was elected as presiding officer of the Suffolk County Legislature and as a New York State family court judge, before being named commissioner.

CHI’s Long Island director Rosemary Dehlow praised Judge Blass for treating people “with compassion and respect whether he was on the bench, in the legislature or directing Suffolk County’s largest agency.”

Anthony Marino, Jr. is a managing member of Family Center Associates, Inc., a construction and property management firm that builds and maintains multi-unit facilities for homeless families in New York City and Suffolk County. He has developed state-of-the-art emergency housing and social service facilities that, in partnership with nonprofit and government agencies, serve as model public-private partnerships.

“The properties managed by Family Center Associates are unmatched anywhere in the country in terms of construction and operation,” Roberts said.

The Harvest for the Homeless Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, November 7, from noon to 2:00 pm at Villa Lombardi’s in Holbrook. Tickets start at $75 and may be purchased online at www.chigrants.org, or by calling (914) 595-0950.