Community Housing Innovations to Celebrate Housing Success Stories and Honor Housing Leaders at its Gala

WHITE PLAINS, NY – (APRIL 2026) – Two women who persevered to achieve the dream of having a place of their own will be recognized, along with housing leaders from across the region, at Community Housing Innovations’ (CHI) "No Place Like Home" Gala.

The event, on April 23, will be held from 6-10 pm at the Surf Club on the Sound in New Rochelle, NY. Lynda Baquero, Emmy Award-winning consumer reporter for NBC 4, will emcee the evening, which will feature dinner, dancing, and the awards presentation program.
Homeowner Honoree - Janet Lopez

Thanks to a homeownership grant from CHI and a dedicated realtor, Janet Lopez, a New York City Firefighter and EMT, was able to realize her dream of homeownership. The Bronx native, single mom, and first in her family to graduate from college, had been working toward her goal for more than eight years

“Janet’s story reminds us that “No Place Like Home” is more than just a phrase—it represents security, stability, generational opportunity, and the powerful truth that perseverance, faith, and support can change the course of a family’s future,’’ said Ron Abad, CEO of Community Housing Innovations.

Permanent Housing Honoree Tanya Hayes

Tanya Hayes and her son Jamel couldn’t afford a stable home on her salary as a bakery worker. When the basement apartment they lived in was found to be contaminated, they were forced to move, and ended up in a shelter. But that’s when things began to look up. Through a social worker, Tanya was referred to CHI, which helped her with parenting classes, got help for her son, who was diagnosed with autism, and found her a permanent place to live. “Today, my son is 18 years old and graduated with honors. Stability changed everything. Support changed everything. Love changed everything,’’ said Tanya.

In addition to Janet and Tanya, CHI will honor those in the housing space who have helped families like theirs realize the dream of having their own home.

“It is a moving evening not only celebrating housing success stories but the stories of the partners and employees who make it possible for so many to experience the joy of having a home of their own,’’ said Abad. “We are fortunate to have so many dedicated partners without whom we could never achieve our mission.’’

Regina Caterers is the Corporate Sponsor of the evening’s event.

This year’s housing leader honorees include:

Government Partner of the Year: Sabrina Jaar Marzouka, JD, MPH, Commissioner of the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services (DCFS). Since March 2015, she has served as the Commissioner for the Department of Community and Family Services, overseeing public assistance and protective services for children and adults. During her tenure, the department strengthened its response to homelessness, increasing its workforce to offer case management services; collaborated with the County Planning Department to combine resources and increase rental assistance funds; and built partnerships with service providers.

Champion of Champions: Pascale Leone, MPP, Executive Director of the Supportive Housing Network of New York. Ms. Leone is honored for her more than 20 years of leadership in advancing housing justice and her advocacy for supportive housing across New York State. Her work has earned prestigious honors, such as Crain’s New York Business’ "Diversity and Inclusion: Showing the Way" award. She was recently appointed to Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Housing Transition Committee, where she continues to be a leading voice in New York’s housing policy and advocacy landscape.

Employee of the Year 2025: Emily Nothdurft, LMSW, Program Director at CHI. Since joining CHI as an intern in 2015, Ms. Nothdurft has risen through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional dedication to crisis intervention and client-centered care. During her tenure, she successfully lobbied for the creation of a Crisis Management Coordinator position, demonstrating proactive leadership in meeting the community's growing needs. Now serving as Program Director, Emily oversees program operations while leading a multidisciplinary team.

For more information on sponsorships, tickets, or to donate, please visit communityhousing.org or contact Alida Quiñones-Reyes, VP of Development, at 914-355-0590.

About Community Housing Innovations (CHI): CHI is a nonprofit housing provider and developer operating homeless shelters, affordable housing, supportive housing, and homeownership programs across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley.