Leake and Watts’ 2016 Gala Raises $550,000 to Help the Agency Support 11,000 Children, Adults, and Families in New York

(Shown l-r:) Nick Preddice of Golden's Bridge with Regina and Rich Jones of South Salem.

The Leake & Watts 2016 Annual Awards Gala at The Pierre October 27th was a special evening in which some 250 friends and supporters celebrated the remarkable work the agency does. More than $550,000 was raised through ticket sales, sponsorships, and a live auction at the event, which honored long-time board member Joyce Coppin Mondesire. Supporters had the opportunity to meet and hear the stories of individuals and families who have benefited from the agency’s wide range of services.

“For an organization such as Leake & Watts, which does so much through such a wide range of services—from child welfare and foster care, to services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, education, early childhood programs, juvenile justice services, to working with unaccompanied migrant children—the one thing that ties it all that together is the belief that all of us can rise from where we are today to a better place in the future,” explained Alan Mucatel, executive director. “We help people identify their strengths and where they want to go, and we make their dreams possible. I can’t think of anything more important to do.”

How Leake & Watts Transforms Lives

Guests saw for themselves how Leake & Watts transforms lives. Danielle, a poised young woman, spoke about her journey that began in Leake & Watts Family Foster Care and led to college—something that only 3% of foster children nationally achieve, and only 1% of foster children graduate. Danielle is now studying for a Master’s degree in Social Work so she can give back to others. Guests watched the moving videotaped story of Yessilyn, an adolescent girl who overcame low self -esteem and poor academic performance to become a confident and successful student at Leake & Watts’ Biondi School. Prior to enrolling in the Biondi School, Yessilyn was three or four grades behind in reading. Today, she’s reading at grade level.

The video also featured two Bronx mothers who found a safe place to be with their children and get much-needed supports at Leake & Watt’s recently opened Soundview Family Resource Center in The Bronx. The women were able to meet other mothers, participate in playgroups, and become closer to their children. Nilca, a parent who had been out of work for five months, received help in preparing her resume. She found a job two weeks later. Bianca, a non-English speaker, watched her shy toddler blossom, and she was able to access community services she needed for herself and her son.

Honoree Coppin Mondesire Devoted Career to Educating Children

But the evening was also about the honoree—Dr. Coppin Mondesire—who was presented with the Thelma Stackhouse Award for her service to the community. A resident of New York’s Upper West Side, Dr. Coppin Mondesire currently is a Distinguished Visiting Professor in Educational Leadership at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York. During a 46-year tenure at the New York Department of Education, Dr. Coppin Mondesire made her way from teacher to administrator, and served as Superintendent for Brooklyn High Schools for 14 years. From her work in special education to work with non-traditional and disadvantaged students, she devoted her career to ensuring that all children have their educational needs met and are best prepared for a successful life.

Dr. Coppin Mondesire became involved with Leake & Watts through her own work at Trinity Church in Manhattan, which was the original site of what was then called the Leake and Watts Orphan House in 1831. The relationship between Trinity Church and Leake & Watts remains close, and a board seat is reserved for a representative of the church per the agency’s 19th century by-laws. Dr. Coppin Mondesire, a member of Trinity’s Congregational Council, has held that seat since 2005.

The evening concluded with a live auction led by actress January LaVoy, who served as emcee for the event. The Annual Awards Gala is Leake & Watts largest fundraiser of the year. Chairing the gala are Nick Preddice, CEO of wealth management firm Affinity Group, LLC, and his wife Lisa, a partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLP.

Joining Nick and Lisa Preddice as major gala sponsors were BNY Mellon; Beth and Tom Renyi; Agnes and Gerald Hassell; Emmet, Marvin & Martin, LLP; Fidelity National Title; EY; Susan and Rodman Benedict; Xerox; Trinity Church of Wall Street; Margery E. Ames; Chubb Group of Insurance; Matthew & Caroline Del Percio; Joseph and Lesley Hoopes; Hana Ben-Shabat; José M. Jara; Crossan and Peggy Seybolt; USI Insurance; the Affinity Group, LLC.; Nixon Peabody; Zaskorski & Associates; and Chem Rx.