Join us for our 2024 Gala!
Please join us to make it possible for more children from very low income households to enjoy a week that will last them a lifetime at our top quality partner camp, Camp Zeke, in the Pocono Mountains this summer!
June 5, 2024, 5:30pm
Doors Open at 5:00pm
HK Hall – 605 W 48th St, NY
Please RSVP by May 31
What your night includes:
- Full-Course Delicious Banquet, Glatt Kosher & Vegan Buffets, and Wine, Beer, Soft Drinks – cash bar for everything else
- Distinguished Honorees (see bios below)
- This year’s SGHY Gala will feature entertainment by the following outstanding musical artists:
- Acclaimed Latin Rap Sensation, Hip Hop Jabarito Soundboy and His Ten Piece Band!
- Renowned World Musician, Avram Pengas!
- Broadway Child Star and Prodigy, Mariam Bedigian!
- The Gala will also showcase very special performances by the Middle School Musicians and Singers in SGHY Music Guitar and Chorus Programs, conducted by the New York Conservatory of Music, and the Middle School Dancers in the SGHY Dance Program conducted by the National Dance Institute.
- Stay tuned for a special demonstration at the Gala by the Columbia Space Initiative (CSI), and for Surprise Announcements by the New York Rangers and the New York Liberty, plus other surprises.
- Inspirational Remarks by Rabbi Shmuel Spiegel, of the First Roumanian-American Congregation, and the Reverend Henrietta Carter, recently retired from the First Mariner’s Baptist Church.
With your Gala ticket, you can RSVP for a FREE tour of the Intrepid Museum!
HK Hall sits two blocks from the Intrepid Museum, which SGHY utilizes for our space science program. By special arrangement the Intrepid Museum will offer, free-of-charge, a guided tour of the exhibits and aircraft in the Intrepid’s indoor hangar, plus an optional visit to the submarine (Other parts of the Museum will be closed due to a special event.)
- The tour takes place one hour before the Gala, from 4:00 – 5:00pm
- You must arrive no later than 4:00pm at the Intrepid Museum Visitor’s Center
- You must RSVP separately from your ticket or sponsorship purchase!
RSVP for INTREPID tour on the SGHY Gala Ticket & Sponsorship Page
2024 Gala Honorees
KEYNOTE :
Hon. Adrienne Adams
As part of Speaker Adams’ Move Forward Together vision and agenda, Speaker Adams has exercised effective, enlightened leadership to make certain that all of New York City’s children move forward together. The Speaker has protected and increased critical City funding for early childhood education and has initiated, for older children, the peer-to-peer mental health program, with CUNY Social Work Students supporting wellness groups in middle and high schools.
Years ago, the Board of Education selected Sophie Gerson to pioneer the City’s first sexual education curriculum (then called Family Living); as a phys ed teacher and Community School Board Member, Sophie Gerson taught and advocated for nutritional education and improved nutrition in school meals. She would be thrilled that Speaker Adams has organized oversight hearings on both sexual education and nutritional education, and that the Speaker has increased the budget for school food services.
Speaker Adams has initiated Promise NYC to support undocumented children in NYC caught up in difficult situations not of their making, and has ensured necessary funding for District 75 schools serving children with special needs. The Speaker’s concern and commitment for children over the years of her Speakership had made it possible for children from low income households, including children living in homeless shelters, to attend summer camp.
For all this, and much, much more, Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth has designated Speaker Adrienne Adams as our 2024 Youth Champion Keynote Honoree!
Dr. Stan Altman
In his over fifty-year career in public service, Dr. Stan Altman has been a champion of underserved communities through teaching, higher education administration, and innovative program development. A former president of Baruch College and Townsend Harris Medal recipient, Dr. Altman is currently a professor at The City College of New York, directing the Gaming Pathways Program that is creating the first public bachelor’s degree in digital gaming in NYC. He also co-founded and serves as the President of the Harlem Gallery of Science. Dr. Altman has advanced innovative ways for teaching and inspiring children in math and science, utilizing sports and music, which SGHY will incorporate in our hands-on science programming during the upcoming school year.
Wayne Ho
Wayne Ho is the President and CEO of the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), the nation’s largest Asian American social services agency. With a mission to promote the social and economic empowerment of Chinese American, immigrant, and low-income communities, CPC serves over 80,000 community members in the areas of education, family support, and community and economic empowerment at 35 locations. Previously, Wayne served as Chief Strategy and Program Officer for the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies and was the Executive Director of the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families. Wayne Ho has improved the lives of countless NYC children over the years with his effective leadership to combat bullying and provide top quality early childhood education and youth programs. SGHY remains pleased to partner with Wayne and CPC to bring even more children to summer camp.
Richard Mantell
Richard Mantell, UFT Vice-President for middle schools, is a community leader and career-advocate. Re-elected for his fourth term, he empowers educators while leading climate action advocacy and charitable initiatives like the Thanksgiving Coat Drive. Innovative approaches, from NYC history-themed scavenger hunts to fundraising runs, also increase member engagement. As a Brooklyn native and former math teacher and union activist, Rich has a long career of community-based advocacy, commitment to engagement, and compassion for New York’s students. In his role as UFT Vice President for Middle Schools, Richard promotes the education and well being of the middle school students SGHY serves daily. As an incredibly effective educator and union leader, Richard epitomizes the UFT and SGHY motto: “Teachers want what Students need.”
Karen & Dr. Irwin Redlener
Karen, MS and Irwin Redlener, MD, co-founders of the Ukraine Children’s Action Project and Children’s Health Fund, have dedicated their lives to advocating for and developing programs that support vulnerable children globally. With a shared passion for ensuring every child has access to quality healthcare and essential resources, the pair have worked tirelessly for over 5 decades providing vital medical care, education, and support services to underprivileged communities in Ukraine, the U.S., and beyond. After 9/11 and during COVID pandemic, the Redleners proved instrumental in bringing critical emotional support and medical services to at-risk children. SGHY remains grateful for Dr. Redlener’s service on our Medical Advisory Board, keeping campers and program participants safe and healthy.
Aedin & Arnaldo Segarra
Arnaldo Segarra has devoted his life to public service as an organizer and well-known activist. From his service in the East Harlem Tenants Council to influential roles in local and federal government, Arnie has championed decades of community empowerment, especially for the betterment of youth. Arnie also founded the West Fourth (“the Cage”) Basketball League, which provides an important athletic opportunity and outlet for young people from around the City. Aedin is an award-winning Actress & Playwright and founded the Women & Children’s Playwriting Project. Aedin founded and with Arnie sustained the Fallen Angels Theatre Company for women playwrights. Arnie and Aedin, as Political and Arts leaders, and original SGHY organizers and supporters, have made NYC a better place for children to grow up.
Dr. Jerzy & Joanna Stryjniak
— The New York Conservatory of Music on its 25th Anniversary
Renowned concert pianist Dr. Jerzy Stryjniak and his wife, musicologist Joanna Stryjniak founded The New York Conservatory of Music in 1998. The Conservatory’s mission is to educate students in music and culture, help them develop their tastes in classical, jazz, Broadway music and more, and provide them with the proper environment for professional growth. For Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth, the Conservatory has adapted two crucial programs for schools including folk guitar instruction and voice coaching chorus training. Under the Stryjniak’s leadership, and that of Board Members Michael Harvey, Esq., and Dr. Linda Tao, the NY Conservatory provides pro bono the teachers and curriculum for SGHY’s Guitar and Chorus programs, which receives rave reviews from teachers and students. Inspired by their passion for sharing the gift of music with children from families at all income levels, Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth looks forward to an ongoing collaboration with the Conservatory to sustain and expand our music program.
~ HK Hall is a fully accessible venue ~
~ SGHY helps save the planet: We only use recyclable or compostable decorations and disposable cutlery ~
~ SGHY obtains our awards and give-away tote bags from a union shop ~