Dialogue 101

Gen Art/Style 360
 
Host:    Deborah Gordon
Guest:  Stefan Gerard, Co-Founder Gen Art
            Al Silvestri, Co-Founder, Style 360
 
Gen Art is the leading arts & entertainment organization dedicated to emerging talent, and produces events throughout the year to fund the Gen Art Foundation. Discussed Gen Art’s role in helping emerging fashion designers find their niche in the industry, and thei many Gen Art Alum who have gone on to impressive careers in the field.  Spotlighted their upcoming New Guard show that will be held during New York Fashion Week, and showcase four new designers; Style 360 also helps young designers by using collective resources to help them show their designs, which they would otherwise not afford to do on their own.  Spotlighted their various shows and happenings in town to coincide with NY Fashion Week.  For more information visit www.elle.com/style360.   For more information about Gen Art, visit www.genart.org. 

Women’s Heart Health/Red Dress Awards
 
Host:    Deborah Gordon
Guest:  Kathy Kasten, Spokesperson

Spotlighted the Seventh Annual Red Dress Awards which will commemorate February as American Heart Month by honoring four women who have made significant contributions to the fight against heart disease in women.  Ms. Kastan is one of the honorees, and is also a heart bypass survivor.  She shared her story, and provided data about heart disease in women, including signs and symptoms, and what women must do to prevent and combat it.  Also discussed the Heart Truth Campaign, which is focused on increasing awareness about heart disease in women, and the strides they have made.  For more information, visit www.womansday.com/reddress, or www.aha.org. .
 

World Food Programme/Haiti  
 
 Host:    Deborah Gordon
Guest:  Bettina Luescher, North American Spokesperson
 
The World Food Programme, formed in 1962, is part of the United Nation’s and is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The objectives of the organization include helping to reduce chronic hunger and malnutrition around the world, and restoring and rebuilding lives after emergencies.  World Food Programme was among the first to help Haiti after the earthquake.  Discussed their many efforts, in the aftermath, including providing 3 million meals, nutrition biscuits and water to the people in the region.  Also, discussed the plans to continue to help Haiti for as long as it takes, and to hopefully rebuild a better nation.  For more information, visit www.wfp.org.  Or you can text FRIENDS to 90999 and a $5 donation will go directly to help the efforts.

American Red Cross/Haiti
 
Host:    Deborah Gordon
Guest:  Jonathan Aiken, Spokesperson

The American Red Cross was founded in 1881, and is the nation’s premier emergency response organization.  Spotlighted their recovery efforts in Haiti after the earthquake, and stressed the fact that the best way to help is not to travel to the region or send clothes, but to donate much needed money.  The organization is working closely with the Haitian Red Cross, and other organizations to ensure that the money will go directly to the needs the people, and where it can do the most good.  Also discussed all the other things the Red Cross is known for including emergency help in other parts of the world for other natural disasters, such as flooding, hurricanes and also their help in emergency preparedness.  Encouraged the community to volunteer at home to help causes, and also to take many of the local training courses the Red Cross offers to help in the event of an emergency.  For more information and to donate, visit www.redcross.org. Or to text a $10 donation from your cell phone, text HAITI to 90999.
 

New York University/Martin Luther King Week
 
Host:    Deborah Gordon
Guest:  Allen McFarlane, Assistant Vice President for Student Diversity Programs
 
Spotlighted New York University’s 5th Annual Martin Luther King Celebration Week, January 18 through January 23rd to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther Kings Jr’ and his visit to the NYU campus in 1961.  Discussed the variety of special University wide events and programs that will be happening including community service activists, panels, symposia, and film screenings.  Expounded upon the event’s theme of “Who Will You Inspire to Dream”, and encouraged the community to use the week to inspire others. For more information, and a complete schedule, visit www.nyu.edu/mlkweek 

 
Bailey House
 
Host:    Deborah Gordon
Guest:  Regina Quattrochi, CEO
 
Bailey House was founded 27 years ago in New York City’s Greenwich Village, and provides housing and support services to homeless men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS.  Provided background on the organization and detailed their programs and services, including providing clients with access to healthcare, counseling, and job training; and addressing their fundamental human need of housing, food and safety.  Discussed how Bailey House has grown and evolved over the years, and the time proven efficacy of their programs, which has become the model for other like organizations across the country.  Highlighted their upcoming fundraiser, which will take place February 25th at Roseland, and will be hosted by Tim Gunn and Simon Noonan, and feature one of a kind auction items.  All funds raised will help Bailey House continue to develop varied, innovative programs and services for the New York Community.  For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.baileyhouse.org.
 

Parsons Dance

Host: Deborah Gordon
Guest: David Parsons, Founder & Artistic Director

Parson’s Dance Company of New York is committed to building new audiences for contemporary dance by creating engaging and uplifting American works.  Discussed the many programs at Parsons to foster dance iand positively impact New York City children, students, and communities through student performances, free lecture-demonstrations, master classes, and post-show discussions. Spotlighted their upcoming New York area shows, which contain new and unique, choreography.  For more information visit www.parsonsdance.org. 

Big Brother's Big Sisters of New York City

Host:  Deborah Gordon
Guest: Michael Corriero, Executive Director and Former NYC Judge

Spotlighted January as National Mentoring Month and Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC role as the oldest and largest mentoring organization in the U.S.  Provided data about mentoring and the positive impact it has on the young people, the mentors and the community at large.  Discussed all the new and existing programs in place to help mentors become better role models, the need for community volunteers, and the continued need for male mentors.  Also discussed the increased need for donations during these tough economic times.  For more information about mentoring, visit www.bigsnyc.org.
 

Little Shelter

Host:    Deborah Gordon
Guest:  Maryanne Chernovsky, President

Little Shelter Animal Adoption Center is one of Long Island's oldest no-kill shelters and is dedicated to saving all companion animals whose lives are in jeopardy.  Provided information about their 100% spay/neuter program, their pet sanctuary, as well as their efforts to rehabilitate sick and un-socialized pets, and rescue them from kill facilities.  Spotlighted their annual holiday donation drive which was extended through mid January in order to raise money to continue servicing the community.  For more information, visit www.littleshelter.com



 Resources for Children With Special Needs (RCSN)

Host:    Deborah Gordon
Guest:  Gary Schulman, Program Director

Resources for Children With Special Needs is an organization dedicated to advocating for children and adults with disabilities.  Highlighted their 25th annual free Special Camp Fair, which will be held on Saturday, January 30 in Manhattan.  The camp fair allows families to learn about programs and services for their disabled loved ones that can be utilized all year round.  For more information, visit www.resourcesnyc.org.
 

New York Cares
 
Host:    Deborah Gordon
Guest:  Gary Bagley, Executive Director
 
New York Cares is one of New York’s first and leading volunteer organizations that is dedicated to promoting community service, and supports thousands of deserving organizations in all 5 boroughs.  Discussed the many ways New York Cares helps the community including their annual efforts to beautify area schools and parks.  Spotlighted their signature holiday season efforts:  Winter Wishes, which helps grant wishes to needy children, and The New York Cares coat drive which collects about 80,000 coats each winter season.  Stressed the urgent need for coats this season due to the economy, and the special need for large men’s coats.   For more information about how to donate, and for drop off locations, etc., visit www.newyorkcares.org. .

 

New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH)
 
Host:    Deborah Gordon
Guest:  Joel Berg, Executive Director
 
The New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH) is an organization that represents the more than 1,200 nonprofit soup kitchens and food pantries in New York City and the more than 1.3 million low-income New Yorkers who are forced to use them. The Coalition works to meet the immediate food needs of low-income New Yorkers and enact innovative solutions to help them move towards self-sufficiency  Provided data about the hungry in New York, and discussed how many more have fallen behind the poverty line and in need of food because of the economy.  Spotlighted NYCCAH’s joint efforts with community leaders to combat the issues, and the need for the community to monitor their government officials and ensure they continue to fund efforts to fight child hunger.  For more information, visit www.nyccah.org
 

Cancer Care

Host:     Deborah Gordon
Guest:   Win Boerckel, Lung Cancer Program Coordinator 
 
Cancer Care is a national non profit based in New York City that provides adults and children who have cancer with a variety of free support services, including financial help and counseling by trained social workers.  This organization also provides services to families of people with cancer.  Discussed Cancer Care’s efforts to reduce the stigma that is associated with the disease, and provide special education workshops and forums to ensure that those with lung cancer get the assistance they need.  For more information, visit www.cancercare.org.
 

Partnership for a Drug Free America
 
Host:    Deborah Gordon
Guest:  Steve Preserb, President & CEO
 
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is a nonprofit organization that provides public education programs that motivate and equip parents to prevent their children from using drugs and alcohol, and to find help and treatment for family and friends in trouble  The organization serves to unite parents with health and communications professionals to help families raise healthy children.  Provided data about drug abuse in America today, including the increased use of prescription drugs in all communities, and heroin abuse in the suburbs.  Spotlighted their latest parenting skills campaign to help parents better understand drug abuse today, and provide them with the tools to better help their children,  For more information, visit www.drugfree.org.

 
Children’s Aid Society
 
Host:    Deborah Gordon
Guest:  Richard Buery, Jr. Chief Executive Officer

The Children’s Aid Society was founded more than 150 years ago, and helps more than 100,000 children and their families throughout New York City, with all aspects of child development, from healthcare to academics, to sports and the arts.  Discussed their variety of programs and services including their work with schools on job training, and their new initiatives focusing on healthy eating and childhood obesity.   Spotlighted their 23rd  annual Miracle on Madison event, which is a holiday tradition whereby large sections of the legendary shopping street are closed to traffic, and vendors and stores contribute 20 percent of their sales to the Children’s Aid Society.  All proceeds from the event go to support the Children’s Aid Society’s Health Initiatives.  For more information, visit www.childrensaidsociety.org.
 

Island Harvest

Host:    Deborah Gordon 
Guest:  Randi Shubin Dresner, President & CEO

Island Harvest was founded in 1992 and has grown to become the largest hunger relief organization in Long Island.  Island Harvest volunteers and staff deliver millions of pounds of good, surplus food each year, and donates 97 percent of all contributions directly to their programs.  Discussed the current data regarding the hungry in the Long Island community and the services and programs Isalnd Harvest has available to them.  Spotlighted their Turkey Trimmings Collection Campaign, which provides easy ways for the community to donate turkeys and other items to feed the hungry during the holiday season.  The campaign is going on now through December 24, 2009.  For more information on donating a turkey visit www.islandharvest.org.

World Hunger Year (WHY))

Host:    Deborah Gordon 
Guest:  Christina Schiavoni Co-Director of the Global Movement Program

World Hunger Year (WHY) was co-founded by musician Harry Chapin and is a leading advocate for innovative community based solutions to hunger and poverty.  WHY provides grassroots organziations with resources to help combat hunger in the New York community.. Provided current data about the hungry in New York including the fact that over a million people in the 5 boroughs rely on food pantries and soup kitchens for their meals, and a majority of them are children.  Discussed their innovative programs for young people, designed to help them better understand the root causes of hunger and poverty and inspire them to take action to help,  Spotlighted the World Hunger Year "Hungerthon" happening through Tuesday, November 24 on radio stations across New York, which will raise awareness and funds to help WHYs efforts to help hungry people in New York City and nationwide.  For more information, to donate, or participate in the auction, visit www.whyhunger.org.  

The March of Dimes.... Spotlighted the Sounds of Pertussis campaign, which is an effort to highlight pertussis and educate the community on how to protect themselves, and their newborn babies from contracting it.  Provided data about pertusssis, and it's signs and symptoms, and the risks.  Discussed Jennifer Lopez as their spokesperson as an effort to reach the Hispanic community which has a disproportionate amount of Pertussis cases.  Also discussed the March of Dimes efforts concerning premature births, and screening for newborns.  For more information, visit www.marchofdimes.com or www.soundsofpertussis.com.
 

The James Beard Foundation is a non profit organization that was founded by chefs to honor the legacy of James Beard who was at the forefront of bringing acceptance of America's culinary cuisine.  The mission of the organization is to celebrate, preserve and nurture America's culinary heritage and diversity, and the foundation is at the center of America's culinary community and is dedicated to exploing the way food enriches lives.  Discussed the ways the Foundation serves the community, by providing workshops and cooking classes to adults and kids alike.  Also discussed their annual Awards which honors the best in the field, and raises funds for thier efforts.  For more information, visit www.jamesbeard.org.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

Host:  Deborah Gordon
Guest: Meredith Henning, Executive Director

The American Foundation for Suicide is the leading national organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.  AFSP has been at the forefront of a wide range of suicide prevention initiatives designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. Provided data about suicide, such as the rise in teen suicides, and the fact that there is a suicide attempt estimated to occur every minute of every day in the US. Highlighted their Out of Darkness Walks that takes place in Queens and Manhattan, which is designed to create awareness about the issue.  Also discussed their National Survivors Day which takes place in New York in November.  For more information, visit www.afsp.org. 
 

Princess Grace Foundation, USA

Host:  Deborah Gordon
Guest: Toby Boshak, Executive Director 

The Princess Grace Foundation is a not-for-profit that is dedicated to identifying and assisting emerging talent in theater, dance, and film by awarding grants in the form of scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships.  It was founded to honor Princess Grace after her death in 1982, and over the past 27 years, the Foundation has awarded millions of dollars to theater, dance, and film artists nationwide.  Discussed the variety of ways the Foundation helps talented performing artists achieve their goals, and the support the organization continues to provide them during their careers.  For more information, visit www.pgfusa.org.