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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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- Shera Haliczer,
President
- Marcia Gershon,
Vice President, Development
- Taniedra McFadden,
Treasurer
- Jamie Allen Black,
Secretary
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| CONSULTANTS
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- Sarala Dee,
Program Director
- Matt Pierpont,
Web Manager
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STAY CONNECTED
& SUPPORT US!
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•COMMUNITY
PRESIDENT'S NOTE:
Dear Friends,
As fall turned to winter in late 2008, the facilities in which we deliver the Circle of Women program were seeing an increase in residents and a decrease in funding. As the stock market plunged, donors became concerned about both their personal finances and how and where their donations were being utilized. Organizations throughout the country scrambled to make sure they could provide the resources necessary for programs.
Supporters of A More Perfect Union continued to be generous and we were again reminded of the testament of relationships when two corporate entities joined our circle of support making this past year one of our most abundant. As you read the stories in this newsletter, you will see how we look toward what we hope will be a rebounding economy because our families and our communities need our support more than ever before.
I look forward to great success in my first term as President of this amazing organization and I thank you for your continued support. The needs of women-at-risk are not lessening - you can feel confident that your donation goes directly to our work with these women and their families.
Shera Haliczer, President
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Please support us with your donation by sending a check or visiting us at: amoreperfectunion.org/donating
If you would like to share this email (and we invite you to do so!),
please forward by using the link at the bottom of the newsletter.
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Graduates and volunteers - Odyssey House, East Harlem
EXPANDING OUR COMMUNITY
Founding member and long time President and Board member, Sarala Dee, has been hired as our first Program Manager. We are excited that someone intimately familiar with A More Perfect Union - our volunteers and our program - is able to take the reins of quality assurance and successful delivery of our program. Sarala began work in mid-July and will focus on strengthening relationships with volunteer leadership and facility staff in the four locations we currently deliver program. She will also be responsible for program expansion.
COMMUNITY
RECOGNITION
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This summer, one of our founders, Jamie Allen Black, was nominated for a Jewish Community Heroes award for her work with A More Perfect Union and women at risk.
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CONTRIBUTING TO OUR COMMUNITY
In December 2008, A More Perfect Union received a $10,000 local impact grant from Liquidnet, Inc. We were one of the top ten finalist organizations receiving the most votes from employees in Liquidnet's New York Office. Liquidnet's Local Impact Grants are part of its commitment to Global Social Engagement, a program through which it has devoted one percent of its revenues to address social challenges.
Former volunteer and Liquidnet employee, Tara Harkins, wrote in her nominating statement, "A More Perfect Union makes a significant difference in the lives of the women it serves. Helping these women-at-risk to build strong selves, stronger families, and stronger communities benefits us all. These are women who live and work in our community of New York City and benefiting them benefits the entire community."
Liquidnet provides an electronic marketplace for block trading, allowing money management institutions to trade large blocks of equities directly and anonymously. (http://www.liquidnet.com/).
The grant will be used to further expand the Circle of Women program to reach more women-at-risk in the New York metropolitan area.
SHARING OUR
COMMUNITY
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Does your company have a matching gifts program or a foundation that gives community support? This is a great way to maximize personal contributions and increase the impact of your gift. Friends, families and colleagues can participate as well. Thanks for spreading the word.
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GROWING OUR COMMUNITY
In March, we were the beneficiary of the Spring event of the Community Services Committee of the New York Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) where more than 180 guests attended to support us and the work we do.
Volunteers Sandra Dickerson, Marcia Gershon and Monica Santos at the ALA event
Most guests were surprised to learn that one in four families is touched by substance abuse and/or domestic violence. In today's world of economic uncertainty, any person and any family can be one paycheck away from homelessness. Audience members were moved by the presentations of program graduates Geraldine Summers and Robin Flood from the Veritas Therapeutic Community who spoke about their circumstances and the effect of our program on their lives.
Graduates of the Circle of Women program are taking responsibility and reclaiming their lives. They are reconnecting with their families, rebuilding their relationships and working to make all of our communities more successful. When we feed each other with strength and commitment and support we build communities that bridge socio-economic, racial and gender barriers.
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