News

NYNY Raises $1.6 Million Through Annual Benefit!

For Immediate Release:

Contact:
Mason Beard
mason.beard@newyorkneedsyou.org
(646) 651-1582

NYNY, NEW YORK CITY’S ONLY NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOCUSING ON THE UPWARD MOBILITY OF FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS, RAISES $1.6 MILLION THROUGH ANNUAL BENEFIT!

New York, NY ‒ New York Needs You (NYNY), a non-profit organization focusing on the college and career success of first-generation college students, hosted its annual benefit at Cipriani 42nd Street on September 15, 2011. NYNY honored Merryl Tisch, Chancellor, New York State Board of Regents; Kenneth Chenault, Chairman and CEO, American Express and Daryl Roth, Founder, Daryl Roth Productions, in front of a sold-out audience of 630 guests.

The benefit raised $1.6 million and celebrated the growing impact of NYNY, whose intensive mentorship program supports 150 students who are the first in their family to go to college (Fellows) and engages 400 professionals throughout New York City. Speakers sharing insight on the achievements of the organization included Robert Reffkin, NYNY Founder and President, and PJ Kim, NYNY Executive Director.

Attendees further supported NYNY through a silent auction, which featured items such as all access field passes and VIP seats for a New York Giants football game, and a three-night stay at a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property.  At the end of the night, guests received generous discount cards from men’s clothier Bonobos and women’s fashion outfitter Ann Taylor.  

The success of the night garnered attention for NYNY’s mission to provide first-generation college students with the resources to achieve their professional goals with the help of dedicated volunteers and a structured career development curriculum.

“NYNY continues to thrive because of the support from our donors and volunteers, who believe in our work and our Fellows. The success of the benefit is a motivating example of how we are able to engage talented professionals on a high level.”    
                                                            – PJ Kim, Executive Director, NYNY                                                                                                                         

NYNY closes the opportunity gap through the most intensive career mentorship program in NYC, enabling high-potential, first-generation college students to realize their career aspirations.  The organization was launched after NYNY’s President and Founder, Robert Reffkin, uncovered significant empirical data indicating that the education level of parents, family structure and socio-economic conditions have a significant influence on the economic mobility of youth. The primary components of the NYNY curriculum are college success and career development. Through the NYNY Fellowship, first-generation college students will have the support necessary to reach their full potential.  For additional information on NYNY, visit: www.newyorkneedsyou.org