The Sharing Community, Inc.’s 8th Annual “Compassion in Action” Awards Breakfast When: Saturday, May 8, 2004, 10 A.M. – 12:15 P.M. Where: The historic Philipsburgh Performing Arts Center Ballroom 2 – 8 Hudson Street, Getty Square, Yonkers, New York

(PRWEB) April 28, 2004

Breakfast chair, Jack Brennan, said, “Our annual awards breakfast gives us an opportunity to come together as a community to acknowledge the tireless efforts of those who labor ‘in the trenches’ day-in and day-out, making a difference in our community. It gives us a chance to raise up those who, by their words and deeds, are examples of compassion – in action.”

The Sharing Community, Inc. is a church-sponsored but separately incorporated non-sectarian, minority-controlled community-based organization. For twenty-one years The Sharing Community, Inc. has provided intervention, advocacy, and assistance to those who are homeless, hungry, ill or need supportive services to maintain their independence. Founded in 1983 by two local congregations – St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church, Getty Square – The Sharing Community’s primary focus has been southwest Yonkers, the most distressed quadrant in Westchester County. While it started as a small, temporary, overnight shelter in donated space, with volunteer staff and in-kind contributions, The Sharing Community today offers a broad continuum of professional services (over 19 programs) which range from street outreach, emergency shelter and food programs, employment training, substance abuse counseling, a full spectrum of HIV/AIDS services (from counseling and testing to nutrition and support groups), street and community outreach, health care and mental health treatment as well as transitional and permanent housing. Staff members in all Sharing Community programs are bi-lingual and bi-cultural.

All of the proceeds from the breakfast benefit TThe Sharing Community’s food, shelter and housing programs and HIV/AIDS services. Something unique that The Sharing Community does is to designate every dollar of contributed support for the purchase of food or supplies. All administrative and overhead costs come from other sources. So, when you contribute a dollar to The Sharing Community, it buys an entire dollar’s worth of food!

Honoree Bios

Mr. Joseph P. Cleary, President/CEO, The Renaissance Project

The Renaissance Project is one of Westchester County’s premier substance abuse treatment programs, and that is largely due to the effective leadership of its President and CEO, Joseph P. Cleary.

Under Joe’s stewardship what began as a small, single clinic has grown into a large network with nine outpatient clinics throughout Westchester County as well as a 110-bed residential facility in Sullivan County, for long-term rehabilitation. Renaissance also operates programs for those returning to their community from incarceration and was a spearhead in the effort to establish a Drug Court programs in Greenburgh, New Rochelle, and Yonkers.

Mr. Cleary was born in the Bronx, and has earned an MA in educational administration from NYU and a MSW from Hunter College. He has worked in the human services field since 1964. He is a Certified Social Worker (CSW) as well as a Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). He teaches and/or has taught at the graduate divisions of Columbia, Pace, Fordham, Mercy College, and Long Island University.

Joe recently announced that he is retiring this coming October, after 27 years as the head of Renaissance.

Mr. Jim Bostic, Nepperhan Community Center

Jim Bostic is a fixture in southwest Yonkers, and one of its anchors. As a community activist and leader, mentor to young people, religious leader, and now executive director, this former pro basketball star has devoted his adult life to the young people of our community.

He was born in Yonkers, attended college in New Mexico, and played professional basketball for many years before turning to coaching in area middle and high schools, and then at Iona College. His championship teams earned him the coveted Coach of the Year award by the New York Daily News.

Jim was inducted into the Yonkers Sports Hall of Fame in 1987, and the Westchester Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award and the Outstanding Young Men of America Award. He has received commendations through the years for his commitment to our young people from all levels of government.

Jim is a lifelong member and active lay leader at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Yonkers, where he serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, President of their Men’s Ministry, teacher in the New Member Adult Orientation Class, and director of their Youth Ministry.

Prior to assuming the reigns at Nepperhan Community Center, Jim served actively on the Board of Directors of The Sharing Community, Inc.    

Three ‘catering groups’ in our Soup Kitchen

Nearly half of the 50,000 meals provided at The Sharing Community’s “soup kitchen” (we never serve just soup!) each year are contributed by religious and community groups who once each month purchase, prepare, deliver, and serve the midday meal for the 150-200 community residents who come to our door. Numbering some 17 groups in all, we this year acknowledge the efforts of three….

Temple Israel

280 Old Mamaroneck Road, White Plains

Temple Israel has been providing meals – as well as ongoing monetary support – for our soup kitchen since January, 2001.

Temple Beth Shalom

740 Broadway, Hastings

Temple Beth Shalom has been assisting us since September, 2000.

St. Eugene’s Roman Catholic Church

32 Massitoa Road, Yonkers

St. Eugene’s has been a monthly catering group since May, 2001.

For More Information, Please Contact Laurie Tostanoski At 914-963-2626 or via email at [email protected]