Donors, friends, and special guests gathered at Gotham Hall on May 4 to celebrate the Magic of SSP and raised nearly $2 million to help us provide support to NYC students.
The SSP Community showed up in every sense for our 24th Annual Founder’s Dinner on the evening of Thursday, May 4, at Gotham Hall. Our biggest annual fundraiser, the event raised $1.971 M to impact low-income students across the city.
The night’s celebration featured a keynote address from Leland Melvin, former NASA Astronaut and NFL Wide Receiver. “What you see, you can be! Mentors telling and showing SSP kids what they can be, it's powerful," he said of the importance of mentors and role models offered by the organization.
Guests also heard the inspiring success story of SSP Board Member and Alumnus Robert Spencer, President and COO of Toyota Insurance. “(My mentor) Brian provided me with what I think is the most important part of this program: a broader perspective on life and the opportunities within it that with hard work are available to everyone… Before being introduced to SSP, my life was not that dissimilar from the students we are still trying to help. This is why our mission is as important today as it was then," he shared.
Celebrating the Magic of SSP, the evening was hosted by retired NYPD Lt. Michael Almonte, who has led a partnership between SSP and the NYPD to connect young people with mentors. Magicians Jason Suran and Rachel Wax added entertainment for the evening, while Rachael White Young of Christie’s New York led an auction to raise more than $486,000 in the room that night.
With this event, SSP celebrates more than 36 years of success in supporting New York City students. “As a young woman, I had the opportunity to realize my academic potential through the support of Student Sponsor Partners. Now, as Executive Director, it is my privilege to work with our community to ensure young students like me have a chance to succeed,” said Debra De Jesus-Vizzi, Executive Director of SSP. “The Magic of SSP is the impact we have on the young people we support and the connections we create between mentors, professionals, and the next generation. Just like in my story, those we heard from our speakers are one of transformation and overcoming hardship to find true success. Our mission is to provide connections, guidance, and inspiration to those who come from underserved backgrounds. Together, we are continuing SSP’s powerful legacy of fighting inequality and promoting greater opportunity for all students.”
See photos from this extraordinary evening on our Facebook page here!
