On Thursday, May 14th, over 400 guests and sponsors attended our first-ever Online Gala and donated more than $550,000 in celebration of the essential work Urban Pathways is doing before and during the coronavirus pandemic.
This year we are especially grateful to everyone who participated in and supported our Online Gala. Receiving this outpouring of support in a time of crisis touched the hearts of our staff on the frontlines and enables us to continue to provide essential services.
HIGHLIGHTS: In a quick 30-minute online event our guests bid on auction items, heard from our CEO, watched an impactful video, pledged their support, received our gratitude and, all the while, engaged in a lively sidebar chat.
The Online Gala was preceded by Zoom happy hours hosted by members of our Board of Directors and Associate Board, and Urban Pathways staff. During the week prior to the event and during the happy hours, guests bid on one-of-a-kind experiences in our online auction in support of the work we do.
CNN’s Bill Weir opened the Gala and emceed the event for the second year. Bill spoke of his connection to Urban Pathways, our clients, and our Chief Executive Officer Frederick Shack who followed Bill and spoke about Urban Pathways’ accomplishments in the past year, and recognized the organization’s clients, staff and supporters.
This year’s Online Gala featured the premiere of our documentary-short, Artie’s Pathway Home which was directed and produced by a duo of committed visual artists who are the heart and soul of Impact Movies – a film company which was created to collaborate with others to create content which inspires compassion and expands awareness.
The video takes you into our Hallet’s Cove Residence to meet Artie Snow who, after 30 years in and out of homelessness, turned his life around. After the video, attendees generously pledged over $100,000 to support our essential work with Auctioneer Harry Santa-Olalla leading the call.
Finally, Bill Weir closed the evening thanking everyone who attended the Online Gala and reminding our guests that they can directly help a homeless person by supporting the work that we do.
Thank you to all who attended and supported Urban Pathways Online Gala this year. The funds raised directly benefit the services we provide to at-risk and homeless New Yorkers.
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About Urban Pathways
Urban Pathways is a New York City-based, nonprofit organization that provides housing and support to homeless and at-risk adults throughout the Metropolitan area. Urban Pathways serves 3,700 homeless individuals a year and provides transitional, extended stay, and permanent housing to chronically homeless individuals.
www.urbanpathways.org
