Graham Windham Hosts 2014 Leadership Council Celebration Dinner

New York – Graham Windham Services to Families & Children will host its annual Leadership Council Celebration Dinner this evening, at the Metropolitan Museum of New York, marking another year of the organization’s work to ensure every child has a strong, loving family and the opportunity to succeed in school and life.  At the event, Graham Windham President & CEO Jess Dannhauser will present the 2014 Champion for New York City’s Children Award to Citi’s Ed Skyler for his commitment to improving the lives of children and families in New York City.

Founded in 1806, Graham Windham is the nation’s longest serving non-sectarian child welfare agency, providing close to 20 programs at 11 sites in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Harlem, and Westchester for 4,500 children and their families.  The organization works to make a difference with children, youth and families affected by abuse, neglect and delinquency by providing each child with a strong foundation for life: a safe, loving, permanent family and the opportunity and preparation to thrive in school and in the world. Graham Windham aims to raise $2 million at this year’s event to support the organization’s effective programs, particularly the launch of its Graham SLAM college and career readiness initiative. 

“Graham Windham enters the lives of the children and families it serves in their toughest hour, when all can feel hopeless,” said Jess Dannhauser, President & CEO of Graham Windham.  We restore hope by teaching and supporting families as they heal and grow stronger, and we change the odds by sticking with their children into adulthood, providing them the preparation and opportunities they need to reach their fullest potential.  We are able do all of this because of our incredible supporters.  We are especially grateful for our long-term partnership with Citi and for Ed Skyler’s incredible generosity this year, raising over $400,000 and propelling us to our $2 million goal.  These resources will help us bring opportunity where it is needed most and change the lives of thousands of children and their families.”   

Citi and the Citi Foundation have been longtime supporters of Graham Windham, contributing $1.2 million in event-based contributions and program grants over the past three decades, including funding for programs to improve early childhood financial literacy. In 2013, Citi and the Citi Foundation committed $144 million in philanthropic giving globally, focusing on efforts to advance economic empowerment and opportunity for low-income families and communities.

As Citi’s Executive Vice President for Global Public Affairs and Chairman of the Citi Foundation, Skyler shapes Citi's dialogues with key stakeholders, overseeing its communications, government relations, corporate marketing, and philanthropy.

Prior to joining Citi, Skyler served in Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's administration from 2002 to 2010, rising to the position of Deputy Mayor for Operations after first serving as Press Secretary. He also served in the administration of Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, where he spent four years at the Department of Parks & Recreation. Skyler’s longtime commitment to our city’s youth is reinforced through his service on the Board of the New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund and by co-chairing the YMCA of Greater New York's Strong Kids Campaign for several years.

“Organizations like Graham Windham provide essential support to New York City children who may not otherwise have access to the opportunities to achieve what they are capable of,” said Skyler. “Citi and Graham Windham share a mission and a 200-year history of strengthening communities. It’s an honor to be recognized by an organization which is so dedicated to improving the lives of New York City's children.”

This evening, Graham Windham Board Chair Georgia Wall will also present the first annual Andrew Francis Makk Youth Opportunity Scholarship, which provides youth with financial assistance and the opportunity to succeed by ensuring students can complete or further their education. The scholarship assists students with financial needs including, but not limited to: loss of employment; lack of adequate financial aid; loss of books or essential academic belongings; and other emergency situations that impact a student’s education. Students are eligible to receive an award up to $2,500.

Guests will also enjoy a robotics presentation by Graham Windham’s Medabots Team, as well as a new celebratory dance performance by Graham Windham’s Vintage Quality Dance Crew.  Inspired by the national Let's Move! Initiative, the dance troupe won first prize at Nike’s 2012 Step It Up Dance for A Cause contest, and last year won second prize at Amateur Night at The Apollo Theater in Harlem.

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About Graham Windham

In full partnership with families and communities, Graham Windham strives to make a life-altering difference with children, youth and families affected by abuse, neglect and delinquency by providing each child we serve with a strong foundation for life: a safe, loving, permanent family and the opportunity and preparation to thrive in school and in the world.  For more information, visit www.graham-windham.org.

About Citi

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.

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