The national platform will further the organization’s goal to provide groundbreaking career development and mentoring programs to ambitious, low-income college students throughout the United States. Currently, NYNY and its sister organization New Jersey Needs You (NJNY), support 250 students through one of the most intensive and rigorous career development and mentorship programs in the region.

“I would like to sincerely thank the more than five hundred supporters and community leaders who celebrated the launch of America Needs You with us.  We are delighted to have raised nearly $1.4 million to fund our fight for economic mobility for ambitious, low-income college students across the United States,” said Kimberly Harris, CEO of America Needs You.

Robert Reffkin, the organization’s founder, presented the America Needs You achievement award to Bayo Ogunlesi, Chairman and Managing Partner of Global Infrastructure Partners, for his unparalleled support of educational opportunities in New York City. Macquarie was recognized as the America Needs You Corporate Champion of the Year for outstanding volunteer, in-kind and financial support. Geraldine Aine, Counsel at Liberty Mutual and a long-serving NYNY volunteer, was also recognized as the Mentor Coach of the Year for her tremendous service to the organization’s students and to its Young Leadership Board.
The benefit dinner is an annual event honoring individuals who are industry and civic leaders as well as supporters of mentoring programs.  Four students from the organization’s Fellows Program shared their stories with the audience, highlighting how NYNY and NJNY have played a hugely beneficial role in their academic and professional success.

HONOREE: Bayo Ogunlesi, Chairman and Managing Partner of Global Infrastructure Partners

Benefit Dinner Chairs: Andrew Marks, Robert Reffkin, and Harvey Schwartz

Attendees: Amsale Aberra, Jessica Abo, Ori Allon, Carolyn & William Blodgett, Susan & Jonathan Bram,  Leonie Casanova,  Kathy Chenault, Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, Nancy Marks, Mallory Neidich, James Passin, Sandi Peterson,  Alexandra Schuster, and more.

EDITOR’S NOTES

Link to photos of the Annual Benefit:
http://www.patrickmcmullan.com/site/event_detail.aspx?eid=46103&home=1

About New York Needs You and America Needs You

On January 23, 2014, New York Needs You (NYNY) launched its national platform America Needs You (ANY) to further our mission and build a movement of like-minded individuals who believe that one day there will be no more barriers to economic mobility for students with ambition and ability.

ANY fights for economic mobility for ambitious, low-income college students. We do this by providing intensive career development, mentorship, and professional networks to enable students to realize their academic and career aspirations. Our flagship two-year Fellows Program is designed exclusively for high-achieving, low-income, first-generation college students.

Graduates from the Fellows Program, who have also graduated from college, are earning an average annual salary of $52,000 compared to the $44,000 national average. Assuming a 30-year career and 3% annual raises, our Fellows will make $2.5 million in their lifetime, or $400,000 more than those earning the national average.

For more information on NYNY and ANY, please contact Chief Development Officer, Anita Fee Willis at (646) 651-1584 or anita.willis@americaneedsyou.org

Website: www.americaneedsyou.org
Twitter: @NewYorkNeedsYou
Facebook: www.facebook.com/newyorkneedsyou