Rising Ground to Honor EY, USI Insurance at Together We Rise Gala

(Yonkers, NY—September 25, 2018) … At their “Together We Rise Gala” on October 25th, Rising Ground, one of New York’s largest and most impactful human services organizations, will honor two longtime supporters – EY and USI Insurance – for their enduring commitment to the organization. Ellis Henican, a Pulitzer Prize winning columnist and author of a dozen books, will emcee the event. Individual and corporate support enables Rising Ground to offer services of the highest quality to New York’s most challenged populations, ensuring they are treated with humanity, dignity, and compassion, and provided the tools to rise above adversity.

EY (formerly known as Ernst & Young) will receive the Excellence in Achievement Award for its employee volunteerism and enduring support. Anthony Caterino, EY Americas Regional Managing Partner, and Ellen Polansky, EY’s global client services partner, who also serves on Rising Ground’s Board of Directors, will accept the award on behalf of EY.

USI Insurance will receive the Champion for Children Award, particularly through the “USI Gives Back” program, which has helped Rising Ground improve the lives of thousands of children and families in New York City.

“Together We Rise Gala” will be held at The Pierre Hotel New York on Thursday, October 25, 2018. The cocktail reception begins at 6:30 pm; followed by dinner at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $850.

In honoring both EY and USI, Rising Ground CEO Alan Mucatel said the two organizations have helped to make it possible for Rising Ground to continue to grow and excel in fulfilling its life-enhancing mission.

“It’s powerful to bring together our many organization friends - our family of supporters - for this incredible evening,” said Mucatel. “Contributions from non-governmental sources, including our gala supporters, enable us to innovate, grow and move forward as well as cover revenue shortfalls as we support over 25,000 New Yorkers facing adversity.”

EY, which is one of the largest professional services firms in the world with a comprehensive Corporate Responsibility platform, has been a long-time community partner, contributor, and sponsor of Rising Ground. Each year, EY mobilizes over 100 volunteers to brighten the holidays for hundreds of children. Volunteers purchase and wrap hundreds of toys and gifts, and then deliver them to children at Rising Ground’s schools and childcare programs throughout the Bronx. EY has also been a steadfast annual corporate volunteer partner through EY Connect Day, a supporter of the gala, and four employees sit on Rising Ground’s associate board.

USI Insurance has been a long-time community partner and sponsor of Rising Ground’s gala. Through its “USI Gives Back” program, which encompasses 6,000 volunteers across 150 offices around the world, USI supports local communities across the country; with Rising Ground, USI’s continued commitment and financial support have helped improve lives of many children and families in New York.

Emcee Ellis Henican, a columnist at Newsday and AM New York, was part of the Newsday staff when they received a Pulitzer Prize for spot reporting for their coverage of the 14th Street – Union Square (New York City Subway) train wreck. He is also the author of Vigilance, a New York Times Bestseller with longtime New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, and Worth Dying For with Navy SEAL Commander Rorke Denver. Henican’s latest book, Making It In America, co-authored with furniture manufacturer John Bassett III, explains how U.S. companies can survive foreign competition and keep jobs in America.

Proceeds raised at the gala will go directly toward programming to help support early childhood programs, foster care, adoption, healthcare, mental health, juvenile justice, and programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Agnes and Gerald Hassell are the co-chairs of the Together We Rise Gala. For tickets or sponsorship opportunities, visit Rising Ground.org.

Rising Ground, which until earlier this year was known as Leake & Watts, has nearly tripled in size since 2009. It currently operates 55 programs at more than 50 sites throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Westchester. More recently, it announced that it merged with Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families, and would expand into the areas of child welfare and care management. Together the organizations employ 1,800 people and serve 25,000 New Yorkers.

Details:

Rising Ground Together We Rise Annual Gala 2018

The Pierre Hotel New York

2 East 61st Street

New York, New York 10065

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Cocktail Reception at 6:30 p.m.; Dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $850

Contact Meredith Barber for ticket and sponsorship information at 914-375-8711 or MBarber@RisingGround.org.

About Rising Ground

Rising Ground, which recently changed its name from Leake & Watts to more accurately reflect its full scope of services, is a leading nonprofit human services organization, currently operating 55 programs at more than 50 different sites throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Westchester, and employing a workforce of 1,800 people. Daily, it provides children, adults, and families with the resources and skills needed to rise above adversity and positively direct their lives. It has won the prestigious Nonprofit Excellence Award.

Rising Ground delivers dedicated support to facilitate safe environments for children and help families thrive through its family stabilization, family foster care and adoption programs; innovative educational programs that advance learning from early childhood through high school; caring services for children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities; result-focused programs that help youth involved in the juvenile justice system change the trajectory of their lives; and pro-active community health initiatives that foster physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has been at the forefront of evolving community needs and has become a leader in utilizing result-driven, evidence-based practices. Today, the organization’s work is a positive force in the lives of more than 25,000 individuals. For more information, visit www.risingground.org.