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2016 Awards Benefit Gala 2016 Awards Benefit Gala 
If you'd like to sponsor our gala, please use this form. If you'd like to donate an item to the silent auction, please use this form. 
Additional Gala Sponsors (as of November 2, 2016) INNOVATOR 
PLATINUM CUNY-TV 
Fall Domestic Violence Awareness Month 
Brooklyn Queens Manhattan 1 Bronx Staten Island For any questions, please contact: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Preview Screening of "The Opposite of A Fairy Tale 
Bridging Intergenerational Differences Workshop 
Sexual Assault Awareness Month VLog 
Click here to see the video logs. NYC Teen Dating Violence Awareness 5th Annual Walk-a-thon 
Mei Hua Society Lunar New Year Benefit Banquet 
Mei Hua Society Hosts Benefit for NYAWC's Legal Program
Photograph by Yi An Quach NYAWC's Immigration Legal Services Program plays an integral role in helping survivors of violence and abuse navigate the complex avenues of the American immigration system towards legal status. This year, the program is proud to celebrate its 5th anniversary, for in those years, it has helped over 400 women, men, and children file immigration applications seeking legal status in the United States--from a mere 2 applications at the launch of the program to well over 100 per year today. With a modest team of legal interns lead by Legal Services Manager, Yanfei Shen, they assist clients with the application process from start to finish, and just as important, NYAWC helps most cover the full amount of fees, some as high as $380. The dedication of the legal team has yielded an extremely successful application approval rate of 97%. "For a long time, the clients were told repeatedly by their abuser or trafficker that they are illegal, that they are worthless," says Carrey Wong, NYAWC Assistant Director of Client Services and former staff attorney. "When they start working with us, clients often feel as if there is no hope for the future, and are often skeptical of the free legal help we're offering. The unique thing about our legal staff is that we focus on the client as a whole person - not just how they fit into the legal definition of a relief available. Sometimes the concerns clients have are not even legally related, but we work hand in hand with the counseling staff to better be able to address all the needs." Each year, the Mei Hua Society hosts its annual Chinese New Year Benefits to raise funds to support Asian-focused organizations in the New York Metropolitan area. Having been a beneficiary twice in the past, NYAWC was honored to have been selected again this year. The evening raised over $11,000 for NYAWC's Legal Program, which will all go directly towards helping many more survivors apply for legal status. NYAWC extends its deepest gratitude to the Mei Hua Society and all the supporters who became a part of a survivor's journey to gaining independence. From L to R: Board and Advisory Board members Alexander Ong, Teena Lee, Board Chair Karen Elizaga, Deborah Chan, Executive Director Larry Lee, Zal Dabhoiwala, Judge Doris Ling-Cohan, Audrey Lee, Donna Lee, Narges Kakalia, and Jarret Yoshida. 2015 Giving Tuesday/Winter Wishes Campaign for Pathways to Healing and STAR Programs 
Working For Change 
Workers' Rights Are Human Rights
Photograph by Hang Xu Imagine having to share a room with 17 other adults and walking for miles in a Midwest winter to get to work because there are no other means of transportation available. Imagine having to pay frivolous fees each month when you haven't received your paycheck, which sometimes shows more deductions than earnings. Imagine not being able to care for an ailing loved one in your home country because the visa your employer arranged for you to work in the United States does not allow for such travel. This is the experience Ireen, a survivor of labor trafficking and former NYAWC client. The topic of NYAWC's 3rd annual anti-human trafficking conference this year centered on how to prevent the cycle of labor trafficking through a focus on workers' rights. At Project Free, 7 out of 10 trafficking survivors have disclosed or have been identified by law enforcement or a legal professional as labor trafficked. We have been serving significantly more labor trafficking survivors thanks to outreach and awareness raising we provide in communities, the spread of our services through word of mouth, referrals from community partners, and the fact that we provide services for both sex and labor trafficked individuals. Ireen's story ultimately ends with justice--a rarity. Two NYAWC counselors supported her as she worked through her trauma, whom she tearfully thanked, saying "I have a tremendous feeling of security and peace of mind." The Legal Program helped her secure a T-Visa, which afforded her legal status and with it, the opportunity to be financially independent. She reconnected her mind with her body through participation in the Pathways to Healing program. Her former employer, a labor leasing company, was eventually found guilty of forced labor trafficking charges and the president was arrested, imprisoned, and forced to pay restitution to victims. "Clients and community members continue to remind us that workers' rights are human rights - and that ending the cycle to labor trafficking means acknowledging what increasing access to workers' rights actually entails," said Yasmeen Hamza, NYAWC Director of Client Services. "This not only means ensuring that workers know their rights, but also providing them with legal, social service, policy and community support to create a more sustainable model of prevention. Without these supports working together, ending the cycle would be impossible." Photo: Anyeline Padilla, Olga Puenta, and Rosa Angela Garcia from Si Se Puede! Women's Cooperative, NYAWC Project Free Manager Mary Caparas, Song Kim from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), Gonzalo Martinez de Vedia from the Worker Justice of New York, and Ireen. The #NYAWCandMeAgainstDV Campaign 
Harvest - An event benefitting the New York Asian Women's Center. 
NYAWC Raises $358,000 at its 33rd Anniversary Gala Celebrating Children 
Phoenix Award recipient Josie Natori (R) with NYAWC Board Chair Karen Elizaga and NYAWC Executive Director Larry Lee (Photo courtesy of www.lucashuangphotography.com) Children of domestic violence survivors and children who have experienced abuse face longer odds in leading “normal” lives. At NYAWC (New York Asian Women’s Center), 1 in 5 children report witnessing their mothers being abused and/or being abused themselves. NYAWC is one of the few domestic violence agencies that has worked to stop the cycle of violence, and for the past 20 years, its Children and Youth Program has helped young survivors who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence and/or sexual abuse to find hope and strength through counseling, the arts, and a vibrant mentorship program. On Tuesday, October 6th, 300 generous philanthropists and community members joined NYAWC at the JW Marriott Essex House in New York City to celebrate over 33 years of giving to help survivors of violence. The event raised $358,000 to support the organization. “As I watch the work of our staff from the sidelines, I am consistently amazed by their passion and creativity, as they have expanded programming to include the life cycle of violence from childhood to elder abuse, as well as human trafficking and sexual assault,” said Karen Elizaga, Chair of NYAWC’s Board of Directors. “NYAWC allowed me to be more open with others as well as be creative and to never stop exploring the different ways of thinking to combat all issues, big or small,” said a 15-year-old male survivor, who has received services from the STAR (Strength, Trust, and Reconnection) Children and Youth Program. “What makes this program unique is its extraordinarily talented and multidimensional staff whose specializations include drama, art and play therapy. This diversity of skills enables us to tailor therapy to the individual child,” said Sara Zaidi, manager of the STAR Program. NYAWC honored fashion designer Josie Natori, founder and CEO of The Natori Company. “I am honored to receive this wonderful Phoenix Award from the New York Asian Women’s Center and so look forward to continuing to partner with them to eradicate human trafficking and empower women survivors and their families to move forward and thrive.” Ms. Natori, who was born and raised in the Philippines, served as a commissioner on the White House Conference on Small Business and played an integral role in furnishing Pope Francis’ accommodations during his visit to Manila earlier this year. The gala was co-emceed by WABC-TV broadcast journalist, Nina Pineda, and MSNBC and NBC News anchor, Richard Lui; with special appearances by auctioneer CK Swett, musical group Dana Leong Trio, and Broadway actors Emy Baysic and Gerard Salvador. NYAWC extends its deepest gratitude to all 25 of its gala sponsors including (in sponsorship level order) Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, Paul Hastings, the Ong Family Foundation, Karen Elizaga & Jay Ptashek, Kathy Chuy & Jay Huang, the Estee Lauder Companies, WAC Lighting, Bain Capital, BTIG LLC, Goldman Sachs, Clara Chae & Julian Liau, Ankur & Rohit Keswani, The Lee Family, Mintz Levin, MUFG, Brigette & Suok Noh, The Wald Family, Cassidy Sehgal & Carl Kohbet, Morgan Stanley, Stephanie Yu, Aysha, Delta, Regal Hotels, and JW Marriott. To view photos from the gala, visit: http://bit.ly/1S0Y83J. 
AUCTION COMMITTEECharlotte Lee, Gala Co-chair This year, we honor Josie Natori, founder and CEO of The Natori Company. 
“I have always believed there are no boundaries,” says Josie Cruz Natori, founder and CEO of the Natori Company. Guest Bartending Happy Hour for NY Asian Women's Center 
Project Free’s Second Annual Anti–Human Trafficking Conference 
NYAWC Executive Director Larry Lee (far left) and Project Free Manager Mary Caparas (far right) with conference panelists Shandra Woworuntu, Susan Bissell, Ninotchka Rosca, and Amy Tai. Photo by Yi An Quach. Should labor and sex trafficking be distinguished? The overwhelming consensus of the panelists speaking at NYAWC’s second annual Anti-Human Trafficking Conference was no. Filipino feminist activist and author Ninotchka Rosca, asserts, “There is no point in demarcating sex and labor trafficking. There are prostitutes who do laundry for pimps, and there are employers who request sexual favors from their domestic workers.” Shandra Woworuntu, a survivor of sex trafficking, former client of NYAWC, and now advocate and motivational speaker emphasizes, “We have to treat sex and labor trafficking the same way. The damage is the same. Sex trafficking is also using labor too.” “It surprises us that many people believe that human trafficking is primarily a criminal justice matter; that the victim has to be rescued; and, that prevention equates to arresting “Johns,” says Larry Lee, Executive Director of NYAWC. “It seems obvious to us that poverty is a primary root cause of human trafficking and the goal of it is to exploit the impoverished or vulnerable for gain. We believe that instead of just stopping the demand, we believe in reducing supply by offering opportunities for people to rise from poverty.” Susan Bissell, Chief of UNICEF’s Child Protection Section, concurs. “At UNICEF, we have a saying: traffickers fish in pools of migration. They prey on those who are moving to look for jobs. Human trafficking is a human rights challenge, not just a criminal justice one. Victims should be identified, rescued, and cared for.” To protect those moving within and across national borders, “It is important for all workers to know their rights,” says Amy Tai, an attorney at the Urban Justice Center. “In New York City and in Washington DC, domestic workers come on special visas with diplomats, who control the living condition, work hours, documents, pay, and food of their workers. Many cannot go out, are forbidden to learn English, and cannot interact with anyone but the employer’s family. It is happening around us on Fifth Avenue, on Park Avenue as we speak.” As Project Free enters its tenth year of assisting survivors of human trafficking, there are still challenges ahead. According to Mary Caparas, Project Free Manager, “NYAWC continues to receive increasing numbers of community referrals of labor trafficked persons requiring diverse culturally and linguistically appropriate counseling. This is certainly a challenge for our agency, but we are looking ahead to not just continue developing the program, but also listening and advocating with our clients so that, as service providers, we ensure our clients are truly empowered to govern their own lives by accessing vital resources and building networks of support.” NYAWC is the largest Asian American focused domestic violence agency in the country, a premier human trafficking serving organization, and a national demonstration project that provides model services to survivors of sexual assault. Charity Bike Ride at Soul Cycle 
NYAWC and Estée Lauder Co-Hosts Five Senses Event 
NYAWC teamed up with esteemed supporter, Estée Lauder, to host its first signature, Five Senses, self-care event to pamper and celebrate the courageous women and children it serves. As the temperature outside dipped into the 30s, the Jones Auditorium at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church filled with warmth and excitement as NYAWC staff and Estée Lauder’s team of 40 volunteers were introduced to NYAWC clients and their children. When creating the Five Senses event, NYAWC and Estée Lauder had envisioned it to be an event that promoted personal wellness, but it turned out to be much more significant than that. For Estée Lauder’s volunteers, this event united them with the women and children they have supported year in and year out. Many volunteers were able to humanize the term “survivor” when they met these women and children in person and spent quality time with them. Survivors were no longer anonymous, but they had names, faces, and stories. They were women who have endured and overcome violence in their lives while raising and protecting their children. They were women who still enjoyed simple activities such as getting a manicure and eating lunch with their friends. The encounters were wonderful to see. NYAWC staff also witnessed firsthand the heartwarming friendships built between clients through the agency’s wide range of programs. When the women and children arrived at the auditorium, they were very excited to see their friends again. Together they ate lunch, got hand massages and mini makeovers, tasted different teas with dessert pairings, and made aromatherapy sachets while learning the benefits of the different plants inside them. Overall, the Five Senses event was a great success as the volunteers left feeling gratified, the children left with new toys and new memories with friends, and most importantly, the women left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. 2014 TCS NYC Marathon Congratulations to Team Phoenix for braving the wind and triumphantly crossing the finish line at this year’s TCS NYC Marathon! Together, they surpassed the mandatory minimum fundraising amount and raised over $25,000 for NYAWC. It was truly a day of celebration as staff, friends and family gathered at Mile 18 to cheer them on to the finish line. We give our deepest thanks to the runners for taking on the 26.2 mile challenge all in the name of supporting the survivors we serve: Kelvin Chan, Norbert Gehrke, Jinhee Joe, Vineeta Kapahi, Steve Lee, Dorotea Mendoza, and Rimas Radzius. Click here to view more photos. Second Annual Tree of Hope Ceremony NYAWC shattered the silence around domestic violence with vibrant, creative performances at its 2nd Annual Tree of Hope Ceremony at the Queens Library in Flushing. Engaging communities to support survivors among their own is critical in Queens where over 1 in 5 residents is Asian. The evening was packed with performances by diverse artists. The Evergreen Choir of the YWCA of Queens, an impassioned choir of Korean women seniors, sang a medley of patriotic songs about America. Junoon, an impressive troupe of high school girls wrote and choreographed their own Bollywood-inspired vignette on teen dating violence. Lauren Quijano, a fearless, Filipina spoken word artist narrated the emotional experiences of Filipino women who leave their children and their homeland in search of better economic opportunities abroad. Namgyal Norbu serenaded the audience with a traditional Tibetan song and dance. Karou Watanabe filled the auditorium with loud, powerful beats and pounding of taiko drums. Contemporary piano artist Sunny Choi wrapped up the performances with a self-composed piece, which evoked hope in the audience. The evening concluded with the Tree of Hope Ceremony, which emulates the Tanabata Festival tradition in Japan. NYAWC asked members of the community present in the audience to write their wishes and pledges of non-violence against women and children on purple paper strips and then hang them on the branches of the Tree of Hope. In addition to wishes from performers and general supporters, NYAWC also received wishes from Assemblyman Ronald Kim, City Council Member Peter Koo, and Bea Hanson from the US Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). OVW is a major supporter of NYAWC and provides funding for three agency programs: SADI (Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative), Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program for children survivors, and Transitional Housing. The Tree of Hope is on display at the Queens Library in Flushing to serve as a standing symbol of our community’s collective pledge to end violence against women and children. Click here to view more photos. 32nd Annual Phoenix Awards Gala NYAWC hosted its premiere fundraiser of the year, celebrating the tenacity of survivors and the dedication of the NYAWC community to ending violence against women. The event raised $315,000 to support vital services and Asian, culturally-inspired programs to help survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and human trafficking transcend trauma. NYAWC presented the Phoenix Award to His Excellency Sumio Kusaka, Ambassador and Consul General of Japan in New York and Andrea Jung, CEO and President of Grameen America. NYAWC celebrates its three-year partnership with the Consulate protecting Japanese National survivors of domestic violence across six states on the East Coast. Under Ambassador Kusaka’s leadership, NYAWC has served 190 women and educated 30 Consulate staff on issues of domestic violence. Andrea Jung is the longest serving female chief executive in the Fortune 500 at Avon and a respected trailblazer for women’s empowerment. At Grameen America, Jung empowers impoverished women internationally through microfinance. NYAWC extends its deepest gratitude to attendees, volunteers, silent auction donors, and the following sponsors for their generous support: Cahill Gordon and Reindel LLP, Karen Elizaga and Jay Ptashek, The Ong Family Foundation, Paul Hastings LLP, Jay Huang, The Estee Lauder Companies, Ankur and Rohit Keswani, QBE North America, WAC Lighting, Bain Capital Children’s Charity Ltd., BTIG, The Bahl Family, Clara Chae and Julian Lau, The Donald R. Mullen Foundation, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo PC, MUFG, The Rah Family, Morgan Stanley, RBC Capital Markets, Tronex, Crowell & Moring LLP, Nieva and Fortunato Elizaga, Hunton & Williams LLP, Joo-Yung Lee and John Wells, Morrison & Foerster LLP, and Purva and Andrew Tsai. Click here to view photos of the Gala. 31st Anniversary Benefit and Phoenix Awards NYAWC celebrated over three decades of empowering women survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault at its 31st Anniversary Benefit Gala and Phoenix Awards at The Edison Ballroom on October 22, 2013. In attendance were 250 guests, who together raised close to $300,000. Nina Pineda of ABC 7 on Your Side and Richard Lui of MSNBC & NBC News co-emceed and presented the evening’s speakers: Chair of the Board of Directors, Karen Elizaga; 2013 Gala Co-chair and member of the Board of Directors, Alex Ong; 2013 Gala Co-chair, Christine Rothstein; and Executive Director, Larry Lee. Larry Lee said, “Our women, our survivors are strong. They’re resilient and they try so hard to do better for themselves and with just a little bit of help, we’ve been able to really help make major changes in their lives.” Audrey Lee, a survivor of domestic violence, experienced physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her father for as long as she could remember. “I never wanted to be in a situation where I would be abused again.” She is now a member of the advisory board, helping to stop the cycle of violence. NYAWC’s deepest gratitude goes to our generous sponsors: The Ong Family Foundation; Karen Elizaga and Jay Ptashek; Paul Hastings; Pauline Lee and Daniel J. Zubkoff; Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Jay Huang; The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc.; New York Chinese American Bankers Association; The Rotary Club of Flushing; Cathay Bank; Mizuho; Toyota; Eisai USA Foundation; WAC Lighting; Bingham; CBS Corporation; Clara Chae and Julian Lau; Ankur and Rohit Keswani; Joo-Yung Lee and John Wells; Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo PC; QBE; Royal Bank of Canada; Serengeti Asset Management; Purva and Andrew Tsai; Hunton & Williams LLP; Nieva and Fortunato Elizaga; Linda Lew Woo; and Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas). We also thank all of our attendees, silent auction donors, staff members, volunteers, and other supporters. 30th Anniversary Benefit and Phoenix Awards October 18, 2012 -- The New York Asian Women’s Center (NYAWC) celebrated three decades of empowering women and children to live free of abuse at its 30 th Anniversary Benefit Gala and Phoenix Awards. The evening was a great success, drawing over 250 attendees and raising $283,000 to provide survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault with the critical resources to help them transform their lives. “In the future, we envision Asian American and other communities rejecting violence against women and children. We see communities coming to realize that non-violence is a more desirable way of living -- less stressful, economically sounder and in everyone’s best interest,” said Larry Lee, Executive Director. “We see NYAWC as the organization that provides the highest quality counseling and helps fulfill the survivor’s basic needs in a sustainable way. NYAWC’s services are great now, but we want to make them even better…We are looking forward to the next thirty years.” NYAWC was thrilled to honor 2012 Phoenix Awardee, Justice Doris Ling Cohan, the first Asian woman elected to the New York State Supreme Court. One of NYAWC’s founding members, she was one of the first to open her own home to shelter survivors. Katty, a former NYAWC client, and domestic violence survivor, shared her story from victim to survivor in a WABC-TV special feature previewed at the dinner. She was met with a standing ovation from NYAWC’s supporters. 15 years ago, Kathy’s abusive husband threatened one of their children with a meat cleaver. The instinct to protect her child finally gave her the strength to leave her abusive home and seek help. Katty has since transitioned to volunteer, board member and staff at NYAWC. She truly represents our mission of empowering women and children to reach self-sufficiency. 29th Anniversary Benefit and Phoenix Awards On October 26, 2011, NYAWC celebrated nearly three decades of empowering women and children to live free of abuse at its 29 th Anniversary Benefit and Phoenix Awards. Over 250 attendees gathered at the Manhattan Penthouse for a cocktail reception, silent auction, and a chance to hear from two survivors. The two survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking shared their stories of the harrowing journey into abusive homes, their brave decision to seek help, and the ways in which they triumphed over the abuse. Benefit Co-Chair and NYAWC Board Member Ankur Gandhi said, “These women have come so far along in their recovery that they are ready to openly speak about their experience. But, there are still countless other abused women who need encouragement to take the first step and reach out for assistance. NYAWC goes out into the community, gives that encouragement, and provides concrete services to restore survivors’ lives.” The $116,000 raised from the Benefit and Phoenix Awards will help NYAWC continue assisting New York City’s domestic violence and human trafficking survivors to overcome the trauma of abuse and thrive. NYAWC thanks our generous sponsors: Jay Ptashek and Karen Elizaga, Goldman Sachs & Co., Estee Lauder Companies, Inc., Kirkland & Ellis LLP, CBS Television, Ankur Gandhi, WABC-TV, Julian Liau and Clara Chae, NY1 News, The Morrison and Foerster Foundation, Jason Ma and Vivian Lau, Teena Lee, Sullivan, Papain, Block, McGrath & Cannavo, PC, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC, The Woo Family Charitable Foundation, The Tiger Baron Foundation and Jay Huang. We also thank our silent auction donors, volunteers, attendees and other supporters. 28th Anniversary Benefit and Phoenix Awards 2010 On October 19, 2010, around 250 guests gathered at the Rubin Museum of Art to celebrate the 28 years of incredible work that NYAWC has done in support of victims and survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. The 28 th Anniversary Benefit and Phoenix Awards attendees sipped cocktails and nibbled samosas as they mingled and placed bids on Silent Auction items like theater tickets, designer handbags, and luxury hotel stays. Event hosts Ankur Gandhi and Stephanie Yu presented the evening’s speakers: State Senator Daniel Squadron; Executive Director Larry Lee and the Chair of the Board of Directors, Jessica Lee. Lucy Friedman, President of The After-School Corporation and Karen L. Hagberg, Partner of Morrison & Foerster LLP, were honored with the 2010 Phoenix Awards. Comedian Vijai Nathan entertained the audience with her routine about growing up as an Indian American. Kyoko Uchiki, a former NYAWC client, told her courageous and moving story about surviving abuse. “When she spoke you could hear a pin drop,” said Larry Lee. Over $80,000 was raised at the event. NYAWC thanks our generous sponsors: The Grace and Mercy Foundation; Goldman Sachs; Kirkland & Ellis with Karen Elizaga & Jay Ptashek; Barclays Capital; The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc.; UBS Investment Bank; Abigail Disney; Active International; Ankur Gandhi; Jay Huang & Elenor Mak; Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo, PC; Julian Liau & Clara Chae; The Morrison Foerster Foundation; NY1News; WABC-TV; WAC Lighting; and Linda Lew Woo. We also thank our silent auction donors, volunteers, attendees, and other supporters. To view photos of the Benefit please visit http://patricklew.com/nyawc/ Queens Community Center Benefit Dinner 2010 Twenty minutes before the start of the Queens Community Center Benefit Dinner on September 16, 2010, a tornado struck one block away from the Flushing venue, the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel. With public transportation halted and traffic at a standstill, the majority of NYAWC guests, volunteers, and entertainment still managed to get to the Benefit Dinner. NBC News Anchor DeMarco Morgan was the emcee for the night. Performances included a Chinese chorus, traditional Indian and modern dances, and actresses performing monologues based on clients' survival stories. NYAWC is grateful to all the event attendees, benefit committee, staff, volunteer benefit committee, Queens benefit coordinator and volunteers, and to our sponsors: WAC Lighting; Avon Products, Inc.; Booth Flower Shop; Cathay Bank; ML Printing and Design; Rotary Club of Flushing; Starside Drugs; SogoTrade; Stevenson Printing; and West Hempstead Rotary Club. Mei Hua Society Chinese New Year Banquet Fundraiser 2010 On February 17, 2010 NYAWC was the proud beneficiary of the Mei Hua Society’s Chinese New Year Dinner Gala at the Golden Unicorn Restaurant. One hundred and thirty guests enjoyed a ten-course traditional Chinese banquet and had the opportunity to bid at the silent auction and win raffle prizes. The guests were welcomed to the year of the tiger with a festive dragon dance. On behalf of NYAWC, Executive Director Larry Lee thanked the attendees and the Mei Hua Society. He said that the “Mei Hua Society’s concern for and assistance to domestic violence survivors and their children is very heartening. The dinner helped NYAWC raise friends, awareness and much needed funding. We are very appreciative." The New Year Dinner Gala raised over $11,000 for NYAWC. Funds generated from the gala will be used to renovate NYAWC offices in Queens and Brooklyn that offer counseling, advocacy, and other related services to domestic violence survivors. About the Mei Hua Society --- The Mei Hua Society was organized in 2006 to disseminate knowledge about China through cultural and social events and to raise funds for worthwhile projects in the local New York Asian community. The Society aims to raise the maximum amount of funds at a minimum cost to benefit local organizations. For more information about the Mei Hua Society, please contact marylinchou@juno.com. 27th Anniversary Benefit and Phoenix Awards On Thursday, October 1, 2009, NYAWC celebrated its 27 th year of service with a reception and awards ceremony at the Broad Street Ballroom in Manhattan. Over 150 people attended the 27th Anniversary Benefit & Phoenix Awards: A Time for Peace, an event that raised nearly $60,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales, a silent auction, and a raffle. Proceeds from this event will go toward NYAWC’s mission of protecting and supporting survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Andrew Prozes, CEO of LexisNexis Group, was honored with the 2009 Phoenix Award for his leadership and advocacy on behalf of victims of human trafficking. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, and performances by Board Member and Benefit Chair Ms. Audrey S. Lee, Broadway actress Hazel Anne Raymundo, and musician Chris Milletari. Liz Cho, co-anchor of WABC Eyewitness News, and David Henry Hwang, a celebrated playwright and screenwriter, served as masters of ceremonies. NYAWC extends its heartfelt thanks to the supporters of the event, especially: The Grace and Mercy Foundation; the CBS Corporation; Avon Products, Inc.; Kirkland & Ellis LLP/Jay Ptashek & Karen Elizaga; LexisNexis Group; the Estee Lauder Companies, Inc.; Active International; Audrey S. Lee; Julian Liau & Clara Chae; Linda Lew Woo; Starside Drugs; WAC Lighting; and WABC-TV. The organization also thanks its board of directors, the benefit committee, the event coordinator, and the staff members and 31 volunteers whose tireless efforts made the 27th Anniversary Benefit and Phoenix Awards a reality. Peace House Community Dinner 2009 On Thursday, August 27, 2009, NYAWC hosted a community dinner at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in Flushing, Queens to benefit Peace House, the NYAWC’s newest emergency residence. Over 150 members of the Queens community attended to support NYAWC’s work in this area. The dinner celebrated the heritage of Queen’s Asian immigrant community while also raising awareness of the cultural and language barriers facing immigrant victims of abuse. The evening featured traditional music and dance performances, and community leaders spoke about the importance of instituting protections for immigrant victims. The evening also featured a discussion on Asian poverty with My9 News reporter Ti-Hua Chang and Howard Shih from the Asian American Federation. WNBC news anchor DeMarco Morgan served as the evening’s master of ceremony. The evening concluded with a raffle and silent auction. The event raised $30,000. NYAWC is very grateful to all attendees, and gives special thanks to the dinner’s sponsors: WAC Lighting, Starside Drugs and Peter Koo, Stevenson Printing, Ber-Yuh Yang Medical Practice, Cathay Bank, the Chinese American Women’s Commerce Association, Fanimation, the Flushing Chinese American Community Association, Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., Mid-County Mechanical Inc., the Rotary Club of Flushing and President Anthony J. Civitano, and the West Hempstead Rotary Club. NYAWC also extends thanks to the benefit committee and all the volunteers who made the event possible. Summer Mixer 2009 On Thursday, June 25, 2009, NYAWC’s Summer Mixer offered the community a powerful evening of entertainment and inspiration. Over 170 people turned out for the event, hosted by Ed Bennett, the founder and former CEO of VH1, at his beautiful Bennett Media Studios. Food and drinks were generously provided by Brotherhood Winery, Bun Soho, D'Agostinos, and Whole Foods. The event featured a musical performance by singer May Ling and the launch of “Someday,” a music video created by May Ling and director Scott Gabriel. Also at the festivities were the cast and crew of the video, as well as NYAWC staff and volunteers, including NYAWC Executive Director Larry Lee and NYAWC board member and event organizer Audrey Lee. Guests of honor also delivered speeches about the importance of raising awareness about violence against women. The music video for “Someday,” was filmed, in part, at NYAWC’s Peace House shelter. The video portrays a woman checking into a shelter after she and her children endure domestic abuse. The Mixer raised $3,000 for the organization. NYAWC is grateful to all who attended the event, and to the sponsors, contributors, and volunteers who made it possible. The “Someday” video is available online. Additional photos of the event can be viewed here. Mei Hua Society Chinese New Year Banquet Fundraiser 2009 On February 4, 2009, the Mei Hua Society celebrated Chinese New Year at Chatham Square Restaurant in Chinatown, New York. This event was also a fundraiser for NYAWC’s Community Outreach and Education Program. Nearly 100 guests enjoyed a ten-course traditional Chinese banquet. The festivities also included a silent auction, boutique and raffle of great finds, many of which were Asian themed, vintage and antique. Guests were treated to a lively lion dance performance to usher in the Year of the Ox. During the dinner, Gloria Chin Besthoff, Banquet Co-Chair, introduced New York Asian Women’s Center to the crowd and encouraged Mei Hua members to support the fight against domestic violence. Larry Lee, NYAWC Executive Director, thanked the Mei Hua Society for their generous support and explained how the funds raised will help the Center bring awareness about domestic violence and human trafficking to the Asian community and the broader society. Thanks to the Mei Hua Society, the evening netted $10,000 for NYAWC! 26th Anniversary Fall Benefit Gala 2008 On November 6, 2008, NYAWC celebrated its 26th anniversary at our Fall Benefit held at the Tribeca Rooftop in Manhattan. Nearly 350 friends and supporters of NYAWC came together to celebrate the Center’s legacy of exemplary service to and advocacy for battered women. Our excellent Mistress of Ceremonies was Michelle Yu of NY1 News. Guests were treated to eloquent speeches by Donna Lee, Chair of Board of Directors; Larry Lee, Executive Director; and Shelley Wang, Board Member. Ms. Wang spoke passionately about the need to support Happy House, NYAWC’s newest shelter. In support of Happy House, she pledged to make a generous matching donation of $10,000. The gala was graced by the presence of 2008 Phoenix Award honorees: Taina Bien-Aimé, Executive Director, Equality Now; Phoebe Eng, Vice Chair, Ms. Foundation for Women; and Carol Robles-Román, Deputy Mayor for Legal Affairs & Counsel to the Mayor. Throughout the evening, guests visited the silent auction table to view and bid on the wonderful array of auction items generously donated by our supporters. NYAWC is pleased that despite a very difficult economic time, the gala raised almost $75,000 to support the Center’s programs and services for survivors of domestic violence. We thank our gala supporters and attendees for their generosity, belief in the New York Asian Women’s Center, and confidence in our abilities to empower women and children to live free of violence. We also thank our Board of Directors, Benefit Committee, Event Coordinator, staff, volunteers, and others whose organizational abilities and tireless work made the evening a success. Sponsors: Silent Auction and Goodie Bag Donors: Benefit Committee: The Living Portrait Exhibit and Panel Discussion at NYU To educate college students about domestic violence during October 20 to 31, 2008, the Living Portrait was exhibited continuously at various sites throughout the New York University campus. A collaboration between composer Woody Pak, new media artists Heather Greer and Liubo Borissov, and NYAWC, the Living Portrait brought viewers to participate in the piece by incorporating audio and visual media, which would begin to play when it detects an individual’s movements. A floor-to-ceiling screen displayed a flowing montage of portraits of domestic violence survivors and staff from NYAWC’s shelter. Meanwhile, their voices spoke of their experiences, starting with the violence suffered as a victim, the decision to move to shelter and moving on to life's new possibilities as a survivor of domestic violence. On October 28, NYAWC hosted a panel discussion on NYU campus focusing on the development of programs to engage the community in domestic violence work. Ms. Greer, a professor at New York University’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP), spoke of how rewarding this particular art project was for her. She was trying to present different stories, but she found that it came together as one story with many voices. Many of the experiences shared common elements. Ms. Greer said that it was interesting to view art not as a piece of work in itself, but as a means to bring about change and engage the individual. Along this theme, NYAWC host Julie Kim Richards, described the development of a new program at NYAWC. The Digital Art program for youth was recently launched to help youth who witnessed domestic violence learn a new, popular, and useful skill that would also help express themselves. Guest speaker Purvi Shah, the Executive Director of SAKHI, explained how its programs were designed to foster community based leadership. Finally, guest speaker, Professor Holly Maguigan, spoke about the limitations of the criminal court system and why the system can be better supplemented with alternatives that seek to empower women. The Living Portrait project was made possible thanks to funding from private donors and a grant from the Asian Women Giving Circle. Holly Screening at Quad Theater On the evening of May 1, 2008, guests packed the Quad Theater in New York City for a special screening of “Holly”, a captivating movie by Priority Films that addresses Human Sex Trafficking. The theater was filled to near capacity! The New York Asian Women’s Center sponsored the film charity event to inform the public about our Project Free services for survivors of trafficking and raise awareness on this critical issue. A portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales benefited the New York Asian Women’s Center. Thank you to our panel of speakers: Also thanks to: 25th Anniversary Fall Benefit Gala 2007 New York - The New York Asian Women's Center celebrated its landmark 25th Anniversary during its annual Fall Benefit on Tuesday, October 9th, 2007. Over 350 guests gathered for this special event at the Tribeca Rooftop in New York City to honor longtime NYAWC supporter, Abigail Disney, Founder and President of the Daphne Foundation. This year’s benefit was an opportunity for the NYAWC Board, supporters, staff and volunteers to celebrate the organization’s legacy of exemplary service and advocacy for battered women's rights while raising the critical funds needed to help even more clients in the future. Becky Lee (“Survivor: Cook Islands”), a passionate advocate of domestic violence issues, served was Mistress of Ceremonies for this special evening. We were also delighted to include entertainment from Kelly Tsai, Spoken Word Artist ( Kelly has been featured on three seasons of Russell Simmons Presents HBO Def Poetry). Abigail spoke about the history of the women's movement and the struggle for gender equality, thus placing an important context for the work of the NYAWC. She also underscored the importance of supporting the NYAWC and raising the funds required to help keep domestic violence survivors and their children safe. Abigail concluded her speech by announcing an unprecedented challenge grant, pledging to match up to $50,000 for every Gala guest's donation made through the event's special 25th-anniversary pledge cards. She asked others to join her in the effort to raise funds for the NYAWC and to help the Asian American community to continue to combat domestic violence. The event raised over $208,000 (gross), not including our magnificent silent auction, which raised over $13,000. Thanks to all who helped make this event a success, including our Board, Benefit Committee, Sponsors, Event Coordinator, Volunteers and guests! Sponsors: Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority Gift Wrapping Fundraiser at Barnes & Noble On December 28th and 29th 2006, Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority generously donated their gift-wrapping services at the Barnes and Noble on 82nd Street and Broadway in Manhattan. The tips earned from their work were donated to the New York Asian Women's Center. Thank you so much SPZ! In 1999, the sisters of Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority formally adopted their National Philanthropy, to Combat Violence Against Women. The first Asian-interest sorority to take on this cause, SYZ hopes to bring awareness of this issue to their universities and communities,as well as the community at large. Sigma sisters have built a campaign to help those affected by violence, to educate the community about the nature of this problem and to empower their sisters to make a lasting commitment to the issue of violence against women. Friends' Circle- Winter 2006 On Tuesday, December 5th, the Board of the New York Asian Women's Center hosted an evening of cocktails, appetizers and conversation. Highlights included updates on recent NYAWC accomplishments and upcoming initiatives, and the sharing of a personal experience by a survivor of domestic violence and NYAWC client. Asian American Law Students Association at Brooklyn School On November 8, 2006 at the Brazen Head bar in Brooklyn, AALSA, the biggest club at Brooklyn Law School, held a fundraiser for the New York Asian Women's Center. 100% of the proceeds were generously donated to buy books and educational materials for "OurSpace", NYAWC's vocational/educational center for clients and their children. ALTRA Magazine Pre-Launch/Halloween Party On October 27, 2006 Altra Magazine held a pre-launch/Halloween party at Vesta in Manhattan, featuring a silent auction to win a date with a VJ, with 50% of the proceeds donated to the New York Asian Women's Center. Fall Benefit Gala 2006 New York - The New York Asian Women’s Center celebrated its 24th Anniversary with a Fall Gala Benefit held on Thursday, October 12 th, 2006 at the Prince George Ballroom in Manhattan. This year’s special event honored Ms. Kyung Yoon, who stepped down from her position as Board Chair, after more than a decade of service to NYAWC. Throughout these years, Kyung has raised awareness and support in the Asian American community for the fight against domestic violence, and has been a tireless advocate for women and children’s rights to govern their own lives, free from abuse. Under her leadership, NYAWC has grown significantly in its influence and capacity, more than quadrupling its budget, staffing and shelter space. This tribute to Kyung featured her many friends and colleagues from the world of television journalism including Connie Chung as Master of Ceremonies, Juju Chang (ABC News), Cindy Hsu (WCBS-TV), and Ti-Hua Chang (WCBS-TV). The Center was also delighted to include entertainment from such prominent Asian American artists as Woody Pak (composer of the musical version of Ang Lee’s TheWedding Banquet, “The Grace Lee Project” at the Film Forum) and Julie Danao. One of the highlights of the gala was bestowing to Kyung Yoon the Phoenix Award for Service, given to the person who has significantly raised awareness about this issue and has made an impact combating violence against women. The gala was attended by over 300 professionals, each dedicated to eradicating domestic violence, and supportive of the Asian American community at large. The event raised over $115,000, not including our magnificient silent auction, which raised over $14,000. Thanks to all who helped make this event a success, including our Board, Benefit Committee, Sponsors, Volunteers and guests! Sponsors: Art Benefit and Cocktail Reception at Art Projects International On May 19, 2005, New York Asian Women's Center held an art benefit and cocktail reception at Art Projects International (API). The event featured an auction of art works by renowned artists Theresa Chong, Pouran Jinchi, In-Hyung Kim, Il Lee, Choong-Sup Lim, Nam June Paik, Gwenn Thomas, Richard Tsao, Tseng Kwong Chi, Xing Fei, and Jian-Jun Zhang. All art was generously donated to the NYAWC, with proceeds to support our services for battered women and their children. During the evening, Jung Lee Sanders, Director of Art Projects International, spoke briefly about Perspectives on Asian Contemporary Art. Thanks in part to a rousing live auction, led by NYAWC Chair, Kyung Yoon, the benefit raised more than $20,000! The event also featured a check presentation to the NYAWC from Billy Bang, President of Power Moves Inc. This donation was thanks to radio personality Miss Info. Along with former editor of Source Magazine Kim Osorio, Miss Info won the company's first signature event: Power Moves Presents ...Deal Me In 1st Annual Celebrity Spades Tournament. Miss Info selected the NYAWC as her charity of choice to receive a $10,000 donation! Thanks to all who helped make this event a success, including Art Projects International, Power Moves Inc., and all of the artists who donated their work. Thanks also to: Benefit Volunteers: Asian American Dreams On Tuesday, November 16, 2004, the New York Asian Women's Center hosted Asian American Dreams at the Vivienne Tam Boutique in SoHo. The event featured a reading and remarks by acclaimed author and activist Helen Zia. All proceeds from the event supported our dream of ending violence against women and children. Special Thanks to:
Rose House Celebration Breakfast On June 21, 2004, The New York Asian Women's Center held a breakfast at Tavern on the Green to honor those who provided ongoing support for the opening of Rose House, our newest home for battered women and their children. The event was attended by more than 100 of our supporters and raised more than $20,000 towards our 2004 Capital Campaign for Rose House and the other shelters of NYAWC. Honorees: Corporate Sponsor: Corporate Participant:
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