Family Justice
7th Annual Benefit Celebration
Apr. 22, 2004
Webster Hall, NYC
 Once again, Carol Shapiro, Founder and President of Family Justice / La Bodega de la Familia, did it again, honoring Robert Derector Associates Partner J. Vincent Byrne, P.E., New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission Executive Director Howard Beyer, and Unitas Counselor Eduardo Hormaza for their great accomplishments in the restoration of lives that were once ruined by drugs.
This was a fabulous event, celebrated Family Justice’s eight year, and reminisces its tremendous growth and accomplishments, from its humble beginnings on the Lower East Side, where it consisted of a mere storefront, to its newly renovated headquarters, out of which it operates on a national scale. Being grateful for the generous donations made by its supporters, Family Justice continues its quest to incorporate methods focused on the helping families and individuals who have become entangled in the criminal justice system. Their goal, as always, is to tap into an existing strengths of these individuals and families throughout the recovery process. Family Justice is currently working with the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission (who’s Executive Director, Howard Beyer, was honored that evening), as well as the Chicago Housing Authority, the American Probation and Parole Association, and the U.S. Criminal Court System. Family Justice was named the winner of 2003 Innovations in American Government Award by the Institute for Government Innovation at Harvard University’s John F. Kennidy School of Government. This prestigious award was given to Family Justice for its family-focused prisoner reentry work at La Bodega.
The event started with a video entitled “Outside the Walls”, which was profile of the Family Justice organization that was given by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Urban Institute, and Council of State Governments. Everyone was then welcomed to the celebration by Carol Shapiro, the founder and President of of Family Justice, who thanked everyone for joining and for their support. After Ms. Shapiro’s introduction was a great performance by the Amstad Cultural Alliance and Def Jam Poetry member Mayda Del Valle, which had the crowd applauding.
After the performance by Amstad Cultural Alliance came presentations to each of the honorees, beginning with J. Vincent Byrne, P.E., a partner at Robert Derector Associates. The award was presented by Ms. Shapiro’s husband, Bruce Cohen, Principal of Advocate Cosulting Group. The presentation, which Mr. Byrne accepted on behalf of Robert Director, was in acknowledgement of Robert Derector’s outstanding leadership in management and engineering of Family Justice’s headquarters, storefront and satellite office.
The next award was presented to Mr. Howard Beyer, the executive Director of New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission Executive Director Howard Beyer by Family Justice Executive Director, Carol Shapiro. Mr. Beyer received the award on behalf of the NJJJC’s for their continued commitment to children and families involved with the criminal justice system throughout New Jersey.
The final award was presented to Eduardo Hormaza, Couselor, who accepted the award on behalf of Unitas (St. Mark’s Place Institute for Mental Health), by Tina Santiago, Family Case Manager for La Bodega de la Familia, in acknowledgement for their outpatient program which supports individuals and families coping with mental health and substance abuse issues.
There was also a raffle with lots of great prizes, which featured a grand fifty-fifty prize, in which the winner would receive 50% of the total ticket sale. I thought it was very touching when the winner say “Thank you”, and then turned the prize money back over to Mr. Cohen as a donation to Family Justice to continue their great work.
Ms. Carol Shapiro’s innovativeness, particularly in the area of criminal justice, has earned her a vast public awareness. She is originally from the Vera Institute of Justice. It was there that La Bodega de la Familia was born. Her extraordinary talents in doing research have gained her international recognition. Among the many roles Ms. Shapiro had taken on is that of consultant to Her Majesty’s Home Office in London. As Assistant Commissioner for the New York City Department of Correction, she has also effectively managed different correctional policies and operations for the largest correctional system in the entire U.S. Her responsibilities include, among others, providing technical assistance and consulting services in the areas of policy planning and the initiation of reform on drug policy for the Federal, State and Local Governments.
This was indeed an electric event, with lots of dancing, music, and festivities, celebrating Family Justice’s eight-year history. We at Liberty News would like to thank Ms. Carol Shapiro for inviting us to attend this great event, without who it would have not have been possible. Anyone interested in learning more about the Family Justice program may visit their website, at http://www.familyjusticeinc.org.
Abbey H. Muneer is the Executive Director of H.A.D. Organization of New York City, Inc., a world-famous athlete, author and, above all, a humanitarian. Abbey will write articles about charity events, benefits, fundraisers and galas which are raising money for humantiarian causes. If you are interested in having Abbey and one his staff members cover one of your charity events, benefits, fundraisers or galas, feel free to notify us one week in advance, at LNEvents@hadofnyc.org, or telephone us at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. and ask to speak to Abbey or Maria. If you would like more information, or would like to have Liberty News Online Magazine consult your next charitable event, please feel free to visit our website, at http://www.hadofnyc.org/store/success.html, email us at humanitarians@hadofnyc.org, or telephone our hotline, at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. (U.S.A.) |
