Philanthropy in Phocus

Like many other professionals, performing artists value support in administrative disciplines which enables them to focus on what they do best “create art and engage with audiences.

With an unwavering focus on providing artists with individualized administrative support and tools to build their infrastructure, Pentacle’s hands-on programs and services each year directly serve over 300 companies and project-based artistic entities providing employment to more than 1,500 artists and providing work to more than 750 independent contractors; 350 youth are served through its Education & Outreach programs; and more than 1,300 audience members attend its performances and showcases.

By providing artists with the support, they need to make their high-quality work, Pentacle enriches the cultural landscape through cross-sector partnerships in multiple communities across NYC and the U.S. As a not-for-profit management support organization for the performing arts, Pentacle designs and provides unique and robust programs of support for artists at critical stages in their careers.”

Tommy D will meet with Clarissa Soto Josephs – Pentacle’s Executive Director and will discuss:

• How Clarissa got involved in the arts and how she made her way to Pentacle
• Pentacle’s history and how we have remained flexible and adaptive over the last 45 years
• Clarissa’s new role as Executive Director, the first non-founding director in this position, and how she can pay tribute to Pentacle’s legacy while still bringing in a new vision for the company
• Why the arts are important, now more than ever. How Pentacle plays a role within the arts ecosystem. We’re not the artists but we help the artists run their artistic entities as a business and help them find a sustainable business model.

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Founded by Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr., who served as disability advisor to eight U.S. Presidents and became one of the world’s leading advocates, The Viscardi Center is a nonprofit organization that educates, employs, and empowers people with disabilities. It serves children, adolescents, and adults with a wide variety of disabilities, providing Pre-K through High School education (up to age 21), school-to-work youth transition services, vocational training, career counseling and employment placement, and assistive technology.

John D. Kemp, Esq. is President & CEO of The Viscardi Center. A renowned, global speaker and a person with a disability, he inspires others to achieve the impossible through knowledge, experience, vision, and persistence. He graduated from Georgetown University in 1971 and Washburn University School of Law in 1974. He has received two honorary degrees, the first a Doctorate of Law from his alma mater, Washburn, and the second a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Connecticut.

In 1995, Mr. Kemp co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities with Paul G. Hearne.

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Segment 1

Tommy introduces John D Kemp the President and CEO of The Viscardi Center. Tommy voices his appreciation due to his fascination and appreciation for all John has done. John shares his story and all his influences. John tells about his disability and how he has grown and lived through it. John shares the impact his father had had on his life and how he taught him resilience. Tommy talks about how important goals are to growth in individuals. 

Segment 2

Tommy dives deeper into The Viscardi Center and it’s message behind the facility. John talks about his education and how although his disability gave him different obstacles he did not let them slow him down. John recognized the difference in his culture growing up where some were not as lucky as he was. Both Tommy and John voice the importance of service and how it adds to a person. Tommy talks about the evolution of service and inclusion from different organizations and individuals. 

Segment 3

 John tell about his disability and what others go through having disabilities. John goes into public policy and how different groups of people that are not with social norms are seen as different and as lower. John tells about his prosthetics and how he has to think three jumps ahead when doing many tasks. John speaks about how his father has been his ultimate supporter and has continued to encourage him to achieve whatever he wants despite his disability. 

Segment 4

John tells about how he has even spoke to congress appealing to certain disability related issues. He continues to point out how The Viscardi Center provides community and health services for individuals with disabilities. The goal is for all students with disabilities to graduate and create a plan for after school. Tommy and John talk about the future of the The Viscardi Center and how it will grow and help others.

Project Reclaim is a leadership training program for youth who may not be ordinarily selected for leadership training. Their focus is to provide the involved youth with the requisite skills to become successful, contributing members of society by helping them to be positive young leaders in their homes, schools and their community.

Ron Anderson is the Executive Director of Project Reclaim of Minden, Inc. which provides:

• Juvenile delinquency prevention programs for youth
• Parental involvement activities and parenting training

His public service awards include:

• The National Conference of Community and Justice “Brotherhood/Sisterhood Humanitarian” Award
• Blue Cross/Blue Shield “Angel” Award Finalist
• First recipient of the Volunteers for Youth Justice “Ron Anderson Champion for Youth” Award
• Louisiana Association of Educators “Human and Civil Rights Trailblazer” Award
• Shreveport, Louisiana Bar Association “Liberty Bell” Award
• Twice named “One of the 10 Most Outstanding Leaders of the Community” by The Shreveport Times

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Segment 1

This week on Philanthropy in Phocus Tommy DiMisa welcomes Ron Anderson, Executive Director of Project Reclaim of Minden. Tommy starts the show by reminding his listeners the importance of the ripple effect and the long lasting effects it can have on individuals. Tommy shares Rons list of awards and achievements that he has gained throughout his nonprofit work. Ron tells his history and how that impacted his decisions to take part in his nonprofit organization. Ron talks about how important foundation is and how it was a major role in his life, he specifies how his foundation made him realize he had a choice to do better. Tommy mentions how leaders and educators are critical to kids' upbringing. Ron notes that children are able to notice genuine individuals and those are the people who will have the most impact. 

Segment 2

Tommy discusses different programs that Project Reclaim offers and their mission. Ron gives more of his history, how he struggled in school with violence and how he had to make the decision to reach out to someone. Ron talks about how he was an angry kid not a bad kid. It was the situation surrounding him that provided an unhealthy outlet. Realizing his rage helped him change his path, he now shares to educators and leaders the tactics that helped him turn his life around. Ron talks about how service work called him and drew him in to share his knowledge. 

Segment 3

Tommy recites the Project Reclaims mission from their website to remind listeners of Ron's mission. Ron tells of different programs he went through and worked for before identifying with Project Reclaim. Ron then tells the beginning of his work with Project Reclaim. He tells of the planting of branches and his work with the kids. Ron tells how he saw that all students should be given the opportunity to receive leadership training. 

Segment 4

Ron shares about Project Reclaims programs and leadership training. There is an emphasis on leadership training as some leaders are bad leaders so through the program there are different trainings that can make more effective leaders. There are other programs that range from educational training to parental meetings to reach most of the community. For the community to support their youth gives them better opportunities.

In 2014, the clinics of three Long Island Human Services agencies: Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI), Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE), and United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Suffolk Inc. (UCP), formed Long Island Select Healthcare, Inc. (LISH). Our first day of operations providing low income medical services in Long Island, NY and the surrounding area as Long Island Select Healthcare, Inc. was on August 22, 2016.

Long Island Select Healthcare provides services to all of those who are in need of medical services, regardless of their ability to pay or if they need uninsured primary care services in Long Island, NY. The uninsured are charged for services on a board-approved program for sliding scale health services in Long Island, NY and Suffolk County, NY, which is based on a patient’s family income and size and we are also financed through a mix of Medicaid and Medicare. A large portion of our 6,000 patients served include Intellectual/Developmentally Disabled (ID/D) individuals, we provide primary, behavioral health, dental, specialty services and OT/PT/speech therapy within our organization. We are a Patient Centered Medical Home that places focus not only on what our patients’ medical needs are but focus on the whole patient experience, seeking what barriers our patients may face that may negatively impact their outcomes. Through screenings such as PRAPARE, we will work with patients and assist with any linkage to resources that they may need to support their overall well-being.

Dr. James R. Powell, Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer for LISH. Dr. Powell is a board-certified Internist as well as the Medical Director for both DDI and UCP of Suffolk.. He is currently on staff at Mather Memorial Hospital, St. Charles Hospital, and Peconic Bay Medical Center.

A former board member of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, Dr. Powell has presented lectures nationwide in which he has championed the healthcare needs of the underserved. Thanks to LISH’s experience with a pre-COVID-19 telehealth program he has been quoted in journals and lectured on topics regarding virtual care and the need for long term sustainability.

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Show Notes

Segment 1

Tommy introduces James R. Powell Jr. Chief Executive Officer for LISH. Tommy gives Powell’s background and James shares how he was lead to the non-profit profession. He tells how he thought he knew about patience but he realized that he had so much to learn. He shares his passion to take care of others and share his knowledge and learning experience through his work. Powell tells how his passion to help others led him to go from private practice to non-profit organizations. Tommy connects that Powell’s passion may come from the feeling of helping others who need it most. 

Segment 2

Tommy gives the background for LISH and all the organizations it is connected to. James tells how LISH came to be. He tells about the three health centers that were in need and how they came up with a separate entity that could serve all three companies. James talks about how important the board was in creating this new organization. He talks about how the changing of dynamics and different cultures played into forming a unified organization. James talks about being conscious about where their care comes from and the quality of care the patients get. James further explains how they do not stop showing concerns for their patients as he explains how they prioritize after-care. 

Segment 3

James explains how they collaborate with bigger health care providers. James explains partners and how they set up programs to keep connected to services outside their own organization. Tommy explains how reaching out helps organizations keep connections with other organizations for support. James tells about an in-person event to celebrate five years of growth, to showcase the partners efforts in making a difference in the nonprofit community. The nonprofit organizations deal with budget strain and James explains his goals in aiding that process towards growth for the organizations to make the process easier. Tommy talks about the change and ingenuity that James and his organization have come up with over the years and how the changes they have made have helped so many. 

Segment 4

Tommy asks how James reaches out to other companies to receive support and partnership. Tommy reaches out to see different ways to connect with other organizations to network and share support. James shares he wants his organization to gather more donors and solidify their partnerships. James shares contacts for organizations and individuals who need care or want to be a part of James' nonprofit organization. James shares the partnerships the company has now and how that supports and expands the outreach his organization reaches.

Project Refit is a non-profit organization, focus and committed to combat isolation and change the negative connotation around mental health.

PR efforts are for military members (past/present) and first-responder along with their families. They have created a new strategy of the hybrid model, combine technology and in-person support to meet the modern military member and family where they are both online and off. They are confident that combating isolation will reduce suicide rates.

James Corbett, Co-Founder of Project Refit, will be meeting with Tommy in the attic.

Tune in for this sensible conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Tommy uses his skill as the non profit sector connector to introduce James Corbett the Co-Founder of Project Refit. James has helped other nonprofits get off the ground with the combination of his education and his passion to help others. James is drawn to nonprofit work because it provides hope, he has taken on himself to make sure he leads with a voice filled with hope. James describes Project Refit as a wake up call for those who need help. The non-profit is reaching to change the stigma around communication between the men that serve our country. James talks about Dan and Chris the other two founders of Project Refit and how they formed the non-profit.

The word Refit comes from the refitting of vehicles so they can be ready for another mission. Project Refit uses this refitting technique for life situations for the people who served. James tells his connections to Chris and Dan and how they formed Project Refit and really set in stone their plan to reach out to others. Tommy and James talk out about how these men come back broken and hurt but will not ask for help yet there is not a community for them to confide in for support.

Tommy and James talk about the process of how the men can reach help. James talks about the different programs that they provide to give the individuals a means of community. James told how the program even raises money for certain members that need financial help to alleviate some stress and pain. James introduces their app which helps the serving men and women keep in touch with each other.

James talks about the need for monthly donors and their program 1776. The program fuels the ability for Project Refit team members to show up and help others in need. James explains their plan to expand and how their different chapters will work locally and over zoom. If you need to reach out to James and his team go to ProjectRefit.Us

Finding Your Pajamas began when I made it my mission to get children across New York City a pair of pajamas. From there we expanded across the country! Before I began volunteering to read bedtime stories at shelters, I had no idea that tens of thousands of children were going to bed every night without pajamas. Once I knew, my heart seemed to know what to do.

Genevieve Piturro was a TV executive in NYC for 20 years when a little girl’s question changed the course of her life - and she jumped off the corporate ladder. She began delivering pajamas and books to children in shelters and in 2001 founded Pajama Program, a national non-profit which is recognized for both its success - to date having delivered 7 million new pajamas and new books to children through its 63 chapters across the US - and Genevieve’s story.

Tune in for this sensible conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

This week Tommy introduces Genevieve Piturro, founder of Pajama Program. Tommy gives some insight to Genevieve’s working past in television. While working in the entertainment business, she felt inside that she heard “Is this what you want to do for the next 30 years of your life.” Genevieve explains she was reading to a children's shelter when a little girl's question changed what she wanted to do with her life, she decided she wanted to help others by providing pajamas to them.

The two talk about the impact of one idea, and how Genevieve turned one idea into 7 million pajamas. Genevieve tells how she was inspired by the children and became obsessed with helping them, then began to plan and organize her non-profit. She recalls being a workaholic and waiting to leave to get pajamas, she explains the feeling like juggling her time. Genevieve explains how she realized that she could make her purpose her job.

Genevieve talks about her journey to get to where she is today. She explains that in her corporate setting there was not much purpose or inspiration, but now she feels that it has changed. Tommy talks about getting involved in things you are passionate about, that could be things separate from work or in your work. Genevieve also admits that she did not know what she was doing in the beginning but learned as time went on.

Genevieve explains what Pajama Program does for children and how the non-profit works. She further explains that they focus on bedtime and how important it is for children to have comfort and stability. Tommy and Genevieve talk about networking and other non-profit organizations leaders they know and share stories with, and how they are all so passionate about the work they do.

Career Day Inc.™ organizes a program that aims to change the lives of young adults by introducing high school students to the paths others have taken to reach their career goals. By working in partnership with a variety of professionals and school staff, Career Day Inc.’s program creates an atmosphere of acceptance and opportunity for all students at every academic level.

Beth Bucheister (Executive Director/Board Chair) is the founder and Executive Director of Career Day Inc., a not-for-profit organization created to inspire young adults to reach high and believe that with endurance and positive self-esteem they can achieve their goals. Beth is a Certified Professional Coach who has been advocating for those in need all her adult life. Her ability to identify, prioritize and plan a positive course of action is a strength she uses as a Life Coach. Her late husband, Arie, is the inspiration for the scholarship awarded to students who are inspired by Career Day.

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Tommy introduces Beth Bucheister founder and Executive Director of Career Day Inc. Going from protesting the vietnam war to being a life coach, Beth highlights her passion for reaching out to others almost her whole life. She credits her awareness to her mentors throughout her life. The two elaborate on how doing what you love is important and should be taken more seriously when considering an individual's career.

Beth explains how certain students take opportunities to meet with professionals that last their whole career. Students that take the time to understand the opportunities that will further them in the future are the students who take advantage of scholarships and networking. Tommy brings up the ripple effect that he mentioned last week and applies it to changing the trajectory of life. Beth talks about how she has seen the ripple effect in her work with different students.

Beth talks about Career Day Inc. and their achievements they have had this past year. Beth talks about how her non profit organization had to go virtual and the success that it had with the students. Beth and her team came up with sending the students to learn about jobs they may not have thought about before. Tommy admires how Beth had integrated flexibility into Career Day Inc with all that is going on in the world today.

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Career Day Inc tells students about not only careers but about perseverance and learning to adapt to change. Beth tells her desire to get into more schools, expanding into New York City and to spread career awareness world wide. She tells her goals for Career Day Inc. of reaching more schools, more professionals, and more volunteers. Tommy wraps up the show by offering a hand to Beth for volunteering for any position she needs for Career Day Inc.

One Sandwich at a Time is a nonprofit organization with a mission to combat hunger and homelessness through volunteerism, kindness, compassion, and our two hands! It is the simple action of making a sandwich that creates a ripple effect of change.

Erin Dinan is from Chicago and went to college at Auburn University and graduate school at Harvard University. She moved to NYC to pursue photography and one night, while going through a personal struggle, said a prayer for guidance, to make a change in this world that can help those in need.

Shortly after, while running through Grand Central Station to catch the last train, she shared her sandwich with a man who was hungry. This eventually led to One Sandwich at a Time!

Dinan lives in NYC and loves art, travel (have been to over 30 countries!), family/friends, and humanity. They are her greatest passions!

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Tommy DiMisa introduces Erin Dinan, Founding Executive Director of One Sandwich at a Time. Tommy goes through the creation and origin of One Sandwich at a Time and how it creates a ripple effect with its mission of fighting hunger and homelessness. Erin tells what inspired her to make a change in the world. The two dive deep into how humanity plays into how we treat each other. 

Erin gives detail about the connections that she has made through the community of volunteers, companies, schools, and organizations she works with. She even admits that she did not plan on One Sandwich at a Time becoming a nonprofit organization. One Sandwich at a Time has provided over half a million meals to those in need. Tommy and Erin talk about collaboration and partnerships with other nonprofit organizations and how important they are.

Erin talks about the impact of school events and how students learn that they can create a difference no matter how old you are. Erin tells multiple stories about how One Sandwich at a Time has reached so many different groups of people who face hunger and how the ripple effect of the organization has changed so many lives. Not only has One Sandwich at a time supplied food for the homeless and hungry, but it also provides hope and inspires others.

With the corona virus being a large obstacle for much of the world, Erin and her organization had to figure out how to help with food insecurity. Erin created a challenge to reach out to more families and individuals to make 100 sandwiches, they have reached around 20,000 sandwiches just from reaching out in times of need. Tommy voices his interest about getting involved and encourages others to truly get connected with One Sandwich at a Time. Erin shares that they strive for One Sandwich at a Time to grow and she encourages others to get involved and volunteer because it takes two hands to create one world.

NRH is a trade association whose mission is to serve, be a resource to, educate, and connect its members to the nonprofit community.

At the same time, NRH serves the nonprofit sector as a bridge connecting nonprofit organizations to each other and to helpful resources.

Danette O’Connell, the Co-Founder and President of the Nonprofit Resource Hub and the CEO of Triumph International. Her passion is helping both national and international NONPROFITS by providing expertise in growth, sustainability, strategic planning, operations, technology, and financial management.

She had been assisting organizations for over 20 years with her entrepreneurial spirit.

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Overlooked, underfunded, and underrecognized Tommy brings to light that nonprofit organizations are run by strong passionate individuals that want to help others. Danette and Tommy know each other as both took part in the creation of the Nonprofit Resource Hub. Tommy projects Danettes passion as he introduces her and all she has done in her 20 years of experience. Danettes passion to serve and to give back is what drives her to continue to reach out and not only educate, but connect with communities domestically and internationally.

Seeing that Danette is a Co-Founder and the President of the Nonprofit Resource Hub she has to go though a process of project management. Danette shares what she goes through when meeting with a client and observing what can be done to grow their business. Tommy and Danette go through opportunities that can be uncovered from project management for Nonprofits. She not only takes into consideration what will benefit the nonprofit as a whole but the individuals that are working as well.

Danette has had satisfied businesses in Malawi, Uganda, the United Kingdom, China, and more. Danettes experiences had led her to the creation of the Nonprofit Resource Hub. After countless nonprofits turning to her for resources and help she and the other founders brought the Nonprofit Resource Hub to life. It is a free resource that can connect the nonprofit community to resources that they need to thrive. For more information nonprofits can get in touch with the hub and become partners.

Tommy and Danette talk about hub offers to its members. Danette goes into detail about what connections can be made and the different opportunities the Hub provides to nonprofit organizations. One of the main functions of the Hub is to connect communities and reach out to others. If you need to reach out head to the Nonprofit Resource Hub or connect with Danette at [email protected]

At Solace House, their services include free, easily accessible counseling and support for individuals who are experiencing suicidal distress, have made a suicide attempt, engage in self-harm and/or have been bereaved by suicide.

They also offer Family Support for our clients' loved ones, group bereavement counseling and community awareness workshops. All of the programs we provide are completely free of charge, confidential and conducted by highly qualified Licensed Clinical Social Workers.

Danielle came to Solace House in 2017 after working on the Communications and Development team at the Center Against Domestic Violence (CADV), a non-profit providing shelter for survivors of domestic violence. Danielle’s role at CADV supported the organization’s fundraising/development, events, marketing, communications and outreach efforts. While at CADV, she participated on Cities for CEDAW, New York City Steering Committee. Along with representatives from multiple New York City organizations, she advocated for a local women's bill of rights ordinance based on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Connector.

Join us with our special guests, Danielle Gallagher & Elizabeth McInnes.

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The first segment starts with Tommy introducing the show and today's guests, Danielle Gallagher and Elizabeth Mclnnes. Tommy then sets up the conversation with some background on Danielle, Elizabeth, and Solace House. After Tommy gives some setting background, Danielle gives more specific background on her career. Elizabeth then follows Danielle in giving more specific detail on her background. Solace House began in Ireland and came to New York when a few members came to New York to perform the walking out of darkness into light events. Members walk the streets as the sun is rising and in this event they found that the need for their services were needed in America. Solace House then began their international venture to help more people in America and hopefully one day globally.

The second segment starts with the show coming up from break. Tommy then asks Danielle and Elizabeth to give more detail on their transition to New York. The first location opened in 2017, located in Yonkers. Danielle then urges the audience to take advantage of the program because it is an absolutely free service. Danielle and Elizabeth then give some detail on the exact process of getting started with Solace House as a client and getting the help you're seeking out.

The third segment starts with the show coming back from break and Elizabeth then speaks directly to the LGBTQ+ needs regarding mental health. Elizabeth explains that a lot of the times sexual orientation or gender identity are often not tracked when trying to find the reason for suicidal tendencies. This leads to the statistics being skewed and not accurate. Tommy then switches the conversation to what the Solace House needs to grow. Danielle explains that geographical expansion is their main priority. Putting a headquarters in every state and major city. Next, Danielle says funding and collaborations is the next step in growing the organization.

The final segment opens up with Tommy bringing the conversation to the walk out of darkness event. Danielle explains it is about breaking through the stigma of mental health in our country. Starting in the darkness represents the alone feeling most people may feel when first signing up for the service, but eventually bringing themselves to light. The show closes out with Elizabeth giving some insight on how we can see the signs of degrading mental health in our loved ones.