2017 Annual Report Let Mercy Be Our Boast and Shame Our Only Fear
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2017 ANNUAL REPORT LET MERCY BE OUR BOAST AND SHAME OUR ONLY FEAR. B CONTENTS 2016 in 2 Numbers 20 Honorees President’s Financial 3 Message 21 Summary Our 2016 4 Mission 22 Donors Beneficiary Bishop Benjamin 6 Program 24 Moore Circle Scholarship Community 8 Program 25 Fundraising Emergency Our 11 Relief 26 Members 2016 Membership 12 Events 31 Perks 2016 Our 16 English Ball 33 Leadership 2016 18 British Bash 1 2016 IN NUMBERS $1,017,616 RAISED AT THE ENGLISH BALL $18,062 RAISED THROUGH COMMUNITY $55,067 FUNDRAISING RAISED AT THE BRITISH BASH 2,881 GUESTS GREETED 41 EMERGENCY GRANTS 158 NEW MEMBERS 118 BENEFICIARIES SERVED 25 83 SCHOLARSHIPS EXCLUSIVE AWARDED MEMBERSHIP PERKS 238 SOCIAL WORK VISITS 2 A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT At the Society’s Annual General Meeting in January, I remarked on how small acts of kindness can have a huge impact on people’s lives. It is this idea that I believe has driven the Society for nearly 250 years. From a bag of coal during winter in the 18th century to an air conditioner amidst a heat wave in 2016, we have provided care and comfort when it is needed most. Whilst our assistance has evolved over time, our purpose has remained the same: we are people helping people. In 2016, the Society contributed over $900,000 to our charitable programs aiding the elderly, enabling students to complete their degrees and helping people in crisis. Your support had a direct effect on people—lifting them from despair, calming fears and giving them hope. You will see some of these touching stories in this report. We hosted a variety of events and activities throughout the year, and together our community raised over $1,000,000, a record for the Society. Looking back, I’m pleased with how far we have come, but as I look forward I am even more optimistic. This fall, the Society will implement a rebrand with a new visual identity that will propel us into the next 250 years. None of this would have been possible without the support of our members, supporters, partners, sponsors and staff, and I would like to thank all of you for your generosity, your time and your commitment to our wonderful Society. With your help, St. George’s Society will continue to flourish and impact our New York community for many years to come. Philip Warner OBE 3 MAINTAINING OUR MISSION DURING OUR 247-YEAR HISTORY, ST. GEORGE’S SOCIETY’S ASSISTANCE HAS TAKEN A VARIETY OF FORMS— FROM AIDING BRITISH WAR BRIDES TO ACTING AS AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY DURING THE DEPRESSION ERA. AS TIMES CHANGE, THE SOCIETY CONTINUES TO ADAPT ITS CHARITABLE GIVING AS NEEDS SHIFT. TODAY THE SOCIETY PROVIDES VITAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH TWO CORE AREAS: OUR BENEFICIARY PROGRAM AND OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. IN ADDITION TO THESE PROGRAMS, WE ALSO RESPOND TO APPEALS FOR SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. 4 MAINTAINING OUR MISSION “After nearly 250 years, St. George’s Society continues to stay true to its mission serving a valuable need in the community and, as the Society’s Patron, I am pleased to play a part in its growth and success.” — HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO 5 A HELPING HAND IN 2016, ST. GEORGE’S SOCIETY HELPED ELDERLY, SICK AND DISABLED PEOPLE IN NEED WITH BASIC NECESSITIES SUCH AS RENT, HOME CARE EXPENSES, UTILITY PAYMENTS AND MEDICATION AS WELL AS MUCH NEEDED COUNSELING AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FROM OUR SOCIAL WORKERS. Many of our beneficiaries’ incomes are insufficient to cover the rising cost of living, thus have been faced with the terrifying prospect of losing their homes. With the number of homeless elderly in America expected to grow to nearly 100,000 by 2050, one of our primary goals is ensure that our beneficiaries are afforded the safety and dignity to live out their lives in their own homes. ROSEMARY’S STORY When Rosemary, a 72-year-old British woman, was referred to St. George’s Society, she was sleeping on an air mattress in her daughter’s apartment in Queens. For years she managed by renting rooms in private homes, but the rising cost of housing forced Rosemary to move in with her daughter. In spite of her family’s support, she knew that “[her] presence had an expiration date.” The Society secured her an apartment in an affordable senior housing program in Manhattan, and now pay a portion of her rent every month. 6 OUR BENEFICIARIES WE CURRENTLY SERVE 118 BENEFICIARIES THE AVERAGE STIPEND IS $425 THE AVERAGE AGE OF A BENEFICIARY IS 72 OF OUR 6 4% BENEFICIARIES ARE WOMEN “Thank you St. George’s Society for helping me to have a room of one’s OUR BENEFICIARIES own. This has saved REPRESENT 12 my life.” BRITISH AND COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES. OUR BENEFICIARIES RESIDE IN ALL 5 NEW YORK CITY BOROUGHS AS WELL AS UPSTATE NEW YORK, LONG ISLAND AND NEW JERSEY. IN MEMORIAM We are sad to report the passing of the following beneficiaries in 2016: James McLeod Kathryn Tucker Audly Harris Thelwell Mary Pyper Olga Prescott Korasha Rahaim Jeanne Summers 7 Since the Scholarship Program began in 2008, St. George’s Society has awarded 250 scholarships totaling over $720,000, and in 2013 became Lehman College’s largest benefactor. INVESTING IN THE FUTURE THANKS TO FUNDS RAISED AT THE 2016 ENGLISH BALL, THE SOCIETY AWARDED 25 SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $100,000 TO FINAL-YEAR STUDENTS AT LEHMAN COLLEGE. Our 2016 scholars come from the United Kingdom and a number of Commonwealth countries including Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Nigeria and Pakistan with majors spanning a variety of subjects such as Biology, Mathematics, Nursing, Accounting and Psychology. 8 SANA’S STORY From Quetta, Pakistan, Sana’s family sought asylum in the U.S. in 2013 after a deadly suicide bomb attack ravaged her community two years prior. Although acclimating to her new life presented a multitude of challenges, she felt empowered by the opportunity to continue her education. In the spring of 2014, Sana enrolled at Lehman College to pursue a degree in biochemistry. Sana commuted four hours every day to attend classes and worked full-time to cover the cost of tuition, books and transportation causing both a physical and emotional strain. Her scholarship from St. George’s Society lifted her financial burden and allowed Sana to refocus her efforts on completing her degree and achieving her dream of being a cardiac surgeon. INVESTING “Since [receiving my scholarship], I am proud to share that I have co-authored three scientific papers IN THE FUTURE and participated in a study abroad program to Australia, all while maintaining a 3.96 GPA. None of this would have been possible without the St. George’s Society Scholarship Program. In entering my senior year, I thank St. George’s Society and their supporters for believing in me and providing me with the stepping-stone to becoming a cardiac surgeon. I know I speak for all of [the scholars] when I express my most sincere gratitude and tell you that this program has changed our lives.” 9 President José Luis Cruz, the faculty, students, and staff of Lehman College would like to thank ST. GEORGE’S SOCIETY OF NEW YORK For its generosity and support over the years. Since 2008, the St. George’s Society has provided scholarships for 250 students of British or Commonwealth origin, helping them complete their college careers. Laura Devine Attorneys Laura Devine Solicitors 295 Madison Avenue 100 Cannon Street 44th floor 6th floor New York, NY 10017 London EC4N 6EU t: +1 212 661 5401 t: +44 (0) 20 7469 6460 [email protected] www.lauradevine.com 10 IN CRISIS, IN NEED WITH YOUR SUPPORT, ST. GEORGE’S SOCIETY IS ABLE TO PROVIDE LIFE-CHANGING ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE IN DESPERATE NEED. OUR EMERGENCY GRANTS ARE OFTEN ALLOCATED TO THOSE FACING SERIOUS MEDICAL CRISES. EWAN’S STORY Born in a suburb of Edinburgh, 38-year-old Ewan moved to the United States after completing university. He was working as a server and bartender in high-end restaurants in New York when he was diagnosed with lymphoma. After two bouts of chemotherapy were deemed unsuccessful, his only recourse was to undergo a bone marrow transplant. Now in recovery, Ewan remains unable to work, and despite the ongoing support of a compassionate landlord, his disability income only covers part of his living expenses. In partnership with our friends at St. Andrew’s Society, we now pay a portion of Ewan’s rent every month ensuring him a safe space to continue his recovery. “[Ewan] is one of the kindest, hardest-working and most optimistic people I have ever had the fortune to know. I am so incredibly grateful and happy that [St. George’s has] afforded him the ability to remain in his home and recover as comfortably as possible.” — Marisa, Landlord and longtime friend 11 2016 EVENTS 2016 KICK-OFF RECEPTION General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen • 20 January Ceasar N. Anquillare JP Patrick Carr & Marc Walby & Matt Broom & Danny Lopez Robert J.K. Titley GEORGE PANCAKE DAY The Churchill • 9 February Emma Wegoda, Rachel Finnegan, Andrew Lawto, Stephanie Rothman, Charles Arrowsmith GREAT BRITISH PUB QUIZ The Churchill • Quarterly Andrew Warren, Ellada Arakelova, Quizmaster 12 Tori Hanson, Jon Nicholson-Florence Charles Arrowsmith THE GREAT BRITISH SCAVENGER HUNT 2016 EVENTS New York City • 4 June The Rosenberg Family SGS Volunteers at Strawberry Fields BRITISH SOCIETIES’ GARDEN PARTY Union Theological Seminary • 13 July Mary Lamasney & Jean E. Savage Michael A. Boyd & Antonia Romeo Carol Stewart & Vicki Downey Isabel Carden MBE, Laura Lenis, Richard Sexton MBE GEORGE SUMMER COCKTAILS The Madhatter • 21 July Richard Sexton MBE & Vicky Schade Clifford Franklin, John Wiltshire, Minto Bose 13 NEW MEMBER MEET & GREET St.