Monday, December 5, 2011

NeighborWorks Northeast Region Honors Two Visionary Leaders for Their Impact on Communities

More than 250 guests joined CEO Eileen Fitzgerald and Northeast Regional Director Deborah Boatright at the sixth annual NeighborWorks America Northeast Region Reception to honor two visionary leaders in Community Development: Marc Jahr, President, of the NYC Housing Development Corporation and George “Mac” McCarthy, Director, Metropolitan Opportunity Unit of the Ford Foundation.

L-R: Peter Meyer, president, New York Market, TD Bank; Eileen Fitzgerald; Marc Jahr; George McCarthy; Deborah Boatright; Dennis Lagueux, SVP, Community Development, TD Bank

Both men are widely admired for their integrity, intelligence and impact on communities. Marc Jahr has helped to create over 100,000 units of affordable housing in New York City over the course of his career, and is an icon in the field. George McCarthy has been an invaluable partner to NeighborWorks for over a decade, in our Homeownership Campaign, Success Measures initiative, community stabilization work and support for Manufactured housing and resident-owned communities.

The sixth annual reception, sponsored by TD Bank and held at the Westin New York at Times Square, was the first under the new regional model. The Northeast Region spans 11 states from Maine to Maryland, as well as Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. “Our regional configuration allows us to have a broader conversation with our partners and funders, as we now mirror many of their footprints. And we have a new depth of experience to bring to the table with our state and local government partners as well,” noted Boatright.

“The incredible turnout for today’s event is a testimony to the value of our network, and the work of the Northeast Region,” noted Fitzgerald. TD Bank will also be the sponsor of a spring reception planned for Boston.

The reception’s theme, “A Community United” was evoked by both honorees in their remarks to characterize not only the cross-section of people in the audience, but the strength of their partnerships and collaborations to improve opportunities for a better life in communities throughout the area.

More photos can be seen on NeighborWorks’ Flickr site.