Current Events
THE FORTUNE SOCIETY RAISES $150,000 AT THE ANNUAL
AWARDS
AND BENEFIT GALA!
Tony Award winning actress Christine Ebersole, David Rothenberg, Founder of Fortune Society and JoAnne Page, CEO and President of Fortune Society. (Photos courtesy of Black Tie Magazine)
On Monday, November 16th, more than 200 members of New York City’s philanthropic, political, theatrical, activist and human services community joined together to raise approximately $150,000 to support The Fortune Society’s innovative, replicable, and nationally-recognized programming. The event was one of the organization’s highest grossing events ever held, and it comes at a crucial and challenging time. We find ourselves facing a growing need to support those who are struggling to transform their lives for the better, particularly in the context of both the recession and Rockefeller Drug Law reform, which has resulted in increased numbers of formerly incarcerated individuals getting released into their communities.
The event, held at the Laura Pels Theatre in Manhattan, featured a production of The Castle, an emotional and inspirational account of the lives of four individuals and their courageous paths to rebuilding their lives after collectively spending more than 70 years incarcerated in NY State prisons. The evening also featured the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to David Rothenberg, founder of the Fortune Society, and a Corporate Leaders for Change Award to BET Networks. In accepting his award, David Rothenberg said Fortune has become a mission of which everyone in attendance should be a part. BET noted that they were support Fortune because it saves lives – including those of several audience members and volunteers present at the event.
The event was hosted by Tony award winning actress Christine Ebersole and El Diario Publisher and CEO Rossana Rosado.
Thank you for your contribution to making this event a success!
JoAnne Page, CEO and President of Fortune Society; Casimiro Torres, David Rothenberg, Founder of Fortune Society; Vilma Donovan, Angel Ramos and Kenny Harrigan.
President and CEO of Fortune Society JoAnne Page, Mayor David Dinkins and David Rothenberg, founder of The Fortune Society.
PRESS RELEASES & REVIEWS OF THE CASTLE
From Prison to Freedom, and Telling Their Tales - The New York Times, 04/28/08
Con Artist: Veteran Prisoners'-Rights Activist David Rothenberg Opens Doors in The Castle - Time Out New York, 04/23/08
Ex-Convicts Stage Autobiographical Play - The Daily News, 04/27/08
Ex-convicts Join Ranks of Lobbyists in Albany - The Associated Press, 05/20/08
Play on Criminals' Reentry into Society Comes to Capital - The Legislative Gazette, 06/16/08
Storming the Castle - Metroland Online, 06/13/08
Four Ex-Convicts Tell of Lives Lost and Found - The New York Times, 07/19/08
Off-Broadway Play 'The Castle' Comes to Inmates at Green Haven Facility - The Daily News, 11/29/08
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