Recently, I was honored to be named Chief Operating Officer of my firm, a milestone I’m incredibly proud of after nearly two decades with the company, having joined in 2006.
Other than sharing the news with family and loved ones, and updating my title on LinkedIn, I haven’t made a big announcement. The past few months have been extremely busy, and I’ve stayed focused on the work that matters most—the work we do on behalf of our clients.
This past Friday, that work brought me to Harlem to visit our client…the Emma L. Bowen Community Service Center.
Bowen has been a cornerstone of community-based care, providing a continuum of services—mental health, addiction treatment, and critical supports, for individuals and families across New York City. What sets Bowen apart is not only the breadth of its services, but its deep understanding of the stigma and barriers that too often prevent people from accessing care, especially in the Black and Latino communities.
One program in particular faced a dire situation in 2024 when the City eliminated its funding.
Rainbow Clubhouse, follows the internationally recognized Clubhouse model, helping individuals living with severe mental illness not only manage their condition, but rebuild their lives and thrive in a supportive, community-driven environment.
It was one of several community-based Clubhouses at risk of closing.
I worked alongside these organizations to advocate before the New York City Council…lobbying City Council members, organizing a rally on the steps of City Hall and helping generate media attention to underscore what was at stake. With the support of numerous committed champions on the Council, a dedicated initiative was ultimately created to sustain these programs.
But that victory requires annual renewal.
We are once again fighting to ensure these Clubhouses receive the funding needed to continue serving their members in the next City Budget.
Because of that work, the members of Rainbow have shown their appreciation in many ways, but nothing prepared me for what happened this past Friday.
When I arrived at Bowen for a meeting, Rainbow’s Program Director invited me into the Clubhouse. She congratulated me on my promotion and shared that the members wanted to do the same.
They then played the video I’ve shared here.
To say I was touched would be an understatement…I was truly moved in a way that’s hard to put into words.
In that moment, I was reminded why this work matters. The long days, the behind-the-scenes efforts, the fights that don’t always make headlines—they have real impact on real lives.
It was one of the most meaningful moments of my career, and one I will carry with me always.
I am profoundly grateful to the members of Rainbow Clubhouse for such an extraordinarily thoughtful and generous gesture.
I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to close this post by reiterating that the Emma L. Bowen Community Service Center is truly a special place. Like so many nonprofit organizations, it relies on the support of others to continue providing the life-changing services that so many depend on.
If you are able, I encourage you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to support their work here.
Thank you. ❤️
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