Larry and JJ, The Buddy Program stars of BLOOM 2015
On May 7th, 2015, Family Center Board and Leadership Council members, along with their friends and colleagues, as well as agency staff and volunteers, came together in support of The Buddy Program. BLOOM 2015 was held at Union Square Ballroom with over 130 guests in attendance.
Buddy Larry and his mentee JJ spoke about what it meant for them to be paired together. Larry talked about bringing new experiences into JJ’s life, like eating sushi for the first time. JJ spoke about the fire that his family survived last year and how helpful Larry was to them in overcoming the crisis that followed. All in attendance were riveted by Larry and JJ’s moving appeal to join The Family Center Buddy Program.
The Family Center extends special thanks to BLOOM 2015 corporate sponsors, including: BTQ Financial, MBL Benefits Consulting, Schall & Ashenfarb, and Smart Choice Communications. We are also deeply grateful to the beverage, auction and gift bag sponsors. Many thanks also go to BLOOM 2015 Co-Chairs Lyle Monteserrato of the Board and Simon Shewmaker of the Leadership Council.
Thanks to Larry and JJ, more guests signed up to be mentors than at any previous BLOOM. Enjoy the photos below from this marvelous night in support of The Buddy Program.
 Board Chair Shamoun Afram in the background with his BLOOM guests |
 David Ashenfarb and his BLOOM guests in front of the Schall and Ashenfarb sponsor banner |
 Board member Barbara Blakney checking in at BLOOM |
 Etasha, JJ’s mom, JJ, Larry and Dae, Larry’s wife |
 Board member Kirsten Nielsen and her friend at BLOOM |
 Board member Mark Boyer and friend at BLOOM |
 Leadership Council member Benedetta Riva and friend at BLOOM |
 JJ speaks on the mic at BLOOM while Larry looks on
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 Board Chair Shamoun Afram on the mic at BLOOM while fellow Board member Lyle Monteserrato looks on |
 Board member Amy Yates Capone with friend at BLOOM |
 Leadership Council member Bonnie O’Callaghan and friends at BLOOM
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 Board member Shamoun Afram and BLOOM guests |
 Deputy Executive Director Jan Hudis and Board member Barbara Blakney |
 Staffers with Leo of URE, NYC’s best DJ
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 BLOOM volunteers Ali and Anita of Macy’s
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 Leadership Council member Ansley Galjour and BLOOM guests |
 Family Center staff volunteers at BLOOM
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 BLOOM volunteers, Julio, Jack and Dave of Pariveda |
 Board member Lyle Monteserrato and a BLOOM guest |
 Board member Lyle Monteserrato speaks on the mic as his fellow BLOOM Co-Chair Simon Shewmaker, who serves as Leadership Council Vice Chair, looks on |
 Leadership Council member Zeynep Imre and her BLOOM guests |
 Family Center staff volunteering at BLOOM |
 BLOOM volunteers from Pariveda speak with The Buddy Program Coordinator |
 Board member Barbara Blakney and her family |
 Leadership Council Chair Antonio Gonzelez with his mentor, Father Thomas Merrill
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 Larry on the mic at BLOOM as JJ looks on |
 Leadership Council Vice Chair and BLOOM Co-Chair Simon Shewmaker with Leadership Council member Ansley Galjour, TFC staff and BLOOM guests
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 Buddy Rita Kennedy and TFC Director of Social Services Marya Gilborn speak with BLOOM guests
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