Page 30 - NYC Imagine Awards Journal

Social Impact

Amy Barasch, Esq., Executive Director Leonard Achan, RN, MA, ANP, President & Chief Executive Officer
Her Justice LiveOnNY
100 Broadway, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10005 30-30 47th Avenue, 9th Floor, Long Island City, NY 11101
(212) 695-3800 | www.herjustice.org (646) 291-4444 | www.liveonny.org

For 30 years, Her Justice has advocated alongside women living in poverty as they seek LiveOnNY’s mission is to honor, change, and save lives through the gifts of organ and tissue
safety, stability, and self-sufficiency through New York’s civil justice system. We’ve provided donation. As the federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) for the NY region,
lifechanging free legal help to over 45,000 women and children – and pursued policies that LiveOnNY works with 100 donor hospitals, 11 transplant centers in their designated service
have bettered the experiences and outcomes of thousands more. Her Justice stands with area and all transplant programs in the US to serve those in need. LiveOnNY manages all the
women living in poverty in New York City by recruiting and mentoring volunteer lawyers to communication with donor families in the hospitals and manages the clinical, operational,
provide free legal help to address individual and systemic legal barriers in the areas of family, financial, and recovery and transportation logistics of the organ and tissue procurement process
matrimonial and immigration law. with hospitals and transplant centers across the nation.
Every year, we connect volunteer lawyers from more than 100 premier law firms and corporations LiveOnNY's impact, however, extends beyond the operating room. Community engagement
with women who have high-stakes legal needs, breaking down barriers built into the system that plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the world of organ and tissue donation and the
reinforce and exacerbate gender, racial and economic imbalances. By providing expert training diverse communities we serve. Our outreach efforts are not just about raising awareness but also
and mentoring to the private bar, Her Justice leverages the expertise of only a few in-house about fostering understanding, trust, and inclusivity. In a diverse society, where cultural beliefs,
attorneys to reach thousands of women a year, far more than we could reach relying on direct language barriers, and myths can often create misconceptions about donation, community
service alone. On average each year, 14 Her Justice lawyers mentor more than 1,800 volunteer engagement serves as a vital educational platform. By actively engaging with our communities,
attorneys reaching nearly 7,500 women and children for a total of 65,000+ hours donated, LiveOnNY not only dispels myths but also empowers individuals with knowledge about the
representing over $40M in free legal services delivered into our community. Her Justice is lifesaving potential of organ and tissue donation.
committed to bringing three decades of expertise to creating a more fair and functional civil
justice system for women in New York City – so they can build safer, stronger futures for LiveOnNY's story is a poignant reminder that through the tireless efforts of our employees, the
themselves and their families. embrace of the community, and the selfless choices of donor heroes and their families, we’re
creating a legacy of hope and healing that transcends generations, proving that the gift of life is
truly the most profound and enduring gift of all.

Frank Siller, Chairman/CEO Christine Quinn, Executive Director
Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation Win (Women in Need, Inc.)
2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306 One State Street Plaza, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10004
(718) 987-1931 | www.t2t.org (212) 695-4758 | www.winnyc.org
The Siller Family founded the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in memory of their brother, FDNY Win is the largest provider of shelter and services for homeless families in New York City and
Firefighter Stephen Siller, who selflessly ran from the Tunnel to the Towers to give his life to the nation. Our mission is to break the cycle of homelessness for New York City’s families with
save others on September 11, 2001. For over 20 years, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has children by providing holistic solutions of safe housing, critical services, and ground-breaking
honored Stephen’s legacy by “doing good” and supporting the heroes who continue to risk life programs they need to succeed on their own. Families are introduced to our “Way to Win”
and limb in the line of duty. approach that provides safe and clean housing as well as a support network and services that
address the underlying causes of homelessness. Programs and services are designed for every
To date, Tunnel to Towers has delivered over 1,000 mortgage-free homes to our nation’s member of the family—from childcare, to enriching youth education and employment for
heroes and their families and has committed over $500 million across its programs. This year, adults.
the Foundation is delivering over 200 mortgage-free homes to catastrophically injured veterans
and first responders, Gold Star families, and families of first responders who left behind young Win serves approximately 11,000 individuals annually across thirteen shelters in Manhattan,
children. Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens, with our first Staten Island shelter opening soon. On any
given day we serve 5,000 individuals, more than half of whom are children. Since the beginning
Tunnel to Towers Foundation also launched the Homeless Veteran Program in 2022 to of the city’s ongoing migrant crisis, Win has housed 270 migrant families, including 700
eradicate veteran homelessness in the United States. This program provides a stable home and children, providing them shelter, food, and clothing.
a wide range of needed services to diagnose and solve the root causes of homelessness. In 2023,
the Foundation will provide housing assistance and services to more than 2,000 veterans. The In addition to service provision, Win is a leader in advocating for policy changes that impact
bottom line is simple: no veteran should be living on the streets of the country they signed up homeless families. Win’s Policy & Advocacy initiative has made significant legislative changes,
to protect and serve. including the requirement of mental health practitioners in-house at family shelters, increasing
the value of housing vouchers, and removing the 90-Day Rule that requires families to remain
in shelter prior to applying for housing. Our efforts impact not only those served by Win, but
homeless families throughout all of New York City.
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