Proceeds benefit Eviction Prevention Program

Xavier Mission honored 40 years of addressing hunger, homelessness, and poverty with a “Roaring 20s Speakeasy” fundraiser on Saturday, March 25. Board and associate board members, and volunteers miraculously converted Hurtado Hall into a ritzy juice joint, where more than 200 guys and dolls dressed to the nines to dine and dance the night away!

We were thrilled to acknowledge our 2023 Spirit Award honorees:

• Investors April Feng and Peter Sluka, whose devotion to our cause helps make our work possible.
  
• Director of Outreach Roxanne De La Torre, whose heart and level-headedness saw us through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
• Food Pantry Volunteers Rosemarie Sauerzopf and Kenneth Norz, whose service ensures that pantry guests, including those who are homebound, receive groceries with care and compassion.
• Financial Assistance Program Recipient Lorenzo Laroc, a professional electric violinist whose livelihood was decimated during the pandemic and who maintained stability with the help of Xavier Mission.

We premiered a new video featuring our five programs and the guests, staff, and volunteers who make those programs possible, and unveiled our new logo, which reflects who we are today, after 40 years of service to our community.

Mr. Laroc concluded our program with a telling of his compelling story and a live performance. Guests went on to celebrate the occasion with our silent auction, raffle, gaming tables, and deejay.

Thanks to generous sponsors, attendees, and donors, we exceeded our $100,000 fundraising goal in support of Financial Assistance/Eviction Prevention Program (FAP). Thousands of families in NYC are at immediate risk of eviction due to the effects of the pandemic. FAP is one of the easiest programs in the city to access and navigate, especially for those who aren’t eligible for government assistance, such as undocumented immigrants. By preventing the eviction of 75 families last year, Xavier Mission saved the city and taxpayers $7.5 million in shelter costs. FAP is privately funded through donations and grants, and usually exhausts its funding mid-year. Thanks to those who rallied in support of the Speakeasy, we expect to help more than 100 families this year.

Check out the photos from the event!

Missed the party? You can still support the Eviction Prevention Program with your donation.

Thank you to our staff and Board of Directors, and special shout out to our fabulous Event Committee!