Meadowbrook Women's Initiative

In keeping with its commitment to Long Island philanthropy, Meadowbrook Women’s Initiative (MWI) made grants to students at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, The Hagedorn Little Village School, and RISE Life Services, at its annual Philanthropy Luncheon on June 26.

Since 2010, MWI has funded opportunities for Zucker students to participate in transformative efforts and research during the summer between their first and second year of medical school. “They conduct research at either Northwell or the Cold Spring Harbor facility that they feel will help them further their career. MWI has a huge impact on this program, having given more than $180,000 to support these students,” said Anne Koestner, Director of Development and Alumni Affairs at Hofstra. This year’s recipients will be conducting research about chronic pain and pregnancy experiences among black patients; and menopause, intimacy and sexuality in survivorship: rebuilding lives of women after they have survived cancer.

Sam Horowitz, Lead Special Gifts Officer, noted that MWI’s gifts to Feinstein’s Advancing Women in Science and Medicine “have made a tremendous impact on women researchers at Northwell.” The recipient of the young investigator award studied lupus under the direction of a world-renowned doctor “and will use the money throughout the year for different projects that will make a difference for years to come.”

The Hagedorn Little Village School, in Seaford, founded by special ed teachers in 1959, provides evaluations, special counseling and instruction for children to learn to speak, walk, interact and learn – with no tuition. “We can’t support children unless we help families,” explained Executive Director Jon D. Feingold, “and in order to provide equipment, devices, walkers and technology, we couldn’t do it without organizations like MWI.”

RISE Life Services has 32 homes for the developmentally disabled, “with many six-day programs in Nassau and Suffolk especially for those over 21,” explained COO Jeanette Permenter, noting that “we are here for everybody: We have a book pantry, behavioral health clinic, one-of-a-kind suicide prevention program, help fight hunger. We help children and young adults prepare so they have confidence for the future. Right now, things are very uncertain in society – impending Medicaid cuts will be very detrimental especially to a non-profit like ours. MWI’s donation doesn’t just help to provide services, it helps to build community.”

“I am proud to be president of an organization that gives so much to so many diverse charities,” said Judy Fischman, of Jericho, who was installed for her second term at the luncheon. MWI’s members are mostly retired women who live in virtually every community in Nassau County as well as Suffolk and Queens. The organization is dedicated to promoting lifetime learning, serving the community, raising funds for worthwhile local cause and making a difference in the lives of members and the lives of others. Further information about MWI’s mission and activities can be found on its website: www.meadowbrookwomen.org.

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