YPIE Surpasses Annual Gala Goal

From Yonkers Partners in Education:

PELHAM, NY - On September 29th friends, supporters, and volunteers came together to celebrate Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE) and their 9th Annual Gala at the beautiful X2O Xaviars on The Hudson. The once a year celebration proved a huge success for Yonkers Partners In Education (YPIE), raising more than $400,000 to fund programs to help Yonkers students get to and thru college.

The atmosphere was festive as over 375 guests joined YPIE to honor long-term volunteer and Chappaqua resident Jeffrey Gittleman. Mr. Gittleman has not only been an ardent supporter of YPIE but has also dedicated countless hours to helping Yonkers students succeed – as a master SAT/ACT tutor, college advisor and coach, and running YPIE’s Saturday morning SAT/ACT prep class for hundreds of students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to prepare for the rigorous college entrance exams.

The night was filled with many memorable moments. Two of Mr. Gittleman’s students, Baldwin Araujo & Erik Kantar, gave special tributes to their mentor. Also featured was the innovative YPIE Scholars Program and guests heard from 10th grade YPIE Scholar, Paulina Alarcon about how YPIE is impacting her life and helping her achieve her dream of being the first generation in her family to attend college.

Paulina inspired the room with her words, saying “I am Mexican-American and will be the 1st generation to attend college in my family. You might not understand it, but for someone like me, this is not an easy goal to reach…Although my mother never went to college, she understands that education will help me and my family succeed… YPIE is giving me the tools, support, and opportunities that will make this a reality. Everything about YPIE just shouts “I am here to help you achieve excellence!”

Celebrations closed on a high note with YPIE Scholar and 10th grader Alicia Mayo delivering an incredible slam poetry performance that was met with resounding applause. The voice of Yonkers students was a special highlight of the night and speaks volumes about YPIE’s focus to putting students first.

Friends from throughout New York City and Westchester County also enjoyed X2O's fabulous fare and breathtaking views of the Hudson River. Guests included prominent locals including Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, NY Assembly member Shelley Mayer, Chef Peter Kelly, YPIE Board Chairman and anchor of Bloomberg GO David Westin, YPIE Executive Director Wendy Nadel, and countless others.

YPIE partners with the Yonkers Public School District, business and philanthropic organizations and higher education institutions in its dedication to increasing the number of Yonkers Public School students who complete a post-secondary program that prepares them for a successful career. YPIE’s various programs help more than 600 students annually, most from low-income backgrounds.

YPIE Honoree Jeffrey Gittleman (Chappaqua) and Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano (Yonkers)

Chef Peter Kelly and NY Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer

YPIE Honoree Jeffrey Gittleman (Chappaqua) and YPIE Executive Director Wendy Nadel (Bedford)

10th Grader and YPIE Scholar, Paulina Alarcon (Yonkers) and her Graducation Coach Amy Gutenplan (Mount Kisco)

YPIE Honoree Jeffrey Gittleman & Family (Chappaqua)

YPIE Board Chairman and anchor of Bloomberg GO David Westin (Bronxville)

L to R: Dena Domenicali (Armonk), and YPIE Board Members Carl Petrillo (NYC), Ramesh Shah (Armonk), and Richard Fitzgerald (Yonkers)

L to R: Astrid Jacobo (Yonkers), Bernard & Wendie Kroll (Scarsdale), Ellen Cutler Levy (Scarsdale), Alicia Mayo (Yonkers)

L to R: Liam McLaughlin (City Council President), and Michael J Smith (President at Berkeley College)

Photos via Yonkers Partners in Education.