Thru the Lens

"New Beginnings" was the resounding theme expressed by the speakers and honorees at New Destiny's Annual Cocktail Benefit celebrated in March at Rockefeller Plaza. In the 64th floor Pegasus Suite, the honorees praised New Destiny, its executive director, Carol Corden, and the members of the board for persisting in their efforts to find safe and secure long-term housing solutions for women and children at risk of domestic violence. New Destiny board chair Sue Fleck noted that the nonprofit organization's latest project, Marcello Manor in the Bronx, which is green, affordable and offers support services, is a model for the next two projects, 23 housing units in Bainbridge Manor in Brooklyn and 41 units on Anderson Avenue in the Bronx. New Destiny Board Member Rich Froehlich praised "the work of our great partners." He thanked honoree Marc Jahr, president of the NYC Housing Development Corporation, for his continued dedication and "good grace." He lauded honoree David Hansell, commissioner, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, for his and his office's great "creativity and cooperation." Recognizing honoree Nick Lettire, president of Lettire Construction Corporation, he pointed to his "work ethic and standard of craftsmanship" evident throughout Marcello Manor, which was constructed by Lettire's firm. Corden thanked honoree Robert Insolia, partner, Goodwin Procter LLP "for providing outstanding legal support to New Destiny on Marcello Manor and an earlier project." Jahr expressed gratitude knowing that "New Destiny is helping us work through difficult times." Hansell said that New Destiny "provides families with the hope of a better future and a better tomorrow." Said Lettire, "I hope we can continue to work together to create more affordable housing for current and future New Yorkers." Insolia said that he and his firm "look forward to supporting new projects for New Destiny." A current resident of Marcello Manor, a single mother and a survivor of domestic violence, spoke of the new hope she found through New Destiny. Jahr noted that she is "one of the quiet heroines of New York City, creating her own 'new destiny.'"