THE FORTUNE SOCIETY’S THIRD ANNUAL SPRING SOIREE
The Young Philanthropist Society rased more than $100K at The Fortune Society’s Third Annual Spring Soiree on May 16th, 2013. Acclaimed Documentary Filmmaker Eguene Jarecki was also honored for his work to create awareness about the Criminal Justice System and U.S. Drug Policy.
Hundreds of young philanthropists converged on the Bowery Hotel for a fabulously chic fundraiser that raised awareness and support for The Fortune Society, one of the nation’s most respected nonprofit organizations offering services to formerly incarcerated men and women.
The Third Annual “Spring Soiree,” hosted by The Fortune Society’s Junior Committee and Co-Chaired by Luke Weil, Louise Tabbiner, and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter John Forte, raised more than $100,000 to support services that help Fortune’s clients successfully re-enter their communities and rebuild their lives after serving time in prison and jail.
“We are thrilled that our third soiree will be even more successful than the first two,” said Luke Weil, co-chair of the event. “I think this shows the enduring commitment of our generation of philanthropists to this worthy and important mission,” Weil added.
JoAnne Page, President and CEO of The Fortune Society, said, “The future of the Fortune Society is strong because of the work of our Junior Committee including Luke Weil, Louise Tabbiner, and John Forte. We are deeply grateful for their enthusiasm, energy and deep commitment to helping men and women with criminal records make a successful transition back home where they are able to rebuild their lives with Fortune’s help.”
Receiving The Fortune’s Society’s Spotlight Award was renowned documentary filmmaker Eugene Jarecki (Why We Fight, Trials of Henry Kissinger) honored for his most recent film, The House I Live In, which examines the human rights implications of America’s war on drugs through the lens of those who experience it first hand. The film was awarded the Grand Jury Prize for documentary at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
Page commended Jarecki for shining a critically needed spotlight on the impact that America’s drug policies and mass incarceration have had on communities of color throughout the nation.
DJ Alexander Dexter-Jones kept the party going strong for the young philanthropists who represent the finance, the arts, fashion, sports, journalism, marketing, public relations and entertainment. Expected to attend were socialite, model and fashion editor Amanda Hearst; gallery director Bettina Prentice; Princess Khaliya Aga Khan; fashion and luxury brand consultant Ali Wise; supermodel May Andersen; wealth manager Topper Mortimer; fashion designer Charlotte Ronson; star of Dallas’ Most Eligible Bachelor Matt Nordgren; socialite and blogger Dori Cooperman; philanthropist and arts patron Fabiola Beracasa; financier Alejandro Santo Domingo; Sports Illustrated model Julie Henderson; and PR executives Rich & Tamie Thomas.
The Fortune Society noted the generous contribution of the Soiree’s sponsors including Alacran Tequila, Alice & Olivia, American Prison Data Systems, Atlantico Rum, Avantair, Barefoot, Moda Operandi, Raleigh, Runa, Silent Models NY, The Hole, Veev and WhistlePig.
The evening also featured a silent auction. Some of the hot ticket items included four hours on a private jet, a trip to Ecuador, Blue Ridge Mountain getaway, a stay at the W Hotel in South Beach, Florida, a Marc Jacobs clutch, jewelry by Debra Shepard and artwork from The Hole, a gallery in NYC.
For over forty-five years, The Fortune Society has been developing model programs that help former prisoners successfully re-enter their communities. The Fortune Society offers a holistic and integrated “one-stop-shopping” model of service provision. Among the services offered are licensed outpatient substance abuse and mental health treatment, alternatives to incarceration, HIV/AIDS services, career development and job retention, education, family services, drop in services and supportive housing as well as ongoing access to aftercare.
