UNHP May 8th Event Keeps Hope Alive in 2025!
UNHP’s custom pint glass serves as table decor for UNHP’s Keep Hope Alive in 2025 fundraiser held on May 8th at Serviam Hall. The glass by Bronx Design lists the many sponsors of UNHP’s work to create and preserve affordable housing and bring resources to our Bronx community. Photos by Jadie Meprivert.
Hope does not disappoint, and neither did our 130 guests, amazing vendors, and generous sponsors who brought their best to UNHP’s Keeping Hope Alive in 2025 fundraiser. We gathered at the beautiful Serviam Hall, part of an affordable housing campus for low-income senior citizens developed and managed by Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation in partnership with the Ursuline religious community. Jim Buckley, UNHP’s Executive Director, shared the Nonprofit of the Year video created by the NY Housing Conference to celebrate UNHP and its work. Jim acknowledged that “UNHP doesn’t usually get much publicity,” so the award and the video were a nice surprise and an opportunity to highlight our work and team. UNHP is at heart a collaborative organization, and Jim shared the credit with important partners, Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation, Kevin Alter & the Dougert team, Sycamore Birch Management Corporation, our nonprofit partners, and our generous funders and sponsors. Highlights in 2025 include the opening of the Bronx People’s Federal Credit Union with the Bronx Financial Access Coalition, Bronx Ahora testifying at a NYC Council hearing on Housing Connect, the one-year waiver on vacant re-rentals, and a 35% increase in funding for the Multifamily Water Assistance program.
Hope is found in community, partnerships, and accomplishment! From top left: Mayra and Cynthia, mother and daughter, celebrate with Jumelia, their selection for affordable housing in the Bronx neighborhood of Wakefield. Jim stands with Elaine Dovas and members of the Apple Bank team. Apple is a longtime supporter of UNHP, supporting our solar work with FHLB funds. Bottom – Sycamore Birch Management Corporation and Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation staff, partners in the creation and preservation of decent, affordable housing, joined the festivities.
Catering by Chef Frank’s Market, the FBHC space and room set-up by Tony, Hope hop music by DJ V Squared, and Bronx-brewed specialties from The Bronx Brewery added to the evening.
UNHP Board and staff members at the Keeping Hope Alive in 2025 fundraiser.
Even in trying times, UNHP is keeping the faith and remaining true to our mission. We are finding hope as we continue to work to improve Housing Connect alongside housing seekers and community developers, preserve and improve NYC multifamily housing for lower-income households, and collaborate with partners at all levels, private, public, and nonprofit.
Jim reminded everyone in Serviam Hall that we have experience, persistence, and enthusiasm. Those are the ingredients that we need to turn our hope into action and results. Hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled up—by working together, we will accomplish good things for our community in 2025.
Thanks, Bronx Design Group for this year’s design for our Sponsor-acknowledgement pint glass!
Thank you to Our Generous Sponsors!
Mission Sponsor
Brian J. Byrne & Jean McBride Byrne
William & Eileen Kreussling Charitable Foundation
Affordable Housing Supporter
Apple Bank
BNY
BUILD, Inc
JP Morgan Chase
Community Preservation Corporation CPC
Sycamore Birch Management Corporation
Webster Bank
WMW Realty Management
Research and Action Supporter
In memory of Theresa Liu-Avitabile
Metropolitan Commercial Bank
Morgan Stanley
NorthEast Community Bank
Santander Bank
Tryax Realty in memory of Michael Schmelzer
Bronx Service Supporter
Crauderueff Solar
Dime Community Bank
Enterprise Community Partners
Emigrant Bank
Esquire Bank
Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation
Joanie Gasser & Jim Buckley
John Van Bomel, Esq
VaNessa & VeNita LaNier
Lemle & Wolff Companies
M&T Bank
Joe Muriana & Annelen Madigan
The Partnership for New York City
Peapack Private
Spring Bank
Skyline LLC
West Farms Square
WithumSmith+Brown
#Views NWBX Supporter
Brown & Brown
Jack Buckley
Benchmark Title Agency LLC
Bruckner Plumbing
Princess Kitty & Caramel Clarke
The Conley Family
Al and Pat Drummond
Fordham University Campus Ministry
Johanna C. Kletter
The Mitchell Family
O’Leary O’Toole Family
Raniel Perez
Ridgewood Savings Bank
Henry Schwalbenberg
Spanarkel Browne & Associates – Merrill Lynch
Satellite Plumbing
USA East Province of the Society of Jesus
Workforce Housing Group
Community Supporters: Fordham University Campus Ministry, ANHD, Caitlin Knipper, Jack Doyle, Lou Eliasof, Chris Gasser, Forsyth Investors, Marcia Lucas, Denis Sullivan & Pat Haran, Caitlin Knipper, Nikki Quiterio, AK & Hugh Rice, Alicia & Bob Mulvena, Stu Koch, Katiuska Morel, Al and Pat Drummond, Christine & Peter Chiafalo, Lois Harr, John Reilly, Mike Lappin, Elizabeth Oakley, John Crotty, Mike Lappin, Sandra Erickson Real Estate, Bronx Design Group, Roxanna Chowdry-Velasquez, Jair & Ryan Home Improvement, Lydia Tom, Mary & Peter Gray
Kevin and Dede Alter are pictured here with UNHP’s Director of Real Estate, Brendan Mitchell. Kevin and Dougert Management were acknowledged for their long-time commitment to preserving affordable housing in the Bronx.
The Keep Hope Alive in 2025 event was great because our vendors are great! Catering by Chef Frank’s Market, Music by DJ V Squared, Lloyd’s Carrot Cake, S&S Cheesecake, and The Bronx Design Group.
Liselis and Chef Frank take a well-deserved break. Chef Frank’s Market catered the event.