Corporation honors those who have given others hope.

New Destiny Housing Corporation's benefit cocktail party held last month at the New York Athletic Club paid tribute to six persons and companies who have shown their dedication to providing safe, affordable housing for low income, domestic violence (DV) survivors in New York City.

Host, Carol Corden, executive director of New Destiny, explained that the organization strives to help the 13,000 to 16,000 women and children who become homeless each year after fleeing an abusive relationship by developing affordable transitional and permanent units; providing services to those living in New Destiny's permanent residences; educating DV survivors on ways to access housing; and advocating on the survivors' behalf.

Richard M. Froehlich, a director of New Destiny, introduced Allan Arker of The Arker Companies, a major real estate developer that has been a leader in affordable housing for over 50 years. New Destiny is currently working with The Arker Companies on a pilot program designed to help survivors access housing.

Accepting the award, Arker said that the relationship between New Destiny and his firm "creates a unique opportunity for private developers to provide a much needed social benefit" while profiting from the expertise "of this well respected organization."

Bronx Borough President Aldolfo Carrion, Jr., thanked all "for dealing with an issue we have to confront in our society." He was honored for helping to generate over 25,000 new units of affordable housing in the Bronx including New Destiny's Lily House, a transitional facility, and Marcello Manor, New Destiny's newest project.

Honorees Gladys Carrion, commissioner of the NYS Office of Children & Family Services, and Kirk Goodrich, vice president, Enterprise Community Investment, Inc., were applauded for their efforts to help survivors and for the leadership role they recently took in convening a task force that produced a thoroughly researched report on domestic violence and permanent housing.

New Destiny board member Al Butzel presented an award to Martin Newman, founding board member of New Destiny, saying, "This has been a labor of love for Marty ... [He] has allowed New Destiny to make its way through the difficult seas." He praised Newman "as a director, advisor, supporter and counselor."

Newman said that New Destiny's commitment and the support of all present are living proof that New York City "is not a city with a cold heart."

Honoree Robert Marcello, trustee of The John DaSilva Memorial Fund, is largely responsible for the creation of Marcello Manor, a New Destiny permanent housing project in the Bronx named in memory of Marcello's late wife, Kathleen, herself a DV survivor. Speaking after the ceremony, David DaSilva expressed his wish that the courage and compassion of his mother would help others: "My mother instilled hope ... Maybe her hope and spirit will be an inspiration ..."

A DV survivor now living in a New Destiny permanent residence with her two children told the audience, "[Victims of domestic violence] put on their 'game face' every day when they go out in the world. No one knows what's going on inside." She said that finding affordable housing had enabled her to complete an associate's degree in college and secure a job and a future for herself and her family.

The event's Platinum sponsors were: Bank of America; Enterprise Community Partners; JP Morgan Chase; The John DaSilva Memorial Fund; and North Fork Bank. The Gold sponsors were: The Durst Organization; Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP; Lane Office Furniture, Inc.; and Tarragon Corporation.