Congratulations to the Working Group on Girls of Schenectady on winning Women United's Perfect Pitch tonight at Brown's Revolution Hall! Women United's signature event, Perfect Pitch is a "Shark Tank-style" competition at which four local nonprofits "pitched" an idea for an innovative program that supports Women United's mission of advancing women’s rights and health, and educational and economic equity for all women in the Greater Capital Region.
Delivered by Board Co-Presidents Chinira Lovick and Monique Wade, the Working Group on Girls of Schenectady pitched an original program called FRESH (Food, Resiliency, Education, Socialization, and Health). The main benefits of FRESH are to educate, empower, mentor, and provide sustainable life skills to young women in the Schenectady community. FRESH will be a holistic program including several components: mentorship, leadership, gardening, farm-to-table, health and wellness, entrepreneurship, social-emotional learning, and community service.
FAN FAVORITE AWARD WINNER:
Congratulations to the Capital District Recovery Center (CDRC), which was chosen by tonight's audience to receive the Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation Fan Favorite Award! CDRC will receive a $2,500 grant, courtesy of our partners at Sunm
Delivered by Board President Deborah Eley, CDRC pitched an idea to expand its Trauma Workshop for Women and the Social Determinants of Health program. This initiative grew out of the recognition that men and women need separate supports that recognize the specifics of women’s diverse experiences and needs.
The proposed workshop focuses exclusively on women participants and centers the ways in which gender impacts health inequities and social determinants of health. Being trauma-informed helps those in recovery to understand themselves and why they began using, their need for emotional safety, the universal need for healthy coping skills and connections, and their right to feel calm and good about themselves.
THANK YOU TO OUR SHARKS!
The toughest job in the building went to our Sharks, who were tasked with picking a winner after hearing four amazing pitches last night. In addition to being business leaders in the Capital Region, each of these women has prioritized giving back to the community.
Immediately prior to the night's winner's being announced, our Sharks surprised the audience by combining to donate an additional $3,500 to the contestants! We can't thank them enough for their generosity and support of Women United and its partners.
Thank you:
Cinnamon Carlarne, President & Dean, Albany Law School
Vera Cohen, President & CEO & Broker, Vera Cohen Realty
Leola Edelin, General Manager, Renaissance Albany Hotel
Carrie Hillenbrandt, Senior Vice President, BBL Hospitality
Jennifer Keida, President & CEO, Standard, Heating, Cooling & Insulating
Georgia Kelly, Senior VP, Senior Financial Advisor & Portfolio Manager, Merrill Lynch
THANK YOU TO OUR EMCEE, TRISHNA BEGAM FROM NEWS10 ABC
Back for the third consecutive year, News10 ABC's Trishna Begam did an amazing job as our mistress of ceremonies. We appreciate Trishna's continued support and the enthusiasm she brings to make Perfect Pitch an annual night to remember!
Women United is a group of energetic, passionate, and philanthropic women empowered by United Way of the Greater Capital Region to mobilize change by inve