Since
2004 the Fete de Swifty benefit, a wonderful combination of a street
fair and cocktail party, has been held to support programs of the
Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City. Since Fete de Swifty debuted,
it has seen tremendous success, raising vital funds for programs
serving our City's children and families. This year's event took
place on Thursday, September 18, 2008 and benefited the Family Justice
Center Initiative administered by the Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic
Violence. Honorary chairs were Nicole Kidman, Calvin Klein,
and Mariska Hargitay.
The event committee was led by Mayor's Fund Board Member Liz
Smith along with Stephen Attoe, Robert Caravaggi,
David Patrick Columbia, Deborah Krulewitch, Christopher Meigher, Gillian Miniter,
Peter Rogers and Elizabeth Finkle Sans. The co-chairs for this event were Bloomberg L.P., John
K. Castle, The Estee Lauder Companies Inc, Geller & Company, Henry Kravis, Marie-Josee
Kravis, Cynthia Lufkin, Dan Lufkin, Sir Evelyn
Rothschild, Lynn Forester de Rothschild, Quadrangle Group LLC, and Tishman Speyer. The Associate chairs were Jake
Bright, Rory Hermelee, Elizabeth Meigher, Alison Minton, Elisabeth Mitchell,
Matt Mitchell, and Liz Walker.
The City's first Family Justice Center opened in Brooklyn in 2005
to help victims of domestic violence by offering an array of services
under one roof. This innovative program, which is reliant on both
public and private support, enables victims to meet with a prosecutor,
speak with a trained counselor, and apply for housing and financial
assistance in just one visit- all in their native language while
their children play safely in the next room. By providing services
in one location with partnering City agencies and community providers,
the center has increased the effectiveness of service delivery to
break the cycle of domestic violence. To date, the Brooklyn Center
has served more than 12,000 domestic violence victims and their nearly
3,500 children. Based on its success, Mayor Bloomberg committed to
opening additional centers, beginning with a Queens center that opened
in July 2008 and one in the Bronx in the Fall of 2009.
The green apples featured in the tent were conceived by Matthew David Events and were decorated by the children at the Family Justice Center in Brooklyn for the 2008 Fete de Swifty. All interior décor was generously provided by Matthew David Events.
Photos:
Images: 1, 17: Kristen Artz. Images: 2, 6, 7, 8: Ann
Watt. Images: 3, 4, 9-16, 18: Spencer Tucker.
