(l to r) Marqus White, CPA, John Cromie, Esq., Heather Thompson, Patricia Barbarito, Esq., Mark Schmit, and Al Daloisio. White, Cromie and Barbarito each received a “Servant Leader Award “
"Eva’s Village is a heaven on earth for a lot of people, compared to the hell of addiction."
PATERSON, N.J. (PRWEB) June 10, 2018
A dinner honoring lawyers and accountants held on May 31 raised nearly $115,000 to support the mission and programs of Eva’s Village. “We are pleased the event exceeded our fundraising goals. And we are grateful to our supporters in the legal and accounting communities, who understand that every dollar we raised gives people in need the faith, love, and especially the hope they need to transform their lives into success stories,” noted Gregory Floyd, Eva’s Executive Vice President of Mission.
Patricia Barbarito, Esq. of Einhorn, Harris, Ascher, Barbarito and Frost, PC, John Cromie, Esq. of Connell Foley LLP, and Marqus White, CPA of Sax LLP, were recipients of the “Servant Leader Award” for their service to Eva’s Village and the local community. The award illustrates a quote by Eva’s Village founder, Msgr. Vincent E. Puma: “When you take someone’s hand you can’t let go until they can stand on their two feet.”
Two of Eva’s alumni, Angela and Chip, spoke about the ways that Eva’s recovery programs helped them combat the disease of addiction. Eva’s programs for counseling, mental health, and recovery treatment and support allowed them to make a fresh start and begin rebuilding their lives. During their recovery journeys, Angela became an Eva’s counselor and mentor to Chip. Each one found strength in that therapeutic relationship, and they continue to support and encourage each other. In Chip’s words: “Eva’s Village is a heaven on earth for a lot of people, compared to the hell of addiction. It is a place of refuge…..a safe haven…..a place where people do not have to work so hard to be understood because people at Eva’s understand.”
Funds raised will support the overall operations and the community of care that defines Eva’s Village, as well as several programs - Eva’s Community Kitchen, Medical and Dental Clinics, Childcare and Education and Eva’s Culinary School - that rely on private donations. Last year, the treatment programs and Eva’s Recovery Community Center, together, engaged nearly 2,300 individuals in various stages of recovery; Eva’s Community Kitchen served more than 500,000 meals; the Medical and Dental Clinic handled almost 6,000 patient visits; and Eva’s shelter and housing programs provided a safe haven to over 600 adults and children.
More about Eva’s Village
The mission of Eva’s Village is to provide care and support for people who are struggling with poverty, hunger, homelessness, and addiction. Founded as a soup kitchen in 1982, Eva’s Village began by serving 30 meals a day to feed the hungry in Paterson. Over the years, Eva’s Village grew as programs and services were added to address the root causes of homelessness and poverty. Today, Eva’s Village offers a range of integrated programs to help those in need move toward recovery, stability, and independence
