Thank You for Joining Us for Toast to Ariva 2022

After three years of virtual gatherings, we are grateful to our community who supported and attended Toast to Ariva, our annual fundraising cocktail reception and award presentation! 

Thanks to you, we achieved our fundraising goals, recruited new Tax Prep Volunteers, and celebrated Nicole Tambini, Program Director at Centerlight, Parkchester Enhancement Program (PEP) for Seniors, with special recognition for Council Member Amanda Farías and Signature Bank for supporting PEP. Additionally, for the first time, we gathered together in the Bronx at Serviam Hall, provided by our partner and board member Heng Ly and his team at Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation. 

“We were so happy celebrating with our friends and colleagues in the Bronx. Getting together after three long years of separation reminds us how much we love working with you all. You’re what makes our work special,” says Irene Baldwin, our Executive Director. 

Nicole Tambini is a longtime partner and friend, and we were proud to honor her work at Centerlight, PEP for Seniors, a collaborative program that provides Parkchester seniors with the services they need to remain living independently in the community. What started out as one day of NYC free tax preparation each year developed into a long-term relationship, supporting PEP’s senior community with year-round financial literacy and access to all of our programs. 

“As many older adults retire, there’s often no income aside from Social Security or a pension. Seniors are at risk when there’s a cost of living increase. They suffer because there’s no way for them to make that up. Ariva’s services are essential for seniors, who are often the most vulnerable to scams. We are beyond grateful to work alongside the Ariva team to provide our community at PEP with free financial literacy and tax preparation,” says Nicole. 

In addition to our community partners, we are grateful for the active contributions of our Board of Directors. Myriam Rebling, Executive Director of Qualitas of Life Foundation, a partner and supporter from her days at the Mexican Consulate, attended Toast to Ariva this year as a Board member. 

“Part of what attracted me to join the board was the opportunity to support Ariva as a voice for the Spanish-speaking community in New York City,” says Myriam. “It is an honor to join Ariva’s board of directors and to attend Toast to Ariva for my fourth year.” 

Our first Toast to Ariva in the Bronx was a wonderful collaboration of community, team, board, and partner efforts! Thank you to our staff and board members for their hard work, to Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation for donating the beautiful space, and to our sponsors listed below:

  • Capital One
  • JP Morgan Chase & Co.
  • M&T Bank
  • Bank United
  • DIME
  • Spring Bank
  • Apple Bank
  • BNY Mellon
  • Centerlight Healthcare PACE
  • Diana Breen & Michael Ritter
  • Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation
  • Webster Bank
  • W&F Maintenance Corps
  • Lemuria Alowode-El
  • Joan Gasser & Jim Buckley
  • Heng Ly Family
  • McGrath Family
  • Lakia Williams
  • Ridgewood Savings Bank
  • UNHP

We can’t support our clients with free tax filing NYC and financial counseling NYC without you. We are grateful for the generosity of our community as we work together toward financial inclusion for the Bronx and New York City! Learn more about how you can access free financial help here.