2025 Benefit for NYC Youth
Together We Thrive
2025 Benefit for NYC Youth
Supporting The Door and Broome Street Academy
Get ready for an unforgettable night! This is your chance to directly champion the young people served by The Door and Broome Street Academy. Join us for an evening filled with powerful testimonials from our youth and staff, celebrate alongside dedicated advocates and honorees, and bid on exclusive luxury auction items. With gourmet food and wine to savor, every moment supports our vital mission: providing comprehensive, life-changing services to teens and young adults in New York City. Be part of the change—secure your spot and make an impact!
Event Details
Supporting The Door and Broome Street Academy
Wednesday, October 15, Gotham Hall, NYC
6pm Cocktails | 7pm Dinner | Cocktail Attire
Purchase Tickets and Become a Sponsor HereMake a Donation
Honoring Javier Muñoz
Join us in honoring Actor and Activist Javier Muñoz with the Change Maker Award. Javier is best known for starring and co-creating the role of "Alexander Hamilton'' as part of the original cast of HAMILTON on Broadway. He got his break starring as “Usnavi” in IN THE HEIGHTS on Broadway and starred in the world premiere adaptation of the Emmy-winning series, Schmigadoon.
In 2023, Javier delivered the keynote address at Broome Street Academy’s graduation ceremony, inspiring our graduates to embrace their voices and chase their dreams.
Honoring Pinterest
The Door and BSA are thrilled to present the Founder's Award to our partner, Pinterest. Over the past three years, Pinterest has helped expand arts programming at The Door's Bronx Youth Center, integrate mental health support into creative spaces, and offer meaningful opportunities for young people to prioritize their emotional well-being.
Pinterest’s generosity and true partnership have been a catalyst for growth, aligning with The Door’s mission to ensure every young person has the tools and support to reach their full potential.
Hosted by Bashel Lewis
This year's benefit will be hosted by content creator and host of #JOY, Bashel Lewis. From his early blog, COPE FASHION, to his web series Bashel The Zillennial, he has built a vibrant community at the intersection of culture, style, and storytelling. His work has been featured in Forbes, ADWEEK, Variety, and Issa Rae’s Hoorae Media. Whether on stage or behind the camera, Bashel is all about joy, culture, and showing up as your full, authentic self.
About The Door and Broome Street Academy
For teens and young adults navigating life, there’s one door in New York City that is always open. For over 50 years, The Door has been a trusted place for young people between 12 and 24. All are welcome as they are, to be themselves, address challenges, and access services when and how they need them. With our roots in the heart of New York City and a presence across the boroughs, The Door offers comprehensive programs and services including mental health counseling, health and nutrition assistance, legal services, housing support, arts, education, and career guidance. At The Door, everything is free and everyone is welcome.
In addition to our core services, we provide opportunities for academic achievement and scholarship through Broome Street Academy, a high-impact public charter school co-located within The Door.
Broome Street Academy (BSA) is a high-impact SUNY-authorized public charter high school co-located within The Door. Serving 300 students per year from across all five boroughs, we set aside 50% of the seats in our incoming 9th-grade class for students transitionally housed or in foster care.
Past Benefits
Highlights from our 2024 fall benefit
The Door & Broome Street Academy CEO, Kelsey Louie, shared his remarks at the Our City, Our Stories, our 2024 fall benefit
Paddle raising duringOur City, Our Stories, our 2024 fall benefit
MOVE NYC dance performance at the 2023 fall benefit
Honoree Mara Brock Akil sharing her remarks during the 2023 fall benefit
Host Committee
Hollis Forbes & Bethany Menzies, Co-Chairs • April Barton's Suite 303 • Cathy & Frank Aquila • Lauren Blum & C. William Merten • Maya Browne & Laurence Pels • Blake Devillier & Jerad Gardemal • Stephanie Durden Barfield & Jon Barfield • Benjamin Felt & Carla Milan • Leslie Fielden & Jeff Seidel • Hollis & Jim Forbes • Forbes Functions | Cameron Forbes • Cristin Frodella • Christine & Patrick Hall • Barbara Hill & David Zurndorfer • Jeff & Brittany Katzin • Will Lee & Suejin Yang • Bashel Lewis • The Ready Foundation | Bethany & Euan Menzies • Abra Metz-Dworkin & Evan Gogel • Hunter Philbrick & Clementine Drackett • Leah & Clayton Pope • Swati Rao & William Murdock • Brian & Lauren Ross • Elaine Schott • Alixx Schottland & Matthew Pomerantz • Ann Sheehan • Scott & Katie Singer • Kelly Stevens & Peter Lupoff • Tracie Martyn Beauty NYC • Adela Woliansky & William W. McFadden • Alexandra C. Wood
Our Sponsors
Community Champion Sponsor
Invus
Pinterest
Outstanding Advocate Sponsor
Cathy & Frank Aquila
Lauren Blum & C. William Merten
Mónica de la Torre & Herbert Allen
Benjamin Felt & Carla Milan
Hollis & Jim Forbes
Ilaria Fusina & Adam Woodward
Barbara Hill & David Zurndorfer
Hunter Philbrick & Clementine Drackett
Leah & Clayton Pope
The Ready Foundation | Bethany & Euan Menzies
Kelly Stevens & Peter Lupoff
Daring Dreamer
Allen & Company
Maya Browne & Laurence Pels
Trisha & Marc N. DeBevoise
Georgia & Don Gogel
Abra Metz-Dworkin & Evan Gogel
Ann Y. Sheehan
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
SVAM International Inc.
Tishman Speyer
Steadfast Partner
Stephanie Durden Barfield and Jon Barfield
BTQ Financial
Capital One | Alexandra Wood
Hecker Fink LLP
Brittany and Jeff Katzin
Kelsey Louie & Brett Perala
Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP
Elaine Schott
Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies
Suejin Yang & William Lee