New York, NY, June 12, 2008-More than 600 community and business leaders, philanthropists, elected and government officials and supporters of the YMCA of Greater New York gathered this week for the 34th annual Dodge Award dinner at Cipriani 42nd Street, and raised over $1.2 million to support the YMCA’s diverse platform of programs for youth and teens. Janice Reals Ellig, Chair of the YMCA Board of Directors and co-CEO of Chadick Ellig, and Jack Lund, YMCA President & CEO, were on hand to honor this year’s Dodge Award recipient, Barry Salzberg, CEO of Deloitte LLP.

"The long list of Barry’s charitable involvement speaks for itself, but it is his personal passion to lend his time and talent to help to build our organization as a leader among human services organizations in the city, not just in the breadth and quality of our programs, but in our strength in governance," said Lund. "His commitment to forging true partnership between the corporate and charitable sectors is a prime example of why we’re proud to recognize him with this highest honor."

The Dodge Award is presented each year to an individual who epitomizes the tradition of altruistic humanitarian service that New York’s Dodge family has demonstrated since helping to found New York City’s YMCA in 1852. Previous winners include Mary & Laurance S. Rockefeller (1974), Jack Kemp (1993), Jeffery S. Maurer (2002), Robert H. Silver (2006) and Seth Waugh (2007).

Under Salzberg’s leadership, Deloitte has been a tireless supporter of the YMCA and its program initiatives, annual and capital campaigns. Afterschool programs, Teen Action NYC and Black Achievers in Industry have been of particular significance to Salzberg and Deloitte, which underwrote the development of a new youth mentoring initiative at the Harlem YMCA. In accepting the Dodge Award, Salzberg cited the source of his enthusiasm for supporting the YMCA.

"The YMCA really gives hope to kids," Salzberg said in accepting the award. "It provides the infrastructure and the community where they can learn, grow and become leaders. The impact the YMCA can have on the kids is fantastic."

Salzberg’s vision for Deloitte’s corporate philanthropy program is focused on contributing the organization’s intellectual capital to nonprofit organizations. He and Deloitte challenged the business community to support the YMCA through the Dodge Award Dinner, by pledging to match cash contributions with pro bono services for the YMCA of Greater New York’s ongoing improvement of governance and operational efficiency. Corporate leaders responded with contributions in excess of $250,000.

During last week’s annual Deloitte IMPACT Day, more than 32,000 Deloitte volunteers participated in some 700 service projects across the country, including those in 14 different cities who invited hundreds of non-profit executives to their offices for day-long business seminars and workshops designed to help the charitable organizations operate more effectively.

"Deloitte is committed to making a difference in our communities and the greatest way we can do that is by using our skills and knowledge to help strengthen nonprofit organizations," he said. "My message to corporate America is ‘Step up, give back to the community and the YMCA would be a great place to start,’" he said.

Salzberg chairs the YMCA’s Capital Steering Committee, which is planning for the Association’s long-term growth in serving the children, teens, adults and families of New York City’s neighborhoods. While Chair of the YMCA’s Board of Directors from 2004-07, Salzberg helped the YMCA transition to a new era of leadership, with an increased emphasis on strategic planning and volunteer engagement and a renewed commitment to fundraising, particularly through the annual YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.

"Barry’s leadership has created a long list of accomplishments in further building a strong YMCA presence throughout New York City," said Ellig.

"His passion for the Y is alive in his commitment of time and support. He exemplifies what a leader should be; Barry is the Y!"

The YMCA of Greater New York also presented six scholarships to distinguished teens who will enroll as college freshmen this fall. Vanderbilt YMCA's Kristen Nicole Frazier (Clark Atlanta University) and Camping Services YMCA's Rashida Hull (Utica University) were awarded Vasey Leadership Scholarships, which are given to the YMCA Leaders Club participants who have demonstrated exemplary leadership skills and commitment to their communities by engaging in community service projects and volunteerism.

Long Island City YMCA's Bruno Estrada (SUNY-Purchase), Chinatown YMCA's Wai Ping Kan (SUNY-Albany), Long Island City YMCA's Mady Malena Silva (Five Towns College) and Rashida Hull received von der Heyden Scholarships, awarded to high school seniors who demonstrate leadership, volunteerism and academic performance in and out of school.

"The YMCA gave me a chance to shine and I took it. The YMCA helped me grow from a boy to a young man, helped me prepare for college and have me even thinking grad school," said Estrada, a senior at Information Technology High School in Queens. "My goal now is to take my knowledge and spread it-to work with the youth of our community to inspire others just like the YMCA has done for me."

The event was planned and executed by Teen Dodge Dinner Committee members Flatbush YMCA's Tyesha Allen (West Brooklyn Community High School), Flushing YMCA's Pamela Castro (IS 125), Prospect Park YMCA's Marisol DeMonte (Secondary School for Journalism) and Estrada. The four planned the menu, developed the staging and lighting design as well as the theme "Imagine the Possibilities."

Teen emcees Angel Castro (Flushing YMCA) and Raven Berry (Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA), who were joined by Consuelo Mack, host and managing editor of public television's Consuelo Mack WealthTrack, a member of the YMCA's Board of Directors.

More than $1.2 million was raised to benefit the YMCA's unique programs like Y Afterschool programs, Teens Take the City and Youth & Government civic engagement initiatives and 2nd Grade Swim water safety initiative. The event was co-chaired by Susan D. Whiting (The Nielsen Company), Alfredo J. Molina (The Molina Group) and Michael Klingensmith (Time Inc., retired).

Musical theater performer Brian Stokes Mitchell made an appearance in support of the evening, singing "New Words," from Maury Yeston's "In the Beginning." The Jamaica YMCA's own Tourie and Damien Escobar, better known as Nuttin' But Stringz, opened the night with two rousing songs that blended classical, jazz, R&B and hip-hop.

The YMCA of Greater New York is a community service organization which promotes positive values through programs that build spirit, mind and body, welcoming all people, with a focus on youth.

The largest private youth-serving organization in New York City, the YMCA of Greater New York encompasses 19 branches and 180 program sites throughout the five boroughs, plus three camps upstate, serving 350,000 New Yorkers of all ages each year, including 175,000 children in a variety of educational, social, health and wellness, as well as recreational and child development programs, each of which reinforce the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Supported in part through contributions to the Strong Kids Campaign, the YMCA provides membership assistance and scholarships, so that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. Visit ymcanyc.org to learn more.

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