Stars including Billy Porter and Grandmaster Flash performed and gathered with 475 attendees to benefit the YMCA’s community services and programming

New York, NY (June 14, 2024) – Last night, the YMCA of Greater New York hosted its annual Heroes of New York Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, raising more than $1.4 million to benefit the YMCA’s community services and programming that serve more than 300,000 people across all five boroughs in New York City. Broadway icon Billy Porter and Hip-Hop legend Grandmaster Flash performed at the Gala, and Saturday Night Live's Punkie Johnson was the emcee in front of 475 attendees.

This year’s Gala honorees were New York Life, Deloitte and John Starks, celebrated for their ongoing support of the YMCA’s efforts to open doors to education and career development resources for young people across New York City. The Y also paid special tribute to Jack and Valerie Rowe on the 10th anniversary of the Rowe Scholars Program, the Y's flagship initiative for college access and career development for New York City high school students.

“We are thrilled to come together and honor the organizations and individuals who make the Y’s critical programs and community services possible,” said Sharon Greenberger, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. “The Y’s efforts to serve communities across the city depend on individuals and institutions like John Starks, New York Life, and Deloitte who are committed to supporting our work and opening doors for those in need. We are grateful for their commitment to the Y’s mission and dedication to making a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers.”

“The Y consistently transforms the lives of young people. New York Life is proud to serve as one of the Y’s long-standing partners, most recently having funded the Y Scholars middle school program,” said Marlyn Torres, Corporate Vice President and Senior Program Officer, New York Life Foundation. “Middle school is an important developmental time for a young person both academically and socially. Reaching a young person and helping them see and shape their goals puts them well on their way to a bright future.”

“Deloitte's mission is to make an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society,” said Roger G. Arrieux, Jr., East Region Market Leader, New York Managing Partner, Deloitte. “Through our partnership with the YMCA, we are able to empower young people across New York City through providing access to life-changing opportunities in the Rowe Scholars and Black Achievers in Industry programs. The more opportunities we create for others, the more successful they will be, and the more successful we all will be.”

“Every child in New York needs a safe place to learn, grow, and play,” said John Starks, New York Knicks Legend. “I’m enormously proud to partner with the YMCA and the Knicks to create opportunities for NYC youth and teens to develop the  skills they will need to succeed in school, in their careers and in life. The Y and I share a common mission which is to help all New Yorkers thrive and reach their full potential.”

New York Life and Deloitte have longstanding partnerships with the YMCA, supporting the Y’s efforts to provide resources for young New Yorkers. Since 1993, New York Life has awarded over $5.3 million in grants to the YMCA, including funding to expand afterschool and summer programming to thousands more children and youth across the city. Last year they provided a three-year grant of $900,000 to support the Y Scholars, a program that provides academic assistance, leadership training, and civic engagement opportunities to middle schoolers.

Deloitte and the YMCA share a 30-year relationship, during which Deloitte has hosted the Y’s College Decision Day, volunteered at Y branches across the city, and played a key role in the Achievers in Industry (bai) Gala hosted by the Harlem Y – a testament to their investment in and celebration of diversity and inclusion. Recently, Deloitte awarded the YMCA with a $300,000 grant to support the Rowe Scholars program and provide scholarships for graduating seniors over the next three years.

For the past three years, the New York Knicks have worked in partnership with the YMCA to provide fun, safe programming to New York City kids and teens on Saturday nights, through the YMCA’s Saturday Night Lights Program. Knicks Legend and Founder and President of the John Starks Foundation, John Starks has been at the helm of this partnership. As the recipient of the Dodge Award, Starks has been a key piece of the YMCA’s partnership with the Knicks, hosting and attending basketball clinics throughout the city and mentoring young New Yorkers at career development workshops. Through the John Starks Foundation, he is committed to expanding youth access to education, providing financial assistance to college-bound high school seniors in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Tulsa, OK. Starks’ dedication to the YMCA and his leadership off the court have made him a clear role model for our community.

All proceeds from the Gala will support the YMCA’s broad offerings of community services and programming, including the Rowe Scholars program, an initiative for college access and career development for NYC high school students; Teen Night Out, a comprehensive youth development program offering free, fun, high-quality and youth-informed workshops, activities, and class options for teens on Saturday nights; and the Y Afterschool program, among others.