VOA-GNY’s 29th Annual Gala Celebrates the Transformative Impact of Housing
NEW YORK, NY – On Thursday, April 30th, 2026, Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY) held its 29th annual fundraising gala at Gotham Hall titled “Housing Is Just the Start.” The gala raised a record-breaking amount in support of VOA-GNY’s 70+ programs that provide housing, health, and wealth-building services to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
This year’s Community Champion Award was presented to Tamron Hall, executive producer and host of “Tamron Hall Show” and New York Times best-selling author, for her deep commitment to philanthropy through the Tamron ♥ Renate Fund, which supports survivors and families impacted by domestic violence in honor of her late sister. Tamron’s efforts to support those impacted by domestic violence and homelessness embodies the spirit of service that lies at the heart of VOA-GNY’s mission.
In her remarks, Hall spoke about teaching her young son to humanize people experiencing homelessness. “I want him to think how can I help this person?” she said. “Because it is not enough to walk by and say, how lucky we are. It is how lucky we are able to help them, how lucky we are able to support them.”
Fernando Villa, Principal at Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP), was co-chair of the event. Villa, who has more than 25 years of international design experience focused on sustainable, affordable and supportive housing and mixed-use developments, is a longtime partner of VOA-GNY. He has played an instrumental role in bringing VOA-GNY’s vision of quality, affordable housing to life through multiple award-winning projects, many of which achieved LEED certification.
“I believe affordable housing needs to be beautiful,” Villa said. “Not in a superficial way, but in a way that fosters hope and wellbeing and communicates to everyone that these buildings and the people inside them matter.”
VOA-GNY’s President and CEO Dr. Jeffrey R. Ginsburg underscored how housing stability is the critical first step to tackling homelessness and the latest residences VOA-GNY and MAP have developed in partnership, such as YP Senior Residence and East Clarke Place Senior Residence, exemplify this.
“Housing is literally the start,” he said. “We know that when we can get people into affordable, permanent homes, their lives can change.”
The gala was attended by notable guests, including New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, Commissioner of Department of Social Services Erin Dalton, Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Saloni Sethi, and Human Resources Administration Administrator Scott French.
Ric, a former resident of a VOA-GNY supportive housing residence who experienced homelessness, and the Young People’s Chorus of New York City performed.
Sponsors of the event include The Honickman Companies, Deloitte, and Lowes Corporation.