VIP's 50th anniversary gala
October 9th, 2024, 6-10PM
Marina Del Rey - 1 Marina Dr. Bronx, NY 10465
Dear Friends and Community Partners,
Please join us on October 9th for our 50th Anniversary Gala. Our theme, Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future, speaks to the impact VIP has made on individuals, families, and communities in the last half-century. It signifies our commitment to be here for the next 50 years as the advocate for, and partner to, people who are marginalized, who lack access to services, and who deserve our support.
VIP has been and will continue to be at the forefront of working to address key social impediments to optimal health. Access to primary and specialty care is but one aspect to good health – the others are stable housing, mental health services, treatment, support for substance use disorders, care coordination, job readiness, and food security, to name a few.
Our event is an opportunity for you to celebrate with us, to network, to support VIP’s vital services, and to enjoy a great evening.
Your support helps to ensure VIP’s continued ability to offer desperately needed services to under-resourced communities in New York City, regardless of people’s ability to pay. Please consider serving as a sponsor, purchasing an ad, buying tickets, underwriting the event, or making a financial contribution in support of our programs and the people we serve.
Sincerely,
Debbian Fletcher-Blake
President and CEO
Dear Friends and Community Partners,
Please join us on October 9th for our 50th Anniversary Gala. Our theme, Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future, speaks to the impact VIP has made on individuals, families, and communities in the last half-century. It signifies our commitment to be here for the next 50 years as the advocate for, and partner to, people who are marginalized, who lack access to services, and who deserve our support.
VIP has been and will continue to be at the forefront of working to address key social impediments to optimal health. Access to primary and specialty care is but one aspect to good health – the others are stable housing, mental health services, treatment, support for substance use disorders, care coordination, job readiness, and food security, to name a few.
Our event is an opportunity for you to celebrate with us, to network, to support VIP’s vital services, and to enjoy a great evening.
Your support helps to ensure VIP’s continued ability to offer desperately needed services to under-resourced communities in New York City, regardless of people’s ability to pay. Please consider serving as a sponsor, purchasing an ad, buying tickets, underwriting the event, or making a financial contribution in support of our programs and the people we serve.
Sincerely,
Debbian Fletcher-Blake
President and CEO
Musical Guest: Upbeat NYC
We’re excited to welcome UpBeat NYC as our musical guest for our 50th Anniversary Gala! UpBeat NYC’s mission is to build equity, opportunity, and community through free music education and ensemble performance and to bring about positive change in the lives of South Bronx children and youth. Click here to learn more.
Musical Guest: Jerrod Sanders
Jerrod Sanders is the Executive Administrator at VIP. Previously, he sang nationally and internationally with various opera companies. He made his NY debut in Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor with Opera Ebony which led to his Metropolitan Opera debut, as Mingo, in Porgy and Bess. He performed with the Houston Grand Opera and has toured throughout the U.S. His European debut was at Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Italy. He sang the Mozart Requiem and the Bach Magnificat at Perroquia de Santa Cruz in Madrid and Iglesia de la Conception in Marbella, Spain. Currently, he is a Cantor at Holy Cross Church in the heart of the Broadway District and he can be seen on the Passionists TV Sunday Mass weekly broadcast, as well as on YouTube.”
Thank You to Our Board

We’re grateful for the support of our event committee and board members!
Thank you for making this celebration possible.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Circle of Hope



Circle of Love



Circle of Peace






Circle of Care

















