A Passion for Giving-EP 6: Viscardi Center

By Aline Wealth Management on May 14, 2020

In the latest episode, Peter welcomes guests from The Viscardi Center located in Albertson, NY. The Viscardi Center, a network of non-profit organizations, provides a lifespan of services that educate, employ, and empower people with disabilities. Its programs and services include Pre-K through High School education, school-to-work transition services, vocational training, career counseling and placement, and workforce diversification assistance to children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and businesses.

Joining the podcast is John Kemp, President & CEO. John is a renowned, global speaker and a person with a disability, he inspires others to achieve the impossible through knowledge, experience, vision, and persistence. John co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities with Paul G. Hearne and co-authored Reflections From A Different Journey in 2004 with Dr. Stanley Klein. In March 2006, Mr. Kemp received the Henry B. Betts Award, widely regarded as America’s highest honor for disability leadership and service. In December 2014, he received the Dole Leadership Prize and joined a prestigious group of international recipients including Nelson Mandela and two former U.S. Presidents. He also chairs Viscardi’s Project Accessible Oral Health, a global public-private partnership in pursuit of improved overall health and access for the disability community.

Also joining us is Viscardi Center board member Catherine Castagna who is the president of Castagna Realty, a private real estate firm founded as a construction company in 1922 by her grandfather, Ferdinand Castagna, and later transformed into a pioneering real estate development business by her father, Frank Castagna. Following her father’s recent retirement, Catherine assumed the role of president in July 2019 and was recently named one of “Long Island’s Top Influential Women” by Anton Media Group. For over 50 years, Frank Castagna steered the company’s success, dominating Long Island’s high-level luxury shopping sector and positioning Castagna at the forefront of developing properties of distinction. Americana Manhasset, the crown jewel of the Castagna Realty properties, has become an internationally recognized retail destination. In 2020 she looks forward to spearheading Americana’s 25th anniversary of its annual Champions for Charity® holiday shopping benefit, which last year alone raised over one million dollars for over 100 not-for-profit organizations.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Learn about the various programs the Viscardi Center has in place and how these programs are providing a real impact on the community.
• How does the Center leverage its major donors to amplify fundraising efforts?
• Discover why engaging donors with the organization’s mission proves rewarding for both the donor and nonprofit.

INSPIRING QUOTE

“The fundraising environment today calls upon a nonprofit to engage the donor so far that the donor feels emotionally connected to the mission of the organization and what the outcomes of that organization are all about.” – John Kemp

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