20 Years Strong. Building the Backbone of Staten Island’s Nonprofit Sector.
For over two decades, Nonprofit Staten Island has been the trusted backbone of Staten Island’s nonprofit community—strengthening organizations, amplifying community voice, and ensuring critical services reach the people who need them most.
As we celebrate 20 years of impact, we’re launching 20 for 20—a campaign to invest in the next generation of nonprofit leadership, resilience, and equity on Staten Island.
👉 Join us. Invest in the future of Staten Island.
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In Solidarity
The Staff of the Nonprofit Staten Island is united against racism, hatred, and violence. Our commitment to building the strength of our nonprofit communities and leaders is as strong as our commitment to peace, quality, and justice. We grieve the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and the countless other Black lives lost at the hands of law enforcement.
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What We’re Up To
A big thank you to our Impact Leader Sponsor, Comserv Connect, for powering this year’s Community Service Awards! Your dedication to innovation and community impact helps make this celebration possible and supports the incredible work happening across Staten Island. We’re grateful for your partnership and commitment to making a difference! 🌟 #CommunityImpact #ThankYou #NonprofitSupport #StatenIsland #CommunityService
Join us in proudly celebrating Paloma Wasserstein, an inspiring honoree at our Community Service Awards! 🌟 A Chilean immigrant, Paloma brings a powerful blend of cultural perspective and lived experience to her work in social services. Growing up during the Chilean dictatorship and experiencing exile with her family helped shape her deep commitment to supporting vulnerable communities. After earning a degree in art conservation in Chile, Paloma came to the United States for a curatorial internship at MoMA—where she discovered her true calling while leading art workshops for women and seniors. She went on to earn her Master’s in Social Work and has since served in impactful roles, including therapist at the Jewish Board and Director of Social Services at the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island. At the JCC, Paloma led the transformation of the food pantry into a digital model—expanding access and improving efficiency for Staten Island families in need. Under her leadership, the pantry has become a more accessible, streamlined resource, providing fresh food, essential items, and critical connections to social services such as benefits and healthcare. Paloma’s compassion, innovation, and dedication to building strong support systems have made a lasting impact on countless lives in our community. Congratulations, Paloma, on this well-deserved honor! 👏💙 #CommunityService #Leadership #StatenIsland #MakingADifference #CommunityStrong
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how organizations operate—but effective adoption requires more than tools. It requires leadership. Join Nonprofit Staten Island in partnership with ComServ Connect on Wednesday, April 22 from 9:30–11:00 AM for AI Unpacked: Leading in the Age of AI, an in-person workshop at Community Resources Staten Island (3450 Victory Blvd). This session is designed specifically for nonprofit leaders navigating how AI can support operations, strategy, and organizational capacity. Participants will explore practical applications of AI in nonprofit environments, including workflow efficiency, staff support, and responsible use considerations. Key topics include: • Practical prompting strategies for tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and CoPilot • AI integrations already embedded in common nonprofit platforms • Workflow design to improve productivity and capacity • Ethical and operational considerations for AI adoption Designed for Executive Directors, senior leadership, and operations managers Registration is now open—space is limited. Don’t miss this opportunity to build practical understanding of how AI fits into your organization’s strategy and day-to-day work.
Join Nonprofit Staten Island on Wednesday, April 15 at 9:30 AM (Virtual) for a special roundtable conversation with leadership from The New York Community Trust—a key philanthropic partner supporting nonprofit work across New York City. We’re pleased to welcome President Amy Freitag, along with Program Directors Rachel Pardoe and Craig Peterson. This session will offer valuable insight into the Trust’s current funding priorities, how proposals are evaluated, and how Staten Island organizations can more effectively engage in partnership opportunities. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and connect directly with the Trust’s leadership team. Designed for nonprofit leaders and organizations ready to pursue funding opportunities Registration is now open—secure your spot today. Space is limited, and this is a unique opportunity to engage directly with a major funder.
We’re proud to recognize our Impact Leader Sponsor, Bentson & Company, for their generous support of our Community Service Awards. Your commitment to strengthening our community and uplifting Staten Island makes a lasting difference. Thank you for helping us celebrate those who serve and inspire every day! ✨ #CommunityService #ThankYouSponsors #StatenIsland #NonprofitSupport
Join us in proudly celebrating Sue Germano, an inspiring honoree at our Community Service Awards! 🌟 A truly exceptional Direct Support Professional, Sue embodies compassion, patience, and unwavering dedication in everything she does. With the kindest heart and gentlest spirit, she gives her all each and every day to the children and adults she serves. Working with individuals with autism is not just a job—it is her calling. Sue understands that progress comes in many forms, and she celebrates every small victory as if it were her own. Through patience, consistency, and genuine care, she creates a safe, supportive space where people feel understood, empowered, and encouraged to grow. Her ability to connect, to listen without judgment, and to advocate fiercely makes her not only a remarkable professional, but an irreplaceable presence in the lives of the families she supports. She leads with empathy, acts with integrity, and serves with a heart fully committed to making a difference. In a world that needs more kindness, Sue is a shining example of what it truly means to care. Congratulations, Sue, on this well-deserved honor! 👏💙 #CommunityService #Compassion #Leadership #MakingADifference #CommunityStrong
Join us in proudly celebrating Christopher Ricker, an inspiring honoree at our Community Service Awards! 🌟 A proud Staten Island native, Christopher grew up in New Springville, where his love for the natural world began through visits to the Staten Island Zoo, Clove Lakes, and High Rock Park. Today, he serves as the Freshkills Park Program Director for the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, helping transform one of the city’s most remarkable landscapes into a hub for connection, education, and adventure. Christopher’s journey in public service began with the NYC Parks Summer Youth Employment Program, later joining the Ranger Conservation Corps and working as an Environmental Educator in the Staten Island Greenbelt. His passion for conservation and youth development also led him to the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, where he created hands-on leadership programs rooted in environmental stewardship. With a background in Adventure Education & Outdoor Studies and certifications ranging from Leave No Trace Master Educator to kayak instructor and beyond, Christopher brings both expertise and enthusiasm to everything he does. Whether leading programs in the field or sharing the rich history of the Lenape people, he is committed to making nature accessible, engaging, and meaningful for all. At Freshkills Park, Christopher is driven by a simple but powerful goal: to provide New Yorkers with sustainable adventure opportunities right here in the five boroughs. His work continues to inspire a deeper connection to the outdoors and to the incredible transformation of this once-overlooked space into a vibrant green oasis. Congratulations, Christopher, on this well-deserved honor! 👏💙 #CommunityService #Leadership #StatenIsland #FreshkillsPark #MakingADifference
Join us in proudly celebrating Edward Sanchez, an inspiring honoree at our Community Service Awards! 🌟 Edward has been a dedicated member of the Staten Island community for over 20 years and has spent nearly 14 years serving with Community Health Action of Staten Island. As a Benefits Services Coordinator, he works tirelessly to support individuals and families facing food insecurity and barriers to healthcare—ensuring they have access to SNAP, health insurance, and other vital resources. What truly sets Edward apart is his compassion, respect, and ability to connect. He meets people where they are, creating a sense of trust and comfort during moments that can often feel overwhelming or stigmatizing—especially in a time when access to essential benefits continues to shift and change. Beyond his work, Edward is a devoted family man and an active member and advocate at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, where he continues to empower community members by helping them understand their rights and access the support they deserve. Edward’s dedication, empathy, and commitment to uplifting others embody the very spirit of service that strengthens our community every day. Congratulations, Edward, on this well-deserved honor! 👏💙 #CommunityService #Leadership #StatenIsland #MakingADifference #CommunityStrong
Join us in proudly celebrating Dan Hennessy, an inspiring honoree at our Community Service Awards! 🌟 Born and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Dan made Staten Island’s North Shore his home in the mid-1980s, where he and his wife MaryJo raised their daughter, Kathryn. Over the years, he has become a dedicated and familiar presence in the community—volunteering with St. Roch’s basketball program and contributing his time to Our Lady of Pity’s Holy Name Society. For more than 20 years, Dan has been a committed member of the Goodhue Advisory Committee, helping to advance its mission and strengthen its impact. Among his many contributions, his proudest achievement was helping guide the sale of Goodhue property to the New York City Parks Department—ensuring it remains a vibrant and protected green space for the entire community to enjoy. In addition to his work with Goodhue, Dan has been actively involved with the New Brighton Civic Association and dedicated 37 years of service to the New York State Senate as a Senior Research Analyst. Dan’s steady leadership, deep community roots, and lasting contributions truly embody the spirit of service that uplifts us all. Congratulations, Dan, on this well-deserved honor! 👏💙 #CommunityService #Leadership #StatenIsland #MakingADifference #CommunityStrong
