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
Join us in proudly celebrating Robert Ortiz, an inspiring honoree at our Community Service Awards! 🌟 Robert is a dedicated leader in the human services field who has spent much of his career supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through years of hands-on experience and progressive leadership, he has championed person-centered practices, community inclusion, and high-quality care. Deeply committed to empowering others, Robert works to ensure individuals with IDD can live meaningful, self-directed lives. His leadership reflects a strong focus on individualized support, team development, and continuous improvement—helping to create programs that are both compassionate and effective. Respected for his integrity and unwavering advocacy, Robert continues to strengthen services that promote independence, dignity, and opportunity for the individuals and families he serves. Robert’s dedication and impact truly embody the spirit of community service. Congratulations, Robert, on this well-deserved honor! 👏💙 #CommunityService #Leadership #Inclusion #MakingADifference #CommunityStrong
Join us in proudly celebrating Claudette Duff, an inspiring honoree at our Community Service Awards! 🌟 As the founder and CEO of Integrity Social Work Services, Claudette has built an organization rooted in compassion—providing vital mental health counseling and supportive services to seniors, individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and families across New York State. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, Claudette witnessed firsthand the challenges many seniors faced, from housing instability to isolation. Driven to make a difference, she founded Out of the Storm Senior Housing, a nonprofit dedicated to creating safe, affordable, and family-like environments where dignity, stability, and community are restored. In 2022, Claudette faced a life-altering challenge when she lost her sight due to glaucoma. Yet even in that moment, her purpose only grew stronger. Transforming her experience into a source of hope, she founded the Staten Island Center of Light for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SICOL), an organization committed to empowering individuals, removing barriers, and promoting a more inclusive and understanding community. Claudette’s resilience, compassion, and unwavering dedication have transformed countless lives. Beyond her incredible achievements, it is her warmth, infectious spirit, and unmistakable laughter that leave a lasting impact on everyone she meets. Congratulations, Claudette, on this well-deserved honor! 👏💙 #CommunityService #Leadership #Resilience #MakingADifference #StatenIsland
Join us in proudly celebrating an inspiring honoree at our Community Service Awards! 🌟 With a lifelong passion for education and youth development, our honoree has dedicated their career to creating meaningful opportunities for children and families to thrive. Beginning as a teacher in private and charter schools, they later brought their talents to the nonprofit sector as an Education Coordinator with the New York Public Library. In 2018, they joined the New York Center for Interpersonal Development (NYCID) as an Educational Specialist, and through years of commitment and leadership, grew into the roles of Assistant Director and now Director of Afterschool Programs. In this role, they oversee educational programming and strategic initiatives that support student success across multiple school communities—while mentoring staff, strengthening programs, and building partnerships that help each site flourish. A certified New York State teacher for grades 1–6, with a specialization in Math and Science and a master’s degree from Hunter College, their work is rooted in a deep commitment to education, equity, and opportunity. Outside of work, they enjoy hiking, gardening, traveling, exploring new cuisines, and spending time with their husband, two children, and two cats. Their dedication, leadership, and passion for empowering young people truly embody the spirit of community service. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor! 👏💙 #CommunityService #Education #Leadership #MakingADifference #CommunityStrong
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
