UFC: Commemorating 40 Years of Shelter
By Henry Street Settlement
Nearly 200 people — among them government officials, shelter workers, advocates for the homeless and others — gathered at Henry Street’s Abrons Arts Center on May 21, 2013, to commemorate the Settlement’s Urban Family Center (UFC) on its 40th anniversary. When UFC opened its doors in 1972, it was the first family shelter in the nation, and to house families in individual apartments and offer round-the-clock social services to clients; it has since become the model for family shelters.
Henry Street Executive Director David Garza welcomed the group, noting that the UFC has been characterized by dignity, respect, compassion, support and hope since it opened. Audience members then watched a short video — featuring interviews with the shelter founders and some past and current-day residents.
Keynote speaker Dr. Ralph Da Costa-Núñez, President of Homes for the Homeless, spoke about the increase in homelessness and said that we know how to address the problem — with shelters like UFC. “UFC is still the model that needs to be replicated even more throughout the country,” he said. Speaking directly to the shelter founders, workers and supporters, he said, “If we measure wealth by what one puts back into the community, then everyone here is wealthy.”
Danny Kronenfeld, founding director of UFC, and former Executive Director of Henry Street, received the UFC Founders Award, presented by his daughters and grandchildren in a poignant speech, during which his young granddaughter summed it up best when she shouted: “Grandpa, we love you.”
Two Founding Partners Awards were given: one to Robert Doar, Commissioner of the Human Resources Administration (accepted by Cecilia Noel on his behalf), and one to John B. Rhea, Chairman, of the New York City Housing Authority (accepted by Margarita Lopez, NYCHA Board Member and Environmental Coordinator, on his behalf). The awards were presented by Nancy Wackstein, Executive Director of United Neighborhood Houses, and Diane Rubin, Chief Program Officer at Henry Street.
David Garza presented the UFC Partner Award to Seth Diamond, Commissioner of the Department of Homeless Services. Accepting the award, Diamond said, “What comes to mind when we think of Henry Street is ‘community,’ and they take care of the whole community. We are a far better city because of the work that Henry Street does.”
Four original staff members received UFC Pioneer Staff Awards, presented by Geniria Armstrong, Deputy Program Officer for Transitional and Supportive Housing at Henry Street. They are Luisa Montez (accepted by Eddie Montez), Verona Middleton-Jeter, Juanita Colon and Agusto Santana.
