Summer in the City

Day One Benefit 2007
June 12, 2007, 6:30-9:30pm

Thanks to the generosity and enthusiastic efforts of Day One’s supporters, the Summer in the City benefit was a resounding success, raising more than $80,000 to help New York City teens affected by dating abuse and domestic violence.

We are thrilled to have honored two young people with Youth Leadership awards for their drive and their commitment to working toward a future for young people free of violent relationships. Each youth honoree received a $500 award from Day One for her dedication and perseverance.

Executive Director Stephanie Nilva is pictured at left with Youth Honoree, Virginia Thomas. At right, Alisa Griffin, recipient of our second Youth Leadership Award, speaks eloquently about her personal experience with youth dating violence.

Day One is also pleased to have honored Liz Claiborne for its work to raise awareness of teen dating violence, including its large-scale campaign “love is respect” and the establishment of the National Teen Dating Violence Hotline. Jane Randel, Vice President of Liz Claiborne’s Corporate Communications, accepted the award on behalf of the company.

Also in attendance from Liz Claiborne was fashion guru and Liz Claiborne’s new Chief Creative Officer Tim Gunn. Mr. Gunn was the final judge in our “not a wifebeater” tank top design contest. Young people from around the city took part in Day One’s preventive workshops, and then created and submitted tank tops with their own anti-violence messages. Pictured left, Tim Gunn demonstrates the skills that popularized the fashion reality show Project Runway, as he waxes artistically about the designs of the three finalist shirts.

Mr. Gunn presented the award for the winning design to Tatiana Fernandez, pictured at right, who participated in Day One’s preventive workshop and design contest held at Henry Street Settlement House.  Her winning design is featured on our homepage and is the left-hand tank top in the picture at the bottom of this page.

Each finalist received an American Express Gift Card. The winner received a $100 gift card, and Tim Gunn gave her an autographed copy of his book “Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style.”