Travelers and Salomon Brothers Unite for the First Time To Support 'Welfare to Work' Reform Movement
12 November 1997
Travelers and Salomon Brothers Unite for the First Time To Support 'Welfare to Work' Reform Movement
More Than $450,000 Raised for Homeless Program that Helps the Homeless
Help Themselves
Lexus ES 300 Donated by Toyota Raises More Than $73,000 in Raffle Sale
NEW YORK, Nov. 12 -- The Doe Fund's third annual "What New
York Needs" gala raised more than $450,000, benefiting The Doe Fund's Ready,
Willing & Able Program -- the most successful residential work training
program for formerly homeless adults in the United States.
Toyota sponsored the dinner and donated a 1997 Lexus ES 300 which
generated more than $73,000 for The Doe Fund. Mr. Takeshi Nagaya, President,
Toyota Motor Corporate Services of North America, welcomed the guests and
praised The Doe Fund's establishment of a Computer Training and Customer
Fulfillment Business Center. "Toyota is a satisfied vendor of the Business
Center where Ready, Willing & Able trainees work assembling large mailings for
private contractor while simultaneously learning marketable computer skills
necessary to enter the business world."
The event marked the first time Travelers and Salomon, which will soon be
acquired by Travelers, have joined under one umbrella for a philanthropic
cause. Mr. Michael A. Carpenter, Executive Vice President, Travelers Group
and Chairman, President and CEO of Travelers Life and Annuity Company chaired
the evening. "The Travelers Group is a proud sponsor of The Doe Fund's
mission to assist formerly homeless individuals through the creation of paid
work opportunities," said Mr. Carpenter. "As a leader in global financial
services, Travelers salutes the participants of Ready, Willing & Able who have
chosen to reclaim their lives through discipline and hard work."
Mr. Deryck C. Maughan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Salomon
Brothers Inc and a board member of the New York City Investment Fund was
honored for his commitment to economic development and the creation of jobs in
New York City. Upon receiving his award, Mr. Maughan said, "Our Investment
Fund has raised a significant amount of money and is looking to contribute to
unique organizations like The Doe Fund that create innovative ideas that offer
solutions to societal issues. Ready, Willing & Able is proof that work
works."
Mr. Dennis Duggan, Newsday columnist, was presented with the Murray
Kempton Award for truth and excellence in journalism. "George McDonald didn't
see homeless, he saw jobless," said Mr. Duggan, whose Newsday columns have
helped galvanize support for causes like The Doe Fund. "It was a simple idea
that has paved the way for the solution to the homeless problem -- jobs, jobs,
jobs."
George T. McDonald, Founder and President of the Doe Fund said, "Ready,
Willing & Able has been successfully helping formerly homeless individuals
achieve lives of responsibility, independence and self-sufficiency for seven
years. I am very pleased with this year's benefit results which will enable
The Doe Fund to continue to help formerly homeless individuals obtain job
opportunities to work and support themselves."
Mr. Christopher Woolbright, who gave the keynote address, spoke about his
experiences as a formerly homeless man. "For 10 years I didn't have a place
to live, bathe or eat until The Doe Fund gave me a second chance," said
Mr. Woolbright. "I presently hold two jobs, live in my own apartment and just
purchased my first used car. The Doe Fund taught me how to live clean, accept
responsibility and offered me hope for a future -- something no other shelter
or program ever did."
Ready, Willing & Able is a leader in today's "welfare to work" reform
movement that employs and empowers formerly homeless individuals through paid
work. Since 1990, The Doe Fund's Ready, Willing & Able program has graduated
more than 500 formerly homeless adults. A holistic program, including
substance abuse counseling, education, job and life skills workshops, the
Ready, Willing & Able Program strives to assist the formerly homeless as they
move from lives of panhandling to remarkable independence and self-
sufficiency.
SOURCE The Doe Fund