Every year, ADAPT Community Network holds the ADAPT Leadership Awards Gala, a celebration of notable community members who have made a significant impact on the disabled community. This year’s gala took place on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Cipriani 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan. The event raised over $750,000 for ADAPT’s programs, further supporting its mission to build a more inclusive and equitable world for thousands of children and adults with disabilities.
The night honored the recipients of the ADAPT Leadership Awards, Willie Geist and Jeanine and Louis Salvatore, and the Hausman Humanitarian Award recipient, John D. Kemp.
Willie Geist, host of NBC News’ Sunday Today With Willie Geist and co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, is a longtime supporter of the organization and recently raised over half a million dollars for Parkinson’s disease research. Jeanine and Louis Salvatore, a philanthropist and the co-head of Blackstone Credit’s Performing Credit team respectively, have helped people with disabilities through their countless charitable endeavors.
The Hausman Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual or group for their humanitarian and philanthropic efforts that have a profound impact on individuals with disabilities in New York and beyond. This year, John D. Kemp, Esq., was honored with the award. John has been a leading advocate for individuals with disabilities and led organizations supporting fields of public policy, education, physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle for individuals with disabilities.
This year’s gala film highlighted ADAPT’s growth, including the growth of the organization, the personal growth of the people they support, and the growth of their programs. If you missed it, you can view the film here.
Another focus of this year’s gala was ADAPT’s technology fund. For many of the people the organization supports, technology plays a huge role in improving the quality of their everyday lives. Individuals who are nonverbal can use iPads to communicate, individuals who have mobility issues can use a Google Nest to turn on their lights and TV, and smart classrooms can enhance students’ learning experiences. With a portion of the funds raised during the gala, the organization hopes to bring assistive technology to even more of the people it supports.
Gala attendees also had the pleasure of enjoying a vocal medley by Chilina Kennedy, star of the Broadway musical Beautiful.
You can also still support their mission by donating here.
