We sold out and had a packed house with great speakers and a strong roster of sponsors and new relationships. 

We had many guests from outside Red Hook and Brooklyn, and many people were impressed with the feeling of community and appreciation in the room.  

We invited resiliency expert Mary Rowe of the Municipal Art Society to speak. She kicked off the remarks with smart talk about resiliency, both encouraging (great job Red Hook!) and cautionary  (we have to get beyond the stage when we can't stand each other).  More...

Our honorees were moved to have their recovery work in Red Hook acknowledged. More...

There was many a moist eye in the house during the awards due to laughter, empathy, and a crying two-year old who was shushed by being invited to come up on stage.  We presented a surprise "good neighbor" award to IKEA for their recovery work. 

We are buoyed up by the elected officials who came, spoke with admiration and some humor about our work and vision, and who have been supporting our search for a home:  Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz, Councilman Brad Lander and Councilman Carlos Menchaca.  

Special thanks to CM Carlos Menchaca for his deft and diligent diplomacy in advocating for PortSide getting a speedy resolution to our search for a home.