Experience Making a Difference

Experience Making a Difference

Madonna della Strada Circle Sponsors

Ignatius Circle Sponsors

St. Francis Xavier Circle Sponsors

Men & Women for Others Circle Sponsors

​Distinguished Host Committee

Laura de Boisblanc
Josephine Fink
Barbara Lee
Rev. Steve Katsouros, S.J.
Rev. Matt Malone, S.J.
Rev. James Martin, S.J.
Rev.  Damian O’Connell, S.J.
Rev. John Swope, S.J.
Rev. Dennis Yesalonia, S.J. 

 

An Evening of Celebration

Wednesday, May 3, 2023
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Honoring the Recipients of the 2023 IVC Madonna della Strada Award:

Thrive for Life Prison Project, Inc.
Rev. Zachariah Presutti, SJ
Founder and Executive Director

Ignatian Volunteer Corps Members
Dennis Grant David McGarry
Nina Valmonte

In recognition of outstanding service
to the community

The Madonna della Strada Award is named after the first church that Ignatius and the early Jesuits obtained to serve the urban poor in the heart of Rome, the Sancta Maria della Strada. Today, the Madonna della Strada Award is presented to a person or organization which reflects the Ignatian values of giving direct service to those who are poor in service of creating a more just society.

Thrive for Life Prison Project, Inc.
Founder and Executive Director Rev. Zachariah Presutti, S.J. was born and raised in Belmont, NY, by two generous parents alongside his younger brother Jacob. He met the Jesuits while studying for diocesan priesthood at Canisius College. After serving as Pastoral Associate at St. Paul’s in Kenmore, NY, he joined the Jesuit Novitiate. He did apostolic work in the local jail and supported victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. He obtained a Masters in Clinical Social Work at St. Louis University and interned at the state correctional facility offering individual/group therapeutic interventions to men in administrative segregation (solitary confinement). Fr. Zach founded Thrive for Life Prison Project. In collaboration and partnership with faith communities, universities, and local service providers, Thrive For Life strives to transform lives both behind and beyond the prison walls.

In 2019, Zach opened the Ignacio House of Studies in the Bronx, the nation’s first known transitional living community specifically for returning citizens continuing the work of college education that they began while incarcerated. Thanks to the generosity of His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Fr. Zach opened a house of studies in Manhattan for those continuing their studies at NYU, Columbia, St. Francis, and the CUNY system. Fr. Presutti also serves as a chaplain in the NYC Department of Corrections.

Dennis Grant, Ignatian Volunteer Corps Member After a career in business and higher education, Dennis joined IVC to work with the Thrive for Life Prison Project. His efforts are focused on providing Thrive For Life resident scholars with career and professional development assistance on their journey to sustainable,  full-time employment.

David McGarry, Ignatian Volunteer Corps Member – After a building career in commercial real estate, David served as an IVC volunteer at Brooklyn Jesuit Prep assisting in class, tutoring and working during “energetic” recess periods. For the past two years, David has volunteered at Thrive For Life Prison Project, focusing on new forms of fundraising at a critical time in the growth of this innovative program.

Nina Valmonte, Ignatian Volunteer Corps Member A native of the Philippines, Nina has made community service a mainstay in both her personal and professional life.  Much of her career was spent with Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens where she was Director of Community Outreach and Services.  Nina is a dedicated IVC volunteer and continues to apply her professional experience to Thrive for Life Prison Project where she volunteers as External Affairs Coordinator, focusing on developing collaborations between this organization and other community and diocesan partners. 

Sponsorship Opportunities

To support this event and our work of service in the New York Metro Area we are seeking generous sponsors. Click the button below to learn more.

Sponsorship Opportunities

To support this event and our works of service, we are seeking generous sponsors:

$5,000 Madonna della Strada Circle

$1,000  St. Ignatius Circle

$500 St. Francis Xavier Circle

$250 Women & Men for Others Circle

To support this event and our work of service in the New York Metro Area we are seeking generous sponsors. Will you consider sponsoring our work at one of these levels?

  • Madonna Della Strada Circle
    • $5,000
      • Recognition in event promotional communications
      • Recognition on IVC New York Metro Regional Website
      • Recognition during the event
      • Invitations for six guests to attend the event
  • St. Ignatius Circle
    • $1,000
      • Recognition in event promotional communications
      • Recognition on IVC New York Metro Regional Website
      • Recognition during the event
      • Invitations for four guests to attend the event
  • Francis Xavier Circle
    • $500
      • Recognition on IVC New York Metro Regional Website
      • Recognition during the event
      • Invitations for 2 guests to attend the event
  • Men & Women for Others Circle
    • $250
      • Recognition on IVC New York Metro Regional Website
      • Recognition during the event

To participate in the event tribute journal, please contact Maureen Fullam IVC NY/Metro Director: 917-859-0928 or mfullam@ivcusa.org

To register by mail, a check can be sent to:

M. Fullam – IVC
Xavier High School
30 West 16 Street
New York, NY 10011