Pictured are the Princeton Family YMCA’s 2015 Centennial Awards “For Social Responsibility” featured honorees and their presenters that was conducted on October 22, 2015 at the Princeton Family YMCA. From left to right: David Sandahl, Charles Biondi, Maria Juega, Antonio Berrios, Gigi Goldman, Adi Cruz Perez, Tricia Baker, Sophie Corrodi, Kurt Baker, Janki Raythattha, Jennifer Brunelle, Shannen Jones and Jim McCloskey. (Photo by Andrew Miller.)
More than 200 guests attended the Princeton Family YMCA’s eighth annual Centennial Awards reception on October 22, 2015, which recognized eight individuals for their commitment to social responsibility in the Princeton region and beyond.
Each year, the Y selects a theme that corresponds to one of its three areas of focus: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. This year’s reception highlighted the work of Gigi Goldman, Co-Founder and Co-Director of We Share Solar, an innovative program that empowers American youth to link science and technology with international philanthropy; Maria Juega, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund which defends and promotes civil rights, facilitates access to health care and education for low-income Latin American immigrants, and promotes cross-cultural understanding in the Mercer County regional area; Jim McCloskey, Founder and Past Executive Director, Centurion Ministries, which works to free innocent individuals from prison who had absolutely nothing to do with the crimes for which they were convicted and sentenced to either life imprisonment or death; Kurt and Tricia Baker, who created Attitudes in Reverse in their late son Kenny’s memory, an organization which aims to educate society about mental health and suicide prevention; NRG Energy, A company with a conscience that supports communities worldwide. Its Global Giving Fund promotes volunteerism, charitable giving and partnerships with organizations around the world. Their leadership engenders a culture of giving that inspires its employees to serve, and lastly, the Y bestowed its first surprise award in Social Responsibility to David Sandahl of Hopewell, who led the Princeton Family YMCA as Chairman for 13 years and served on the board for 20.
The awards presentation is conducted entirely by young people involved with YMCA programs. The teens serve as the program’s moderators and present the awards. Before the event, each presenter interviews his or her honoree and learns about his work, passions, and accomplishments that have shaped his or her character. This year’s presenters were Sophie Corrodi, age 16, Princeton; Adi Cruz Perez, age 14, Princeton; Antonio Berrios, age 12, West Windsor; Shannen Jones, age 16, South Brunswick; Janki Raythattha, age 14, Princeton; and Charlie Biondi, age 15, Montgomery.
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