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The Momentum Project Pays Tribute to Dedicated Supporters after 21 Years

New York, NY – The Momentum Project, one of New York’s oldest and largest AIDS Services organizations commemorated 21 years of providing nutritious meals and supportive services for New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS on Monday, September 18^th.  The event took place at Momentum’s administrative offices on Eighth Avenue and 26^th street, where the staff members of the organization transformed their offices into exhibition rooms to showcase the outstanding services they provide six days a week at eight sites around New York City.  Guests enjoyed an extraordinary evening of mouth-watering food prepared by the Momentum cooks and they had the opportunity to talk to the Momentum staff, check their blood pressure or glucose levels checked.  Momentum Nutrition staff was also on hand to provide BIA readings to measure body tissue.

During the evening, Momentum’s President and CEO, Dawn Bryan took a moment to honor those dedicated to addressing the needs of New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. She reminded the guests that Momentum was the “..first to provide nutritional services, years before nutrition was declared a co-therapy for people living with AIDS.”  New York State Senator, Tom Duane and Speaker of the New York City Council, Chris Quinn received Community Service Awards; Peter Avitabile, Momentum’s first Executive Director and Pastor John Damm, Pastor Emeritus of the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church received Founder’s Awards; Shade` Ogunleye, Miss Black New York 2006, received the Momentum’s Spirit Award for her work to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS; the Momentum Magic Award went to Stephen Frost, long-time volunteer and board member of the Momentum Project; and Momentum employee, Robert Bolton received the AIDS Service Award.  Robert Bolton, Momentum’s first employee, read the Proclamation from New York Mayor Bloomberg’s office, which proclaimed September 18^th Momentum Project Day.

The menu for the event boasted delicious Momentum hors d’oeuvres, including Curried Shrimp on Tortilla Chips, Mini Eggrolls with Teriakyi Dip, Mango Wrapped with Proscuitto, “Momentum’s” Deviled Eggs, Fresh Bocconcini of Mozarella with Cherry Tomato, and a Strawberry Cake.

The Momentum Project was established in 1985, and for twenty-one years, the organization has maintained a highly adaptive service model to stay responsive to the epidemic’s frequent changes, providing nutritious food six days a week, and providing low-threshold services to New York’s disenfranchised HIV/AIDS populations.  Momentum provides half a million meals each year, and conducts more than 20,000 individual counseling sessions with New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.

Miss Black NY 2006, Shade` Ogunleye, flanked by Momentum’s Cooks Seated is Executive Chef, Shawn Thorne

(L – R) Mchael Mazier, Momentum’s Board Chairman, Shade` Ogunleye, and Dawn Bryan, Momentum’s President & CEO

Michael Mazier (l) and Dawn Bryan present the Momentum Magic Award to Stephen Frost, long-time Momentum volunteer