Honorees include: Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County Executive; Doug Firstenberg, Stonebridge Co-Founder; Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg, Flash Studio Sideways Founder & Artist; and Suzanne Hillman, Southern Management Companies President & CEO
Virtual Event brings together DMV Real Estate Industry Leaders to Raise Funds for Area Youth at 17th Annual Youth in Real Estate (YRE) Fundraiser
DAVIS Construction for heading the recently completed pro-bono renovation of the approximately 5,000-SF northeast headquarters
(November 3, 2021, Washington, DC) – On Tuesday, November 9th Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) will host its 17th annual Youth in Real Estate (YRE) awards and fundraising event. The event is one of BGCGW’s largest annual fundraisers, and is a highly anticipated gathering of local Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia real estate industry leaders.
“It is thrilling to see the DMV real estate community come together each year with enthusiastic and ever-growing support for the great work of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington,” says Julie A. Smith, Chief Administrative Officer of The Bozzuto Group, and BGCGW’s 2021 Youth in Real Estate Committee Chair. “It is both an honor and a privilege to lead our effort this year knowing the enormous impact is has on the lives of the kids who we serve,” she concludes.
Partnerships with real estate organizations that embrace business and corporate social responsibility objectives align with the critical work being done in Clubs throughout the greater Washington, D.C. area.
“Giving back and being of service is one of my core values,” said Suzanne Hillman, President & CEO of Southern Management Companies. “My parents gave to me, and I want to pay it forward. The ability to make a difference in a young person’s life is the greatest gift and the best investment in our collective future!”
Each year, the YRE event provides a visible platform to celebrate engaged industry leaders while also raising the funds that enable BGCGW to deliver the highest-quality Club experience for area youth. Importantly, these funds also help to fuel BGCGW’s long term objective of providing key education, health and social skill resources—the kind of support that helps empower the whole child so that they can reach their full potential.
“I am both humbled and honored to be recognized by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. I have said many times before that greatness grows in Prince George’s County, and I believe that it starts with our children,” says Alsobrooks. She also notes that,
“Organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs play a key role within our communities, offering an array of programs and resources that help our youth reach their full potential. Youth development is a priority in my administration, and we are dedicated to continuing to work with partners like the Boys & Girls Clubs to develop well-rounded young people that will grow to be our future leaders of our region and nation.”
Husband and wife honoree duo Doug Firstenberg and Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg also acknowledge the meaningful and critically relevant work of BGCGW, “We are so honored to be included with County Executive Alsobrooks and Suzanne Hillman as recipients of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Youth in Real Estate Awards.” They add, “The work of BGCGW has never been more important and challenging than during this pandemic. Having spent time with several members of the Boys & Girls Clubs we have seen first-hand what an amazing difference this organization has made in this most extraordinary time. Investing in our youth is essential so we encourage everyone to help support this critical work of BGCGW.” Doug and artist Suzanne Firstenberg recently met with BGCGW youth to be interviewed by them about her “In America: Remember” installation at the National Mall, which featured 700,000 fluttering white flags, each one recognizing an individual who lost their lives to the coronavirus pandemic.
The YRE event will also recognize DAVIS Construction for heading the recently completed pro-bono gutting and renovation of the approximately 5,000-SF northeast headquarters location. DAVIS Construction is a partner and friend to BGCGW and the driving force bringing the expertise of DBI Architects, Inc. and over 30+ trade partners to participate in this nearly $1M in-kind service project.
“By working together with the subcontractor community, we’ve been able to significantly impact the physical space of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, enabling them to better serve DC metro area youth,” shared DAVIS President and CEO Jim Davis, who is himself a past YRE honoree and member of BGCGW’s Metropolitan Board of Directors. “This is an organization that does so much for kids in our community, what better way to show our appreciation than coming together to make a difference for them as well.” Davis has also supported the annual Youth in Real Estate event for more than seven years.
Additional information on the honorees being acknowledged for their contributions to community service and support of BGCGW this year is as follows:
ANGELA D. ALSOBROOKS
County Executive, Prince George’s County, Maryland
As a public servant, Ms. Alsobrooks has always worked on behalf of others. Her commitment to her community’s public education issues, access to technology and the provision of accessible resources to residents like veterans and kids demonstrate her dedication and community-first mindset.
DOUG FIRSTENBERG
Founding Principal, Stonebridge
A co-founding principal of Stonebridge, Mr. Firstenberg has been on the cutting edge of urban development for more than thirty-five years. His innovative thinking around the multi-layered benefits of mix-use properties, and his consistent participation with local charitable organizations, make evident both the professional and personal actions of his giving character.
SUZANNE BRENNAN FIRSTENBERG
Artist, Flash Sideways Studio
As an artist working in “the medium of empathy,” Mrs. Firstenberg’s devotion to educating and inspiring an audience to focus a lens on social issues sets her apart as a modern artist. Her efforts to elevate the human condition through perspectives on addiction, gun violence, homelessness and political partisanship all encourage awareness with a purpose of raising human dignity.
SUZANNE HILLMAN
A native of the Washington, DC area, Suzanne Hillman is the President and CEO of Southern Management Companies based in Vienna, Virginia. Southern oversees more than 77 apartment communities and 25,000 apartment homes, in addition to other commercial properties, within the DMV. Through community and neighborhood involvement, Suzanne and Southern strive to build long-term relationships. From educational scholarships to professional mentorships programs to fundraisers, Suzanne is honored to give back to the people living and working in the greater Washington, DC area.
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Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) is a 135 year old non-profit and one of the largest affiliates of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. BGCGW is a leader in youth development, serving over 21,000 children and youth annually across Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. Today’s BGCGW evolved through sponsorships from the Rotary Club of Washington before the organization merged with the Metropolitan Police Boys & Girls Clubs in 2003. With its 15 in-person Clubs, and one virtual Club, BGCGW serves its members across a service area that spans over 75 square miles. BGCGW’s low-cost afterschool and summer youth programs fill vital gaps in academic and arts enrichment, character development and healthy living. BGCGW helps boys and girls of all backgrounds and creates a positive environment where children are encouraged to develop their ambitions and develop the steps for turning them into reality. With 99% of high school senior Club Kids graduating and 100% of seniors pursuing four-year college or community college degrees, BGCGW is frequently the catalyst between other community organizations, schools, parents and local government. BGCGW is committed to continuous improvement of the “Optimum Club Experience;” consistently analyzing areas of growth and improvement to ensure high-yielding impacts in the lives of our country’s youth. For more information, please call 202.643.9792 or visit our website at BGCGW.org.
Media Contact: Robert Anderson | 240.729.7597 | [email protected]
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