SWP Unveils the Networks for Change Benefit and addresses the State of the Street

6.04.2008

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Live from the “green carpet”, StreetWise Partners will host an exclusive benefit, Networks for Change, on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at Bridgewaters, in New York City’s South Street Seaport. Special appearances will include Peter D. Kiernan, III, Chairman of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and Board Member of the Robin Hood Foundation, and Jim Clifton, CEO of The Gallup Organization. Kiernan and Clifton will inspire Wall Street leaders to tap their most valuable asset – talent – to build employment bridges between the professionals of Wall Street and low-income career-seekers.

In this economy, securing a good job is a challenge and unemployment and notably, underemployment is on the rise. These changes disproportionately impact the poorest among us and affect thousands of people who are working part-time, but want full-time work. StreetWise Partners addresses these challenges head-on by engaging hundreds of young professionals and executives to coach low-income job seekers to utilize their strengths and access vital employment networks.

The Networks for Change evening will serve as a catalyst, bringing together the best and brightest professionals from major corporations and Wall Street to fundraise for critical site-expansion support. Funds raised will enable StreetWise Partners to put 1,000 people through advanced career coaching programs in Washington, D.C. and New York City, to improve their employability in a tough job market.

The evening will feature Peter Kiernan, Chairman of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and Board Member of Robin Hood, and Jim Clifton, CEO of The Gallup Organization. Says Matt Gorin, co-founder and Chairman of the Board of StreetWise Partners, “We are honored that Peter will be the keynote speaker at the StreetWise Partners Networks for Change Gala during such a vital time in our economy and important juncture in our organization’s growth. Peter’s wisdom and accomplishments as a leading investment banker, venture capitalist, and philanthropist will help us to more effectively execute on our national growth plan leveraging our operations in New York, Washington D.C. and New Jersey. Having Peter share his experience and insights is an inspiration to the StreetWise Partners community.”

More than 500 guests from firms such as Bloomberg, Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, Citi, Merrill Lynch, American Express, and numerous private equity and hedge funds are expected to attend the benefit. Sponsors of the benefit include Morgan Stanley, RBC Capital Markets, Contour Venture Partners, Credit Suisse, Ambrose Employer Group, General Atlantic, and Glocap Search, and other private equity and hedge fund groups.

Representing the essence of StreetWise Partners and its green logo, the event will walk graduates who have obtained jobs through their StreetWise Partners experience down the “green carpet” and present “green” themed eco-friendly gift bags to attendees from companies including Clorox, Greenopia, GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning, Clarins, and the Sierra Club, the evening will also feature DJ Jason Fioto – who has spun at events including the Dave Matthews Concert V.I.P Tent, The Black Eyed Peas event at Randall’s Island, and Brooke Burke’s Private Birthday Party.

With this event, StreetWise Partners will showcase the economic impact of empowering Wall Street firms to utilize their best asset – their talented employees – to help build the skills of lower-income workers and open doors to professional jobs in corporate settings.

It will take place at Bridgewaters, 11 Fulton Street, in New York City on Tuesday, June 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy cocktails and dinner on the wrap-around terrace with views of the Brooklyn Bridge.
To attend this event, contact Emilee Ballaro by June 6th at emilee@streetwisepartners.org or 212.253.6965.