Staten Island Top Women in Business to give back to Emma’s Place

Losing a loved one is undoubtedly difficult but, thanks to Emma’s Place – the only not-for-profit Grief and Loss Center for children and families on Staten Island – finding the light in your life is that much easier.

A free-standing, independent grief and loss center, Emma’s Place, located at 1076 Forest Avenue, is supported by the compassion and generosity of community funding and therefore, is dedicated to supporting the growing needs of its community.

“We’re trying to reach out to families in the area who don’t have anywhere to go, who are frightened,” said Karen Goldman, the chairperson of Emma’s Place who called grief counseling her passion. “And we do it all free of service for the Staten Island community. We are year-round, we are not just sporadic – that’s the one thing that we want, to be consistent because people who are grieving need consistency.”

The consistency of Emma’s Place – which Goldman said is named after a friend’s daughter who just so happened to be her first client – is only possible with the support of the Staten Island community.

“Grief affects the whole family,” stressed Goldman whose staff consists of child development specialists, mental health specialists, social workers and nurses. “That’s why we like to offer this to children and their caregivers, and that’s why we need as much support as we can get.”

According to Home Reporter and Brooklyn Spectator Co-Publisher Joshua Schneps, that dedication is exactly why the charity is being spotlighted at the inaugural Staten Island Top Women in Business Networking Awards Dinner, an event honoring influential women, to be held Wednesday, December 3 at the Staten Island Hilton.

“Emma’s Place has a fantastic mission that we look forward to supporting,” said Schneps. “The raffle from our events have helped support so many grass roots organizations and this Staten Island-based one is a great cause.”

Some of Staten Island’s Top Women honorees – to be recognized for their participation in the community – include Donna Proske, executive director NSLIJ at Staten Island University Hospital; Linda Baron, president and CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce; Jane Rogers, president and general manager of the Staten Island Yankees; Fran Reali, owner of Safari Realty; and Jeanne Sarno, vice president of Empire State Bank, among others.

The first annual Staten Island Top Women in Business – sponsored by North Shore LIJ, Staten Island University Hospital and Investors Bank – will take place in the Staten Island Hilton’s Nicotra’s Ballroom (1100 South Avenue) with networking from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and award presentation and dinner beginning promptly at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on sponsorship and participation opportunities, contact Lori at 718-238-6600, ext. 110 or lpedone@homereporter.com.

To purchase tickets, visit www.homereporternews.com/events.

For more information on Emma’s Place, visit www.emmasplacesi.com.