2022 Christodora Campfire Event Recap
September 29, 2022
View gala photos and videos.
Under a glorious sunset in Central Park, generations of supporters gathered at the Loeb Boathouse to support Christodora for our annual gala, the Christodora Campfire. The gala kicked off our 125th-year celebrations – a time to commemorate the past, look forward to the future, and recognize how Christodora continues to evolve and grow. Originally founded as the Young Women’s Settlement House in 1897 and then renamed “Christodora” (Gift of Love) in 1898, the 2022-2023 season marks over a century of serving New Yorkers.
“Onward!” was the theme of the gala. As George Davison, Gala Co-Chair, remarked, “Christodora has been all through its time a “yes we can!” organization.” Past alumni honorees concurred, taking to the stage to share how Christodora positively impacts their lives. One of the first alumni to speak was Celines Pinto, who shared, “I think the word I would use to describe Christodora…is opportunity. [Christodora] shaped my identity as a girl who likes the woods. It also gave me the opportunity of a second family.”
Many alumni shared how their experiences with Christodora inspired them to pursue careers in education, environmental studies, science, and public service. Adrian Castro, now an Assistant Professor at Wellesley University, acknowledged, “What Christodora did was to took a kid from the South Bronx, throw him on the Appalachian Trail, and turn him into a geologist that studies the tectonic evolution of those same mountains.”
Gathering Christodora alumni to speak at the gala is part of a new strategic focus – the Christodora Alumni Circle. Led by Sin Senh, a Christodora alum and board member, the Network will serve as a supportive professional community to help generations of alumni stay connected and involved. Said Sin: “Once you are involved with Christodora, you’re an alum for life! [Tonight’s gala] is the beginning…and we will keep growing the Network – this is the future of Christodora.”
The evening was also bittersweet as we honored Judith F. Rivkin, Christodora’s executive director for the past twelve years, for her dedication and service. As Tatiana Pouschine, Christodora’s board chair, said about Judith, “None of what Christodora does happens by itself. It takes constant energy. Inertia is the normal way of being, and I would say that Judy is a single-handed physics phenomenon of never allowing inertia to rule this organization!” Truly, our executive director, Judith Rivkin, has always had the spirit of “Onward!” in her heart.
Thanks to Ms. Rivkin’s guidance, Christodora has continued to build community and expand our urban programs in New York City, all while maintaining excellent and transformative sessions at the Manice Education Center in the Berkshires. As Ms. Rivkin said in her speech, “It has been my honor to have been in this position for this time. Now, I’ve been with Christodora for 10% of its amazing history. I am so grateful, and I cannot say it enough, for all the people I’ve met, all the experiences I’ve had, and all the support of so many of the people in the room.”
Ms. Rivkin’s leadership and insight are invaluable. As Ms. Pouschine concluded, “Thank you, Judy, for everything you have given so tirelessly, so generously...Look at the friends in this room. Her level of passion and dedication is very rare.”
The program concluded with a rousing “raccoon circle” of truth, a hallmark of our programs, which inspired everyone to reimagine what is possible when we experience nature and learn how to work together. Co-chair Davison remarked: “When you get to 125 years old, you have to have the “yes we will” ethos – and we do!”