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The New Rochelle Council of Community Services (NRCCS) will hold its annual Celebratory Breakfast on Friday, June 6th at 8:30 am at the Davenport Mansion (400 Davenport Avenue in New Rochelle). The event celebrates volunteers who have given outstanding service, dedication and commitment to the people of New Rochelle, and this year’s “Community Champions” are Lisa Louis Burton, Nina Shawn Gainor and Sharon Weekes. In addition, the NRCCS will award a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving junior at one of New Rochelle’s high schools. 

The NRCCS is the umbrella organization for all of the non-profit organizations in New Rochelle, including the health and human service agencies, religious institutions and educational facilities. The group meets regularly to assess and address the vital needs of the community. NRCCS President Karenann Carty says the Annual Awards Breakfast “is wonderful from start to finish. The spirit in the room reflects the very best of our beautiful city.”  Scholarship Committee chair William Ianuzzi noted that the NRCCS Scholarship was designed to assist students in furthering their education, either through college, technical school or vocational training. 

Tickets cost $50. To order tickets visit https://givebutter.com/NRCCSBreakfast  . Checks are an accepted payment method on the online site, but you may also indicate the names of each attendee and/or journal ad size and mail to: Millicent Lee, Director of Pupil Personnel Services; City School District of New Rochelle; 515 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801. 

The Breakfast event is being chaired by Linda Fosina with a committee that includes Jennifer Lanser, Millicent Lee, Theresa Kump Leghorn, Denise Link, Lisa Itzkowitz, Ann Spindel, Stephanie Tomei and Arlene Zuckerman. The Scholarship Committee is chaired by William Ianuzzi and includes Edward Castro, Carol Feldman, Angelica Guel, Millicent Lee, Denise Link, Theresa Kump Leghorn, Ann Spindel and Stephanie Tomei.

Lisa Louis Burton: Lisa’s professional career was in the field of law firm administration.  After more than 30 years she retired as the Practice Group Manager of an international firm.  Lisa came out of retirement to become a part time legislative aide for a Westchester County legislator for 6 years.  In August 2024, Lisa joined HOPE Community Services as the Director of Government and Community Engagement.

In addition to her professional work, Lisa has been an active member of the New Rochelle civic community.  Since 2008, Lisa has been a member of the Zonta Club of New Rochelle.  Zonta is a leading global organization of individuals working together to build a better world for women and girls.  Lisa is proud of the 10-year annual Extraordinary Women in Film collaboration between the Zonta Club of New Rochelle and the New Rochelle Public Library.  In 2022-2024 Lisa was honored to be elected the Governor of District 3 of Zonta International where she led close to 400 members in 26 clubs located in 5 states and the District of Columbia.  

In 2015, Lisa joined the New Rochelle My Brother’s Keeper Safety and Second Chances Committee. With an amazing team, the Milestone 6 Safety and Second Chances Committee was able to provide free summer camp opportunities, start community focused family fun days in various parks throughout the city and support the NYS Raise the Age initiative.

Lisa is a committed anti-racist working with New Rochelle Against Racism, more commonly known as New RoAR.  As a member of New RoAR, Lisa helped organize several environmental justice learning modulars and assisted with community undoing racism trainings.  

Lisa has been married for close to 35 years to Reg Burton.  She is the proud mom to Lauren Spriggs, Alex-Jamal and Christopher. She is a member of the Bryn Mawr College Club of NY, the League of Women Voters of New Rochelle and serves on the board of the Energy Justice Law and Policy Center.  

Nina Shawn Gainor: Nina Shawn Gainor made her move to New Rochelle from Rhode Island to attend college and 48 years later, as her mother says, “she hasn’t gotten home from school yet”.

She was hired as a playground leader the summer of her junior year by, at the time, Recreation Leader, Barbara Davis…yes! THAT Barbara Davis. The Department of Parks & Recreation hasn’t been able to get rid of her since –lol

Much of Nina’s direct service has been implementing programs for children, from preschool to middle school, and providing recreational opportunities for New Rochelle residents with development and intellectual disabilities from age 5 to 65.

Throughout her career, she has worked closely with the New Rochelle Campership Fund, Childcare Council, local support groups, City School District and HUD to provide resources to assure all children have a healthy, safe enriching summer experience regardless of their family’s ability to pay. 

Nina is currently the Recreation Bureau Head for the Department of Parks & Recreation and lives downtown with her husband Michael, daughter Tatum and their crazy dog, Beans.

Sharon Weekes: Born and raised in New Rochelle, Sharon graduated from New Rochelle High School and received a B.S. in Health Sciences from Hunter College. She worked in research on Parkinson’s disease at Columbia Hospital, then moved to Westchester County Medical Center as a Senior Microbiologist. She joined the Westchester County Department of Labs and Research as a Senior Microbiologist and Quality Assurance Manager, retiring in 2016.

Sharon’s volunteer activities include St. Simon’s Episcopal Church Vestry, Trinty Church Brown Bag, and Lincoln Park Conservancy Group. Sharon sits on the Board of the Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse, where she chairs the Summer Yoga program, and the New Rochelle Public Library Foundation, where she recently co-chaired the Scaveganza fundraiser.

Sharon’s hobbies include international travel – especially cruising – and she is a foodie and wine enthusiast. Sharon says volunteering is her passion: Giving back to the community and those in need is important to me. It takes a village.”

The New Rochelle Council of Community Services (NRCCS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring together community leaders to assess and meet the vital needs of the community by identifying and working towards solutions through mobilization, advocacy, and networking. NRCCS is the umbrella organization for the health and human service agencies, religious institutions and educational facilities of the City of New Rochelle. The Council’s Board of Directors consists of representatives of many of these agencies as well as local residents. The NRCCS welcomes new community resources and seeks to build collaborations to strengthen our community and serve its ever-changing needs.