The Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS) will host a fundraiser and cocktail reception on Monday, June 14, 2010 at the Prince George Ballroom in Manhattan.  The theme of this year's environmentally-friendly fundraiser is "Giving Green" and will feature a performance from Jennifer Holliday, two-time Grammy Award winning recording artist and Tony Award winning Broadway star of the smash hit musical "Dreamgirls." 

CUCS' mission is to provide affordable housing and opportunity for homeless and low income individuals and families to be productive members of the community. As part of this mission, CUCS is committed to developing environmentally sustainable housing, and is seeking LEED Silver Certification for its newest housing initiative, the Lenniger Residences.  The fundraiser will honor Jack Krauskopf, a leader in the human services field , and also include a premier showing  of "Randy's Story", a brief film documenting one man's dramatic journey from living on the streets of Harlem to moving into permanent housing and regaining his life.

Ms. Holliday is a legend in musical theatre.  Her critically acclaimed performance in Dreamgirls in the starring role of Effie garnered Miss Holliday a Tony Award for Best Actress (Musical) in 1982.  Her performance is sure to "bring down the house" Ms. Holliday's other Broadway musical credits include Chicago, Grease, Down-Hearted Blues: the Story of Bessie Smith and Harlem Suite.  She has recorded five chart-making CD's for Arista, Geffen and Intersound Records working with such artists as Barbara Streisand, Quincy Jones, the late Michael Jackson and the late Luther Vandross.

Giving Green will include a number of environmentally friendly elements. The event's caterer will use produce from local farmers and recyclable dinnerware.  To save paper, invites were sent via email and CUCS will produce an electronic event journal.  Finally, CUCS will pay a carbon-offset equivalent to the carbon footprint for the event to ensure that raising funds for CUCS' mission does not come at the expense of the environment.  A portion of the event's proceeds will support CUCS' green housing development efforts. Tickets are available for purchase starting at $200 and are available at http://www.cucs.org/

ABOUT CENTER FOR URBAN COMMUNITY SERVICES (CUCS)

Headquartered In East Harlem in New York City, CUCS is one of the nation's largest providers of social services in supportive housing as well as a comprehensive human services agency that implements new practices, actively shares its knowledge and assists in shaping local, state and national strategies so that homeless and low-income individuals and families can live successfully in the community.