Person to Person (P2P), a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting individuals and families in lower Fairfield County, hosted its annual Transforming Lives Luncheon with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Andrea Elliott as the featured speaker on Friday, Oct. 20, at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. The event raised over $200,000 to support P2P’s mission of providing vital resources to those in need, helping them overcome daily challenges and putting them on a path toward economic stability.
Elliott, a journalist at The New York Times and author, discussed her Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “Invisible Child” (2022). The book chronicles the life of Dasani Coates, a young girl growing up homeless in New York City. For eight years, Elliott followed Dasani’s story, from childhood to the present day, revealing the challenges she faced. Elliott discussed the misunderstandings that often surround poverty, emphasizing the idea that when someone is constantly focused on basic survival, it is impossible for them to thrive.
The luncheon also featured a presentation by Katerine Gonzalez, a Stamford resident and Junior at the University of Connecticut. During her talk, Gonzalez shared her personal journey and experiences as a client of Person to Person. As a child, Gonzalez benefited from a P2P campership, which allowed her parents to work throughout the summer without worry. She is a graduate of the Academy of Information Technology and Engineering in Stamford and is currently a P2P scholarship recipient. Gonzalez is pursuing a major in Geographic Information Systems.
The event was co-chaired by Tracey Riccardi and Tina Mazzullo. Sponsors included Tudor Investments, One River Asset Management, The Riccardi Family; U.S. Chemicals LLC, a Woman-Owned Business; Angela and Tim Riley; Christina and Richard Wolff; Conair; Pitney Bowes; Summer Search; and Moffly Media.
P2P serves 28,000 residents in Fairfield County with the following programs: three food pantries, clothing center, caseworker assistance, Financial Opportunity Center™, emergency financial assistance, college scholarships and summer camperships.
