Event Co-Chairs Luke Weil, Louise Tabbiner and John Forte Announce More Than $100,000 Raised at Fortune Society's Third Annual Spring Soiree

NEW YORK, May 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of young philanthropists converged on the Bowery Hotel for a fabulously chic fundraiser that raised awareness and more than $100,000 to support for The Fortune Society, one of the nation's most respected nonprofit organizations offering services to formerly incarcerated men and women.

The Third Annual "Spring Soiree," hosted by The Fortune Society's Junior Committee and Co-Chaired by Luke Weil, Louise Tabbiner, and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter John Forte, raised money to fund critically needed support services that help Fortune's clients successfully re- enter their communities and rebuild their lives after serving time in prison and jail.

"We are thrilled that our third soiree was even more successful than the first two, raising over $100,000 – more than twice last year's efforts," said Luke Weil, co-chair of the event. "I think this shows the enduring commitment of our generation of philanthropists to this worthy and important mission," Weil added.

JoAnne Page, President and CEO of The Fortune Society, said, "The future of the Fortune Society is strong because of the work of our Junior Committee including Luke Weil, Louise Tabbiner, and John Forte. We are deeply grateful for their enthusiasm, energy and deep commitment to helping men and women with criminal records make a successful transition back home where they are able to rebuild their lives with Fortune's help."

Receiving The Fortune's Society's Spotlight Award was renowned documentary filmmaker Eugene Jarecki (Why We Fight, Trials of Henry Kissinger) honored for his most recent film, The House I Live In, which examines the human rights implications of America's war on drugs through the lens of those who experience it first hand. The film was awarded the Grand Jury Prize for documentary at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Page commended Jarecki for shining a critically needed spotlight on the impact that America's drug policies and mass incarceration have had on communities of color throughout the nation.

DJ Alexander Dexter-Jones kept the party going strong for the young philanthropists who represent the finance, the arts, fashion, sports, journalism, marketing, public relations and entertainment.

The Fortune Society noted the generous contribution of the Soiree's sponsors including Alacran Tequila, Alice & Olivia, American Prison Data Systems, Atlantico Rum, Avantair, Barefoot, Moda Operandi, Raleigh, Runa, Silent Models NY, The Hole, Veev and WhistlePig.

The evening also featured a silent auction. Some of the hot ticket items included four hours on a private jet, a trip to Ecuador, Blue Ridge Mountain getaway, a stay at the W Hotel in South Beach, Florida, a Marc Jacobs clutch, jewelry by Debra Shepard and artwork from The Hole, a gallery in NYC.

The event Host Committee members include: Khaliya Aga Khan, May Andersen, Sarah Arison, Fabiola Beracasa & Jason Beckman, Hannah Bronfman, Cabell Brown, Bryna Butler, Emily Charette, Dori Cooperman, Anthony Cummings, Krissie Darr, Martin Dawson, Karis Durmer, Julius Erving, John Forte, Andrew Freston, Edouard & Brooke Gerschel, Louise Gong, Sian Gordon, Tory Gossage, Christopher Grewe, Amanda Hearst, Julie Henderson, Mara Kadish, Abigail Kazam, Katherine Keating, Matt Kibble, Suzanna Lee, Sasha Leviant, Danielle Levine, Topper Mortimer, Sebastian Nicolas, Molly Noe Austin, Matt Nordgren, Jordan Nystrom, Dalia Oberlander, Camilla Olsson, Meredith Ostrom, Dennis Paul & Coralie Charriol, Spencer Potts, James & Bettina Prentice, Julia Ransom, Charlotte Ronson, Rachel Rose, Mauricio Sada, Alejandro Santo, Andres & Lauren Domingo, Andrew Schweibold & Lauren Grafer, Julian Steinberg, Rich & Tamie Thomas, Philipp Triebel, Adrian Ulrich, Lila Warburton, Nick & Corine Weil, Ali Wise, Christopher Wolf.

ABOUT THE FORTUNE SOCIETY:  
For over forty-five years, The Fortune Society has been developing model programs that help former prisoners successfully re-enter their communities. The Fortune Society offers a holistic and integrated "one-stop-shopping" model of service provision. Among the services offered are licensed outpatient substance abuse and mental health treatment, alternatives to incarceration, HIV/AIDS services, career development and job retention, education, family services, drop in services and supportive housing as well as ongoing access to aftercare. For more information, visit www.fortunesociety.org.

SOURCE The Fortune Society