Project Renewal hosted its 19th Annual Gala Benefit and Auction on June 11, 2009 at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City. The Annual Event helped raise over $650,000 to support Project Renewal’s programs and services for homeless New Yorkers. Click here to view photos!

Over 250 guests bid generously as Gala Auctioneer Hugh Hildesley, Exec. Vice President of Sothebys, skillfully conducted the live auction.

Guests were delighted to view a special video message from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. View the video here.

Special guest speaker Anthony Newton, a graduate of Project Renewal's Safe Haven and the artist behind this year's cover art, spoke eloquently about the impact Project Renewal has had on his life. After struggling with years of addiction and alcoholism, moving in and out of treatment programs he was finally diagnosed with bipolar, schizoaffective disorder and eventually made his way to Project Renewal's Safe Haven. "Safe Haven makes you think about your next step," he said, " This was a down home place I could relate to.  This is what recovery was all about."