Lower East Side Gala Honors Addiction Center's Supporters
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A recent fundraiser for the Lower Eastside Service Center was held, appropriately enough, on the Lower East Side at Capitale.
Heidi Albertsen, LESC's ambassador, was an honoree at the event.
"LESC helps people in Manhattan that are affected with addiction, drugs or alcohol and more. We have different types of units," said Albertsen. "And the one we specialize on or focus on tonight is the Bridge to Life Camp and the Su Casa, the mother and child's unit."
Peter Santoro, LESC's director of development, was proud of the group's growth.
"We've expanded over the years. We have several programs. It started in a storefront on the Lower East Side, and now there is an AIDS house on East 6th Street, there's affordable housing called 'Diversity Works' in the Bronx where, it's amazing, we keep the family units together," said Santoro.
Justine Simmons, the wife of Joseph "Reverend Run" Simmons, was honored at the event.
"I must say, I feel like I need to be giving them the award, because it gives me so much joy. [Hip-hop mogul] Russel Simmons, who is my brother-in-law, introduced me to this organization and ever since I've been to one of these events, I fell in love," said Justine Simmons. "I love going to help the women, because they're pregnant women [with] substance abuse.... And they have hope now because they have a place to go, people who care and people who'll get them off of drugs. But not only do they get them off, [they] end up having a job and then [they get their] own housing. So I'm just so proud to be a part of it."
Albertsen was delighted to have a personal impact.
"Pregnant women come in high on things or drugs or alcohol and their lives have been ruined. We rescue them and save their lives," she said.