Tag: ace programs for the homeless

Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: Starry Night in NYC: Jennifer Holliday to Headline ACE’s Dream Gala 2025

Henry Buhl and ACE Programs Will Unite Philanthropy, Music, and Glamour at the Mandarin Oriental

New York, NY — October 9, 2025.

New York City’s skyline will soon glitter a little brighter as the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (ACE), founded by the visionary philanthropist Henry Buhl, will host its highly anticipated Dream Gala 2025 at the iconic Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The black-tie affair will bring together luminaries from the worlds of business, art, and entertainment for an unforgettable evening dedicated to empowerment, compassion, and the transformative power of opportunity.

A Night of Purpose and Glamour

Guests will gather for a cocktail reception followed by an elegant dinner and program hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Cynthia McFadden. The evening will celebrate those who have made extraordinary contributions to community advancement and social change. This year’s distinguished honorees — Henry Hay and Andrew Torrey — will be recognized for their leadership and enduring commitment to creating opportunities for vulnerable communities.

But the true heartbeat of the night will come from the stage when Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Jennifer Holliday, best known as the original “Dream Girl”, will grace the gala with a soul-stirring performance. Her powerful voice and emotional depth will embody ACE’s mission — inspiring resilience, dignity, and hope in the face of adversity.

An Elegant Evening Curated to Perfection

Throughout the night, guests will enjoy live music by the renowned Alex Donner Orchestra, setting the perfect tone for an evening of joy and reflection. A spirited auction, led by celebrated auctioneer Gabriel Butu, will invite attendees to bid on exquisite experiences and items — all in support of ACE’s life-changing programs.

The events media and PR will be orchestrated with flawless style and sophistication by Lawlor Media Group, under the expert direction of Norah Lawlor, whose public relations mastery continues to define New York’s most prestigious philanthropic gatherings. Her team’s impeccable curation ensures that each ACE Dream Gala will be not only a celebration of compassion but also a cultural highlight of the season the world notices.

Transforming Lives, Building Futures

Since its founding in 1992, ACE has been a beacon of hope for New Yorkers rebuilding their lives. Through job readiness training, work experience, and long-term support services, ACE has empowered thousands of individuals affected by homelessness, incarceration, and addiction to reclaim stability and independence.

Funds raised during the Dream Gala will directly support these vital initiatives — creating a path toward employment, dignity, and lasting change.

A Legacy of Hope Continues

As the evening unfolds under the stars of Manhattan, guests will not only witness a night of glamour but participate in a legacy of transformation. Each smile, each song, and each generous contribution will echo ACE’s guiding principle: “Everyone deserves a second chance to dream.”

Event Details & Contact

Event: ACE Dream Gala 2025

Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025

Location: The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, New York City

Honorees: Henry Hay and Andrew Torrey

Host: Cynthia McFadden

Headliner: Jennifer Holliday

Music: Alex Donner Orchestra

Auctioneer: Gabriel Butu

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or table purchases, please visit www.acenewyork.org.

About ACE Programs for the Homeless

The Association of Community Employment Programs (ACE) works alongside New Yorkers with histories of homelessness, incarceration, and addiction to provide job training, work experience, and a lifelong support network. These programs empower participants to achieve their goals, gain economic independence, and build stronger, more resilient communities.

Website: www.acenewyork.org

Instagram: @aceprogramsny

Facebook: aceprogramsny

X/Twitter: @aceprogramsny

* His Highness and Excellency Global Peace Ambassador Dr. PRINCE MARIO-MAX SCHAUMBURG-LIPPE is a working Royal, award winning TV- and Event-Host, Bertelsmann Randomhouse author, Public Speaker and Philanthropist ♔ Prince Mario-Max is the son of Royal Dignitaries H.H. Dr.h.c. Prince Waldemar and H.H. Dr. Princess Antonia of Schaumburg-Lippe. His Grandmother is H.R.H. Princess Feodora of Denmark. Therefore they are the Royal Danish Nachod Line of The Princes of Schaumburg-Lippe, the Founding Family of Hamburg, Lübeck and Kiel. ♔ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/princemariomax/ Website http://www.schaumburglippe.org Facebook https://www.facebook.com/zuschaumburglippe X-Twitter https://twitter.com/schaumburglippe Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/prince-mario-max-schaumburg-lippe-1879978a

Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: Serving Hope in Southampton: Sunflower Soirée for ACE

Southampton’s summer season has long been a showcase for elegance, philanthropy, and purpose, but this year a new highlight graced the Hamptons calendar: the Sunflower Soirée in support of ACE Programs for the Homeless. Held at the gracious Whitefield estate on Hill Street, the event brought together philanthropists, community leaders, and supporters for a day and evening that radiated warmth, optimism, and the promise of transformation. It was a celebration not only of summer in Southampton but of the enduring commitment to those in need, anchored by the tireless advocacy of longtime ACE champion Henry Buhl.

Among the guests the stunning Hollywood Actress Leesa Rowland

The day began with an air of camaraderie and competition as guests gathered for a lively pickleball tournament. With cheers echoing across the courts, friends and newcomers alike bonded over the spirited play. The energy of the morning was infectious, setting the tone for the hours that followed. At the close of the tournament, a trio of winning teams emerged, their victories adding sparkle to the day. Yet the true triumph was not on the scoreboard, but in the unifying sense of joy that carried through into the evening.

As twilight fell and the Hamptons sky turned soft with summer hues, Whitefield was transformed into an oasis of elegance. Guests strolled through the manicured gardens, cocktails in hand, sharing laughter and conversation as the glow of candlelight and the rhythm of live music filled the air. Dinner unfolded with ease and sophistication, and throughout the evening there was a palpable sense of community—a gathering of people bound not just by friendship, but by a collective belief in ACE’s mission of empowerment.

Faces both familiar and new added to the resonance of the evening. Among those present were Henry Buhl, Dale and Renee Schlather, Stephanie Rader, Matthew Gibson, Ellie Manko, Ginger and Larry Leeds, Nancy Ross, and Debbie Farrington, each lending their presence and support to the cause. Their attendance underscored a shared recognition that philanthropy is not only an act of giving but a responsibility to uplift those who strive to reclaim their place in society. Conversations swirled with purpose, and more than once the night was punctuated by reflections on the meaningful work ACE continues to carry out across New York City.

The soirée also served as a prelude to an even grander celebration on the horizon—the highly anticipated ACE Dream Gala, to be held on October 9, 2025, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City. Guests spoke with enthusiasm about the upcoming evening, which will feature a special performance by Broadway legend Jennifer Holliday and honor Henry Hay and Andrew Torrey for their commitment to ACE’s vision. The Sunflower Soirée was, in many ways, a graceful overture, reminding everyone present of the greater symphony of hope and action to come.

At the heart of the gathering was the work of ACE, the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless, whose mission has changed countless lives. For over three decades, ACE has walked alongside New Yorkers overcoming homelessness, incarceration, and addiction, offering job training, work opportunities, and lifelong support systems that allow participants to achieve stability and independence. The stories of transformation inspired by ACE are as radiant as the sunflower, a symbol of resilience and light, and they formed the unspoken centerpiece of the evening’s celebrations.

As the final notes of music floated across the gardens and guests bid one another farewell under the starry Southampton sky, there was a sense that something remarkable had been planted. The Sunflower Soirée was not merely a summer highlight, nor just another elegant evening in the Hamptons. It was a gathering that sowed seeds of hope, nurtured by the generosity and compassion of those who came together with purpose. Southampton shone that night, not only with the beauty of its landscape and society but with the brilliance of a community committed to giving others the chance to bloom.