About the Event:

This year, in the face of a tumultuous political climate that threatens LGBT equality, it has never been more important to rise above adversity, hence the official name RISE-The LOFT 2017 Gala.  Our awards recipients this year have all risen to the occasion, dedicating time and effort to helping others rise above adversity and spread messages of diversity and equality while providing invaluable services to members of the LGBT community.

In addition to our awards ceremony the evening will feature a special performance by The LOFT PRIDE Chorus, a live auction by Star Benefit Auctions, and music & dancing with 2-4-1 Entertainment.

The Edie Windsor & Thea Spyer Equality Award

Terry Stone, Director of Center Action Network /Retired CEO of CenterLink

Terry Stone, a lifelong LGBT activist and change-maker, is the Director of Center Action Network. The Center Action Network strives to effectively organize and mobilize LGBT community centers, maximizing their advocacy, strength, and reach. Powered by CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, in partnership with the Los Angeles LGBT Center, the network creates a central location for LGBT-related information.

Previously, Terry was CEO at CenterLink, where he spent over 10 years providing training, coaching, and support for a network of 180 LGBT community centers across the US and Canada to help improve their organizational and service delivery capacity and increase access to public resources in support of their programs.  During his tenure, CenterLink was recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change. His work has been essential in the movement for LGBT equality, especially when community centers may be the only available educational resource for members of the LGBT community as well as potential activists.

Terry has been serving the LGBT community in nonprofit leadership for over 28 years. In addition to his work at CenterLink, he previously served as the Executive Director of the National Adult Day Services Association and The Center of Orange County and the Northwest AIDS Foundation. Throughout his career, Terry has served on a number of boards and commissions at the national, state and local levels including: AIDS Action Council, the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, National Coalition for LGBT Health, Men Alive, YMCA, and the Ryan White Planning Council.

Terry holds a BBA in accounting from Texas Tech University and is a BoardSource Certified Governance Trainer.  He lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL, with his partner Mike Bush and is “Daddy” to two wonderful daughters and “Gramps” to three amazing grandchildren.

For more information about Center Action Network visit lgbtactionlink.org.

The LOFT Ally Award

Christopher Oldi, Supervising Attorney, Legal Services of Hudson Valley

Christopher Oldi is a Supervising Attorney at Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) where he oversees attorneys and support staff.  Christopher spearheaded, and was the staff attorney for, the LSHV’s LGBTQ Legal Project; he represented low income LGBTQ individuals in the Hudson Valley in areas such as discrimination, name changes, landlord/tenant matters, disability advocacy, and other civil legal services. He continues to support the LGBTQ Legal Project in his current position.

A Native of Westchester, Christopher utilized The LOFT programs and services when he was in high school and has grown to be a powerful advocate and supporter of The LGBT Community in the Hudson Valley and beyond. He has provided numerous lectures and legal clinics throughout the region on LGBTQ legal issues including: name change clinics, know your rights clinics, transgender rights training, and numerous trainings for students and faculty regarding legal issues for LGBTQ students. 

Christopher was honored by the Westchester County Board of Legislators in 2016 for his work with the LGBTQ Community during the Board’s LGBTQ Pride Celebration.  June 22, 2016 was named Christopher Oldi day in Westchester County.

Christopher was also a named a “Diversity Champion” by the Westchester County Business Journal in 2017, and currently serves on the Family & Matrimonial Law Steering Committee of the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York.  

For more information about Legal Services of Hudson Valley visit lshv.org.

The Business Ally Award

Westchester Medical Center Health Network,Valhalla, New York

The Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) embraces and celebrates the diversity of patients and their families, members of their workforce, and the various communities they serve throughout the Hudson Valley.  WMCHealth organizational diversity makes them stronger, more efficient, more effective, and more responsive to the needs of those they serve. They have shown an unwavering commitment to promoting inclusivity.

WMCHealth recognizes the importance of partnering with local stake holders is crucial to sustaining healthy and vibrant communities.  Partnerships with organizations like The LOFT LGBT Community Center allow them to continuously improve and ensure that superior, compassionate care is being delivered to everyone.  Several WMCHealth LGBT-related initiatives include: 
•Creation of an LGBT subcommittee on their network diversity & inclusion council
•Enhanced education and cultural competence training regarding LGBT patients and co-workers
•Continued support and sponsorship of LGBT organizations and community activities 
•Review of organizational policies and procedures impacting the LGBT community 
•LGBT-targeted health services to reduce health disparities. 

In June, WMCHealth’s flagship site, Westchester Medical Center, located in Valhalla celebrated National Pride Month by hosting an art dedication ceremony of Stephen Crohn’s “The Rainbow Series” paintings.  These beautiful pieces adorn the wall of their main hospital corridor sending a resounding message to all about their commitment to diversity and inclusion.


About Westchester Medical Center Health Network

The Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) is a 1,700-bed healthcare system headquartered in Valhalla, New York, with 10 hospitals on eight campuses spanning 6,200 square miles of the Hudson Valley. WMCHealth employs more than 12,000 people and has nearly 3,000 attending physicians. From Level 1, Level 2 and Pediatric Trauma Centers, the region’s only acute care children’s hospital, an academic medical center, several community hospitals, dozens of specialized institutes and centers, skilled nursing, assisted living facilities, homecare services and one of the largest mental health systems in New York State, today WMCHealth is the pre-eminent provider of integrated healthcare in the Hudson Valley. For more information about WMCHealth, visit WMCHealth.org.