Following their 2021 Annual Ladies Golf Outing event earlier this month, the JFK Rotary Club joined event honoree Kimberly Hardy, M/WBE Director for The New Terminal One at JFK. and Senior Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion, and Compliance at McKissack & McKissack, to present a check for $5,000 to LIFE Camp.
As a leading nonprofit serving youth and their families in Queens and New York City, LIFE Camp will use this charitable donation to support violence intervention, job development, and employment training opportunities. New York City Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers, Nantasha Williams, New York City Council candidate, JFK Rotary Club President Nancy Vargas, Vice President Katie Bliss, and Treasurer, Frank McIntyre, Philippa Kateron board member, JFK International Airport Chamber of Commerce, New York Community Aviation Round Table (NYCAR), and a member of the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council, Malikka Kateron, president, Global25, Dawn Kelly, CEO, The Nourish Spot, and Dr. Stacie NC Grant, facilitator, JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council stood alongside Hardy to present the funds to LIFE Camp founder Erica Ford.
“On behalf of our entire team at LIFE Camp, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Kimberly Hardy for selecting our organization to receive today’s donation,” said Erica Ford. “Building a safer, stronger community requires the support and recognition of partner organizations, and we look forward to leveraging these funds to further our essential work.”
Hardy was selected as JFK Rotary Club’s 2021 honoree because she ensures diversity and inclusion remain top priorities for the New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). In addition to LIFE Camp, JFK Rotary tapped the Aviation High School Education Foundation as a recipient. Hardy has worked at McKissack & McKissack, the nation’s oldest Black-owned design and construction firm, since 2018.
“It was a great honor to receive recognition earlier this month at the 2021 Annual Ladies Golf Outing, and I’m proud to join the JFK Rotary Club and local community leaders in presenting this donation to LIFE Camp,” said Hardy. “Erica Ford and her inspiring team at LIFE Camp provide critical community services to southeast Queens, helping youth prevent and heal from violence and transform communities.”
McKissack & McKissack provides project management oversight (PMO) services for JFK’s multi-billion dollar New Terminal One project. Hardy and her team at the firm work towards improving diversity metrics in all aspects of the project, including design, construction, finance, operations, and more.
“Ms. Hardy’s work to further diversity and inclusion on the New Terminal One project at JFK is truly admirable,” said Councilwoman Brooks-Powers. “I’m honored to join her today to celebrate and support LIFE Camp in their mission to improve the lives of youth and families across southeast Queens and the country.”
“Kimberly Hardy’s commitment to supporting and amplifying inclusive environments for M/WBE businesses to thrive and grow has made a noticeable impact in southeast Queens and the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Vargas. “The JFK Rotary Club is excited to see her work extend to the youth in our community through this donation to LIFE Camp, an important social impact-driven organization that is propelling our neighborhood forward.”
“The New Terminal One Team at JFK is committed to collaborating with neighborhood-based organizations that promote job development, particularly second-chance employment, environmental stewardship, aviation-focused education, and capacity–building for local, minority and/or women-owned businesses in southeast Queens and the communities surrounding JFK Airport. We thank Kim Hardy for leading the charge and JFK Rotary for its support of Life Camp and our mission,” said Dr. Gerrard P. Bushell, Executive Chair of The New Terminal One at JFK.
