First Step Graduates and Supporters Came Together at the 2025 Annual Women Mean Business Luncheon to Celebrate “Community” – and Raise Over $520,000

The Plaza Grand Ballroom buzzed with energy on Friday, April 4th, as over 300 professionals gathered for the Coalition for the Homeless’ hallmark spring event—the annual Women Mean Business Luncheon, now in its 29th year. This event gathers New York City’s most accomplished and engaged leaders to support the Coalition’s First Step Job Training Program and celebrate the program’s graduates.

The Coalition’s Executive Director Dave Giffen opened the event, pointing out that New York City has not only 350,000 millionaires, but 350,000 people without homes, and noted the importance of focusing on human value above monetary value. The afternoon was filled with heartfelt moments – from CBS News host and Emcee, Kristine Johnson who had guests relaxed and smiling as she welcomed them to the event, to fierce calls to action and hope from civil rights activist Maya Wiley, inspiring the audience to find their power to fight the good fight.

“Community” was the central theme of the event. A video told the story of Marisol Casilla, First Step graduate from class 119, sharing her journey to career success, buoyed by the sisterhood of First Steppers by her side all along the way, and leading to her decade of mentorship, coaching, and support of other First Step graduates. The emotional highlight of the event came when First Step graduate Melissa Whetstone took the stage, sharing her journey through adversity to victory and stability, and speaking about the life-saving nature of the First Step community.

The luncheon surpassed its fundraising goal, raising an impressive $520,000 to benefit the First Step Job Training Program’s ongoing mission of helping homeless and low-income women develop valuable skills, secure living wage employment, and reach their full potential.

The room was electrified when Maya Wiley took to the stage and exhorted the attendees to defend the values that are most important to our community and to stand up to bullies, reminding the room that we have hope, because “hope is in the action, hope is in the determination, and hope is in the refusal to suggest that cruelty should be accepted!”

“Hope is in the action, hope is in the determination, and hope is in the refusal to suggest that cruelty should be accepted!”

– Maya Wiley, Esq.

Maya’s keynote speech was a rallying cry to everyone in the room – from people of color, to low-income and single mothers, transgender individuals, and women in business – that if we are angry, then we are powerful. In the midst of calamity and political chaos, we have the ability to change our future by coming together as a community to build each other up, and fight for what is right. Much like the power of the First Step program.

As always, the First Step graduates themselves served as the greatest inspiration during the event. 20 graduates attended, networking and connecting with other guests, sharing stories about their own meaningful place in the First Step community. The women stand as an example of resilience and determination to overcome the obstacles in their lives and build a brighter future for themselves – and for others.

Marisol, featured in our video, is the perfect encapsulation of this idea. A First Step graduate from 2014, Marisol shared that First Step taught her to step out of her comfort zone, to strive for greater heights and to bring as many First Step graduates that she can along with her – something she has dedicated the past eleven years to doing, as she coaches and mentors new graduates as they enter the workforce.

This year’s graduate speaker, Melissa Whetstone, found her path, her voice, and her courage amidst some of the toughest challenges anyone one person can experience, with the help of First Step. She spoke eloquently of her journey to success, proudly revealing that she now works as a Peer Specialist for The Bridge, using her personal experience of having lived in the shelter system and overcoming depression and domestic abuse to help others with similar challenges.

The 29th annual event was made even more special as the Coalition honored former board members Lou and Helen Lowenstein in memoriam, remembering the many years of service, support, and leadership they provided to the Coalition for the Homeless. Their son, Roger Lowenstein, spoke of his parents’ unending desire to uplift others, while demurring from accepting any public recognition for their deeply impactful work. For decades, the Lowenstein’s were integral to the Coalition’s mission and moral compass. It is because of their forward thinking that we have our headquarters at 129 Fulton Street.

The Coalition is deeply grateful to everyone who made this year’s Women Mean Business Luncheon possible—our compassionate supporters, generous sponsors, dedicated First Step Advisory Board, tireless staff, and most importantly, our courageous graduates whose journeys inspire us daily.

For more than three decades, First Step has woven together practical skills training, career preparation, interactive workshops, and comprehensive social support to create a lifeline – and a community – for thousands of women. Each success story represents not just a job secured, but a life transformed, a powerful path forged beyond homelessness and poverty.