Highlights from RTA’s Annual Gala: October 12, 2023

Thank you to all who celebrated with us at RTA’s 2023 Gala: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘈𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 on October 12, 20023! RTA is dedicated to helping incarcerated individuals transform how they see themselves and respond to others through hands-on engagement with the arts. It is our supporters’ generosity that allows us to conduct this life-changing work, and we are deeply grateful.

It was an honor to recognize the contributions of Nancy Gernert and Sean Dino Johnson, who have dedicated themselves to uplifting the carceral-impacted. It brought us great joy to celebrate the accomplishments of so many RTA participants who are back in our community and were with us in the evening.

Together, we offer an approach to rehabilitation that is based on human dignity rather than punishment. The extraordinarily low recidivism rate of our members and the ongoing success of our alums are a testament to the unique RTA model that utilizes the arts and builds community. Thank you for making our work possible.

View the entire album here at this link. 📷Photos by Hector Rodriguez, Jr.

Leslie Lichter, RTA Interim Executive Director, and Sean Dino Johnson, RTA alumnus & Board Director before the festivities begin.

Director of Programs & Operations, Charles Moore, and RTA Board Director, Lawrence Bartley, who were co-MCs for the evening.

The RTA community was all smiles on this joyous and fun evening celebrating the organization.

Charles Moore gives a welcome home embrace to RTA alum, Jules Wekheiser who recently returned back to community.

RTA Alumnus Award Honoree, Sean Dino Johnson receives a Citation from NYS Assemblymember David Weprin.

Johnson receives the RTA Alumnus Award from Board Director, Karin Young Shiel.

Michael Bakwin Award Honoree for evening, Nancy Gernert, receives a Citation from NYS Assemblymember Chris Burdick for her work with the women at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility through Woman 2 Woman organization. Nancy is the Co-Founder of Woman 2 Woman.

José Pérez, RTA alumni reciting an original poem, Ode to Art.

Guests participating in the fund the mission paddle raise.