Since 2021, Naomi Gans has been a committed volunteer, devoting her time and skills as a tutor in various roles at Sanctuary for Families. Naomi joined Sanctuary’s volunteer team as a weekly virtual tutor through NYU’s Presidential Honors Scholar Program and Dean’s Service Honors Corp. At this time Sarah Burke House, Sanctuary’s large transitional shelter, needed virtual support for their after school program.

Naomi stated,

“I volunteered and worked with children throughout high school, and always wanted to continue doing that kind of work in university. Living in New York provides me with so much, and I wanted to be able to give back to my community in return”.

Over the last four years, Naomi has given back to her community, specifically to the youngest survivors at Sanctuary.

Naomi shared,

“I started tutoring with Sanctuary during the pandemic, when kids were really struggling with learning and online instruction. Even now I notice that many of the kids in the Homework Lab face challenges with learning at the level of their peers. Having a weekly time set aside for one-on-one support has been so helpful for kids who might not get that kind of attention in their classes, not only for learning math concepts or reading but also for their confidence levels and willingness to ask questions and engage with others”.

Naomi’s current student meets with her weekly and stated, “Working with Miss Naomi is so good. My favorite thing about Miss Naomi is she is really kind, and she is teaching me very well”.

Hope Faison, Manager of Volunteer Relations, has witnessed Naomi’s dedication to Sanctuary’s young clients: “Naomi deserves this recognition for her unwavering commitment to the students she tutors, consistently going above and beyond to support their learning and personal growth. Her dedication extends far beyond academics – she fosters confidence, inspires curiosity, and encourages a love for learning that will have a lasting impact on the students she engages. Through her patience, encouragement, and personalized approach, she not only helps students overcome challenges, but also empowers them to believe in their own potential. Her positive influence reaches beyond the classroom, shaping brighter futures and leaving a meaningful legacy in the lives of her students”.

Sanctuary for Families is so grateful for Naomi’s commitment to the educational needs of our clients.

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To learn more about Naomi Gans and her work, please join us on April 9^th from 6:00-8:00 PM at Pillars of Change.

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Agnes Szanyi was introduced to Sanctuary for Families in 2019 by a friend who worked at the agency. The friend thought Agnes could be a great fit as a volunteer interpreter for a family receiving services within Sanctuary’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative (ATI). Agnes agreed to interpret for one in-person meeting, but after learning more about the family and their case she decided to continue.

Over the past six years, Agnes has provided ongoing and invaluable support to this family and the team members within ATI. She has assisted the family through immigration proceedings, obtaining public assistance, and many court proceedings.

Agnes shares,

“I believe it is very helpful to have a reliable interpreter who understands and knows the story of the client. For the clients, it is also very important to have an interpreter who they can trust (which in human trafficking or domestic violence cases is extra important) and who follows their case throughout the years, so they don’t need to rely on a new interpreter every time, who might not understand their situation and misrepresent them. It makes a difference – they don’t feel alone any more”.

Agnes reflected on her time volunteering with the family and the most memorable event when they were reunited with their child after a battle that lasted many years. She shared how hard the staff at Sanctuary worked on behalf of the family, and how much their dedication and kindness allowed her to also not feel alone, especially in hard times, similar to the survivors they jointly support.

Sophie Chalfin-Jacobs, a Case Manager within ATI: “Agnes is one of the most thoughtful, intentional, and compassionate people I have worked with in my time at Sanctuary. In her work with this family, she has served not just as their translator but as their advocate and friend. Agnes’s work both embodies and exceeds trauma-informed care, as she has held with them their suffering and fought in-step with them for freedom, justice, healing, and self-sufficiency. She has worked alongside Sanctuary staff to secure the family stable housing, public benefits, healthcare, mental health services, and more. She has helped them to navigate several incredibly complex legal processes while ensuring the family maintains full understanding and involvement at each step. She has also held other providers and translators working with the family to a trauma-informed standard, and has called out language inaccessibility at every turn. As the fourth case manager from Sanctuary working with these long-term clients, Agnes ensured that I was up to speed and that the case transition would not undo any progress made for the family. Agnes intuitively and empathetically does what I and Sanctuary staff always strive for: sees our clients in their full humanity and centers their agency and empowerment above all else”.

Senior Director Program Director of the Anti-Trafficking Initiative, Jessica-Wind Abolafia, shares additional glowing remarks about her time working with Agnes, “Few individuals have the dedication, compassion, grace and perseverance to walk beside survivors, almost every day, for six years, through every turn, rise and challenge in their journey since their escape from their traffickers. Agnes’ commitment to a family of Sanctuary clients was more than advocacy, more than translation. Agnes was a life-line; she supported the family in accessing justice and healing, to be free from violence, isolation and desperation – experiencing joy, health and safety. She became to them, like family. We, and the family, are forever grateful for Agnes, a shining example of an exceptional volunteer and person”.

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To learn more about Agnes Szayni and her work, please join us on April 9^th from 6:00-8:00 PM at Pillars of Change.

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Lawrence Savell has practiced as an attorney for over 40 years. He was first introduced to Sanctuary for Families when he started working on a pro bono case with his firm, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF), in late 2016. Lawrence recalls working with a “courageous and determined indigenous woman from Central America who was seeking asylum in the U.S.”.

HSF worked with Sanctuary on the case for two years, and after “compelling and poignant testimony of the client, who detailed the horrific abuses she had experienced in her country, and her genuine fear that an order returning her there would result in her suffering further violence and likely death”, the judge granted the asylum claim which was upheld after the government counsel declined cross-examination of the client. Lawrence shared, “It was a tremendous victory for our client, and many in the courtroom (including us) were visibly moved”.

In addition to his impactful work as a pro bono attorney, Lawrence has volunteered for several years doing interview preparation with participants in Sanctuary’s Economic Empowerment Program (EEP). Without fail, Lawrence has volunteered for every date, for both cohorts each year.

Lawrence shares of this experience,

“We provide interview preparation/practice to our clients – brave individuals seeking to return to the work force after suffering and escaping domestic abuse. Over the course of each four-session cycle, and due to the determined efforts of our incredible clients, the progress they make in terms of their interviewing skills and overall optimism and self-confidence is huge. At the beginning, some clients – given their history – can be hesitant, unsure, and insecure, and even sometimes self-pejorative. Over time, however, as their confidence and self-assuredness grow, their performance dramatically improves, and their winning personality, positivity, and even humor become increasingly evident. By the end of the cycle, one would never discern from them the horrors of abuse they had survived before the Program or that they were any different than interview candidates who had not experienced such traumas. To see firsthand their striking progress in effectively conveying their strong qualifications and qualities to potential employers is a tremendous joy”.

Lawrence’s skills and longstanding volunteer commitment has been noticed and so appreciated by the EEP staff as well. Sarah Hayes, Senior Director of Economic Empowerment Programs, shared, “Lawrence has been steadfast, compassionate, and truly dedicated to our mission. He has always been a steady presence in interview prep – always shows up and is willing to be simultaneously flexible and present. We know that change happens not in grand gestures, but in small, consistent acts of care and belief. Lawrence’s service is a testament to that truth and reminds me that empowerment is not a one-time act—it is a process, nurtured by people like him, who choose to show up again and again”.

Lawrence stated,

“I hope that my volunteer service positively supplements all the great work, guidance, and support that Sanctuary’s staff provides their clients, and I hope that my efforts assist in helping the clients achieve the positive outcomes they desire. My work with Sanctuary is some of the most rewarding work I have done in my career”.

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To learn more about Lawrence Savell and his work, please join us on April 9^th from 6:00-8:00 PM at Pillars of Change.

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Chris Dsilva originally joined Sanctuary for Families as a valued intern within our IT Department in 2023. After the Summer Internship Program ended, Chris remained dedicated to Sanctuary’s mission and needs and continues to support the program as a volunteer. He has a strong work ethic and continuously goes above and beyond; remaining calm and professional while supporting clients and staff with crucial IT support.

Chris stated,

“I was drawn to Sanctuary for Families because of its mission to support survivors. As someone passionate about technology and problem solving, I saw an opportunity to use my IT skills to support an organization making a real difference in people’s lives. Ensuring that staff have the technical resources they need to do their work efficiently felt like a meaningful way to contribute”.

Throughout his time at Sanctuary, Chris has worked on several projects that have provided impactful solutions. He recalled working with a client who had trouble accessing critical files and emails on their laptop,

“What made it particularly meaningful was the relief I saw on the client’s face when they were able to access everything they needed again. It was a small yet impactful moment, knowing that my assistance helped them continue their important work without the frustration of technical barriers”.

Diana Urquhart Tarling, Senior Director of Strategic Systems, shared, “Chris exemplifies the true spirit of service and dedication. Over the past two years, he has consistently exceeded expectations, often stepping in to provide critical support beyond his assigned tasks. His willingness to tackle any issue, his reliability, and problem-solving skills have made a lasting impact on our operations. His commitment to ensuring that technology remains accessible and functional for all staff members is a testament to his work ethic and deep-seated passion for IT support”.

Sanctuary for Families is so grateful for the continual IT knowledge and support Chris provides our clients and staff on a daily basis.

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To learn more about Chris Dsilva and his work, please join us on April 9^th from 6:00-8:00 PM at Pillars of Change.

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