
Dine. Network. Give back.
The 4th Annual Grow with JEVS on May 28, 2026, at the Crystal Tea Room in the Wanamaker Building was a festive evening of connecting, networking, and supporting JEVS Human Services.
As part of this milestone year, we were honored to recognize three distinguished leaders whose work continues to shape the region: Mayor Cherelle Parker, recipient of the Community Impact Award; Congressman Dwight Evans, recipient of the Legacy Leadership Award; and Governor Josh Shapiro, recipient of the Visionary Leader Award. Their leadership reflects the shared commitment needed to strengthen communities and expand opportunities.
JEVS leadership also welcomed Council President Kenyatta Johnson, JEVS Board Chair Laurie Toll Franz, and Dan Astolfi of Citizens. Their words underscored the power of collaboration in advancing JEVS’ mission and supporting economic growth in Philadelphia.
JEVS is deeply grateful to presenting sponsor, Citizens; champion sponsor, Acrisure; and ambassador sponsors, Laurie & Jeffrey Franz and Jefferson. Equal appreciation goes out to all corporate and community sponsors, whose support not only made this event possible but also continues to fuel programmatic work every day.
Additionally, this milestone celebration reflects the leadership, advocacy, and dedication of the JEVS Board of Directors and Host Committee.
We were also proud to premiere the 2026 JEVS Today Video, showcasing both the impact and urgency of our work to expand access to education, employment, and essential services.
Thank you to all of our supporters for joining us to celebrate JEVS’ legacy of service and commitment to continued impact.



Niki Hawkins of 6abc Philadelphia,
emcee of the 4th Annual Grow with JEVS.

Interested in being a sponsor for the 2027 Grow with JEVS?
Please contact: Katherine Shinholster, Chief of Advancement, 215-854-1827
2026 Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSOR

CHAMPION SPONSOR

AMBASSADOR SPONSORS
Laurie & Jeffrey Franz

BENEFACTOR SPONSORS
- 1845 Walnut Associates, Ltd.
- Ballard Spahr, LLP
- Comcast
- Emerald Business Supply, Inc.
- Esperanza
- Ned & Marcia Kaplin
- ServiceNow
- Ben Zuckerman & Marian Robinson
CELEBRATION SPONSOR
- Glenmede
GUARDIAN SPONSORS
- Evan & Teri Benn
- Columbus Construction, LLC
- Firstrust Savings Bank
- Hamilton Family Charitable Trust
- Highmark Blue Shield
- HHAexchange
- Linda McAleer
- Lopez Family Foundation
- Meritain Health
- Ocean to Bay Logistics
- PECO, an Exelon Company
- Philadelphia Foundation
- Philadelphia Parking Authority
- Roberta Pichini, Esq.
- Howard & Linda Scher
- Vanguard
Advocate Sponsors
- Nina & Kyle Abbott
- AFSCME Local 1739
- Cynthia F. Figueroa & Robert T. Clark
- Caritas Construction
- CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
- Crumdale Specialty
- Dorel Shanon Consulting
- Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC and Dan Reisman
- Ellen Kraftsow-Kogan
- Elliott-Lewis Corporation
- FRS Advisors
- INTECH Construction, LLC
- JDB Service Group
- Brian Leatherberry
- Jerry Miller & Lois Frischling
- Mission Government Relations, Dan Muroff
- Denise & Jeffrey Portner
- Public Health Management Corporation
- Rivers Casino
- Salvation Army
- Jeff & Lisa Selighsohn
- Teach for America
- Urban Affairs Coalition
- Lisa Washington
- WSFS Bank

HOST COMMITTEEE
- Luke Bernstein, PA Chamber of Business & Industry
- Lynette Brown-Sow, L.M Brown Management Group, LLC
- Bonnie Camarda, Salvation Army
- Patrick Clancy, Philadelphia Works, Inc
- Reverend Luis Cortes, Esperanza
- Dan Fitzpatrick, Citizens
- Laurie and Jeffrey Franz
- Chekemma Fulmore-Townsend, Hamilton Family Charitable Trust
- Council President Kenyatta Johnson and Dawn Chavous
- Joe Khan, District Attorney, Bucks County
- Ned and Marcia Kaplin
- Carniesha Kwashie, PECO, an Exelon Company
- Sharmain Matlock-Turner, Urban Affairs Coalition
- Joe O’Connell, Emerald Business Supply, Inc.
- Marcel Pratt, Ballard Spahr, LLP
- Pedro Ramos, Philadelphia Foundation
- Greg Rowe, Senior Counsel, Office of the Attorney General
- Vanessa Smith, ServiceNow
- Brett Studner, Acrisure
- Tiffany Tavarez, Jefferson
- Ben Zuckerman and Marian Robinson
