It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Roz Cohen!

Board Member Roz Cohen at July's Save the
Safety Net Rally at the Wilson Building

Roz Cohen has done everything you can think of for Bread for the City. She has served on our Board of Directors since 2002, where she currently holds the office of Vice-President. Roz has rallied at the Wilson Building in support of safety net services, packed grocery bags to be distributed in our food pantries, and attended countless fundraising events encouraging friends and strangers to support our programs—programs she has personally supported for almost two decades. Most notably, Roz has helped coordinate our annual fundraising event, Art with a Heart, for almost ten years—six as Chair of the planning committee.

Roz Cohen is a tank of an event planner. Frankly, that’s the best way I can think to describe her abilities, which then causes me to chuckle since she’s so petite. Roz knows how to rally the troops into action, she excels at recruiting new supporters, and she has such an amazing eye for detail—a gift that has saved my butt on more than one occasion.

Now, there are many people who have worked more closely with Roz over the years. When they learned she was receiving a Good Hope Award, here is what they had to say:

"Roz helps to organize Art with a Heart in a manner that manages to be both reassuring and galvanizing. I could never have pulled off the event without her hours and hours of patient help and advice. The best part, though, is that Roz…cares passionately about the organization, the clients, and the staff...She inspires me with her commitment and her energy."
Adrienne Ammerman, Former Development Associate

“My favorite thing about Roz is her ability to meet the ever diverse needs of all Bread for the City stakeholders, whether she's protesting to protect the housing rights of our clients or ensuring that al dente veggies don't go flying off the table during Art with a Heart and ruin the fancy outfits our guests.”
Andrea Messina, Former Associate Director of Development

“I'm trying to think of just one word to describe Roz, and I can't. "Diligent" comes to mind, as does "focused". "Committed" is another good one, and not as in "should be committed” either! But I think the best word is 'generous'. Abundantly generous with her time…her many talents and skills, her resources and her tremendous energy."
Leslie White, Former Grant Writer & Development Director

"Roz is one of those rare people who organizations like Bread for the City depend on. She exemplifies what Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Scott Schenkelberg, Former Development Director

“I love Roz because she could plan Art with a Heart blindfolded and with one arm tied behind her back…Because she loves Bread for the City so very much. Because she's a great friend, sounding board, mentor, and organizer.”
Valentine Breitbarth, Former Development Associate

For all these reasons—and many more—Bread for the City tips its hat to Rosalind C. Cohen, Esq. as our 2009 Program Volunteer of the year. We love you!