Fiver Partnership Roundup: Investing in Our People, Spaces, and Future
At Fiver, our work does not happen in isolation. It is strengthened by the partnerships, networks, and opportunities that allow our staff to grow as leaders and our programs to evolve in meaningful ways. From professional development opportunities to collaborative projects and grant-supported initiatives, we are grateful to be part of a broader ecosystem that believes in investing in youth and the people who serve them.
Here are recent highlights that reflect the power of those partnerships in action:
Investing in Leadership: Pinkerton Senior Leadership Network
We are proud to share that Dorcas Amoah, Fiver’s Director of Youth Development, was selected to participate in the Pinkerton Senior Leadership Network (PSLN), an initiative of The Pinkerton Foundation designed to support and strengthen senior leaders of color within youth-serving organizations.
The PSLN brings together a cohort of nonprofit leaders to engage in peer learning, leadership development, and strategic dialogue about sustaining impact in the field. Dorcas’s participation reflects not only her individual leadership, but Fiver’s broader commitment to investing in the growth of our team and strengthening the quality of support we provide to Fiver youth and families.
Youth INC RISE Academy – Leadership in Action
We are proud to celebrate Anthony Silvera, Educational Program Associate, as the third Fiver team member to complete Youth INC’s RISE Academy, a 15-month leadership development program designed for BIPOC nonprofit leaders. Through the program, Anthony developed a three-year leadership plan and a capstone project addressing an organizational opportunity. His capstone centered on exploring how Fiver can introduce trades exposure and life skills development at Camp Fiver, leveraging the camp environment as a safe space for youth to explore hands-on learning and potential trade career pathways alongside their peers.
CIBC Miracle Day 2025
We were grateful to once again be part of CIBC Miracle Day, an annual tradition we have proudly participated in for just over a decade. Each year, CIBC Capital Markets and Wood Gundy teams donate a portion of their day’s fees and commissions to children’s charities, demonstrating what corporate partnership can look like when business success is directly tied to community impact.
A huge thank-you to our current Fivers, staff, and alumni who came out to represent our community. We’re proud to stand alongside partners who are committed to expanding opportunity and making a meaningful difference for young people.
Service with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
Melissa Gomez, Senior Director of Development, has been actively involved with the New York City Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) since 2021 and has served on the Board of Directors since January 2023. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Professional Advancement Committee and is a member of both the Audit and IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) Committees. AFP is a global professional membership organization dedicated to advancing ethical and effective fundraising. Fiver is proud to support Melissa’s leadership and engagement with AFP as an important professional development and capacity-building opportunity that strengthens our development practice and organizational impact.
Most recently, she authored an article for AFP NYC’s newsletter on strengthening support for working mothers in the nonprofit sector, which you can read here.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church – Strengthening Camp Infrastructure
We are grateful to St. Thomas Episcopal Church for their support of Camp Fiver’s newly developed maintenance building. Construction broke ground in late spring of last year, and thanks in part to their generous grant, the project is now in its final stages. Previously, our maintenance team operated out of a single covered garage that also served as vehicle storage, leaving essential equipment exposed to the elements and vulnerable to costly damage. This new multi-bay maintenance building will provide protected storage, dedicated space for repairs, and improved operational efficiency. A strong maintenance operation is essential to the safety, sustainability, and long-term success of Camp Fiver, and we are deeply appreciative of partners like St. Thomas who invest in the infrastructure that makes our programs possible.
Ken Jagroo Foundation – Investing in Safety and Youth Voice
We are grateful to the Ken Jagroo Foundation for supporting two critical safety and facility upgrades at Camp Fiver. Their support will fund the installation of a mechanical security gate at the camp entrance, replacing the manual wooden gate and padlock to enhance security, improve operational efficiency, and deter trespassing, with future potential for camera integration. The Foundation is also funding solar lighting for the basketball courts. Each session, 50–70 teens participate in extended camp days, but limited lighting has historically restricted evening outdoor use. Inspired by youth feedback, this upgrade will expand safe outdoor recreation and connection opportunities through a cost-effective, environmentally conscious solution.
