Earlier in March, Good Counsel held its annual Dine Around Staten Island event. It was a special night benefitting the mission of Good Counsel. Guests enjoyed fine local fare and broke bread with friends (or rather they broke Italian egg rolls- yum!)

Over twenty chefs and bakers from the Staten Island area served up their most notable dishes and desserts. Gorgeous baskets were raffled off and those in attendance were treated to entertainment by piano player, Vincent, as well as moving speeches and stories from Good Counsel staff, local priests and one of our very own Good Counsel mothers, Angela.

Angela's moving story is an all too common tale. She was far from family and friends, barely understanding the language and faced with an unexpected pregnancy. Seeking aid for herself and her unborn daughter, Angela was taken in by Good Counsel's Staten Island home where she lived in safety and was fed, body, mind and spirit. Her determination and passion for life is a heartening reminder of what women can accomplish when given a chance instead of a choice. Angela is now a high school graduate with honors & multiple awards. She accomplished so much in just two years with her case manager, Omayra, by her side every step of the way.  Angela juggled motherhood, high school, and a job. She earned outstanding grades, especially excelling in science, and even started a new club at her school for students who are newcomers to the United States.

Moms like Angela and all of the others who work so hard to further their education while residing at Good Counsel, succeed because of your prayerful and financial support. Fundraisers like Dine Around Staten Island provide necessary boosts to our budget crucial for the success of our mission; a mission which extends far beyond one mom and one child. When you lift mothers out of poverty, provide them with the tools and skills for independence, the chances of their children not only surviving but thriving is exponential.

Thank you again to all who made this night possible. Please check out the list of vendors below and remember to patronize their businesses. They are all supporters of Good Counsel. Also for your enjoyment, photos from the event, taken by MK Pelczar Photography, are below.

• Alphonso’s Bakery
• Arlene Chua Cookier
• Beso, Bayou, Blue
• BIN 5
• Corner House BBQ
• DeLuca’s Italian Restaurant
• Doc Hennigan’s
• Harvest Café
• Italianissimo
• J’s On The Bay
• Jimmy Max
• Jody’s
• Kettle Black - Ho’Brah
• Kim Cooks & Caters
• Laila’s Restaurant
• Leo’s Deli
• Love Earth Café & Bakery
• Panini Grill
• Renato’s Pastry Shoppe
• Sally’s Southern
• Santino’s Gourmet Deli
• Sisig City/Phil-Am Kusina/Phil-Am Grocery
• Sophia’s Taqueria
• Stone House
• Violette’s Cellar
• Vinum

And as always, if you’d like to help more moms and babies take the next good step, please click here to contribute. Good Counsel’s work is only possible by the grace of God and donors like you.

To view the full gallery of photos from the evening, please follow us on Facebook @goodcounselhomes

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