Each year we host a fundraising breakfast in April where we honor Community Champions who have demonstrated their commitment to the non-profit Community of New Rochelle. We also sponsor a scholarship for a High School Junior in New Rochelle.

The 2024 Community Champions:

Barbara Crane moved to New Rochelle in 2016 and has contributed to the community since then in various volunteer capacities. She is currently on the Boards of the Rotary Club of New Rochelle, the Thomas Paine National Historical Association (TPNHA), and the New Rochelle United Methodist Church. In addition to her work with these organizations, she has volunteered with other local groups, including the Huguenot & New Rochelle Historical Association (HNRHA), HOPE Community Services, My Brother’s Keeper, and the Westchester Women’s Agenda. She was recognized for Service Above Self by the Rotary Club in 2017 and received the Thomas Paine Citizen Award in 2022 from HNRHA and TPNHA.

Barbara’s previous career was in global reproductive health and rights, serving for eight years as a senior policy advisor on family planning with the United States government foreign aid program and for 16 years as a member of the executive team of I pas, an international non-profit based in North Carolina. She is also widely published and holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Michigan, an MA from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts, and a BA from Wellesley College.

Her son Russell and his wife Omaira live in New Rochelle with her two grandsons, Julian and Daniel, who attend New Rochelle public schools. Her daughter Elizabeth lives in Virginia.

Lynn Green has worked professionally for decades in the nonprofit sector in the field of marketing and development. After leaving her last position as Vice President of Development and External Affairs at Family Services of Westchester, she worked as a consultant to FSW and other Westchester-based nonprofits. In 2004, she was recognized by her colleagues at the Association of Development Officers with the Fund raiser of the Year Award. Lynn has also been honored as a Founder of The New Rochelle Public Library Foundation and by The Guidance Center for the role she played in their development. Currently, she serves as Vice President of the NRPL Foundation, in charge of Development; Vice President of the New Rochelle Council on the Arts; and sits on the board of The Giving Circle of Lower Westchester, all volunteer positions.
A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Lynn’s first careers were as an Editor at Bantam Books, and in television, working as a writer for Gene Shalit and as a segment producer of the Today show. Other professional positions have included Director of Marketing and Development, East Coast Arts; Director of Development, The Guidance Center; Marketing and Development Consultant working with such clients as the Mental Health Association of Westchester and the Encompass New Opera Theatre Company, in New York City.

Lynn has been married to Steve Green for more than 50 years; they have two children, Aram and Gillian, and three sweet grandchildren.

Emma Silva grew up in the West End of New Rochelle and has been a New Rochelle resident her entire life. She is the mother of two boys and a bonus mom to many children of the community. Throughout her life she has been a community advocate, fighting for those who have no voice. For example, Emma served as a member of the Police Review Committee as well as the City School District of New Rochelle’s African American/Latino Opportunity/Achievement Task Force and its Social Emotional Learning Advisory Committee. She has also been a leader in several organizations that work with kids and community betterment: She was elected the first President of the Reconstituted Mascaro Women’s Auxiliary Club in 2019, where she has been involved with creating events that make positive impacts on the West End Community. Currently she is also the Executive Director of Better Way Basketball; the President of the Columbus School PTA; and Co-Chair of the
West End Civic Association. In addition, Emma sits on several Boards, including the Hispanic American Advisory Committee for the City of New Rochelle and the My Brothers Keeper Advisory Committee; she is also a member of Better Way NY. She is employed by the New Rochelle City School District.

Emma credits her drive and passion to her parents, who immigrated from Mexico for a better opportunity for their
children’s future.