Multi-Emmy® Award-Winning Food Network Celebrity Sandra Lee to Receive Award for Work on Homelessnes

National Event Will Also Honor Sen. John Tassoni, Danae Vachata, Covington & Burling

Press Type: Press Release   Associated Program: Housing

Released: 08/2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty announced it will honor Sandra Leemulti-Emmy® Award-winner, New York Times bestselling author, and philanthropist for her work on homelessness at the 14^th Annual McKinney-Vento Awards on November 15.  The Law Center will also honor Rhode Island Senator John Tassoni, Danae Vachata, and Covington & Burling LLP.

Before her rise to stardom, Lee grappled with poverty throughout a difficult childhood.  It is those memories that drive her dedication to philanthropy.  Lee is a highly active spokesperson and supporter of anti-hunger groupsincluding Share Our Strength, Feeding America, and UNICEFappearing in numerous public service announcements and donating considerable time and funding to the cause.  The Law Center will recognize Lee for her work with the Stewart B. McKinney Award.

"I'm honored to receive the 2012 Stewart B. McKinney Award.  I stand, united, with the dedicated members of the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, who work tirelessly to prevent and end homelessness," said Lee.  "The face of homelessness is diverse; its devastating reach includes over 3 million people, and 1.3 million children.  I look forward to a time when homelessness and hunger are completely eradicated.  Until that day, we must continue to be vigorous and passionate about fighting to end homelessness for the common good of our society."

Senator Tassoni, the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, and the Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project will receive the Bruce F. Vento Award for their leadership in passing the nations first-ever "Homeless Bill of Rights."  At a time when communities across the country are making homelessness illegal, this bill reaffirms the civil and human rights of people without housing.

"I am proud that Rhode Island is leading the country in protecting the rights of homeless people," said Tassoni, a long-time advocate who will retire at the end of his term.  "Homeless people should be afforded the same treatment, respect, and dignity as any other citizen in America."

The Personal Achievement Award will be presented to 24 year-old Danae Vachata, who overcame homelessness during childhood and in college and is now president of the Bell Fund, which helps homeless youth access post-secondary education. Additionally, Covington & Burling LLP will receive  the Pro Bono Counsel Award for over twenty years of exemplary pro bono work on homelessness issues.

"We are proud to honor the contributions of our honorees to the fight to end homelessness," said Maria Foscarinis, founder and executive director of the Law Center. "Their diverse backgrounds are a testament to what can be achieved when we all work together--policymakers, advocates, the legal community, and homeless persons themselves. The McKinney-Vento Awards are a night to celebrate success, while strengthening our resolve to finally end homelessness in America."

Each year, the McKinney-Vento Awards acknowledge outstanding leadership by individuals and groups working to end homelessness, while paying tribute to Congressmen Stewart B. McKinney and Bruce F. Vento, who co-authored the first major legislation to address this national crisis.  This year marks the 25^th Anniversary of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which Foscarinis helped pass in 1987.

The 14^th Annual McKinney-Vento Awards will be held on Thursday, November 15, at the Renaissance Downtown Hotel in Washington, D.C.

To learn more about the event, click here.

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The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty is a leader in the movement to prevent and end homelessness.  It works to achieve this through advocacy, public education, and impact litigation.

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