Ace Builds New Pathways

A spirited day of pickleball, dinner and live music brought supporters together in Southampton for the ACE Sunflower Benefit, raising awareness for programs that help New Yorkers overcome homelessness, incarceration and addiction through employment, training and lifelong support.

Southampton’s summer calendar took on a philanthropic purpose at Whitefield on Hill Street, where community leaders, longtime supporters and Hamptons residents gathered for the ACE Sunflower Benefit. The annual event combined friendly competition and summer hospitality with a mission centered on helping New Yorkers rebuild their lives.

The day began with a pickleball tournament featuring nine teams. Players included Nicole Perrotta, Ellie Manko, Richard Swanson, Alena Alekhin, Gregory Redmond, Alex Donner, Anne Prosser, Sam Pai, Dane Neller, Charlotte Ricks, Monique Grignard, Amanda Holmen, Cindy Farkas, Noelle Nikpour, Maribel Lieberman, Sandra Sanches, Debbie Farrington and Gina Fini. Sandra Sanches and Dane Neller claimed first place, while Alena Alekhin and Richard Swanson finished second.

Following the tournament, guests gathered for cocktails, dinner and live music in the historic Southampton setting. The relaxed atmosphere gave the evening the feel of a classic Hamptons celebration, while the program kept attention focused on the people and purpose behind ACE Programs for the Homeless.

ACE works alongside individuals with histories of homelessness, incarceration and addiction, providing job training, work experience and a long-term support network. Its approach is designed not simply to place participants in temporary positions, but to help them build the skills, confidence and stability required for lasting economic independence.

The benefit also recognized philanthropist Henry Buhl, whose decades-long commitment has helped advance ACE’s work and expand opportunities for those seeking a new beginning. His support reflects the organization’s belief that meaningful employment can be a turning point, offering structure, dignity and a practical route toward self-sufficiency.

Throughout the evening, supporters were reminded that recovery and independence are rarely achieved through a single service. ACE’s model combines employment pathways with ongoing guidance, helping participants navigate the challenges that can accompany reentry, housing instability and addiction recovery.

By pairing a lively summer gathering with a clear social mission, the Sunflower Benefit demonstrated the strength of community-based philanthropy. Guests left Whitefield having enjoyed a day of sport and celebration, but also with a deeper understanding of how sustained support and access to work can change the direction of a life. The event’s mix of competition and conversation also made the organization’s work approachable to guests who may have been learning about ACE for the first time. Rather than presenting homelessness as an abstract problem, the benefit emphasized practical solutions: training, dependable work experience, continued mentorship and a network that remains available as participants move forward. That focus gave the evening a sense of optimism grounded in action.

For more information, please visit: www.acenewyork.org
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