Art worlds collided last Thursday January 5th, when Tommy DiMisa, Director of Strategic Alliances for Vanguard Benefits, board member for the Spirit of Huntington Art Center, and also the self-proclaimed NON-Profit Sector Connecter, attended this year’s ArtAbility at the Agora Gallery in NYC.

Vanguard Benefits is a company that is driven and sustained by the needs that exist in their local communities.  As the Director of Strategic Alliances for Vanguard Benefits, Tommy was visiting a client on Staten Island earlier in the day and learned about an upcoming art show they are hosting.  Understanding the tremendous possibilities for connecting that might exist between the Spirit of Huntington Art Center and Venture House, and because he was planning to leave Staten Island for the Manhattan gallery opening, Tommy invited the Venture House Outreach Coordinator Liz Yakobashvili to join him.

Serving his Vanguard Benefits clients and simultaneously connecting two unknown nonprofit organizations was a big win for Tommy.  “My goal is to connect as many people in the nonprofit world as possible,” said Tommy DiMisa. “Michael Kitakis, as the Executive Director for the Spirit of Huntington Art Center and Liz Yakobashvili now have the ability to collaborate,” he added.

Venture House is a not-for-profit community based mental health agency, helping adults who are living with mental illness to achieve recovery through improved access to employment, education, recreation, affordable housing, meaningful relationships, and community engagement in an environment of mutual acceptance and empowerment.  

Venture House is located in Jamaica and on Staten Island. To learn more about Venture House go to venturehouse.org. The Venture House Art Opening will be held on March 11th at the Lighthouse Gallery.

The Spirit of Huntington Art Center is a 501(c)3 that ignites the passion of students with special needs and Veterans for creative expression that transforms their lives. ArtAbility is a traveling special needs art exhibition organized by the Spirit of Huntington Art Center that showcases the talents of individuals on Long Island living with various physical and cognitive impairments.