Rosa W. Boone Executive Director Anyone Rosa W. Boone encounters quickly notices her high energy, tireless commitment and incredible drive and realizes her dedication to the Westchester Coalition for the Hungry & Homeless, Inc. (WCHH). Taking over the helm of the Coalition as Executive Director after coordinating its first annual gala benefit in October, 1996, all concur that the organization is in very good hands.

A community activist all of her life, she is a resident of White Plains, New York. Educated at the College of New Rochelle and holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Gerontology. Prior to joining WCHH, she held key positions at such companies as Nielsen Television Ratings, CBS Television and Corporate Audit Company, Inc. Moreover, her first introduction to the Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless, Inc. made it clear where she wanted to devote her professional skills and energies.

Coordinating the efforts of 141 service providers in the County of Westchester which includes 38 soup kitchens, 72 food pantries and 31 shelters serving over 240,000 citizens, the WCHH works to obtain grants, financial support and non-perishable food products which are then shared. Rosa provides technical assistance to the service providers where she works to increase public awareness of two human conditions -- hunger and homelessness. The Coalition's Eviction Prevention Program has provided rental assistance to over 300 families that were in a crisis, therefore, allowing them to stay in their homes and to avoid the ranks of homelessness. Further, Rosa is a spokesperson for these initiatives and, as such, has conducted many TV and radio interviews.

To further advance the mission of the Coalition, Rosa launched and serves as the editor of a quarterly newsletter, Hungry & Homeless Times that reports on food and shelter issues in the Westchester County.

Featured as one of the 30 Women of African Descent in the Contemporary Stories of Success & Service in a traveling exhibit on display in Westchester County libraries, she is active in many fraternal and professional organizations. She was recently appointed by Joseph M. Delfino, the Mayor of White Plains, as one of the Commissioners on Human Rights for the City of White Plains. Rosa continues to celebrate her parents who are still a tremendous force in her life as is her son, daughter-in-law and a grandson.

Dedicated to bringing the real hunger and homeless situation to light in the County of Westchester, she is a magnet attracting hundreds of volunteers and donors who want to demonstrate their social responsibility with those less fortunate. Rosa is an advocate and driving force in Westchester when it comes to hunger and homelessness.