the Unity Games

Bertram Levinson

John Woodson

Position: Technology

In real life: Retired/Self-empolyed

Other community organizations: Brothers of Peace (Who Give Back)

What does Unity Games mean to me: Transformation in kids

Celebrity crush: Shari Belafonte

Favorite athlete: Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Favorite place: Lake Tahoe, Aruba

Steven Kessler

Position: Operations Chairman

In real life: Staten Island JCC After School Coordinator


Other community organizations: NYC Department of Youth and Community Development as well as the NY State Office of Children’s and Family Services

What does Unity Games mean to me: A “special weekend” for all concerned

Favorite athlete: tennis player Roger Federer

Bill LaGrega

Position: Finance Committee

In real life: Orthopedic sales consultant

Other community organizations: COB non – profit, Feeding Family and Friends,
Outreach coordinator for St Charles School

What does Unity Games mean to me: Inclusion Of All

Favorite food: Italian

Favorite TV: Anything sports

Joyce Strype

Position: Board Member

In real life: Community School Director PS57/YMCA

Other community organizations: YMCA

What does Unity Games mean to me: Friendship, Understanding, Acceptance

Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans


Favorite Place: Hawaii or New Orleans

Lucy Kamil

Joan Basile

Position: Recruitment coordinator

In real life: General Manager for the Coast Guard

Unity to me means being together as a whole entity – bringing our youth together from different backgrounds and communities and making them one unit for a weekend and hope that they can continue to know that we should all be as one.

Favorite teams: New York Yankees and New York Rangers

NiiAbladey Adjoga-Otu

Position: Board Member

In real life: Architectural Designer

Other community organizations: Elder & Sunday School Teacher at the First Presbyterian Church of Irvington, NJ

What does Unity Games mean to me: Inspiring, Fun-Filled, Motivating

Favorite food: Jollof Rice

Favorite movie: Kung-Fu Hustle

Anthony Navarino

Position: Board member

In real life: Physicians First Messages, Chief Operating Officer

Other community organizations: Vice President of (SIBO) Staten Island Baseball Old-timers,
Member of the Greater New York Sandlot Athletic Alliance,
Member of Warren Jaques Committee

What does Unity Games mean to me: Kids making friends

Favorite food: Pizza – Lee’s Tavern

What do you do in your off time: Hang out with my 5 grandkids

Lamonte Harris

Lois Schwartz

Position: Volunteer Coordinator

In real life: Retired educator, Skier, Grandma

What does Unity Games mean to me: Love the energy of unity. Making a difference.

Favorite movie: Mr Holland’s Opus

Favorite song: You Can Count on Me

Debra Shields

Alberto Garcia

Position: Board member

In real life: High School Assistant Principal,
Track & Field Coach for Notre Dame HS

Other community organizations: Staten Island Track Running and Community (SITRAC)

What does Unity Games mean to me: Making this world a better place one person at a time. It also reminds me of our purpose in this world.

Favorite Movie: Enter the Dragon and Remember the Titans

Favorite place: Anywhere in the world as long as it’s with with my family.

Gerry Festa

Walter Pehowich

Anthony Passalaqua

John Fuentes

Position: Board member

In real life: Physical Education Instructor

Other community organizations: JCC (18 years)

What does Unity Games mean to me: Communication, community, teamwork

What do you like to do in your off time: Deejay

Favorite movie: The Godfather

Mark Levine

Position: Board Member

In real life: Retired NYFD

Other community organizations: Volunteer at Project Hospitality on various holidays and I volunteer for the Fugazzi Bowl

What does Unity Games mean to me: The Unity games are motivational, inspiring and fun

Favorite athlete: Walt Frazier

Guillermo Grau

Position: Board member

In real life: Multi-site Community Center Supervisor for a community-based organization

Other community organizations: United Activities Unlimited, Project Hospitality

What does Unity Games mean to me: Inspiring, Empowering, Inclusive

Favorite off time: I like to play Xbox One and binge watch Netflix

Favorite athlete: Apart from Michael Jordan, former NY Knick John Starks – loved his emotion and tenacity