GiRAFFE HEROES

Nancy Abraham and her father Alexander.

New Yorkers often bemoan the lack of housing for the poor in their city, but city government didn't solv this problem. New Yorkers Nancy Abraham and her father Alexander put their own time, money and connections on the line, creating more than 100 units of safe housing for the city's needy. They started with a project to provide transitional housing for women; within three months they had put down $100.000 on what Nancy calls "a beautiful rehabbed building in a wonderful neighborhood". For the next two years Nancy visited nonprofit organizations and offered to help make their dream projects realities; with the Abraham's financial backing two nonprofits now run three new residences.The Abraham's involvement has been "hands-on" from the beginning. They have godparented the residents' children and taken great pride in each one's achievements. They'd tell you that it sure beats complaining about what's wrong, and it is a lot more satisfying that just writing a check to a charity. 

• Community development.

• Poverty.

• Womens issues.