Appointments reflect the organization’s commitment to healing-centered care, advocacy, and expanded access to supportive services.
NEW YORK, NY– (April 2, 2024) HELP USA, the renowned national homeless services provider and affordable housing developer, today announced the election of Gale Sitomer and Yolanda B. Jimenez to its Board of Directors, effective April 2, 2025. With decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and public service, both bring deep expertise to HELP USA’s efforts to prevent homelessness and support families with holistic, trauma-informed care.
“Gale and Yolanda bring the kind of perspective, focus, and commitment that make boards stronger,” said Dan Lehman, President and CEO of HELP USA. Their leadership in the nonprofit sector and dedication to supporting families align closely with the values that drive our work.
Sitomer is a committed philanthropist and designer whose advocacy has focused on children and families affected by trauma and abuse. For more than two decades, she has championed the rights of domestic violence survivors through The Michael Bolton Charities, serving on the board for ten years, including two as President, and has led fundraising efforts for organizations such as the Special Olympics, Pediatric AIDS, and United Cerebral Palsy, among others.
“HELP USA’s commitment to families—especially those working to rebuild after trauma—deeply resonates with the causes I care about,” said Gale Sitomer. “I’m honored to join the Board and contribute to the organization’s vital mission.”
Jimenez, most recently Executive Director of the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to supporting young people impacted by violence—brings more than 30 years of public service experience in New York City. She previously served as Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, where she launched the city’s first Family Justice Centers in all boroughs and helped reduce intimate partner homicides by more than 20 percent. Earlier in her career, she served as Deputy Commissioner of Community Affairs at the NYPD, where she developed the department’s Courtesy, Professionalism, and Respect (CPR) strategy and led community and youth engagement initiatives.
“Throughout my career, I’ve focused on building systems that are responsive to families in crisis,” said Yolanda Jimenez. “Joining the HELP USA Board is a chance to continue that work—ensuring that support, dignity, and opportunity are at the center of every solution.”
Their appointments reflect HELP USA’s commitment to strengthening its leadership with individuals who understand the urgency and complexity of the housing crisis—and who bring compassion, clarity, and action to the communities HELP USA serves every day. As the organization marks 40 years of building better lives, HELP USA is responding to record numbers of people seeking prevention and temporary housing assistance by entering a period of rapid growth. In the face of a crippling housing shortage, HELP USA is expanding both transitional and affordable housing options across New York City to meet the rising need and continue its legacy of innovation and impact.
Learn more about HELP USA and find out how you can be part of the solution at www.helpusa.org.
About Gale Sitomer
Gale Sitomer is a visionary designer, philanthropist, and advocate for giving back, a value her parents instilled in her from an early age. Growing up, she witnessed firsthand the power of generosity and the importance of helping those in need. Her parents not only spoke about charity but lived it, ensuring their three children understood the profound impact of service. One of Gale’s earliest acts of giving was bringing children from the Hempstead Cerebral Palsy Center to feed ducks in her backyard, a simple yet powerful experience that ignited a lifelong dedication to philanthropy.
Best known for her work in interior design, where she has built a reputation for timeless and meticulously crafted spaces, her commitment to charitable work is equally significant. She has dedicated decades to raising funds and awareness for numerous organizations, including the Special Olympics, United Cerebral Palsy, Mothers’ Voices, breast cancer charities, the Allen-Stevenson School, Pediatric AIDS initiatives, and the high schools her children attended.
For over 20 years, Gale has been a passionate advocate for victims of domestic abuse through The Michael Bolton Charities, serving as an active board member for a decade and holding the position of President for two years. She now extends her philanthropic efforts as a proud board member of HELP USA, an organization committed to providing housing and support services for those in need.
Beyond her professional and philanthropic endeavors, Gale’s greatest joy comes from her family. She resides in NYC with her husband, Ken, and cherishes time with her children, Colby and Harry, as well as her four grandchildren: Harlow, Margaux, Teddy, and Pippa. She is dedicated to passing down the values of compassion and generosity to the next generation, ensuring that the spirit of giving endures in her family.
About Yolanda B. Jimenez
Yolanda Jimenez is a trusted public service leader with extensive experience in government and non-profit management with a record of successfully addressing challenging social issues, including domestic violence and police community relations. She was the Executive Director of the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to helping young people impacted by violence. While at the Foundation Yolanda expanded the number of program sites across the country by implementing and developing sustainability strategies.
Yolanda has dedicated more than 30 years to public service in New York City. As the New York City Commissioner to Combat Domestic Violence, she transformed and streamlined the delivery of domestic violence services by creating New York City Family Justice Centers in each of the City’s five boroughs. These Centers co-locate over 40 nonprofit organizations, district attorneys’ offices and government agencies to provide holistic and coordinated services to all victims of intimate partner violence, elder abuse and sex trafficking in their language, regardless of their immigration status.
During her tenure she identified critical funding for domestic violence programs and grew the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence from four staff to over 40 staff. As a result of these efforts during her tenure at the Mayor’s Office, intimate partner homicides decreased by over 20% percent in New York City.
Prior to her work as Commissioner, Yolanda served as Deputy Police Commissioner of Community Affairs for the New York City Police Department, where she advised the Police Commissioner on all aspects of police community engagement and developed programs and policies to enhance public safety. She also developed the Department’s Courtesy, Professionalism and Respect strategy and directed the overall efforts of 200 community affairs, crime prevention and youth police officers.
Born in Bogota, Colombia, Jimenez emigrated to the U.S. at a young age. Jimenez began her career in public service at the Office of the Mayor and the New York City Fire Department after graduating with honors from Queens College, where she received both her B.A. and M.A. in Political Science and Public Administration. She is also a graduate of the Police Management Institute at Columbia University.
About HELP USA
HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We provide shelter for people in crisis, ongoing support for individuals and families in need, and work to strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at over 40 transitional and permanent housing sites and through more than a dozen prevention and support programs. Learn more at www.helpusa.org
