Rick DellaRatta & Jazz for Peace

On June 16, 2007 Rick DellaRatta & Jazz for Peace performed a benefit concert for FSFW at Cafe 290. This was the first of what will be an annual event to raise funds so that FSFW can continue its work in the community. Rick DellaRatta is an international jazz pianist, vocalist & composer who has won numerous awards. Over the past year Jazz for Peace has played over 400 benefit concerts for numerous nonprofit organizations!

In March 2007 Rick DellaRatta was recognized by The Foundation Center as one of the top musician philanthropists of our time along with Bono (U20, Elton John, Peter Gabriel and Sting.
Rick DellaRatta is now considered by many to be one of the finest Singer/Pianists performing today and one of only a handful of Jazz Artists who can make a successful musical presentation to a large audience without having to abandon the true art form of Jazz. Through his life long endeavor to help advance people to their highest potential through the understanding of Jazz as well as spreading peace worldwide through his "Jazz for Peace World Tour", Rick DellaRatta is considered to be an innovator and a visionary.

Those in attendance truly enjoyed the evening as Rick DellaRatta gave the audience a fantastic show!!

"Jazz for Peace", his CD released in April 2004 includes selections from the very first Jazz for Peace Concert on 10/4/2001 which featured Rick along with Jazz Greats - Bassist Eddie Gomez, Drummer Lenny White & Cuban Saxophonist/ Clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera. Live selections from Rick DellaRatta's Recent Sold Out weekend at Birdland in NYC!
Rick's Symphonic Composition "Permutata" recorded by The London Symphony Orchestra at the famed Abbey Road Studios in London, England. Studio recording of Rick's signature composition "Jazz for Peace".

Janice Pettigrew, founder and executive director poses with Rick after the show with her husband and co-founder Minister Oscar Pettigrew, Jr.

Fresh Start for Women was honored to have been chosen to have a concert performed for them and look forward to a bigger and better one next year. Watch our calendar of events so that you can be a part of a wonderful cause.

Future Planning with Gusto!!

On June 9, 2007 the women at Safe Haven Transitional currently going through the Fresh Start for Women program were introduced to the second session of a 4-part series dedicated to helping them move from the past & present and into the future. This seminar led by board member Donna Shaw had a little of everything to the delight of the women in attendance. Not only did Ms. Shaw help each to discover new insights about themselves but she also provided useful information on how to re-program their thinking process.

An intregal part of that process was learning to replace negative messages with more positive ones. And yes, there was plenty of opportunities to practice these new words of empowerment before the session was over. Each woman walked away with new found confidence and determination to banish the negative and welcome the positive while putting together a plan for a better and brighter future.