TD Charitable Foundation Helps Make bergenPAC More Accessible to the Community

The Bergen Performing Arts Center, a nonprofit organization, extends its heartfelt appreciation to the TD Charitable Foundation for its generous support of the Arts Access initiative with a $15,000 grant for the current season. 

This grant is part of TD Bank's TD Ready Commitment, a program dedicated to partnering with nonprofits to enhance residents' quality of life through various initiatives, including fostering inclusive communities. 

Established in 2016, Arts Access is an integral component of bergenPAC's mission to ensure that live entertainment and arts education are accessible to all members of the community. Collaborating with 80 organizations serving individuals facing diverse financial challenges, bergenPAC distributes complimentary tickets to every performance. Beneficiaries of this program include social service agencies, assisted living facilities catering to seniors and individuals with disabilities, homeless and domestic violence shelters, senior centers, veterans groups, and youth mentoring programs. 

Thanks to the continuous support from various foundations and individual donors over the years, Arts Access has distributed over 51,000 tickets since its inception. The grant from the TD Charitable Foundation will facilitate the distribution of 500 tickets to local residents during bergenPAC's 2023-2024 season. 

"TD is committed to initiatives that expand inclusion efforts in the arts for all of our community members,” said Andrew Bregenzer, Regional President of Metro NY, TD Bank. “We are proud to be part of bergenPAC is doing to remove barriers to cultural opportunities."

Valerie Vaineri Huttle, Chair of bergenPAC's Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude, stating, "We aspire to make bergenPAC a welcoming home for every member of our community to enjoy cultural arts, and this initiative stands as a testament to that commitment. We are immensely grateful to TD for believing in our mission and generously supporting Arts Access, enabling us to reach a wider audience this year." 

Alexander Diaz, bergenPAC's Executive Director, emphasized the profound impact of Arts Access, stating, "We take immense pride in the enduring impact of Arts Access, recognizing that experiencing live performances together fosters connections and enriches lives beyond mere entertainment. Engaging with the arts is transformative, contributing significantly to residents’ well-being and overall quality of life." 

The program's impact on beneficiaries is eloquently captured by representatives from two social service agencies: 

"Our services cater to the most vulnerable populations. Families rejoice in the opportunity to enjoy a day or evening out, an experience made possible by bergenPAC's generous contribution." - Bergen Family Center, Englewood 

"The program's greatest strength lies in its ability to introduce the arts to individuals who would otherwise lack the means to access them. It provides families grappling with mental health and financial challenges the opportunity to attend shows together, an experience they would otherwise be deprived of." - Bergen's Promise, Hackensack 

For further details on the initiative, visit www.bergenpac.org/events/arts-access. Organizations or individuals interested in supporting this initiative through sponsorship, grants, or tax-deductible donations are encouraged to contact amy@bergenpac.org.