The co-street naming in honor of the incredible work, dedication and foresight carried out by the late Lynn Wonsang, was held on May 10, 2019 on Vyse Avenue in Bronx. The ceremonial street sign was unveiled on the corner of 180th Street in her memory and was held on the same street where the first Unique People Services administrative office and project was located.
NYC Councilmember Richie Torres, UPS Executive Director Yvette B. Andre, UPS Board of Director Chair, Crystal Ward, UPS staff, leadership, and various community stakeholders attended. A special proclamation from Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., proclaiming it Lynn Wonsang Day in the borough, was presented to Jason Wonsang, the son of the late founder.
The sentiment of the day echoed the importance of the past and the future of the organization. “We are gathered today in recognition of Lynn’s dedication to the Bronx community and voluntary commitment to serving our most vulnerable populations with respect and dignity,” stated Yvette B. Andre, Executive Director of Unique People Services. “The work that I have accomplished is based on the foundation that Lynn built. Today’s street naming is the underpinning of Lynn’s legacy,— and today we turn the page to the beginning of a new chapter in the organization, one in which I am proud to lead”, she concluded.
Attendees cheered the unveiling and Councilman Ritchie Torres, who sponsored the legislation to have part of the street named in Ms. Wonsang honor shared, “To honor Lynn’s memory through this street co-naming embraces the rich and vibrant history of our borough and ensures that all those like Lynn, that served the borough and New York City’s most unique residents, will forever be remembered” stated Councilman Torres.
UPS has grown from a single 10-bed Intermediate Care Facility to $36 million-dollar agency with over 300 employees and programs throughout Westchester County, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. The organization also runs Lynn’s Place, named after the organizations founder Lynn Wonsang, and provides homes for a mix of formerly homeless individuals and low-income families. The property features 69 units of housing with 42 units of supportive housing for individuals with a mental illness and 27 units of affordable housing for individuals and families making less than 60% AMI.
Unique People Services provides vital resources to a wide range of programs and projects that are effective in the fight to end homelessness.
About Unique People Services
Unique People Services, Inc. (UPS) is a New York-based nonprofit 501(c) 3 that provides supportive housing and medical case management services to individuals and families living with mental health challenges, developmental disabilities and HIV/AIDS. The agency operates more than 24 supportive housing programs in Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Westchester County.
More than 800 New Yorkers call UPS’ home, living in well-appointed residences where they receive meals and support services to help them achieve the highest possible levels of independent living and community inclusion. The transitional, long-term and permanent housing UPS provides has also become a safe haven for many formerly homeless individuals. For more information about Unique People Services, please visit here.
