Founder

Patrick started the organization with a vision to make a meaningful impact on youth development and food insecurity in NYC, while also inspiring younger people to engage in community-based work. Patrick combines his organizational skills with a passion for social good, helping to create lasting, joyful moments for the community.

Vice President

Rafin plays a key role in driving our mission forward. With a background in volunteer work, he’s passionate about creating inclusive events and partnerships that bring real support to NYC neighborhoods.

Director of Programming & Development Strategy

As a founding member, Jalen brings a diverse background from the public and private sectors, operating as a community developer and collaborative lead on team projects. Jalen's experience includes serving as the Chairman of Philanthropy at Florida International University, a mentor for NYC students, and working cross-departmentally in the New York Yankees front office. He currently works in the office of the NYC Deputy Mayor of Strategic Initiatives as an Advisor. 

Founding Member

Chris is deeply committed to advancing our mission of supporting education and youth development. He plays a key role in organizing our basketball and football tournaments, which unite the community and drive our impact forward. Chris’s dedication and hands-on approach help push Joyful Occasions’ mission to new levels, making a difference through both his leadership and his commitment to service.

Founding Member

Paul brings a strong sense of organization and care to our team. As a founding member, he leads our human resources efforts, ensuring a positive, supportive environment for everyone involved. Paul also coordinates our annual flea market event, blending his operational skills with a passion for community engagement. His dedication to both the team and our mission makes him an invaluable part of Joyful Occasions.

Content and Events Coordinator

Athena is a dynamic member of Joyful Occasions, serving as both a content creator and event planner. She crafts engaging multimedia content that highlights our initiatives and community impact, bringing our stories to life. Currently, Athena is planning an upcoming event that aims to further engage our supporters and showcase our mission.

Nightlife Event Coordinator

Jake brings energy and creativity to our night life events that foster community engagement and support our mission. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating memorable experiences, Jake ensures that every gathering resonates with our audience and leaves a lasting impact.

Creative Director

Max is the creative mind behind Joyful Occasions' visual identity. He initially helped design our website and now leads the design for our merchandise, crafting pieces that reflect our mission and resonate with our community.

Gala Coordinator

Rachel serves as the Gala Coordinator for Joyful Occasions, bringing her expertise in event planning to ensure our annual gala will be a memorable success. She manages all aspects of the event, from outreach for auction items to coordinating logistics, while also leading media relations to amplify our mission.

Sensor Sesh

Warith is the talented eye behind our photography and videography at Joyful Occasions. Through his lens, he captures the heart of our events and community moments. Check out his work on Instagram at @war_sh0ts to see more of his creative perspective!

Community Engagement Coordinator

Shakiem is a valuable member of Joyful Occasions, assisting with our Slack set up to ensure seamless collaboration among team members. His efforts to connect us with the Stuydome have been instrumental in enhancing our event offerings, and he has generously secured free trophies for our competitions.

CRM & Website Development Lead

Jaylen Darling is a CRM and website management specialist with nonprofit experience. Skilled in optimizing digital platforms, managing donor databases, and ensuring seamless website functionality, Jaylen helps organizations enhance engagement and efficiency.