December 12: Announcing Our Fifth Honoree, Maria Cuomo Cole, Film Producer and Chairman, HELP USA

Maria Cuomo Cole has worked as an advocate for the homeless and Chairman of HELP USA since 1992.  Under her leadership, the New York based non-profit organization founded in 1987 has expanded nationally to become the largest provider of homes and services for the homeless in the United States.  Today, the organization operates thirty supportive service residences across the nation in seven cities and has served over 250,000 men, women and children.  Ms. Cuomo Cole has led development efforts for increased housing and employment services for special needs populations including war veterans, victims of domestic violence and their children, and people with HIV/AIDs.  Ms. Cuomo Cole has directed communications, development and advocacy for HELP USA and grown their scope of services to include Mentoring USA, a one to one mentoring initiative for at-risk and foster care youth in cities across the country.
 
Over the past 25 years, Ms. Cuomo Cole has directed and produced short films and public service announcements on the subjects of homelessness, domestic violence and gun violence.  Her documentary "Living for 32" was shortlisted for an Academy Award and premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.  The documentary which aired on Showtime is being distributed by BBC Worldwide.  Currently, Ms. Cuomo Cole is executive producing a documentary about female war veterans.
 
Honoring Maria's impactful achievements in the non-profit sector as well as her commitment to worldwide humanitarianism, we are thrilled to name her a 2012 Matrix Award Honoree.
 
Ms. Cuomo Cole was appointed to Mayor Bloomberg's Task Force to Combat Domestic Violence of New York City.  She serves as a Director of The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and HELP PSI.  This year she received a Creative Coalition Spotlight Award and was honored in 2010 with the American Red Cross Humanitarian Award and the Newark Now Award.  Past honors include: The National Alliance to End Homelessness Private Sector Award, The Public Service Leadership Award from St. Bonaventure University, The Humanitarian Award from Iona College and The Public Service Award from Manhattanville College.

Read our interview with Maria here.