New York, NY—RTP (Rehabilitation Through Photography) hired Maureen McNeil to take the lead as its executive director. McNeil comes to this new position with a strong background in the arts and culture, and most importantly, with more than 10 years of experience in nonprofit management. She has a proven track record of working with board members and has served as a spokesperson for organizations on a national and international broadcast media basis.
McNeil believes that visual and verbal storytelling can help solve the problems of the world, and thus is a great fit for RTP. She is a published author of poetry and short stories, with two books currently at literary agents, Dear Anne Frank: Writing Diaries Behind Bars, coauthored with Cynthia L. Cooper, and The Red Diary, a work of fiction about the last seven months of Marilyn Monroe’s life.
“We are very excited about the great progress that RTP is making in so many areas,” said Jackie Augustine, president of the RTP board of directors. “We have created many new programs in the past year, most recently at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fort Hamilton. Maureen will help us focus on expanding our efforts to create more programs, develop new events, build brand extensions, develop membership packages and increase donation and grants.”
McNeil added: “The old adage ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ proves true everyday at RTP. Teaching children and adults to express their ideas visually builds upon their strengths rather than their disabilities, and connects participants to their communities. RTP’s innovative programming is the kind smart donors want to fund. I’m inspired by its 70-year history, the professional photographers who teach its programs, volunteers and donors and the continued support of the photo industry.
Please visit us at PhotoPlus Expo at the Jacob Javits Center on October 25-27, 2012 at Booth #359, where you can meet the members of the board of directors and ‘help transform lives through the power of photography.’ ”
RTP provides photography instruction and programs to veterans, the physically and emotionally challenged, the elderly, at-risk youth, the economically disadvantaged, the homeless and the visually impaired. This instruction engages individuals with the wider world beyond their limitations and empowers them to see and act in creative and life-affirming ways. RTP also partners with public and private organizations across the New York metropolitan area to create programs and procure equipment and supplies and train instructors. The organization is entirely supported by tax-deductible donations and is a registered 5013C charitable organization. rtphoto.org
