People on the Move

Page to Retire from The Fortune Society

After 34 years of leading The Fortune Society, president and CEO JoAnne Page has announced she will retire at the end of the year.

During her tenure, she has grown the organization from a staff of 20 to more than 500 and an annual budget from $700,000 to more than $60 million. Serving and advocating for people with criminal justice involvement, the New York nonprofit’s programs have become models for similar programs throughout the country.

“I first worked for Fortune as a volunteer when I was 16 years old. My parents—Holocaust survivors—were longtime volunteers and fiercely committed to social justice. My life experience both at home and at work has taught me that people need hope. They need to see a bright future. And, no one should be defined by the worst thing they’ve ever done. That is what has informed my work at Fortune all these years,” Page said.

The Fortune Society’s real estate portfolio has significantly grown since the pioneering Fortune Academy, also known as The Castle, opened its doors more than 20 years ago. Today, Fortune operates housing in all five boroughs: The Castle; Castle Gardens; Freedom Houses I, II, III, and IV; The Mandaela Community; and scattered-site housing.

“On any night, more than 800 formerly homeless justice-impacted people have the safety and security of Fortune housing, where they can focus on important aspects of their lives without worrying about where they are going to sleep at night or how they will find their next meal,” according to the organization.

Page has laid the groundwork for three more supportive and affordable housing buildings to open in the next few years.