Altruistic Brokers

It is so easy while working in real estate in New York City to lose perspective on the world as a whole. On Wednesday my perspective was put into sharp focus when I was lucky enough to attend an inspiring fundraiser at Pier 40 for Mapendo International .  Mapendo is a non-profit organization that works to aid forgotten refugees, cutting though red tape and helping these refugees build a life in America. The highlight of the evening was Rose Mapendo, the namesake of the organization speaking of her journey out of the Congo. She recalled being separated from her husband on her way into internment camps and then later learning of his execution. Rose spoke of giving birth to premature twin boys on her prison floor and having to beg for a piece of Bamboo to break the umbilical cord. Her story was not so different than the stories my grandmother used share about surviving the concentration camps in Europe during world war two.  Rose, my grandmother and thousands of others continue to be survivors of genocide.

 As I continue to negotiate several deals this week for my listings I am less restless knowing how blessed we are and how much we should be grateful for. I have also made a commitment this week that the Hoch Group instead of giving frivolous closing gifts will now donate money on behalf of our clients to the charity of their choice. Every transaction we do is testament to how lucky we are to live in America and have the freedoms that we take for granted.   So instead of a bottle of Champagne or a monogrammed steak knife we all can agree helping feed a family or saving a life is a far more generous gift.  The Hoch group is now committed to giving to those kinds of gifts for every deal we close.

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