Our Team

• Tony Hannigan

  President and CEO

  Tony Hannigan, LMSW, is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS). From 1983-1993, Tony was primarily responsible…

  Tony Hannigan

  President and CEO

  Tony Hannigan, LMSW, is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS). From 1983-1993, Tony was primarily responsible for the growth of Columbia University Community Services, an interdisciplinary project that developed various neighborhood-based programs for homeless and low income individuals. During this time, he was also a Senior Staff Associate and faculty member at the Columbia University School of Social Work. Tony is a licensed social worker and was staff to the Manhattan Borough President’s Office and later served as NYC Regional Coordinator of Community Support Programs at the NYS Office of Mental Health.

  In 1993, Tony led the spin-off of CUCS from Columbia University. With a budget of over $70 million, CUCS works with 56,000 individuals through its housing, psychiatric, and social services programs in New York and national training institute.

  Tony is the chair of the Mental Health Committee of the Governor’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and was the co-chair of the Program Innovations Committee of Mayor DeBlasio’s Supportive Housing Taskforce. He is a member of the New York City Crisis Prevention and Response Taskforce and sits on the New York City Community Service Board’s Mental Health Subcommittee. Tony is a board member of Breaking Ground, Gateway Housing, Homeless Services United, the Supportive Housing Network of New York, the Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies, Coordinated Behavioral Care, and is a member of the Human Services Council’s Priority and Strategy Council.

  

• Joseph DeGenova

  Associate Executive Director

  Joseph DeGenova, LCSW, has over 30 years of nonprofit management experience.  Joe came to CUCS in 1989 as the Assistant Director of the 350 Lafayette Street…

  Joseph DeGenova

  Associate Executive Director

  Joseph DeGenova, LCSW, has over 30 years of nonprofit management experience.  Joe came to CUCS in 1989 as the Assistant Director of the 350 Lafayette Street Transitional Living Community and has held progressively more responsible positions within the agency. Currently he oversees the management all of the agency’s service, training and research programs as well as new program development. In addition he assists our CEO in the strategic positioning and ongoing development of the organization.

  

• Jeffrey Halfpenny

  Chief Financial Officer

  Jeffrey Halfpenny, CPA, brings 28 years of experience in financial management to CUCS. Jeff oversees a staff of 13 financial professionals as well as the long-term…

  Jeffrey Halfpenny

  Chief Financial Officer

  Jeffrey Halfpenny, CPA, brings 28 years of experience in financial management to CUCS. Jeff oversees a staff of 13 financial professionals as well as the long-term and annual budget planning, audits, and cost-management.  Before assuming his position at CUCS in 2013, Jeff was an Audit Senior Manager in the Non-Profit Department at EisnerAmper LLP and Chief Financial Officer at Upper Manhattan Health Center, Inc.

  

• Julie Lorenzo

  Chief Program Officer

  Julie Lorenzo, LCSW, provides direct oversight for our programs. Julie began her career with CUCS as a student intern in 1986…

  Julie Lorenzo

  Chief Program Officer

  Julie Lorenzo, LCSW, provides direct oversight for our programs. Julie began her career with CUCS as a student intern in 1986. During her career, she has worked in all phases of services for homeless persons with severe mental illness and other special needs.  Julie spent 15 years at CUCS’ 350 TLC where she worked as a housing team leader, assistant director and finally, director. She subsequently worked as the agency’s Director of Quality assurance.

  

• Douglas James

  Chief Operating Officer

  Douglas James, Esq., provides oversight to our human resources, property development and facilities management as well as oversight of our legal…

  Douglas James

  Chief Operating Officer

  Douglas James, Esq., provides oversight to our human resources, property development and facilities management as well as oversight of our legal, regulatory and policy matters. Doug brings nearly 20 years of experience to CUCS, most recently serving as Senior Advisor to the Commissioner at the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs and prior to that as Deputy Commissioner at the NYC Department of Homeless Services overseeing the single adult homeless shelter system.

  

• Mary Taylor

  Director of Development and Communications

  Mary Taylor, M.S., brings over 15 years of experience building relationships that connect donors to causes through innovative approaches…

  Mary Taylor

  Director of Development and Communications

  Mary Taylor, M.S., brings over 15 years of experience building relationships that connect donors to causes through innovative approaches. Mary has done extensive work in securing major donor gifts and board development, planning and executing special events, with a focus on large-scale galas, and building corporate and foundation partnerships. Prior to joining CUCS Mary was the Director of External Relations at Action Against Hunger, an international hunger relief agency, and Chief Development and Communications Officer at Jericho Project, a New York City homeless agency.

  

• Van Yu, M.D.

  Chief Medical Officer, Janian Medical Care P.C.

  Van Yu, M.D., brings more than 20 years of experience in psychiatry to our medical and psychiatric services program Janian Medical Care…

  Van Yu, M.D.

  Chief Medical Officer, Janian Medical Care P.C.

  Van Yu, M.D., brings more than 20 years of experience in psychiatry to our medical and psychiatric services program Janian Medical Care, P.C. Van joined CUCS in 2007, and he earned his medical degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, completing a residency in psychiatry in 1999.  He was an Attending Psychiatrist in the Bellevue Hospital Center Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program for two years before becoming Assistant Director in 2001.  Van is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the New York University School of Medicine and at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center.