Fortune Society Honors Correction Commr. Stanley Richards, Alan Patricof, Creators Of The Alabama Solution

The Fortune Society, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit reentry service and advocacy organizations serving thousands of justice-involved people annually, honored Alan Patricof, Chairperson and Co-Founder of Primetime Partners; Stanley Richards, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction; and the creators of “The Alabama Solution,” at its annual “From Hope to Impact” Gala on Monday, October 5, 2026.

Nearly 350 business and civic leaders, philanthropists, criminal justice advocates, and other Fortune supporters attended the celebration at Gustavino's in Manhattan, helping to raise more than $1 million for the organization.

"For nearly six decades, we’ve stood with people impacted by the criminal legal system. Last year, through housing, employment, education, behavioral health, addiction treatment, food and nutrition, family services, creative arts and advocacy, we served more than 20,000 people. But the numbers only tell part of the story; Fortune is about people,” Rob DeLeon said. “We believe that accountability and opportunity can exist together and that people returning home deserve support to rebuild, strengthen families and contribute to their communities. And when I look around this room tonight, I’m reminded that we’re not doing this alone.”

Funds raised will support Fortune’s advocacy efforts and a comprehensive array of wraparound services including discharge planning, licensed outpatient substance use and mental health treatment, benefits enrollment and access, alternatives to incarceration, HIV/AIDS case management, health services, career development and job retention, education, family services, and emergency, transitional and permanent housing as well as lifetime access to aftercare.

At the event, Fortune honored:

Alan Patricof: Co-Founder & Chairperson, Primetime Partners | Board Member, The Fortune Society. Alan Patricof is an innovator and advocate for venture capital, philanthropist, and longtime champion of The Fortune Society. Over a career spanning more than 50 years, he has helped build landmark global companies while remaining deeply committed to civic engagement, criminal justice reform, and human dignity.

Stanley Richards: Commissioner, New York City Department of Correction. Commissioner Stanley Richards is a trailblazing leader in criminal justice reform whose life and career embody the power of personal transformation. A formerly incarcerated individual, he spent decades leading reentry and alternative-to-incarceration programs, including serving as President and CEO of The Fortune Society, before being appointed Commissioner in 2026.

The Creators of “The Alabama Solution”: Documentary Filmmakers & Storytellers. The creative team behind The Alabama Solution is being honored for their courageous storytelling and unflinching lens on the crisis within America's prison systems. Through powerful documentary filmmaking, they have brought urgent national attention to systemic injustices while amplifying the human voices demanding accountability and reform.

Founded in 1967, The Fortune Society has advocated on criminal justice issues for more than five decades and is nationally recognized for developing model programs that help people with criminal justice histories become assets to their communities. Fortune offers a holistic and integrated “one-stop-shopping” model of service provision, including discharge planning, licensed outpatient substance use and mental health treatment, alternatives to incarceration, HIV/AIDS services, career development and job retention, education, family services, drop-in services, and transitional housing, as well as lifetime access to aftercare. For more information, visit www.fortunesociety.org.