Josephine McFadden's Legacy

Josephine “Josie” McFadden played an important role in NCS’s history for 35 years, starting from day one. 

When Upper East Side faith-based institutions gathered in the early 1980s to combat street homelessness, Josie stepped up. “There were [women] with their big black bags and all their possessions in them,” Josie later recalled, “and we felt we needed to do something.” And so she did. She helped serve meals at her church, Madison Avenue Presbyterian (MAPC), one of NCS’s founding coalition members, and then escorted guests from the meals to the new shelter at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House organized by this new “grass-roots” coalition of faith and civic leaders.  

“When NCS first incorporated, we were a small group of volunteers who made up our first Board of Directors,” explained founding NCS board member Anne Davidson. “We had very little experience, not a lot of money, or space, or staff but we wanted to act and so we bought the building on 81st Street that would become the NCS Residence. Josie was very involved in that and very influential in bringing MAPC in as a founding partner.” 

As challenges affecting the homeless community changed and grew over time, so did NCS’s programs—and the commitment that Josie and MAPC had to the homeless and low-income residents of the Upper East Side evolved too. Since 2010, MAPC has been home to Chance for Change, NCS’s outpatient substance use treatment program. The Church is also an NCS financial supporter, and they continue to serve dinner Thursday evenings to homeless and hungry individuals. 

"Josie did wonders for NCS and for every cause that she touched,” Anne shared. “She showed up and joined in, always in a quiet, unobtrusive way.”  

Josie McFadden lost her battle with cancer at the age of 77 on December 23, 2016. She remained an NCS Board Member until her death, as well as our corporate Secretary and a member of our Executive Committee.   

Josie played an influential role in our fundraising efforts as well, having made a leadership gift to launch our Campaign for Growth in 2007 and a generous bequest to NCS in her will. “A planned gift is so meaningful,” Josie shared at one time, “and I encourage all our supporters to remember NCS in their estate plans.”  

Josie’s selflessness and commitment to her community was seen not only in her support of NCS but also through other organizations and causes she served and supported including advocating for just, humane and effective criminal justice policies and seeking safe and affordable housing for all New Yorkers. 

Josie McFadden made a difference every day throughout her life and through her legacy gift, continues to do so even after her passing. Josie was much beloved and is deeply missed.