Still Here 2024 Featured Artist
Ivonne Sanchez is a retired Emergency Responder with the Fire Department of New York City. Born and raised in the Bronx, Ivonne served as a First Responder to the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks and remained on duty as part of the recovery effort. Her service to the city left her with multiple injuries requiring years of surgical intervention. After retiring from FDNY, Ivonne was diagnosed with breast cancer as a result of her exposure to toxic dust from the attack. As a member of the Feel Good Team, Ivonne lobbied tirelessly to have the Victims Compensation Bill passed. Ivonne was a single mother to two daughters and currently lives in Riverdale where she is the caretaker of her brother who is a disabled veteran.
What is your signature name for the t-shirts and why?
Ive. It’s my nickname.
What neighborhood did you grow up in?
I was raised in the Bronx.
What kind of work have you done in NYC?
I was a First Responder for the New York Fire Department.
Photograph taken by Faye Dorsey.
How do you think growing up in New York has impacted your career path?
Growing up in New York you know the importance of the community around you. I wanted a job where I could help my Community. I felt very strongly about doing something in uniform but without a gun. FDNY gave me that while also giving me security and a purpose. My best moments were being able to give that thumbs up to the family or friends standing nearby while rendering emergency assistance. That thumbs up to all of us was all we all wanted in that moment. Giving back to the community in that way was my way of filling a need while fulfilling my own purpose.
How has your career in NYC impacted your life?
I was injured during the attack on 9/11 and then diagnosed with Multiple WTC Exposure Illness.
What comes to mind when you think back on growing up in NYC?
Everything from the diversities, Broadway, Museums, and the 24 hour Bodegas.
What is your most memorable moment in NYC so far?
After the attack on 9/11, when New Yorkers united to rebuild this beautiful city I call home.
Who is your community in this city and why are they important to you?
The Bronx. It’s not called “The Boogie Down Bronx” for nothing.
Who has impacted you the most here in this city and why?
It was more the energy of the people here in this city that impacted me the most. Everyone in New York is a hustler where they are all trying to make it. Being raised around that empowered me to get out and do what I was supposed to do.
What is your advice to the younger generation being raised in NYC?
To give back to your Community.
If you could wish one thing for this city what would it be?
More tolerance.
What are you currently working on?
I am a member of the Feel Good Team. We started working on this project in 2010 and since then have passed the WTC Bill(Victim Compensation Bill) and the PACT Act. We are currently working on keeping them funded.
What is one thing you never want to see change about this city?
Our ability to be unique.
What is one thing you have seen change in this city for the best?
Standing up to injustice.
What is one thing you have seen change in this city for the worst?
Racism.
Is there a New Yorker you haven't met but would love to?
Madonna.
Something fun about you...
I am very passionate about my Halloween decorations. I get out there months in advance to get started and love sharing it with the community.
Still Here 2024 Featured Artist
What kind of work have you done in NYC?
I was a First Responder for the New York Fire Department.
How do you think growing up in New York has impacted your career path?
Growing up in New York you know the importance of the community around you. I wanted a job where I could help my Community. I felt very strongly about doing something in uniform but without a gun. FDNY gave me that while also giving me security and a purpose. My best moments were being able to give that thumbs up to the family or friends standing nearby while rendering emergency assistance. That thumbs up to all of us was all we all wanted in that moment. Giving back to the community in that way was my way of filling a need while fulfilling my own purpose.
How has your career in NYC impacted your life?
I was injured during the attack on 9/11 and then diagnosed with Multiple WTC Exposure Illness.
What comes to mind when you think back on growing up in NYC?
Everything from the diversities, Broadway, Museums, and the 24 hour Bodegas.
What is your most memorable moment in NYC so far?
After the attack on 9/11, when New Yorkers united to rebuild this beautiful city I call home.
Who is your community in this city and why are they important to you?
The Bronx. It’s not called “The Boogie Down Bronx” for nothing.
Who has impacted you the most here in this city and why?
It was more the energy of the people here in this city that impacted me the most. Everyone in New York is a hustler where they are all trying to make it. Being raised around that empowered me to get out and do what I was supposed to do.
What is your advice to the younger generation being raised in NYC?
To give back to your Community.
If you could wish one thing for this city what would it be?
More tolerance.
What are you currently working on?
I am a member of the Feel Good Team. We started working on this project in 2010 and since then have passed the WTC Bill(Victim Compensation Bill) and the PACT Act. We are currently working on keeping them funded.
What is one thing you never want to see change about this city?
Our ability to be unique.
What is one thing you have seen change in this city for the best?
Standing up to injustice.
What is one thing you have seen change in this city for the worst?
Racism.
Is there a New Yorker you haven't met but would love to?
Madonna.
Something fun about you...
I am very passionate about my Halloween decorations. I get out there months in advance to get started and love sharing it with the community.
Photograph taken by Faye Dorsey.
Ivonne Sanchez is a retired Emergency Responder with the Fire Department of New York City. Born and raised in the Bronx, Ivonne served as a First Responder to the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks and remained on duty as part of the recovery effort. Her service to the city left her with multiple injuries requiring years of surgical intervention. After retiring from FDNY, Ivonne was diagnosed with breast cancer as a result of her exposure to toxic dust from the attack. As a member of the Feel Good Team, Ivonne lobbied tirelessly to have the Victims Compensation Bill passed. Ivonne was a single mother to two daughters and currently lives in Riverdale where she is the caretaker of her brother who is a disabled veteran.
What is your signature name for the t-shirts and why?
Ive. It’s my nickname.
What neighborhood did you grow up in?
I was raised in the Bronx.
What kind of work have you done in NYC?
I was a First Responder for the New York Fire Department.
How do you think growing up in New York has impacted your career path?
Growing up in New York you know the importance of the community around you. I wanted a job where I could help my Community. I felt very strongly about doing something in uniform but without a gun. FDNY gave me that while also giving me security and a purpose. My best moments were being able to give that thumbs up to the family or friends standing nearby while rendering emergency assistance. That thumbs up to all of us was all we all wanted in that moment. Giving back to the community in that way was my way of filling a need while fulfilling my own purpose.
How has your career in NYC impacted your life?
I was injured during the attack on 9/11 and then diagnosed with Multiple WTC Exposure Illness.
What comes to mind when you think back on growing up in NYC?
Everything from the diversities, Broadway, Museums, and the 24 hour Bodegas.
What is your most memorable moment in NYC so far?
After the attack on 9/11, when New Yorkers united to rebuild this beautiful city I call home.
Who has impacted you the most here in this city and why?
It was more the energy of the people here in this city that impacted me the most. Everyone in New York is a hustler where they are all trying to make it. Being raised around that empowered me to get out and do what I was supposed to do.
Who is your community in this city and why are they important to you?
The Bronx. It’s not called “The Boogie Down Bronx” for nothing.
What is your advice to the younger generation being raised in NYC?
To give back to your Community.
If you could wish one thing for this city what would it be?
More tolerance.
What are you currently working on?
I am a member of the Feel Good Team. We started working on this project in 2010 and since then have passed the WTC Bill(Victim Compensation Bill) and the PACT Act. We are currently working on keeping them funded.
What is one thing you never want to see change about this city?
Our ability to be unique.
What is one thing you have seen change in this city for the best?
Standing up to injustice.
What is one thing you have seen change in this city for the worst?
Racism.
Is there a New Yorker you haven't met but would love to?
Madonna.
Something fun about you...
I am very passionate about my Halloween decorations. I get out there months in advance to get started and love sharing it with the community.