Maria Cuomo Cole has worked as a leading advocate for the homeless, victims of domestic violence and at-risk youth for the last twenty years.

As Chair of HELP USA since 1992, the organization, founded in NY in 1987, has grown to become the largest not for profit developer of housing and provider of jobs and services for the nation's homeless. With an operating budget of 85 million, HELP USA has served over 200,000 people.

Ms. Cuomo Cole led the national expansion of the organization with the development of 13 supportive service housing residences across the country, including, CA, Texas, Nevada, PA and NJ for low income clients. HELP's work supports all homeless populations with additional programs geared towards special needs including victims of domestic violence, people living with AIDS/HIV and war veterans.

As HELP USA's delivery of services grew to include job training, entrepreneurship and employment services, Ms. Cuomo Cole directed the agency's Social Enterprise Initiatives to serve as revenue generators to support HELP USA programs. Ms. Cuomo Cole directed the development of agency operated services that both trained and found employment for individuals in various sectors including security, building maintenance, computer repair, catering and HELP Comfort Foods.

Over the past 25 years, Ms. Cuomo Cole has produced several short films and public service announcements on the subjects of homelessness, domestic violence and gun violence creating public awareness to support advocacy for public policy development.

She resides in NY with her husband Kenneth Cole, and 3 daughters.

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