Gina Cantone-Centauro is the co-founder of Rescuing Families, a mission she shares with her husband, Vinny. For Gina, this work began long before the charity existed. As a child, she spent her summers helping care for her sister with disabilities, working side-by-side with teachers who came into their home. Those early years shaped her compassion, her patience, and her deep belief that every person deserves dignity, safety, and a home built for their needs.

Gina’s life has included challenges that now fuel her purpose—she is a survivor of domestic violence and experienced a period of homelessness, making advocacy for vulnerable families profoundly personal. Her dedication has been recognized with two Women of Distinction Awards from the New York State Assembly and Senate, as well as the Pathfinder Award from the Town of Hempstead, NY.

With a background in graphic art and interior design, and years of experience as a master carpenter and landscape designer, Gina blends creativity with practical problem-solving. She designs homes that are safe, accessible, and filled with beauty—homes that restore hope. At her core, Gina believes in meeting families where they are, honoring their stories, and helping them reclaim not just their space, but their sense of possibility.

Vinny Centauro, Gina’s husband, is a builder by trade and a caregiver at heart. His path to Family to the Rescue began long before the charity existed, shaped by a lifetime of service, compassion, and hands-on experience. Influenced by his grandfather and father, Vinny learned carpentry at a young age while also pursuing a career as a personal trainer, working closely with individuals with disabilities and gaining a deep understanding of their physical and emotional needs.

Vinny later served as an EMT with the FDNY, where he was recognized for saving the life of a man suffering a heart attack. His dedication extended beyond emergency response—he quietly cared for individuals experiencing homelessness who others overlooked, and at home, he helped his mother care for his disabled father, modifying their family house to make it as accessible and safe as possible. His father’s life, and the lessons learned through caregiving, became a driving force behind Vinny’s commitment to helping families facing similar challenges.

Together, Vinny and Gina have built not only a life, but a mission—shaped by their shared experiences as caregivers and advocates within their own families, and by navigating disability with love, resilience, and determination. Today, Vinny brings strength, humility, and unwavering compassion to every build. His work is not just about construction—it’s about dignity, access, and ensuring families can remain safely at home, surrounded by love.

Michael Cantone, Gina’s younger brother, is an artist, musician, and carpenter whose creativity and compassion shape every aspect of Family to the Rescue. A lifelong artist, Michael has taught painting to both adults and children, including individuals with disabilities, using art as a way to connect, heal, and empower. He is also an accomplished musician whose work has been featured in a movie soundtrack, bringing yet another layer of creativity to the team.

For more than 20 years, Michael has worked alongside his family as a skilled carpenter, helping to transform homes with care, patience, and attention to detail. Along with Gina, he helps care for their sister Dina, whose life and experiences deeply influence Michael’s empathy and understanding. Whether through art, music, or building, Michael brings heart, sensitivity, and humanity to everything he does.

Roger Grand-Pierre is a co-founder, board member, and a longtime family friend of Gina Cantone-Centauro. He proudly serves as an apprentice to master carpenters Gina and Vincent, bringing heart, dedication, and hands-on support to every build. Roger has spent many years working with adults and children with developmental disabilities, including Gina and Michael’s sister, Dina, which has deeply shaped his compassion and commitment to this work.

Having grown up in an underserved community and experienced financial hardship firsthand, Roger understands the challenges many families face. He shares the core mission of Rescuing Families, Inc.—to ensure no family feels forgotten or alone. In addition to his work with the charity, Roger is a registered nurse, offering a unique blend of medical insight, empathy, and care that strengthens the team’s ability to create safe, accessible homes where families can truly thrive.