SHARE, Inc. Awards $20,000 Grant to The “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles
Funding will Help Support Dreamer Mentorship Programs
Los Angeles, CA – April 11, 2013: The “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles (IHADLA) is thrilled to announce that SHARE, Inc. has awarded the organization a $20,000 grant to support its Mentoring Programs. The mentoring program is a fundamental piece of IHADLA’s core programming, and provides a positive role model and one-on-one time that many of the Dreamers might not otherwise receive in their lives. SHARE, Inc. is a non-profit, philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the lives of some of L.A.’s neediest children and a long-time supporter of IHADLA. IHADLA Executive Director Katy Garretson and IHADLA mentor Alexandra Dupont, the grandniece of the Founder of the “I Have a Dream” Foundation Eugene Lang, accepted the check during SHARE’s Annual Funding Reception.
“We are so grateful to the wonderful Ladies of SHARE, and we congratulate them on their 60 years of philanthropy,” said Garretson. “The support from SHARE for our Mentor Program means that many of our young Dreamers will now have a role model who will serve as a friend and guide, and whose support will aid in the child’s academic success.”
On April 3, 2013 the SHARE ladies, representatives of the facilities SHARE supports, and invited guests gathered at the Hollywood Museum for their Annual SHARE Funding Reception. Over 130 people attended the reception, which is the culmination of a year of fundraising activities and hard work by SHARE. SHARE, Inc. distributed individual grants to 10 different charitable organizations. SHARE Chairman of the Board Mandie Rush explains, “It’s a wonderful evening and very rewarding to watch the difference SHARE makes in funding these terrific facilities.”
The “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles helps children from underserved schools in impoverished communities have a better life and get a good education. The Foundation sponsors an entire grade at an inner-city, Title 1 elementary school, and stays with those students for over ten years, providing after-school and summer programs, academic and cultural enrichment, counseling services, arts instruction, mentors and tutors. Upon high school graduation, IHADLA then provides each Dreamer a scholarship for college or career training. The Dreamer graduating class of 2010 boasts a 94% high school graduation rate, and 96% of those are now in college or vocational school.
There are currently four active IHADLA program sites: third graders in Watts, sixth and seventh graders in Inglewood, and high school seniors in East Los Angeles.
SHARE is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. SHARE Officers include: Debra Couch, President; Ellen Feder, 1st VP, Boomtown Show; Lynn Brody Slome, 1st VP, Boomtown Party; Caryn Mintz, 3rd VP, Tribute Book; Samantha Faulkner, Treasurer; Joanna Pitt, Treasurer; Jane Jelenko, Secretary. And, the Board of Directors include: Mandie Rush, Chairman; Merri Jean Ross, Secretary; Debra Cirilov Couch; Nanette Pattee Francini; Gloria Franks; Dana Grilikhes Nassi; Dolores Nemiro; Nancy Hutson Perlman; and Annabelle Weston-Shulman. www.share4children.org
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Media Contacts:
Katy Garretson
Executive Director, IHADLA
T: 213-572-0175
Angela Moore
310-429-8868
angela@starfish-pr.com