Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (1888PressRelease)
January 18, 2008 - Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Councilmember Josè Huizar, and Milestones Ranch Malibu present “An Evening of Hope”- a fundraiser in support of the Boyle Heights Technology Youth Center and the Los Angeles Youth Opportunity Movement (LAYOM). Scheduled for Thursday, January 31, 2008 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, the dinner/awards ceremony recognizes the contributions that diverse Americans have made to Music & Arts.
“Access to the arts has an incredible impact on youth development,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Los Angeles youth deserve resources that build self-confidence and promote creative expression.”
The Boyle Heights Technology Youth Center is a 20,000 square foot facility located on a corner once plagued by violence and drug trafficking. The Center now serves as a ray of hope by providing case management, counseling, recreation activities, and classes in music recording and film production for youth ages 14-24 years old. The proceeds from “An Evening of Hope” allow the Center to expand its services to mirror professional art schools across the nation.
“The youth who walk through our Center are incredibly talented,” said Jimmy Valenzuela, Executive Director of the Boyle Heights Technology Youth Center. “Once they are exposed to classes that teach the fundamentals of music and arts, we see their talents soar. Their work is truly amazing.”
In the spirit of diversity, the fundraiser recognizes the contributions that artists have made to community empowerment. Honorees include: Antonio Aguilar (posthumously-award accepted by Pepe Aguilar), Cheech Marin, Sinbad, Talaya Trigueros (KTWV The Wave Radio Personality), Felli Fel (KPWR Power 106 Radio personality), and Harold Owens (Grammy Foundation). Sponsored by Milestones Ranch Malibu, a rehabilitation center with a commitment to youth development, the event features live entertainment, a silent auction, and showcases youth talent.
(“An Evening of Hope” 2-2-2)
“Once we visited the Tech Center and met such motivated youth, my team and I made a commitment to get involved,” said Denise Klein, Executive Director of Milestones Ranch Malibu. “Milestones proudly supports organizations that guide, nurture, and uplift the next generation of leaders.”
Under the leadership of the City of Los Angeles Community Development Department (CDD), LAYOM has linked more than 7,000 youth to resources that promote self-sufficiency. With satellite offices across Los Angeles, the organization proudly opened the doors to the Boyle Heights Technology Youth Center in September 2006. During years of planning, LAYOM conducted community assessments to ensure that the Center’s resources matched those desired by local residents. The Center houses an alterative high school, a music recording studio, and a television studio is in the works.
“I am thrilled that so many corporations and individual supporters have joined our quest to empower youth,” said CDD General Manager Richard Benbow. “With the support of the business community, we can build Technology Centers throughout Los Angeles allowing this great city to soar.”
“An Evening of Hope” is the product of months of organizing by a group of philanthropically-spirited volunteers who combined their resources in support of youth development. A non-city entity labeled The Friends of Boyle Heights, the group, consisting of lawyers, actors, animators, media executives, and audio engineers, meet weekly to discuss ways of enhancing services for Los Angeles youth.
“If we truly want to live in a great city, then we must take care of our youth,” said Sheila Balkan, a criminologist whose support of the Tech Center lead her to call her closest friends and colleagues to form the group. “We must convince these youth that their hopes and dreams are possible through dedication and hard work.”
LAYOM invites media to attend “An Evening of Hope” on:
Thursday, January 31, 2008
6:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Equestrian Center
480 Riverside Drive
Burbank, California 91506
For more information on the Los Angeles Youth Opportunity Movement and/or to contribute to the
Boyle Heights Technology Youth Center, please visit www.bhtechcenter.org or call 323.526.0146. Tours of the facility and/or interviews with youth, honorees, and Center staff are available upon request.
Tax-deductible donations can be made payable to:
Workforce Investment Board c/o Tech Center
1600 East 4th Street
Los Angeles, California 90033
