Father Joe’s Villages’ 35th Annual Gala to Help Children Reach for the Stars
From 5:30 to 10 p.m., Saturday, May 4, Father Joe’s Villages will host the 35th annual Children’s Charity Gala to support life-changing services for children and families experiencing homelessness, spanning from preschool to medical care.
The 2019 Children’s Charity Gala is titled Reach for the Stars, and organizers expect more than 400 people to gather at the U.S. Grant Hotel, located at 326 Broadway in downtown San Diego for an evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing to the music of local band Atomic Groove. At the event, three local heroes will accept awards for their commitment to helping San Diegans experiencing poverty and homelessness reach new heights.
Gala honorees for the 2019 event include:
- Las Patronas that will receive the Father Joe’s Villages Award
- Terry Caster will receive the Bishop Maher Award
- Congregation Beth Israel’s Hunger Project will receive the Founder’s Award
“In addition to the normal trials of being a kid—succeeding in school, making friends—children experiencing homelessness can also face unique challenges such as food insecurity and possible developmental delays,” says Deacon Jim Vargas, president and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages. “The experts at our Therapeutic Childcare Center give children the opportunity to leave behind their struggles and dream big for their futures.”
“We are very proud of the work of the Hunger Project and our partnership with Father Joe’s Villages,” says Lesley Mills, executive director of Congregation Beth Israel. “33 years says a lot; to be recognized with this award is a deep honor. Many of our members give generously to the Hunger Project each year, making it possible for us to continue.”
“At Therapeutic Childcare, my kids’ reading skills have gotten better,” says Preston, a Family Services client at Father Joe’s Villages. “Their attention span has got better. They’re interacting with other kids more.”
According to research, children who are homeless are four times as likely to have delayed development and twice as likely to repeat a grade in school. To break the cycle of homelessness, the nonprofit puts an emphasis on providing critical care to children — just as it did for nearly 1,200 children in 2018. Funds raised at this event will benefit programs for children experiencing homelessness such as Father Joe’s Villages’ fully licensed and accredited Therapeutic Childcare Center providing preschool and after-school programs and emergency and life-sustaining services like food, shelter and healthcare.
Category: Events, feature, Local News
