Father Joe’s Villages to Host Gala Benefiting Children in Need
From left to right are Neil Shigley; Joe Ergastolo, chairman of the board; Deacon Jim Vargas, CEO; Jackie Vargas; Ed Witt, board member; Kimberly Hunt, master of ceremonies; and Billy Ray Smith Jr. Photo courtesy of Nicole Anderson.
Father Joe’s Villages invites the community to create a better tomorrow for local children at its 2018 Children’s Charity Gala: Up, Up and Away on May 5 at the historic U.S. Grant Hotel. Father Joe’s Villages will honor four community leaders who serve neighbors experiencing poverty and homelessness. The gala will raise funds for Father Joe’s Villages’ therapeutic childcare center and other services for children and families.
“Children who are homeless are four times as likely to have developmental delays and twice as apt to repeat a grade in school. Over half will not finish high school,” says Deacon Jim Vargas, president and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages. “Our therapeutic childcare programs and other family services lift children up and into a future of success by giving them the tools they need to break the cycle of homelessness.”
In 2017, Father Joe’s Villages’ therapeutic childcare program worked with more than 450 parents and children to build resilience, self-sufficiency and the foundation for a better tomorrow. The 2017 gala raised more than $500,000 to
help provide safe housing, nutritious meals, childcare, medical and dental services, mental health treatment, parent education and more for children and families in need.
The evening will begin with a VIP reception at 5 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. social hour and silent auction with hosted bar and entertainment. The event will also feature an exquisite dinner and program, including a live auction and dancing to San Diego’s favorite band, Atomic Groove.
Tickets and sponsorships are available at www.fjvgala.com or by calling 1-800-HOMELESS.
Category: Events, featured, Local News
