Chicago Youth Centers Hosts Its Largest Annual Event - Believe in Kids

CHICAGO, April 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Chicago Youth Centers (CYC), the city's most established and supportive urban youth organization, invites the public to attend and lend support to its Believe in Kids Annual Dinner with keynote appearance and oration by author and Walgreens' Chief Diversity Officer and Divisional Vice President Steve Pemberton on May 2, 6 to 9 p.m. This year, the event is chaired by Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Denison of Northbrook, IL.

As CYC's most impactful fundraising effort of the year, the event gains support for providing children from some of Chicago's most underserved communities with effective high-quality programs, from early childhood education to college and career readiness.

"Your attendance and support make a very significant difference in the academic, physical and social development of Chicago's youth," said Barbara Mosacchio, President and CEO of CYC. "Every effort benefits our children, and with dramatically increased violence and unemployment rates, there has never been a stronger need for CYC."

Last year's event raised nearly $300,000, which helped CYC serve more than 5,400 children, parents, and guardians in a combination of core programs, including early childhood education, school-age child and teen development and Camp Rosenthal, as well as targeted programs, such as comprehensive community-based youth services and education support initiatives. CYC has set a goal to double that amount through this year's event.

The night will include a three-course dinner and award ceremony to recognize Spirit of Youth Award Recipient Raymond James and Mr. Patrick T. DeLacey, and name a Chicago high school senior as the recipient of the Sid Epstein Believe in Kids Scholarship for $5,000 to his or her selected college. Steve Pemberton also will speak about his recently published memoir, A Chance in the World: An Orphan Boy, a Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home, which chronicles his struggle through foster care and his determined search for his family despite the odds against him.

"We also very honored to have Steve deliver the keynote oration," said Mosacchio. "He is the embodiment of the positive outcome CYC strives toward for every child, and he is a remarkable illustration of how a child born into a difficult situation can overcome adversity and thrive beyond his and others' expectations."

Event Details

CYC's Believe in Kids Dinner is on Thursday, May 2, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago in the Grand Ballroom, located at 120 E. Delaware, Chicago, Ill. Individual tickets are $500 each. Sponsorships start at $5,000. Business attire is required. Contact Beth W. Carona, CFRE, Vice President of Development, at 312-913-1700 x440 or at [email protected]

About Steve Pemberton and A Chance in the World

Steve Pemberton is a child advocate, motivational speaker and author of A Chance in the World. He currently serves as the Chief Diversity Officer and Divisional Vice-President for Walgreens. He has become recognized as one of the nation's leaders on matters of diversity and inclusion and its importance to the growth of the American industrial complex. In 2006, Fortune named Pemberton one of the Top 20 Chief Diversity Officers in corporate America. In 2007, he was called to Capitol Hill to provide expert testimony on best practices in diversity recruiting and in 2008 he was named by Savoy as one of The Top 100 most influential African-Americans in corporate America.

A Chance in the World is Pemberton's autobiography that chronicles his difficult path through foster care and determined search for his family. Pemberton's book has been featured by People Magazine, The Boston Banner, The Boston Herald, Crain's Chicago Business and multiple news networks across the country. For more information on Steve Pemberton, please visit www.apbspeakers.com.

About Chicago Youth Centers

Chicago Youth Centers (CYC) invests in the academic, social and emotional development of children and teens in underserved Chicago communities to help them discover and realize their full potential. Founded by Elliott Donnelley and Sidney Epstein in 1956, CYC has grown to include eight neighborhood centers, seven 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and Camp Rosenthal. CYC provides youth, ages three to 19, with the following programs: Early Childhood Education, School-Age Child Development, Teen Leadership Development, Camp Rosenthal, Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services, and Education Support Initiative. In Program Year 2012, CYC served more than 5,400 youth, parents, and guardians. Visit www.chicagoyouthcenters.org for more information.

Media Contact: 
Jill Campbell 
Chicago Youth Centers 
218 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60604  
(312) 330-0722 
www.chicagoyouthcenters.org 
[email protected]

SOURCE Chicago Youth Centers