11:17am | Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 5:30 pm, Pathways to Independence, a Long Beach and Orange County charity, will be hosting its 15th annual fundraising gala. Pathways to Independence seeks to provide financial and emotional support to abused young women. The theme of this year’s event will be “Fair in the Park.”
According to Katie Larson, a senior Pathways volunteer, “After a record breaking event last year, we aim to raise $300,000 this year to be able to bring more women into this program. Our waiting list now is more than the women we currently have in the program. Pathways to Independence changes lives and, one woman at a time, changes the world.”
The volunteers responsible for planning the event are the 40 men and women that form the core group called Friends of Pathways. “This is a charity that epitomizes the ‘think globally; act locally’ adage, where the women helped here go on to become social workers, teachers, nurses, lawyers and who, themselves, give back to other local charities,” Johnna Bryant, one of the event chairs, believes, “We as Friends of Pathways are proud to give our heart and soul to help these women achieve all they can achieve.”
As in the past, many local restaurants have pledged their support including Michaels on Naples and Gladstones. The event also includes a live and silent auction, with auction items including a week’s stay in Costa Rica, a holiday cruise for 14 with Gondola Getaway, a 6 day stay in a Nicaraguan resort, a Fender guitar signed by the band Green Day and hundreds of other items.
Since 1991, Pathways, a predominantly volunteer organization has helped over 260 young women who’ve come from abusive homes. In return for the financial and emotional support they recieve, the Pathways clients sign a contract that commits them to specific objectives such as minimum grade point average, mentor interactions, counseling, part-time work and giving back to the organization.
Pathways relies on financial support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and service clubs. In addition, Pathways clients are supported by over 300 community volunteers.
Mr. Bill Cave, Market President for Orange County and Inland Empire at U.S. Bank, says the reward US Bank, a top-level supporter, gets from sponsoring the Friends of Pathways auction is immeasurable. “As Pathways to Independence celebrates young women’s independence, U.S. Bank celebrates the organization and thanks all the volunteers for the tremendous work that they do in helping improve the lives of women in such dire need. We are pleased to be able to offer our support and remain committed to support our communities in the hopes of building a better life for all.”
Tickets cost $100 and can be purchased through the Pathways to Independence website at www.pathwaystoindependence.org. Donations are always accepted and sponsorship opportunities are still available; for more information contact Lisa Mais at [email protected].