Thank you for joining us!

 

Thank you for helping to make "Reach for the Stars!" 2014 a resounding success! 

With your support, we raised 177% of our event's fundraising goal. 

We could not have done this without you! 

 

   

The funds that we raised will help support 2014/2015 Successful Youth Inc. programs. . 

Again, thank you! Pictures from the event will be posted on our Facebook page soon.  

And please "like" us while you are there! 

 

 

"Reach for the Stars!" 2014 

Gala Dinner & Dessert Auction

5th Year Anniversary Celebration

 

 

 

 

 

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We are thankful to this year's event Diamond Sponsors! Please visit their webpages and establishments: 

 

 

You don't want to miss this exciting event!  Seattle's own Pat Cashman, star of KING TVs "The 206", will host the evening!  Join us for a wine reception, scrumptious cuisine from award-winning Sorrento Chefs, tantalizing desserts, both silent and live auctions and an opportunity to honor our successful youth! Reach for the Stars! Gala Dinner & Auction 5th Anniversary Celebration! Benefiting Successful Youth Inc. Community Programs Friday, April 25, 2014 Cocktails & Silent Auction begin at 5:30 PM, Dinner Seating at 7:15 PM The Sorrento Hotel 900 Madison St. Seattle, Washington Attire: Black Tie Optional  Co Chairs:  C'Ardiss Gardner-Gleser and Janice Duncan Auctioneer: Pat Cashman $170 per person (early bird registration by 3/31/2014) $180 per person (after 3/31/2014) Tables of 10 available Purchase Tickets Now If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or donating an item, please contact Danna K. Johnston at 206-330-8884 or email: danna@dannaKjohnston.org. We are deeply grateful to the following organizations who have helped make "Reach for the Stars!" 2014 and this special 5th year anniversary a reality:

Hopson founded Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) in 1981 as a one-week summer camp committed to improving collegiate and employment opportunities for high school students.  The initial camp served 80 students.  In 1988, under the auspices of the Albina Ministerial Alliance (AMA), and through a grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust, SEI became a year-around program.  During a capital campaign that began in 1989, SEI raised over $10 million to build the 62,000 sq. ft. Center for Self Enhancement which opened its doors in 1997.  The Center offers a variety of activities and services for youth and families in inner-Portland and is a hub of the community.  Self Enhancement employs 120 people, most of whom live in Northeast Portland.

Since then, SEI has expanded to serve more than 2,000 students and 5,000 families per year in various programs and has been recognized with awards such as the Oregon Award for Public Service and being named a “Point of Light” by President George H.W. Bush. The program has been recognized nationally as a model program for youth development.  In 2006, SEI was recognized by the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation from New York as one of the premier youth development programs in the nation, and with their support, continued replicating the SEI program in Miami, Florida in partnership with former NBA player Alonzo Mourning. In 2012, the America’s Promise Alliance, a non-profit organization founded by General Colin Powell and his wife Alma, highlighted SEI as one of the nation’s most promising programs positively impacting student graduation rates. 

Hopson has also been recognized for his activism and community leadership by receiving the State of Oregon’s “Gold Schmidty Award,” the Urban League of Portland’s “Equal Opportunity Award,” the Albina Ministe­rial Alli­ance’s “Bridge Builder Award,” Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s “Emerald Award,” the Black United Fund’s “Legacy Award,” the “Aubrey R. Watzek Award” from Lewis & Clark College, the “Community Award” from the Portland Observer Newspaper, the “Living Legend Award” from Willamette University, the “First Citizen Award” from the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors, the “Oregon Ethics in Business Award” from the Samaritan Counseling Center, and the “Distinguished Service Award” from the University of Oregon.

Hopson is a very active volunteer and leader in the Portland community.  He is a Trustee on the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Foundation Board, is Co-Chair of the Portland African American Leadership Forum, and sits on the Portland Trail Blazers Executive Advisory Board. 

Welcome aboard Tony!