This year's Raising Hope Gala on Thursday, May 14th was a fantastic success--with your support, we brought together over 170 people and raised over $30,000! Lolita Foster, one of the stars from Netflix original series "Orange is the New Black" did an incredible job emceeing the event while we enjoyed a wide array of delicious food, a silent auction, honored our award winners, and heard heartfelt stories of some of our young people's experiences.
One of the most poignant parts of the evening was when we heard from some of the young people we serve. They shared their hard journeys with us and their stories of resiliency. Kim told us: "My first interaction with The Hope Center was when I was 23. My biological mom left me when I was 6 months old and I started in the foster care system at the age of 16 after my step-mom realized I needed more help than she could provide. And I'd be lying if I said that didn't hurt, to be 16 and turned into the foster system. But I know now that it's the best thing she could have done for me so that I could get the care that I needed. And all of you in this room through your support have continued to help get me the care I need to become self-sufficient."
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