H.O.P.E. Community Development Center And Center For The Empowerment of Families Set To Host First-Ever 'Friend-raiser' Event On May 3

The Star-Studded Entertainment Includes a Special “Dance for Hope” Competition Featuring “Grey’s Anatomy’s” James Pickens, Jr. and “Hustle & Flow’s” Elise Neal

(April 28, 2014, Granada Hills, CA) - Granada Hills-based H.O.P.E. Community Development Center (CDC) and Center for the Empowerment of Families, which serves the San Fernando Valley community and underserved populations through educational, life skills and financial programs, is hosting its first ever “Legacy of Hope” gala dinner and dance event “friend-raiser” on Saturday, May 3, 7pm – 9pm, at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills. 

 

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the outpouring of support for H.O.P.E.’s House, our summer camp, Camp HOPE and our Creative Expressions program by way of this incredible gala,” said Thyonne Gordon, Interim Executive Director of H.O.P.E. CDC. 

With the goal of raising funds to continue providing the various beneficial programs to the San Fernando Valley region, the black-tie event will honor three individuals whose contributions improve the lives of the diverse population of Valley residents: Mike Davis, City of Los Angeles Commissioner, Board of Public Works, Lydia Floyd, Executive Director of the community organization Hands for Hope and Dr. William Watkins, Vice President of Student Affairs, California State University, Northridge. 

The entertainment for the night will feature “Dance for Hope,” a celebrity dance showcase starring actors James Pickens, Jr., (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and Elise Neal (“Hustle and Flow”), whose dance moves will be judged by actors Essence Atkins (“A Haunted House 2”) and Rocky Carroll (“NCIS”) and other celebrities to be announced later. The gala will also feature an online e-auction. Keeping the crowd entertained and the evening proceeding smoothly is master of ceremonies, comedian Jonathan Slocumb.

To purchase tickets and for more information, go to www.whynothope.org or legacyofhope2.eventbrite.com.  Visit the online E-auction at www.biddingforgoods.com

About H.O.P.E. Community Development Center and the Center for the Empowerment of Families

H.O.P.E. Community Development Center’s and the Center for the Empowerment of Families’ mission is to transform the lives of families and individuals through providing programs that promote – economic education, life skills development, enrichment for personal, health and financial development and growth, educational opportunities in arts, sciences, mathematics, business and technology.