At a time when families are struggling financially, immigrant families are being torn apart, and there is violence in our schools, it’s more important than ever to harness the support and strength we share working together in a diverse, inclusive community. Together, we will chart a better future that supports families of all backgrounds. — Parenting Journey Executive Director Imari Paris Jeffries
We are so grateful to the sponsors, host committee members, and attendees who helped make our inaugural Breakfast of Family Champions benefit dinner such a success! We’re thrilled to have surpassed our fundraising goal for this event, which will enable us to continue to grow and partner with even more families in Massachusetts, New York, and around the country.
Check out the article below, which originally appeared in massnonprofit news!
Parenting Journey Inaugural Fundraiser Generates $300K
July 12, 2018 — Parenting Journey, a national nonprofit based in Somerville that provides programs aimed at strengthening families and creating safe communities, recently announced it raised $300,000 at its inaugural Breakfast of Family Champions benefit, surpassing its goal by $50,000.
Funds from the event, held June 20 at The Lighthouse at CIC in Boston, which attracted 150 people, will support the ongoing work of Parenting Journey.
“This event would not have been possible without our generous sponsors, host committee members, board members, donors and parents who invest in families and made this inaugural event such a success,” said Imari Paris Jeffries, executive director of Parenting Journey.
“At a time when families are struggling financially, immigrant families are being torn apart, and there is violence in our schools, it’s more important than ever to harness the support and strength we share working together in a diverse, inclusive community,” he added. “Together, we will chart a better future that supports families of all backgrounds.”
Funds were raised through tickets and pledges. Tickets were sold in advance and promoted through social media, email marketing, and local calendar listings. During the event, Parenting Journey made an ask for pledges, with two donors each offering a $25,000 match.
Recognized at the event were Linda Dorcena Forry, former Massachusetts state senator and Suffolk Construction’s Northeast region vice president for diversity, inclusion; and community relations; Kitt Sawitsky, managing partner, Goulston & Storrs; and Anne Marie Teuber, senior director of training emeritus and a 20-year veteran of Parenting Journey.
Robert Lewis, Jr., founder and president of The BASE and newly appointed Parenting Journey board member, emceed the evening’s festivities.
Parenting Journey, formerly known as The Family Center, was founded in 1982, operating out of a van that could be driven directly to local housing developments, and moved to Somerville the following year. In 2002, the organization moved to its headquarters in Somerville’s Union Square neighborhood.
Since 2007, Parenting Journey has served more than 52,000 parents, and today has an office in New York City. Its programs have been replicated in nearly 500 locations across the United States.
According to the organization, the Institute for Community Health (ICH), a nationally recognized and respected research collaborative, has shown statistically significant improvements in parents and caregivers who have completed the Parenting Journey, specifically: 90% of participants reporting a positive change in their relationships with others, and 86% reporting a positive change in their relationships with their children.
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