Voice of Hope’s (VOH) 2015 Annual Dinner: Can You Hear the Voices? will be held on January 29 at the Belo Mansion, 2101 Ross Avenue. A reception starts at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner and a program at 7 p.m. All proceeds from this fundraising event will help the organization fulfill its mission to educate and build strong character in children and to equip families with resources and skills needed to overcome and break the poverty cycle.
Ed Franklin, president and CEO of Voice of Hope, said, “Since 1982 Voice of Hope has been serving and helping West Dallas families to break the cycle of poverty, give them hope, and transform the community. This fundraiser enables us to continue this important work.”
Following dinner, Ray Nixon, a long-time Voice of Hope supporter, will moderate a panel honoring three inspiring voices of the community:
Voice of Education: Dr. R. Gerald Turner, President of Southern Methodist University
Voice of Faith: Rev. Bryan H. Dunagan, Senior Pastor of Highland Park Presbyterian Church
Voice of Service: Clint Bruce, Co-founder of Trident Response Group, Thirty&3 and Carry the Load.
Franklin added, “These gentlemen are well known in their respective fields: Dr. Turner has helped build SMU into a top tier university; Clint Bruce has made it his mission to serve through his work, especially Carry The Load; and Bryan brings a depth of spiritual faith, even as the youngest pastor to lead his church in its 90-year history.”
Voice of Hope will give two awards to students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership and their lives. Given to a graduate of the Voice of Hope program, the “Voice of Achievement Award” will be presented to Clifton Wilson who credits his experience at the organization for setting him on the path of success. After working his way through college to receive a B.S. from Prairie View A&M University, he worked for Jefferson Properties Incorporated as a market research analyst. Then he joined the Foundation for Community Empowerment where he saw the impact and importance of investing in educational initiatives. Being the beneficiary of life-changing guidance through Voice of Hope, he sought to pay it forward and became a special education teacher in Dallas ISD for four years. He currently teaches in that same capacity at Irving ISD. He’s furthered his education by receiving a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas and has plans to become more involved in improving the education system and getting involved in local politics.
The “Voice of Promise Award,” which honors a current student of the program, will be given to Elizabeth Jacobs, a 6th grade student. She will receive the award because of her example and involvement in the program.
The Honorary Chairs are Ellen and John McStay, and Event Co-chairs are Jane Gibson and Mimi Vanderstraaten. Special thanks to Event Sponsors Lisa and Kenny Troutt and Lincoln Property Company.
Sponsor levels begin at $5,000. Individual tickets, which are $250, are available on a limited basis. Raffle tickets, which are $100 each, are available online or at the event for a chance to win a $7,500 gift certificate to William Noble Rare Jewels. For more information about sponsorship opportunities and ticket purchases, contact Ruth Hardesty, VOH director of development, at 214-631-7027, ext. 152 or rhardesty@voiceofhope.org.
ABOUT VOICE OF HOPE:
Voice of Hope Ministries, Inc., founded in 1982, is a Christian community center founded on principles of self-help, spiritual enrichment and urban renewal. Voice of Hope Ministries exists to provide children living in the neighborhoods of West Dallas with strong character models, education support, life skills, and family support services needed to become productive Christian citizens. For more information, please contact Voice of Hope at 214-631-7027 or visit http://voiceofhope.org.