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El Nido Family Centers Honor Gibson Dunn with Community Impact Award
At Fifth Annual Garden Gala
Youth Culinary, Art, and Entrepreneurial Programs Highlighted the Evening
Over 300 guests filled the Great Lawn at Beverly Hills’ historic Virginia Robinson Gardens in celebration of El Nido’s Fifth Annual Garden Gala, on Saturday, September 7. The evening marked El Nido’s many successes as told by its clients and alumni who spoke at the event.
Unlike other fundraisers, guests had the opportunity to meet and talk to many of El Nido’s clients who are now on the pathway to success. The young people showcased their job training skills through El Nido’s culinary, art, and entrepreneurial programs.
Young adults from El Nido’s Culinary Academy prepared and served savory tapas as the crowd mingled and met the budding entrepreneurs from El Nido’s Business Academy. Students shared their business plan for the new kitchen and answered questions regarding the marketing concept for El Nido’s Café. Young photographers, who also served as the Gala event photographers for the night, exhibited their photos and were on hand to speak with guests about how the camera has become their voice.
International law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP received the Community Impact Award for the many years of providing pro bono legal services of the highest quality to El Nido Family Centers. The firm has demonstrated the depth of its commitment to over 15,000 children, youth and families that El Nido serves here in LA County. In addition to one of their partners, Jesse Shapiro, serving diligently on El Nido’s Board, other Gibson Dunn attorneys have helped with fundraising projects and have formed the nucleus of a dynamic and active Junior Board. Scott Edelman, partner and chair of Gibson Dunn’s Pro Bono Committee, accepted the award on behalf of the law firm.
Inspired with El Nido and how it works to transform lives, partners and donors generously raised $294,000.00 from the event, the highest amount donated at an El Nido’s fundraiser to date.
HOST
Phil Savenick, Writer-Producer
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Rose Norton and Phil Savenick
Marta Samulon and Fred Samulon, PHD
Luz Avila-Kyncl and Robert Kyncl
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
Kaiser Permanente
California State University, Los Angeles
CalPrivate Bank
Gibson Dunn
SA Recycling
Wells Fargo
Donations support vulnerable children, youth and families, funding the following:
❖ Treatment for children who have suffered abuse and/or neglect
❖ Parent education to prevent school failure and teen pregnancy
❖ Activities to steer boys and girls away from gangs
❖ Home visits from a nurse to ensure healthy mom and baby
❖ Case management to help young parents graduate
❖ Intensive counseling services to address mental health issues
View photos and a video from last year’s Garden Gala celebration…
El Nido’s Fifth Annual Garden Gala was held Saturday, September 7, 2019 at the exclusive Virginia Robinson Gardens estate in Beverly Hills.
