2011 Black & White Benefactrix Ball Celebrates Urban Campus and Project Supporters

Wednesday December 07, 2011

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Dave Blankmeyer Receives Corporate Champion Award and Ayahlushim Getachew Receives Silver Achievement Award  

YWCA Greater Los Angeles celebrated the completion of the downtown Job Corps Urban Campus and its project supporters at the recent 2011 Black & White Benefactrix Ball. Sponsored by Edison International and Union Bank, the event was hosted by Society of Benefactrix, a circle of women who work to be a catalyst for change for women and families in the Greater Los Angeles community.
 
The gala honored individuals who champion the YWCA/GLA mission and who made significant contributions to the development of the highly anticipated downtown Urban Campus project, a fully-funded 154,000 square foot, seven story facility, that will provide free housing, meals, vocational training and support for youth of the Los Angeles community. Dave Blankmeyer of PCL Construction received the 2011 Corporate Champion Award and Ayahlushim Getachew, Vice President of Thomas Properties Group received the 2011 Silver Achievement Award. Faye Washington, CEO, YWCA Greater Los Angeles said, "We are proud to salute these extraordinary honorees and their accomplishments in the community. Both honorees have exemplary track records of working with non profits in important development opportunities, especially affordable housing projects. We are grateful to both honorees that they saw the promise and potential in supporting the YWCA GLA downtown Urban Campus."
 
The fundraiser drew 384 attendees representing LA's top business leaders, humanitarians, financial supporters, dignitaries and celebrities to raise awareness and funds in support of YWCA GLA community programs. The ball featured elegant black & white décor, a 1920's inspired theme with a live and silent auction, gourmet dinner, dancing and live performances by 8-piece orchestra, Chuck Wansley After Dark. Comedian Shelley Dennis was the event's Mistress of Ceremony and comedian Kym Whitley returned this year as the Celebrity Auctioneer.
 
The theme for this year's event was "Urban Campus...The House That Love Built:  Celebrating the Power of Faith, Fight, Favor and Friends". Faye Washington, YWCA GLA CEO said, "The YWCA GLA and its partners fight the good fight of empowering our youth to be self sufficient. Our programs are designed to send arrows of hope into the future so generations will benefit. Now that we have achieved this dream against impossible odds, with increased faith and vigor, we are turning our sights on launching the Empowerment Village. A community that is built on the city block surrounding the Urban Campus, that will offer affordable housing for Job Corps graduates, retail spaces, Arts & Culture Museum, health complex and much more to enrich the downtown community experience for our young graduates and downtown community at large. Thank you to our partners, donors, friends and members who generously donate their power, resources, time and funding to provide girls, women and families in our community ‘Safe Spaces to Live, Learn and Grow'."

Click here to view ball photos.

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