b.a.y. fund is Red Hot
The
Red Hot Ball on Friday, February 25, was a first-class hit
in its fourth year, raising more than $40,000 to benefit the
children of the b.a.y. fund, as well as their summer
enrichment program. The Red Hot Hip Hop, which occurred two
hours prior to the ball, allowed the children of b.a.y. fund
to enjoy a fully catered dance party of their own, complete
with tunes spun by San Francisco DJ Seven.
More than 650 guests, dressed in their
cocktail best, celebrated at the Golden Gate Club in the
Presidio. Distinguished San Franciscans such as Mayor Gavin
Newsom joined the mingle. Everyone enjoyed a fun,
sophisticated evening in the three rooms decked out in red.
A slide show of the children of b.a.y. fund ran in the main
room. People of all ages danced to the high-energy music of
Pride & Joy on the main stage, and DJ Seven’s hot music
played in the “Bubble” room. Plentiful food in every corner
was generously provided by Le Colonial, Rose Pistola,
Eastside West, and Straits Cafe, among others.
Plan ahead so you don’t miss the next
b.a.y. fund fund-raiser during Father’s Day weekend at SBC
Park on Saturday, June 18, 2005. “Batter’s Up with b.a.y.
fund” will include a breakfast with Mayor Gavin Newsom and a
morning ballgame on the field for a limited number of
supporters. Guests will bat, catch, pitch, and run the bases
with some star players from the Giants. It will be a fantasy
baseball morning for the man/men in your life. At noon,
everyone can join the fun, starting with a gourmet lunch
followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of SBC Park and batting
practice on the field. b.a.y. fund’s youth and mentor
participants will join the fun of the afternoon.
b.a.y. fund was modeled after the
successful Fulfillment Program in Los Angeles. Bay Area
resident Ann-Eve Haven had a chance to learn about the LA
program from its leaders when looking for a model to help
children of this area. b.a.y. fund gives the participating
youth a real chance in life as it commits ten years to
guiding youth from the end of 7th grade through five years
of college. The goal is to help each child become the first
in their family to graduate from college.
Rozanne
Junker, executive director, said, “It starts with Discovery
Day. Youth are encouraged to apply from a variety of San
Francisco’s intermediate schools. They present individual
projects that exemplify their interest and commitment. Each
applicant must give a presentation of their project to the
board of selection of b.a.y. fund. Out of 75 applicants, the
board selects 24. The ten years of commitment to the child
means staff resources, 500 hours a year of volunteer time
per child, and aid to help them reach and stay in college.
b.a.y. fund is currently working with 150 children with 24
more youth joining this May.”
Rozanne continued, “They are part of a
comprehensive program without gaps exposing youth to people
from all walks of life, as well as financial and
professional profiles. They are brought in contact with many
heroes from sports, neighborhoods, and the community. They
are given regular contact with new role models from everyday
to extraordinary. Volunteers, who are a part of b.a.y. fund,
share a common focus to give youth hope and a commitment to
not let them down. We work at being there, as a team, for
each child.”
Tom Ahn, Director of Programs, said,
“Youth who become part of b.a.y. fund have access to modern
tools of technology when creating projects designed to
advance learning. They practice public speaking when giving
presentations. The mentors and volunteers from every walk of
life expose the youth to new options just in sharing what
they do or have done. The mentors are good role models as
they must have a successful career and college degree. Times
have changed, and there are very few blue-collar jobs or
union jobs with on-the-job training available. The
competitive nature of looking for a job today and in the
future requires at least a B.A. just to survive. We all have
a common goal to see these kids through.”
![](MentorMatch2.jpg)
Founder Ann-Eve Hazen gave an
illustration. “Urbanology is a multimedia Summer Academic
Enrichment project that 21 of the newest group of students
recently finished. They had to do research on the Internet
about San Francisco. They then went out into the community
to conduct interviews in the Mission, Chinatown, and Marina
neighborhoods. During these trips and interviews, they made
a video. After editing the video, they gave a presentation
using the video and talking to the audience about the
communities of San Francisco. These little tiny kids did
such a great job.”
Ann-Eve went on to say, “Mayor Newsom was
in the audience. He spoke to the participants after the
presentation. He told them as a kid he was dyslexic. He told
them he would never have done a presentation like that when
he was their age. It made those kids feel so good to hear
this successful man had challenges he was able to overcome.
They were beaming with his praise. I’ve seen such changes in
all of the kids in their self esteem. They smile now and
make eye contact.”
“We support each child by getting them
academically ready and guide them through the process to
apply for schools and what they need. Colleges have money
set aside (as aid, grants, and scholarships) for kids like
these. But few apply for it. They need to be ready for
college. If not ready, they can’t do the work. We guide them
to get ready to do the work, to stay in college, and to
succeed.” Ann-Eve finished with moving appreciation in her
voice for the efforts of all involved, particularly for the
kids who accept the help and challenges of b.a.y. fund.
“Kids need to know someone cares.” It is clear at b.a.y.
fund people do care, a lot.
To make a difference, a real difference,
requires a serious commitment to break the chain of events
in socio-economic circumstances and learned behaviors at an
early point in life. b.a.y. fund’s goal is to help a child
be the first in their family to graduate from college. b.a.y.
fund provides a helping hand to change the world, one child
at a time.
For more information on b.a.y. fund or to
attend a future event, please call 415-561-3450 or visit
them online at www.bayfund.org.