Youth Development Center’s REALCITY : LITERACY Event to Benefit Disadvantaged Youth in Houston’s Greater Fifth Ward
HOUSTON, TEXAS - February 1, 2010 – Houston's hottest young executives and professionals have teamed up to host REALCITY : LITERACY, a fundraising event for the Youth Development Center (YDC). YDC is a Houston-based, non-profit organization that addresses literacy development by operating an after-school remediation program for underprivileged children in the city's Greater Fifth Ward. All proceeds from REALCITY : LITERACY will be used to launch YDC's new summer enrichment program, designed to curtail the loss of academic development and capitalize on literacy progress made during the school year.
"We are thrilled to realize a dream and expand our services to include a summer enrichment program," says Mary Nell Jones, YDC Executive Director. "Not only can we make learning fun by exposing YDC kids to a variety of cultural and other activities, we can bridge the gap between school years and help our kids have a very productive summer."
In addition to receiving instructional content during the summer program, participating students will experience enjoyable learning opportunities through hands-on activities, experiments, projects and field trips—opportunities they are likely to encounter for the first time.
Conquering literacy deficits is key to brighter academic futures and healthier communities. The 2000 Census revealed that 97% of residents in the Greater Fifth Ward live below the poverty level and that only 6% of the community's adults have attained a college degree. Statistics from the National Institute for Literacy show that 50% of the chronically unemployed are illiterate and 75% of the nation's prison inmates never completed high school. Government studies indicate a direct correlation between literacy deficits and high school dropout rates. YDC exists to help young students overcome their reading deficiencies, learn the value of hard work and stay in school.
REALCITY : LITERACY will take place on February 18, 2010, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at 13 celsius, 3000 Caroline Street in Houston, 77004. Pre-sale tickets are $50 each and can be purchased at http://realcityliteracy.eventbrite.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $60. Those who cannot attend, but wish to make a donation, may do so online by following the same link.
For the unparalleled, high-profile event, 13 celsius will be transformed into a nostalgic salute to vintage times past. Event-goers will find a swanky jazz bar inside, where they can relax in an intimate setting filled with the sophisticated, soulful sounds of Houston native Kristine Mills. Winner of the 2009 Houston Press Music Awards "Best Female Vocalist," Mills has gained international notoriety with her fresh take on jazz tunes, sassy bossa nova and original music. To complement the sensual scene, a perfectly-paired assortment of wine, beer, gourmet meats and cheese selections will be served. Outside, 13's entire parking lot will be tented to contain a childhood-inspired playroom atmosphere for big kids at heart. Guests can let their inner child jump for joy as they play classic gaming machines and savor adult versions of their favorite comfort foods, sweets, treats and drinks "enhanced" by event sponsor Tito's Vodka. Snow cones and Shirley Temples will never be the same! DJ Freestyle Steve will set the mood with tunes to rock the (play) house, as he's done on tour with Justin Timberlake. The South Beach celeb is the exclusive "go to" guy to rock parties for NBA and NFL players, music mogul Timbaland and others.
Event-goers will revel in the foods we all loved and remember as kids, prepared by Houston's tastebud-tickling trio of culinary cut-ups Jonathan Jones (Beaver's), Plinio Sandalio (Textile) and Jody Stevens (Jodycakes). Together they'll create a gastronomic combo featuring Jonathan's salt-of-the-earth Texas style and Plinio's picture-perfect, palate-pleasing pastries with Jody's delectable desserts literally delivering the icing on the cake.
YDC wishes to recognize and thank the following event sponsors for their extraordinary generosity: 13 celsius, Clayman Promotional Group, GEO-GRAFX: The Digital & Print Solution Company, John Friedman Flowers LC, Porsche of North Houston, Swift + company, Time2Play USA, Tito's Handmade Vodka and Zulu Creative.
REALCITY : LITERACY's host committee is a veritable who's who of Houston's brightest rising executive, professional and academic stars. YDC extends sincere appreciation to members of the esteemed group for offering their generous support: Stacy Berman - Swift + company, Stephen Brown – Metro, Sam Eaton - J.O.A. Construction, Morrow Evans - Lime Rock Resources, Giovanni Garibay – Comcast, Lyn Harris – Parson, Laurence Humphries – Chevron, Kevin Juno - RBC Richardson Barr, Craig Lande - RBC Richardson Barr, Erica Lee - Tivia Group, LLC, Brendan Matthews - RBC Richardson Barr, Derrick Mitchell - Bracewell & Giuliani, Errin O'Connor - EPC Group, Adrian Patterson - Fulbright & Jaworski, Jessica Potts - RBC Richardson Barr, Ian Rosenberg - 13 celsius, Jarret Scheinman - Hotaling Group, LaRence Snowden - Texas Southern University, Christine Thorp - Just Energy, Amy Vandaveer - University of Houston, Barron Wallace - Vinson & Elkins, Kimberly Williams – Metro, and Tina Zulu - Zulu Creative.
About Youth Development Center (YDC)
With a mission to inspire, equip and guide urban youth to LIVE!, YDC is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a free, after-school literacy development program for disadvantaged youth in the city's Greater Fifth Ward. Participating students have consistently shown reading improvement and advancement of at least two grade levels, an accomplishment verified through nationally recognized assessment testing. With an emphasis on developing the whole child, YDC's proven literacy remediation program helps struggling students make outstanding gains in reading proficiency, promotes character development and builds self esteem. For more information, please visit www.ydc.org.
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