Change through caring

During ShareFest's Youth Development Academy, a group of middle school students told a class full of youth from underserved communities what their dreams for the future are. • The blackboard in the classroom at Cal State University Dominguez Hills was filled with aspirations like "soccer player," "great musician" and "veterinarian."  • When José's turn came around he told the class he wants to be a technology designer because he hopes to use his talent to help disabled people. • José is an eighth-grader from the Cruces or "Ghost Town" neighborhood in Wilmington, which was notorious for gang violence and drugs. But José has seen the satisfaction of helping those in need. • The Youth Development Academy was hardly his first brush with ShareFest. • When the LAPD and FBI swept through to clean up the area in 2007, ShareFest followed to support his community. • José's experience continued in April with the annual workday when he worked with ShareFest at Wilmington Middle School, where he attends. He had a hand in renovating and beautifying his own school. • When José saw ShareFest's next project, the Youth Development Academy, he didn't need any prompting. • "I wanted to go so I went and got an application, filled it all out and brought it back," he said. • He snapped up the chance to get involved. • "I didn't want to be playing video games at home." • That sentiment continued for José who ended up going to a second summer camp with one of ShareFest's partners, The River Church. • Even more amazing, José started getting e-mails from counselors, volunteers and anyone who had seen just how much of an effect they could have on his life. • That contagious desire to help someone else spread throughout anyone involved and had an effect on José. • "I learned how to have fun at ShareFest. I learned how to work with other people," he said. • José says he wants to continue his education, possibly at CSUDH, pursue that dream of helping disabled people and someday be a ShareFest counselor on the side too.

Don't miss a chance to impact lives

Experiences like José's are exactly what ShareFest wants to emphasize during our fundraiser. • Communities, residents, kids, their stories and faces are the focus of ShareFest's mission and this year's Fifth Annual Evening of Community. • That personal touch and relationship is what ShareFest believes creates lasting change. • Get the chance to meet community leaders who have been involved with ShareFest, youth that went through the Youth Development Academy and so many who have seen ShareFest's direct impact and want to tell their personal stories. • Click here to get more information, RSVP, become a corporate sponsor or browse and donate auction items.