PESA attended the YMCA’s annual fundraiser dinner on Thursday, November 21st, sponsoring a table to deepen connections with community members and show support to the cause. The event brought together community leaders, local government representatives, and major corporations like Amazon and AT&T to support YMCA programs. Funds were raised through raffles, auctions, and activities such as casino games, fostering an atmosphere of generosity and collaboration.
PESA’s team took full advantage of the event, connecting with influential figures in the community like Marqueece Harris-Dawson and other local officials. The dinner served as a reminder of the shared mission between PESA and the YMCA: empowering youth and fostering growth. A standout moment for the team was when Nicole Ruelas, one of PESA’s exceptional interns, won the grand prize: a 2024 Toyota Corolla.
Ruelas’ hard work and passion for youth empowerment were recognized throughout her time with PESA, making her big win at the YMCA dinner all the more special. Reflecting on her unexpected win, Ruelas shared, “It felt so unreal. I didn’t expect to win anything. Even the casino money they gave me, I gave it away because I’m not a gambler. But it was such an unreal, lucky experience.” Her colleagues celebrated with excitement, standing and clapping as she claimed her prize.
Stephanie Santillan, PESA’s Assistant Director of Youth Services, found the event deeply meaningful. “It was nice to see a lot of different people from the community supporting such a big program,” she said. She was especially moved by the student speaker’s message where he stated: “We’re the future, and thanks for investing in us. Keep investing because I couldn’t do it without the scholarship, but also, I didn’t realize how much power a couple people could have by coming together and raising some money.”
The YMCA dinner was a reminder of the power of community collaboration, leaving attendees inspired to continue making a difference.
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