-As presenting sponsor
of the Portraits of Hope
Gala, I want to welcome
you tonight for this
special event.
Tompkins has been
thrilled to partner with the
Villa of Hope for the last
decade because Chris
and her team are making
such an important impact
in the lives of so many in
our community.
At Tompkins, supporting
the communities we
serve is part of our
mission, it's one of our
core values and it's
engrained in our culture.
Supporting the Villa with
volunteerism, financial
services and donations
is how we deliver on that
commitment.
Hi, I'm Christina Gullo,
President & CEO of Villa
of Hope.
-Thank you to Tompkins,
our gala co-chairs Nancy
Wilkes and Gail Morelle,
our event sponsors and
all of you for joining us.
Thank you to Channel 8
for helping us to adapt to
changes and making this
possible.
-We are here to
celebrate recovery - for
the people we serve and
for our whole community.
We have all been
experiencing some level
of trauma lately. We
could all use a little Hope
right now. You will learn
about our programs by
the stories that will be
told through the videos
and guests you will see
tonight. We hope you
enjoy them, and are
inspired to support Villa
of Hope. Prior to tonight
we have raised half of
our $300,000 goal.
Enjoy!
Congratulations Sabrina
and the Morelle family. It
is wonderful to see
families rebuild
relationships, recover
their potential and renew
Hope. We have a
special surprise in-studio
tonight, John Harris of
the Glover Crask
Foundation. (15
seconds)
(30 seconds to say why
you support Villa of Hope
and announce $25K
match for donations
coming in tonight)
Kim represents the Villa
of Hope's Mission
everyday. She is a true
TIMES WHEN MOST OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS ARE CLOSED.
RIGHT NOW SHE WAS A RESIDENT
ON CAMPUS A WHILE BACK.
SHE HAS A FEW CHILDREN OF HER
OWN AND A MOTHER AT HOME THAT
SHE IS CARING FOR.
LAST WEEK WAS ABLE TO CLOSE ON
HER VERY FIRST HOME THAT SHE WAS
ABLE TO SAVE THE DEPOSIT FOR BY
HERSELF.
SHE IS CURRENTLY IN OUR NEW TASK
PROGRAM AS WELL AND WORKING TO
GET HER G.E.D.
JUST TRULY A SHINING EXAMPLE OF
WHAT THE VILLA REALLY DOES FOR
THE FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND
WHAT YOUR DONATIONS DO FOR US.
SO THANK YOU.
JOINING ME NOW IS BLAKE
MARCUS AND HIS MOTHER, GAIL
MORRELLLY.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
IF COULD YOU TALK TO ME ABOUT
WHAT THE VILLA MEANT TO YOU NOW
THAT YOU ARE LOOKING BACK ON
YOUR EXPERIENCE?
THE VILLA GOT ME STARTED ON
MY JOURNEY OF SOBRIETY WHEN I
HAD HIT MY WORST BOTTOMS THEY
WERE THERE TO HELP BRING ME BACK
UP.
THEY GOT ME STARTED, TAUGHT ME
THE THINGS I NEEDED TO KNOW TO
HELP MYSELF AND GAVE ME THE
STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO ASK FOR
HELP.
THIS ISN'T JUST ONE PERSON
BUT WORKING ON THE NATIONALLY.
IT IS.
AND HOW DID THAT WORK FOR
YOU?
THEY TAUGHT ME THAT THIS
WASN'T ABOUT ME.
IT WAS ABOUT BLAKE.
AS PARENTS, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT
TO SEPARATE THOSE TWO.
WHAT DID I DO WRONG?
WAS COULD I DO DIFFERENTLY?
THAT WASN'T THE CASE.
I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING EXCEPT
GET HIM HELP.
I THINK THAT'S WHY HE IS SITTING
HERE TODAY.
I LOVE THAT AND NOW YOU AND
THE ENTIRE ALMOST-- FAMILY
GIVING BACK THROUGH YOUR MESSAGE
WHICH IS GOING TO MEAN SO MUCH
TO EVERYONE OUT THERE LISTENING
AND WATCHING.
THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS WITH
US.
THANK YOU.
CONGRATULATIONS SABRINA AND
THE MORRELLLY FAMILY.
IT IS SO AWESOME TO SEE FAMILIES
REBUILD RELATIONSHIPS, RECOVER
THEIR POTENTIAL AND RENEW HOPE.
WE HAVE A SPECIAL SURPRISE GUEST
IN STUDIO WITH ME TONIGHT THIS
IS JOHN HARRIS FROM THE GLOVER
CRAFT FOUNDATION.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
I WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT THE
GROVER CRAFT FOUNDATION IS
PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE WE WILL
MATCH $25,000 OVER THE COURSE OF
THIS BROADCAST SO WE ARE ASKING
FOR DOLLAR TO DOLLAR MATCH ON
THIS.
AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT
PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN
PEOPLE COME TO VILLA OF HOPE,
USUALLY YOUNG ADULTS OR YOUNGER,
WHO COME HERE NEEDING HELP AND
THERE IS NO WAY THAT THEY CAN
GET HELP OTHERWISE.
THIS IS WHERE THEY NEED TO GET
HELP FROM, THE VILLA OF HOPE.
PLEASE SUPPORT IT AND GET PEOPLE
BACK IN THE MAINSTREAM.
THANK YOU.
GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.
I'M KIM.
PRIVILEGED TO BE A PSYCHIATRIC
NURSE PRACTITIONER AT OUR
OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
CLIN CLINIC.
I ASK THAT YOU OPEN YOUR HEARTS
AND MINDS AS I SHARE A NARRATIVE
OF THE RESILIENT NATURE OF THE
HUMAN SPIRIT.
ONCE THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL,
SHE GREW UP HERE IN THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER, SHE HAD AN OLDER
BROTHER AND SISTER AND TWO
PARENTS.
TWO PARENTS WHO TRULY LOVED HER
TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY
SOME DAYS WERE BETTER THAN
OTHER.
THEY SUFFERED FROM ALCOHOLISM.
AT TIMES, THIS LITTLE GIRL FELT
LOVED AND SAFE AND YET OTHER
TIMES SHE WAS FEARFUL, ANXIOUS,
ASHAMED AND ALONED.
SHE VOWED NEVER TO DRINK.
ADOLESCENCE CAME AND WITH IT A
TUMULTUOUS EMOTIONAL ROLLER
COMPANIES TER.
SHE DID NOT KNOW WHERE SHE
LONGED OR IF SHE BELONGED ON HAD
EARTH.
SHE SOUGHT RELIEF FROM DRUGS AND
ALCOHOL, THIS BRIGHT AND
PROMISING YOUNG LADY WENT FROM A
STRAIGHT A STUDENT TO HIGH
SCHOOL DROPOUT JUST LIKE THAT:
SADLY THIS WAS NOT THE END, JUST
THE BEGINNING.
THE BEGINNING OF A LIFE OF
FAILURE AND A FEW SUCCESSES.
PUNCTUATED BY HEART BREAK,
VIOLENCE, SHAME, GUILT, FEAR AND
UNCERTAINLY.
AT TIMES THIS YOUNG LADY COULD
CONTROL HER ADDICTION AND SHOWED
SOME OUTWARD MEASURES OF
SUCCESS.
AND AT OTHER TIMES, HER
ADDICTION CONTROLLED HER.
ADDICTION CONTROL WILLED HER
THOUGHTS, ACTIONS, ATTITUDES,
EMOTIONS AND ASPIRATIONS.
AS IT TURNS OUT, THIS YOUNG LADY
WENT ON TO HAVE TWO BEAUTIFUL
DAUGHTERS OF HER OWN.
SHE LOVED THEM WITH HER WHOLE
BEING.
BUT LIVING WITH ADDICTION, SHE
WAS NOT ABLE TO DELIVER THE DEEP
LOVE AND AFFIX SHE FELT.
AS IS SO OFTEN THE CASE, THIS
BEAUTIFUL AND BLAMELESS CHILDREN
GREW UP IN THE SAME FEAR,
VIOLENCE, SHAME AND DESPAIR THAT
THEIR MOTHER KNEW AS A CHILD
ADDICTION SO OFTEN REPEATS
ITSELF.
NOW A YOUNG WOMAN, THEIR MOTHER
WOULD STRUGGLE FOR MANY YEARS
WITH RELENTLESS ADDICTION THAT
CAUSED HER TO BECOME A PERSON
SHE DID NOT EVEN KNOW HER GIRLS
WOULD HUDDLE IN FEAR AND SPEND
COUNTLESS HOURS BY THE WINDOW
HOPING THEIR MOTHER WOULD
RETURN, ALIVE FROM ANOTHER
RELAPSE TO THE DRUG USE, BUT
ONCE CONSUMED WITH ADDICTION,
THE MOTHER COULD NOT RETURN.
IT HAD TRULY TAKEN HER BODY,
MIND AND SPIRIT.
AS SAD AS IT IS TO SAY THIS,
ADDICTION WAS FAR MORE POWERFUL
THAN EVEN THE LOVE FOR HER
CHILDREN.
IT TOLD HER LIES, LIES LIKE YOU
ARE BETTER OFF-- THEY'RE BETTER
OFF WITHOUT YOU.
OR WHY GET SOBER, YOU ARE JUST
GOING TO FAIL.
MULTIPLE INCARCERATIONS,
HOSPITALIZATIONS, SUICIDE
ATTEMPTS, CAR ACCIDENTS,
SEIZURES, NOTHING COULD STOP
THIS POWERFUL ADDICTION.
OH YES, WITH EACH EVENT SHE
WOULD VOW WITH A FIRM RESOLVE TO
NEVER USE AGAIN, BUT ADDICTION,
ADDICTION IS CUNNING, BAFFLING
AND POWERFUL.
ADDICTION EMERGES WITH FEELINGS
OF WORTHLESSNESS, SHAME,
FUTILITY.
AND ADDICTION OFTEN RESULTS IN
RELAPSE AND BROKEN HEARTED
CHILDREN.
HOW DARK IT IS BEFORE THE DAWN.
EVENTUALLY THIS WOMAN WOULD FIND
RECOVERY AND THESE BEAUTIFUL
GIRLS WOULD HAVE A MOTHER AGAIN.
YOU MAY HAVE GUESSED.
I WAS THAT YOUNG GIRL.
I AM THIS WOMAN.
MY DAUGHTERS, ALYSSA AND JENA
ARE THE CHILDREN WHO I SPEAK OF.
WE HAVE ALL LIVED AND SURVIVED
THE NIGHTMARE OF ADDICTION.
MY JOURNEY OF RECOVERY BEGAN IN
AN INPATIENT TREATMENT CENTER
WITH RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMMING TO
LEARN HOW TO LIVE AND LOVE
AGAIN.
FIRST LOVE MYSELF AND TO SHARE
THAT LOVE WITH THE WORLD.
I KNOW THAT I'M ALIVE TRULY BY
GOD'S GRACE.
I STEPPED OUT OF MY HISTORY AND
INTO MY DESTINY.
I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT THE
PAIN MY CHILDREN ENDURED IS NOT
IN VAIN AND THAT FROM ALL THIS
SUFFERING COMES MY UNIQUE
ABILITY TO SERVE OTHERS.
YOU SEE, I AM NOT MY DISEASE.
NOR AM I DEFINED BY THE PLACES
MY DISEASE TOOK ME.
I AM A KIND, LOVING MOTHER.
I AM A DILIGENT AND SELFLESS
EMPLOYEE.
I AM A TRUE FRIEND.
I AM EDUCATED, INTELLIGENT,
DEVOTED.
I AM A PERSON IN LONG-TERM
RECOVERY FROM ADDICTION.
I AM ENOUGH.
I HAVE SEEN MY STORY REPEATED
TIME AND TIME AGAIN IN THOSE I'M
PRIVILEGED TO SERVE IN MY JOB
TODAY AT THE VILLA.
FAMILIES TORN APART BY
ADDICTION, THE MOTHER UNABLE TO
CARE FOR HER CHILDREN, THE
FATHER ALIENATED FROM THOSE,
BROKEN HOMES AND SHATTERED
DREAMS.
MY STORY PUTS ME IN THE UNIQUE
POSITION TO SERVE THE FAMILIES
WHO ENTER.
I'M HONORED TO BE A PART OF
THEIR JOURNEY.
I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING
FOLKS AS AT THEIR MOST
VULNERABLE TIMES IN THEIR LIVES.
I HAVE BEEN ALLOWED THIS
PRIVILEGE BECAUSE SOMEONE
BELIEVED IN ME.
DESPITE A DARK PAST AND
TARNISHED BACKGROUND, I WAS
OFFERED EMPLOYMENT AT WHAT WAS
THEN ST. JOSEPH'S VILLA AND BY
NO ONES DENSE, SOON BECAME VILLA
OF HOPE.
VILLA OF HOPE IS WHAT I HAD A
GLIMPSE OF IN MY DARKEST HOUR,
ABLE TO GRASP RECOVERY.
VILLA OF HOPE IS TRULY MY HOME
OF SECOND CHANCES FOR MYSELF AND
FOR THOSE I SERVE.
YOU, THE VILLA'S GENEROUS
DONORS, HAVE A CHANCE TO BE PART
OF THIS MISSION WITH ME.
IT'S ABOUT RESTORING HOPE AND
DIGNITY, REUNITING FAMILIES AND,
OF COURSE, RECOVERY ONE PRECIOUS
LIFE AT A TIME.
KIM REPRESENTS VILLA OF
HOPE'S MISSION EVERY DAY.
SHE IS A TRUE INTRANSITION AND--
INSPIRATION AND A GIFT TO THOSE
WHO RECEIVE TREATMENT FROM HER.
ONE OF THE MOST GENUINE AND
PASSIONATE PEOPLE AND A
REMARKABLE EXAMPLE OF RECOVERING
ONE'S OWN POTENTIAL AND CARRYING
IT FORWARD, RENEWING HOPE FOR SO
MANY.
KIM'S STORY IS SO
INSPIRATIONAL AND ON THAT NOTE,
THAT $25,000 MATCH STILL STANDS.
AND HERE'S WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.
IT'S REALLY SIMPLE.
YOU TEXT HOPE TO 99605.
JUST TEXT HOPE SO YOU CAN DONATE
NOW.
HERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT AND
INSPIRATIONAL STORIES.
I'M LORI BAKER CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE SUMMIT
FEDERAL CREDIT UNION.
I SUPPORT THE VILLA OF HOPE
BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THE
MISSION.
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES DESERVE
TO HAVE AN ORGANIZATION BEHIND
THEM THAT IS COMMITTED TO THEIR
SUCCESS AND GENUINELY PASSIONATE
ABOUT THEIR WELL-BEING.
THAT'S THE VILLA.
WE SUPPORT THE VILLA OF HOPE
BECAUSE EVERYONE DESERVES A
CHANCE TO REBUILD, RENEW AND
RECOVERY.
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR
SUPPORTING THE VILLA TONIGHT AND
TO THE VILLA STAFF WHO MAKE IT
ALL POSSIBLE.
I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.
WE ARE DARREN AND JULIE
WARNER.
THIS IS OUR FIFTH YEAR
SUPPORTING THE VILLA OF HOPE.
WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THE VILLA IS
THE COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT,
SERVICES, AND FA IT ISES.
YOU CAN'T FIND A BETTER
ORGANIZATION.
I THINK VILLA OF HOPE IS THE
MISSING PIECE THAT BROUGHT ME
BACK TOGETHER AND MADE ME WHOLE.
♪ ♪
WE ARE A SMALL COMMUNITY,
HOWEVER OUR HEARTS ARE BIGGER
THAN THE BIGGER CLINICS THAT ARE
OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE VILLA'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
SERVICES ARE TRANSFORMING OUR
COMMUNITY OUR CLINIC IS
ADDRESSES BOTH MENTAL HEALTH AND
SUBSTANCE USE.
WE OFFER MEDICATION SUPPORT FOR
ADDICTION TREATMENT CLIENTS AND
ALSO FOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
TREATING ONE PARTICULAR
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY, THERE IS
GOING TO BE MENTAL HEALTH OR
PSYCHO SOCIAL STRUGGLES WITHIN
THE FAMILY AS WELL.
WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES
FOR THAT ENTIRE FAMILY.
WE ARE ABLE TO TREAT THE
UNDERLYING CAUSES OF THE
PROBLEM, TRAUMA, SUBSTANCE USE,
POVERTY, WE ARE ABLE TO ADDRESS
ALL OF THE NEEDS OF THE FAMILY
AND HELP THEM TO BE A FUNCTIONAL
FAMILY UNIT.
I STRUGGLED WITH OPIATE
ADDICTION FOR A LITTLE OVER SIX
YEARS.
THAT'S WHERE I MET KIM.
I TOLD HER I DON'T THINK I'M
EVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET OFF
OPIATES AND SHE SAT DOWN AND SHE
TOLD ME YES, YOU WILL.
WITHIN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME, I
DID.
I NOW HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE.
I AM AN AMAZING MOM.
IT WAS JUST COMPLETELY LIFE
CHANGING.
JOWNING ME NOW, NANCY WELCH,
THE CO-CHAIR OF THE EVENT AND
HER SON, NATE.
YOU WERE PART OF THE VILLA OF
HOPE, YOU WENT THERE TO GET
SERVICES.
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE?
THE VILLA PROVIDED ME
STABILITY, NOT ONLY WITH MY
MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR ANDREW M.
CUOMO TO PROCLAIM BUT WITH
RELATIONSHIPS WITH MY FAMILY AND
THEY'RE STILL IN MY LIFE TO THIS
DAY.
IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE TO
SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THEM.
THEY PROVIDED ME HOPE.
NANCY, WHAT WAS THAT LIKE AS
A MOM TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE TAKE
OVER AND HELP.
HEART WRENCHING, ACTUALLY.
SCARY.
THE REASON THAT WE CHOSE THE
VILLA WHEN NAITSZ AN NEEDED THE
SUPPORT HE NEEDED WAS SO THAT WE
COULD BE CLOSE AND HE WOULD BE
KEPT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY SO WE
AS A FAMILY COULD BE PART OF THE
HEALING PROCESS AND THAT WE
COULD REESTABLISH THE
RELATIONSHIPS THAT WERE BROKEN
OVER THE YEARS IN THE FAMILY.
THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR
JOINING US HERE.
BUT ALSO FOR SUPPORTING THE
CAUSE AND BEING PART OF THIS
WONDERFUL EVENT.
BY ALL MEANS.
I WOULDN'T MISS IT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I THINK THE BEST THING THAT
HAS HAPPENED TO ME, I THINK, WAS
BASE LEARNING.
SO OUR PROGRAM IS GROWING AT
A VERY FAST PACE.
OUTWARD BASED LEARNING PROGRAM
SERVES CHILDREN.
WE ALSO SERVE ADULTS IN OUR
REENTRY PROGRAM AND WE SERVE
ADULTS IN THE COMMUNITY.
TOUCHING THE LIVES OF OVER
200 YOUTH AND ADULTS,.
I WAS AN ASSISTANT TRAINER
DOING TCI TRAINING.
NOW THAT I'VE HAD THIS
EXPERIENCE, I TAUGHT ME A LOT OF
PATIENCE, IT TAUGHT ME A LOT
ABOUT MEETING PEOPLE,
COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND IT WAS
VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THOSE
KINDS OF SKILLS AND TAUGHT ME
I'M NOT ALONE AND THAT I CAN
TALK TO STAFF AND IF I'M GOING
THROUGH A STRUGGLE.
WE GIVE THEM THE SKILLS TO GO
INTO THE COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO
BE RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS.
WE ARE PROVIDING EMPLOYERS WITH
EMPLOYEES THAT THEY WANT, THAT
THEY WANT TO RETAIN, THAT THET
WANT TO TRAIN.
OUR FIRST ADULT THAT CAME
THROUGH OUR AWARD BASED TRAINING
PROGRAM THROUGH THE SERVICES WAS
INCARCERATED FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
WE ACTUALLY RECEIVED HIS FIRST
JOB THROUGH A TEMP AGENCY
THROUGH CAREER START AND HAS
BEEN WORKING SIX MONTHS
CONSISTENTLY TO THIS DAY.
THANK YOU.
YOU GAVE ME A NEW LOOK AT LIFE
AND REALLY MADE ME FEEL
CONFIDENT AND GOOD ABOUT MYSELF.
IT'S CHANGING OUR.
IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY.
TRANSFORMING OUR COMMUNITY.
HI, I'M GRETCHEN WOOD, CHIEF
ADVANCEMENT OFFICER AND
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UPON
ROW COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FOUNDATION.
IN RECENT YEARS, I HAVE HAD THE
PRIVILEGE ON BEHALF OF THE
ENTIRE MCC FOUNDATION BOARD OF
DIRECTORS TO AWARD A SCHOLARSHIP
TO A DESERVING VILLA OF HOPE
STUDENT.
AND SO WE ARE HERE TODAY AT OUR
DOWNTOWN CAMPUS TO MAKE THAT
AWARD AND WE HAVE A WONDERFUL
STUDENT THAT WE ARE GOING TO
SURPRISE WITH THIS SCHOLARSHIP.
IT IS MY GREAT HONOR TO PRESENT
A SCHOLARSHIP TO NOAH FOR 2500
TO ATTEND MCC IN FALL OF 2020.
THIS IS A WELL DESERVED AWARD
FOR NOAH.
AND WE ALL APPRECIATE HIM AND IT
VERY MUCH.
I'M A LITTLE EMOTIONAL.
THIS IS A GOOD DAY THOUGH.
I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE,
FROM WHERE I CAME FROM, AND WITH
THE AMAZING PEOPLE, I'M BLESSED.
I'M THANKFUL TO WORK WITH EVERY
STEP OF THE WAY THEY WERE WITH
ME.
THEY ALWAYS HAD MY BACK.
I APPRECIATE THAT.
I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE
RIGHT.
I NEVER THOUGHT.
IT REALLY MEANS A LOT.
IT REALLY DOES MEAN A LOT.
I THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
STORIES LIKE NOAH'S JUST
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHY WE'RE
HERE.
SOMETIMES IT REALLY TAKES JUST
ONE PERSON TO HAVE A LIFE
CHANGING IMPACT ON ANOTHER.
THIS IS ALSO HOW THE VILLA HAS
EVOLVED AND EXPANDED.
WE'VE GROWN MOST SUCCESSFUL IN
OUR CRITICAL PROGRAMS LIKE
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT YOU
HEARD ABOUT, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH,
AND TODAY WE SERVE PEOPLE IN
THEIR HOMES, OUTPATIENT CLINIC,
AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS.
AND I WANT TO THANK NANCY AND
HER FAMILY, GREAT STORY THERE.
ALSO JUST GOT WORD WE HAVE
ANOTHER $10,000 MATCH.
SO WHAT YOU DONATE, IT WILL BE
DOUBLED UP TO $10,000.
SO YOU CAN TEXT IN RIGHT NOW.
NEXT UP, YOU WILL NOT WANT TO
MISS THE CHAMPION OF HOPE AWARD.
ERIC AND NANCY, PROUD
SUPPORTER OF VILLA OF HOPE.
WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU
FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND GIVE
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE VILLA
STAFF WHO HAVE DONE SO MUCH
DURING THESE TRYING TIMES.
NICOLE AND JAMES TRAILER AND
WE PROUDLY SUPPORT VILLA OF HOPE
BECAUSE IT PROVIDES SO MANY
FAMILIES SUPPORT IN THEIR
DARKEST HOURS.
PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A GIFT
TO THE VILLA.
REMEMBER, YOU ARE THE HOPE.
HI, I'M REBECCA AND THIS IS
MY HUSBAND, TIM.
WE SUPPORT THE VILLA BECAUSE
THEY SERVE THE VULNERABLE YOUTH
IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THE VILLA PROVIDES
ENCOURAGEMENT, COMPASSION,
SKILLS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,
HOPE.
HI, I'M SCOTT WITH TOMPKINS
BANK.
WE SUPPORT THE VILLA FOR ALL THE
HOPE IT GIVES TO OUR COMMUNITY
AND THE OPPORTUNITY IT PROVIDES
TO RENEW ONE'S HOPE FOR THE
FUTURE.
THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT
AND THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT.
WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF
LEARNERS AND OUR KIDS COME
TOGETHER AT SCHOOL COMING FROM
ALL DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND
ALL DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND
DIFFERENT CULTURES.
CURRENTLY WE ARE SERVING 88
STUDENTS ANYWHERE FROM 12 YEARS
OLD ALL THE WAY UP TO 21.
HUMANITIES, YOU KNOW, THE ARTS.
CERTAINLY LOOKING AT MATH,
SCIENCE, YOU KNOW, ENGINEERING.
WE ARE LOOKING AT MAKER SPACES,
AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS TO BE
CREATIVE WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF
MATERIALS AND REALLY LET THEIR
MINDS AND CREATIVITY FLOW WITH
INNOVATION AROUND LEARNING.
YOU REALLY DO SEE THE CHANGE
IN HOW THEY APPROACH THEIR
RECOVERY OR THEIR WORK THAT
THEY'RE DOING, WHETHER IT BE
PERSONAL OR ACADEMIC.
OUR STUDENTS LEAVE US WITH A
SMILE, STANDING UP STRAIGHT AND
PROUD FOR THE EXPERIENCES THAT
THEY WERE GIVEN WHILE ATTENDING
VILLA OF HOPE SCHOOL.
AND SO APPRECIATIVE OF THAT.
DONATIONS FROM OUR COMMUNITY
AND ANY OUTSIDE LOVE TO THE
YOUTH AND JUST MAKES THIS THE
SITUATION GO BY A LITTLE
SMOOTHER, MAKE THEM A LITTLE
MORE COMFORTABLE IN THEIR
JOURNEY.
THANK YOU TO THE DONORS.
WE WRESH YOUR HELP.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION
AND IT WILL HELP A LOT OF
DIFFERENT PROGRAMS FOR A LOT OF
DIFFERENT PEOPLE GOING THROUGH A
LOT OF HARD THINGS IN THEIR
LIVES.
THANK YOU FOR NOT ALLOWING
ONLY ME BUT ALL THE CHILDREN
THAT ARE GOING TO COME AFTER ME
TO HAVE THIS AMAZING PROGRAM TO
HELP BETTER THEMSELVES.
I AM SO EXCITED TO BE HERE
WITH JOE ROBACH TO PRESENT THE
CHAMPION OF HOPE 2020 AWARD.
JOE HAS BEEN STARTED WITH HIS
ROOTS AT VILLA AND BACK IN THE
DAY HE WORKED THERE AND HE HAS
NEVER FORGOT EP ABOUT THE CORE
WORK THAT WE DO AT THE VILLA AND
HE HAS STOOD WITH US THROUGH OUR
TRANSFORMATION AND OUR CHANGE
AND HE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN
GETTING GRANTS, LITERACY GRANTS,
$125,000 FOR OUR SCHOOL
GENERATOR THAT WE WERE ABLE TO
BE ABLE TO BRING IN, AND ALSO
THE WRITING THAT DID YOU IN
ORDER TO SUPPORT OUR BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH EXPANSION
AND DETOX BEDS.
I'M SO PROUD TO BE HERE TODAY TO
GIVE THIS AWARD TO JOE AND WISH
IT COULD HAVE BEEN AT, YOU KNOW,
AT OUR BIG GALA WITH 500 PEOPLE
BUT THIS IS A MORE INTIMATE
SETTING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH AND
SINCERELY, I KNOW FIRSTHAND HOW
IMPORTANT THE WORK THE VILLA
DOES, THE IMPACT IT HAS ON YOUNG
PEOPLE IN BUILDING CONFIDENCE,
STEERING THEM IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION AND EVERYBODY NEEDS IT
IN THEIR LIVES AND NO ONE DOES
IT IN SUCH A GOOD WAY AS THE
VILLA.
I'M HONORED TO GET AN AWARD.
I THINK NOW, FROM PEOPLE WHO I
ADMIRE SO MUCH AND I JUST WANT
TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO SUPPORT
THE VILLA IN WHATEVER WAY YOU
CAN BECAUSE THEY REALLY DO GOD'S
WORK.
KEEPING YOUNG PEOPLE ON TRACK
WHO ARE FACING CHALLENGES MAKES
ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR
COMMUNITY.
I'M HONORS AND I'LL DISPLAY IT
PROUDLY.
WHAT AN EVENING THIS HAS
BEEN.
OUR COMMUNITY DOES NEED HOPE AND
NOW WE KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR IT.
THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL OF OUR
SPONSORS.
ADAM, THANK YOU SO MUCH AND
TO CHANNEL 8 FOR HELPING US
BRING THESE MESSAGES OF HOPE
TONIGHT I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW
THAT THOSE MATCHES, THE $25,000
AND THE $SO,000 WILL RUN THROUGH
JUNE.
HELP US HIT THAT GOAL.
THESE HAVE BEEN REALLY TRYING
TIMES.
WE REALLY OWE IT TO OURSELVES
AND OUR FAMILIES AND OUR
COMMUNITIES TO REALLY RECOVER
FROM THIS TRAUMA TOGETHER AND
FIND HOPE.
FROM MY VILLA FAMILY TO MY HOME
FAMILY HERE IN THE AUDIENCE AND
AT HOME, TOO, WE WANT TO SAY
GOOD NIGHT AND THANK YOU VERY
MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.
GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBODY.
