Gala 2009 Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 7, 2009

WHO: A New Way of Life Reentry Project (Nonprofit), Mark Ridley-Thomas, Mike Davis

WHAT: “Transforming Lives Together” 11^th Anniversary Gala Fundraising Dinner

WHEN: December 12, 2009, 6-9pm

WHERE: Watts Labor Community Action Committee, Phoenix Hall

10950 South Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90059

PRICE: Ticket Price: $50 for Dinner (7-9); $100+ for Dinner and VIP Tour (6-9)

CONTACT: Elizabeth Venable,
A New Way of Life Reentry Project

Cell: 951-640-7747

Work: 323-563-3575

elizabeth@anewwayoflife.org, http://www.anewwayoflife.org

Transforming Lives Together: A New Way of Life Reentry Project’s 11^th Anniversary Gala

A New Way of Life Reentry Project presents its 11^th Anniversary Gala, a fundraising dinner in support of our programs to help help women and girls break the cycle of entrapment in the criminal justice system and lead healthy and satisfying lives. Mike Davis (author, City of Quartz), Saúl Sarabia (UCLA School of Law), and Jan Perry will participate in the ceremony. This event is sponsored by the offices of Speaker Karen Bass, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, UCLA School of Law, Farisse Law Firm, Self-Help and Recovery Exchange, Watts Labor Community Action Committee, City Club of Los Angeles, Community Coalition, and KPFK.

This year we are honoring Saúl Sarabia and the UCLA School of Law Critical Race Studies Program, for helping us to co-found our successful Reentry Legal Clinic. We are also honoring Dr. Marilyn Montenegro, a long time member of the board who helped to found and design our social work programs—including family reunificaiton. We are also honoring Self-Help and Recovery Exchange (SHARE!)— which is saving lives and ending homelessness through recovery, and community members who give substantially: Mattie Smith, Patricia and Reuben Gomez, and Judith Whitmoore.

From 615-6:45, there will be a VIP Guided Tour of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee [WLCAC] Civil Rights Museum. This moving and inspirational tour of civil rights movement exhibits will be led by the Executive Director of the WLCAC, Ted Watkins ($100+ donation). From 7pm-9pm, dinner and entertainment will be provided ($50+ donation).

A New Way of Life is a nonprofit organization founded in 1998 as a sober living home for women by Susan Burton, a former prisoner who understands the challenges that women face leaving prison. We currently operate 5 sober living homes in South Los Angeles (Watts and Compton) for women returning from prison, as well as their children. Over 400 formerly incarcerated women and their children have had their lives transformed by our programs. Our Family Reunification Project, founded in 2004, has reunited over 100 children with their mothers. A New Way of Life is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization, and our tax identification number is 95-4782503. All donations are tax-deductible.

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