Thursday, July 19, 6pm – Rusty Pelican, 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne
NBA Champion, Alonzo Mourning, and wife Tracy Wilson Mourning, hosted It’s All Overtown, “One Night…One World,†a premier annual fundraiser benefiting the Overtown Youth Center (OYC). Guests, alongside Mistress of Ceremonies, Belkys Nerey, WSVN-TV News Anchor, were transported around the world with entertainment, food, and specialty cocktails, all embracing the evening’s theme of multicultural inclusion. The recently redesigned Rusty Pelican, an iconic restaurant offering spectacular waterfront views of downtown Miami, presented the event and serve as the ideal backdrop in which to raise much-needed funds to support the Center, founded by Mourning in 2003.
Rigorous research has demonstrated that after-school and summer programs can reduce violence and dropout rates while improving the likelihood of education after high school. Every $1.00 invested in after-school programs yields $9.00 in public benefit due to the reduction in crime and juvenile incarceration and due to increased tax revenue from more productive communities. Reducing the current number of dropouts by half would yield almost 700,000 new graduates a year.
The Overtown Youth Center serves as a beacon of hope for families and children residing in the area. OYC’s educational program consists of 24-hour case management, in-school, after-school, and summer components, in addition to providing academic support consistent with Florida State Sunshine standards and Miami Dade County Public School curriculums for each grade level. Overall the program uses a developmentally age-appropriate approach to social, emotional, and intellectual development. Dedicated to ushering in a new group of positive contributing citizens and future leaders, OYC focuses on inspiring, and empowering youth and families through enrichment services.
In addition to the many ways supporters can contribute to the long-term fiscal success of OYC, It’s All Overtown event-goers will have a winning chance at silent auction items that include unique experiences compliments of local eateries, hotels, and spas, a variety of popular brand name fashion accessories, autographed sports memorabilia from popular athletes both current and legends, including the 2012 NBA Champions, the Miami Heat.
