journey house gala

Celebrating 40 Years 1983-2023

2023 graduation celebration.

7th Annual Foster the Future Run

Journey House Foster the Future Run

Gala Celebrating 2020, 2021, and 2022 Grads!

Sisterhood Brunch 2022

Graduation Celebration of the Classes 2020/21 at Journey House

Panel Discucssion  December 2020

ANALICIA MEJIA MESINAS

JH Board Member

JORGE CAMARENA

Program Director

Journey House

JESSE AGUIAR

Beyond Foster Care

LUCERO NOYOLA

Former Foster Youth

MSW, CA Community Foundation

DAMEON PICHETRUNGSI

Teacher, Writer

FY Advocate

MIANI GIRON

Senior Medical 

Thanksgiving 2019

Graduation/Gala 2019

Graduation/Gala 2018

Foster the Fun Run 2017

Graduation 2017

Spring Fiesta 2016

Foster the Future Fun Run 2016

Journey House Gala 2015

Dinner, auction help fund clinic in Haiti

Physician Katie Wolf had a dream for the people of Haiti - a dream that children and their families would have access to basic medical care and that those people could be convinced to give up their country's fearsome voodoo beliefs that she feels have hindered wellness. Wolf, who has worked as an emergency room doctor at St. Joseph's Hospital here, had done missionary work in Haiti for extended periods in the 1980s and '90s. She returned to Milwaukee, but found her heart was still tied to this extraordinarily impoverished nation. Finally in 2007, she was able, with the help and financing of local churches and her friends in the medical community, to open a small primary care clinic in Jeremie, a rural village on Haiti's southern peninsula.

The clinic is beyond modest, merely a tin-roofed building with no running water. On the days the clinic is open, Wolf and her associates typically will see 50 or more patients. And with a flood of people to rural areas like Jeremie as a result of the January's devastating earthquake in Port-au-Prince, the clinic's services have become even more critical.

Wolf's clinic needs to raise funds in order to construct a permanent building at a cost of about $75,000. Nearly 300 people turned out April 17 to assist her with the effort at the second annual Hope for Haiti dinner and auction held at the Wisconsin Club.

Among those enjoying the evening was Greg Von Roenn , medical director at Rogers Memorial Hospital, who has journeyed to Wolf's clinic eight times to offer his services. Roenn's wife, Carla, co-chaired the event along with Barb Tyler . Also in attendance were Tod Poremski and his daughter and son-in-law, Elise and David Burrus, Steve and Kay Fronk, Sue Wadina, Gary and Victoria Schroeder, Pamela Schultz, Dan and Mary Tanty, Tom and Kathy Tanty, Kevin Tanty and Lindsey Tanty, Ed and Cathy Ward, Masood and Karin Wasiullah, Russell and Susan Yale, Bob and Betsy Haushalter, Kevin and Cathy Hart, Rita Hanson and Daryl Melzer, Chuck and Mary Kay Hajinian, Max and Mary Grefig, Joseph Battista, Dennis and Pat Kaldor, Mary Lorch, Thomas and Joan Mahn, Bill and Katie Mattes , County Board chairman Lee Holloway and wife Lynda and Judge Rudolph Randa and wife Melinda .

Journey House gala

Improving the lives of the residents of the Clarke Square area on Milwaukee's Southside is the goal of Journey House, which held its annual gala event Apr. 17 at the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Having served the community for more than 40 years, Journey House offers residents the opportunity to do things like earn their GED and learn life skills that will facilitate employment. It also runs youth sports programs that offer alternatives to neighborhood gangs.

Among those attending the event were folks from Discovery World, which partners with Journey House in offering programs for young people. Paul Krajniak, Joel Brennan and wife Audra were there as were Discovery World benefactors Michael and Lisa Cudahy . Also seen in the mix were Bea Benidt, Jeanne and Greg Herrle, Tony and Monica Jennaro, John and Cheryl Gehringer, Barbara and Dennis Klein, Dan and Liz Kolb, Paul and Kris Ropella, Jim and Karen Schlater, Mary and Mike Alschaefl, Ronald and Daun Puetz, Gina Tegge, Jerry and Debbie Wick, Tom and Mary Wisniewski, Jon and Jill McAlpine, John Miceli and Tami Quinlan, John and Sally Mueller, Bob and Jill Neimon, Homero and Monica Noboa . The evening's auction was chaired by Julie Beres .

Journey House is about halfway through a $6 million capital campaign to add a gymnasium, cafeteria and classroom space to Longfellow School in conjunction with Milwaukee Public Schools. The proposed space would be used by MPS students during the day and Journey House participants after school hours.

Autism Ball

When Patti Meerschaert founded the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin in 1976, the term autism was foreign to most people with as few as four or five children in 10,000 diagnosed with the learning disorder. Today, autism is a familiar medical term with as many as one in 110 children diagnosed with any of the broad spectrum of autism related disorders that range from those who actively withdraw from relationships to milder forms such as Asperger's Syndrome in which children have trouble understanding social cues. Meerschaert formed the chapter in order to help her deal with her then young son Dan who had been diagnosed with the condition. Today at 41, Dan lives in a group home and works for Goodwill.

Meerschaert was able to cobble together a group of 10 other parents and educators who either had autistic children or taught them in school. From that group grew an organization of more than 550 that today serves the nine-county Southeastern Wisconsin region and is one of the largest such support and education autism societies in the country. For her work in founding the local chapter, Meerschaert was honored at the annual Autism Ball, which was held at the Wisconsin Club on March. 27.

Among those attending the ball were Meerschaert's husband Bob and her son and daughter-in-law John and Bonnie Meerschaert . Also there were Mary and Frank Richter, John Pfaffl and Janice Secreto-Pfaffl, Robert and Piper Melkonian, Tom and Becky Noble, Frances and Lloyd Meier, Amy and John Mason, Patricia Mangano, Emily and Robert Levine, Lars and Lisa LaVine, Julie Boehme, Tim and Lynn Brusnahan, Mary and Mark Cyganiak, Mary and Connie Dow, Kathryn and Gary Dunn, Kristi and Alan Forbes, Susan Hupfauf, Susan Irzyk , Rick and Jan Smith, Ross Valenti, Chris and Joe Warren, Chris Wierschem and Rachel Berman and Dawn and Scott Schwartz . Dawn is chair of the annual Dylan's Run, a run/walk event for autism held in fall. Rosalie Tocco was in charge of planning this year's ball. She attended with her husband Chris and in-laws Jack and Nancy Tocco , who came from St. Louis to attend the event.

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30th Annual Home for the Holidays Gala

Let the spirit of giving propel you into the holiday season as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary Home for the Holidays Gala presented by Luther King Capital Management on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Join us at the Fort Worth Club for a festive evening of dining, dancing, live and silent auctions, as well as raffles and other fun games, all benefitting Presbyterian Night Shelter. And if you can’t attend in person, you can still be part of the action by following our silent auction online.

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Three Young Artists Light Up the Stage at Night of Covenant House Stars Gala  

On Monday, May 20, Covenant House International hosted its highly anticipated Night of Covenant House Stars event, showcasing the remarkable talents of three Covenant House New York residents: Shanai, Hilary, and Track. The evening was a testament to the immense potential and passion of these young artists, leaving the audience in awe of their performances. 

Hilary: The Rapper with a Message of Hope  

Hilary's love for music began at a young age, inspired by live Christian music and later, rap. At 12, she fell in love with the rapid-fire lyrics and the freedom rap provided. Her music is a blend of emotional depth and motivational messages, aiming to inspire and uplift her listeners. 

Having moved from Venezuela only five months before entering Covenant House, Hilary has embraced the support and opportunities provided. Her involvement with Republic Records and access to the music room at Covenant House have significantly advanced her musical journey. 

Hilary's performance alongside Shanai was her first in the United States, and she delivered it with palpable excitement and passion. Her rapping about overcoming challenges and striving for better resonated with many, showcasing her ability to connect with and inspire her audience.  

Shanai: Musical Exploration and Self-Discovery   

Shanai, a 23-year-old multi-instrumentalist and singer, has had a lifelong relationship with music. From her early days in school chorus and church music sessions to mastering various instruments in middle and high school, her journey has been one of continuous learning and growth. Despite her broad musical abilities, Shanai's true passion lies in the bass and drums, instruments she believes carry the essence of a song. 

Shanai says her college years were transformative, marked by a profound exploration of self and spirituality. “Studying abroad in Prague and Sydney, I dealt with depression and self-discovery, which led to me ultimately crafting my own major in creative storytelling.” Shanai's senior project focused on the impact of capitalism on human connection, reflecting her deep-seated belief in love and community over profit. 

At the event, Shanai, along with Hilary, performed an original song about the meaning of home, set to the music of rapper, Future's "Wait for You." Shanai's soulful singing paired with Hilary's dynamic rapping created a powerful and moving performance that resonated deeply with the audience. 

Track: The Poet with Deep Roots  

Track, a talented poet, captivated the audience with his spoken word performance. Writing poetry since the fifth grade, Track's work is a blend of sensory experiences and storytelling, meticulously crafted to convey relatable themes. His preparation for the event involved numerous rehearsals, fine-tuning his performance “to make sure the audience felt every word,” he said. 

Track’s work contained unique metaphors for his own growth and resilience.  During his performance, Track's words painted vivid pictures and evoked deep emotions, leaving the audience reflecting on the layers of meaning embedded in his poetry.  

A Night to Remember   

Night of Covenant House Stars was not just a showcase of talent but a celebration of agency and hope. Shanai, Hilary, and Track demonstrated that with passion and support, young people can overcome adversity and shine brightly. Their performances were a highlight of the evening, leaving an indelible mark on everyone present. 

As these young artists continue to pursue their dreams, they embody the spirit of Covenant House: a place where potential is nurtured, and futures are transformed. Keep an eye on these rising stars, as their journeys are only just beginning. 

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Gold Gala 2024 & Inaugural Billboard x Gold House Founders Party

S tars gathered at The Music Center in Los Angeles for the annual Gold Gala on Saturday, May 11. For the unfamiliar, the Gold Gala is hosted by Gold House, the nonprofit dedicated to promoting and empowering Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. This annual celebration of the achievements of API individuals in various fields, including entertainment, business, and technology, is commonly described as the “Asian Pacific Met Gala.” The event brings together prominent figures to network, share stories, and recognize outstanding contributions.

As someone who was able to attend this year as a part of Gold House’s Gold Publishers program, the warmth and connection I felt from each person made it feel more like an Asian Prom, if you went to high school with people you admire from various fields, and that high school truly felt like home. On no other night, can you be in a dance circle with Harry Shum Jr. or cheer on Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Chloe Kim as she karaokes to Avril Lavigne. And the opportunity to see and meet people you admire from across all industries is shared by the stars as well, such as when musical artist Saweetie was on stage and saw Maitreyi Ramakrishnan ( Never Have I Ever ) in the audience.

“I’m about to fangirl! She’s my favorite! The future of Hollywood! Make some noise for my baby right here. But see? This is why rooms like this are so important. We’re able to see who we admire, who we follow, who we watch,” Saweetie said.

This event as well as all of Gold House’s initiatives truly encapsulate co-founder Bing Chen’s quote about creating one’s own opportunities and platforms, “if you don’t have a seat at the table, build your own House.” And what wonderful House he has built as Executive Chairman & CEO of Gold House along with his team members. This sentiment about community was echoed by Bang Si-hyuk, founder of HYBE (the company that Korean boyband BTS is signed to).

“It was two decades ago when I first set my sights on exploring the American market. And while expanding HYBE’s global initiatives, I came to understand the importance of the community for that vital support on the ground, ” said Bang.

The Gold Gala honors Gold House’s annual A100 list, one hundred members of the community who have made a remarkable impact on today’s culture, especially when it comes to representation and achievement. The evening capped off with a performance from 2023 A100 honoree Saweetie who received the first-ever Billboard Gold Music Honor award that night.

Proceeding the Gala was the inaugural Billboard x Gold House Founders Party, which kicked off with a special performance from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 16 winner Nymphia Wind, a headlining set from producer/DJ Steve Aoki, a karaoke room presented by Rakuten Viki, and an additional set from DJ Hu Dat. Our friends at The Lounge Booth were present to take portrait photographs of the guests in attendance, BOPOMOFO provided milk tea beverages, and small bites came from Panda Express. Seriously, the ideal Asian Prom experience.

The author’s content and opinions have not been pre-reviewed, approved or endorsed by Discover.

The post Gold Gala 2024 & Inaugural Billboard x Gold House Founders Party appeared first on Dorkaholics .