Gala Event Celebrates Sycamores’ 120th Anniversary Helping Children and Families

Sycamores hosted its 12th Annual Celebrating Children Spring Gala fundraiser on Saturday, March 26th at the magnificent Vibiana, located in the historic core of Downtown Los Angeles. The evening was a celebration of Sycamores’ 120-year history of providing care and support to vulnerable children, young adults and families in our community. About 310 guests sipped cocktails in Vibiana’s charming Garden Courtyard, before enjoying dinner in the Main Hall, followed by a special musical performance by Davis Gaines, Broadway actor and Los Angeles’ longest-running Phantom of the Opera. The event was truly a night to remember!

The centerpiece of the Annual Gala was the presentation of Sycamores’ Celebrating Children Award, this year given to The Honorable Anthony J. Portantino, California Legislature, 25th Senate District and the Capital Group. They received this honor in recognition of their tireless dedication, leadership and commitment to improving the lives of children, families and adults in the Los Angeles community. Funds raised from this event will help provide critical support to the work Sycamores is doing to address the mental health needs of low-income children, young adults and families – including those who are in foster care or are experiencing homelessness – which have escalated dramatically over the last two years.

The Celebrating Children Spring Gala committee was co-chaired by Pasadena residents Rita Henderson and Jan Emamian. Formerly the Community Affairs Manager for Nestlé USA, Rita Henderson is a longtime Sycamores donor and supporter. Real estate agent Jan Emamian leads the Pasadena-based Emamian Team and serves on the Sycamores Board of Directors.

Sycamores is a leading behavioral health and child welfare agency with 10 locations throughout Southern California. For 120 years, Sycamores has been investing in people. We provide innovative and effective programs and services for children, young adults, adults and families facing serious life challenges. Our programs serve communities across Los Angeles, spanning the San Fernando, San Gabriel, and Antelope Valleys, as well as in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Our highly effective behavioral health services impact nearly 16,000 lives annually. Services include residential treatment; foster care and adoption; transitional living assistance for young adults currently or at risk of experiencing homelessness; outpatient and school-based mental health services; wraparound/in-home services; psychiatric services; psychological testing; and educational support services. Sycamores is licensed by the Community Care Licensing Division of the California Department of Social Services, certified by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, LAHSA funded and accredited through The Joint Commission. To learn more, visit www.sycamores.org.