Event Recap: Beam Benefit Brunch
We're grateful to all who attended and supported our second annual spring Beam Benefit Brunch! We’re especially delighted that you joined us to celebrate the people who INSPIRE us: our honoree Fabian Jabro, Beam youth (program participants), staff and collaborating educators and artists. We also want to reiterate how grateful we are for all who donated! Because of you, we surpassed our fundraising goal of $200,000 and raised over $265,000! These funds will help us to continue our robust programming for young people around New York City.
The event’s speaking program kicked off with our Director of Youth Journeys + Experience, Marisol Castañeda Salgado sharing a little about her journey at Beam and then introducing one of our youth speakers, Laya Yagersys. Laya has been working with Beam for the past six months as a Project Leader. During her speech, Laya mentioned “I always dream about changing the world and changing the world on your own is almost impossible. Beam Center has given me the opportunity to have an impact on each child I work with, and that is absolutely a way to begin changing the world.” This dream resonates deeply within the Beam community, and the generosity of donors makes this a possibility.
Beam’s co-founder and Chair of our Board of Trustees, Danny Kahn, spoke next and shared a few words thanking everyone for supporting Beam Center. Danny said, “I want to thank you for being here and celebrating Beam Center and all it does to create an environment for where all young people can do incredible things. Community has become a catchword where well intentioned people search for a solution to improve the lives of so many people challenged by the system. Inherent in the practice of community are traces that lead to equity, support, opportunity, learning, development, and employment and let me just say no one does community like Beam or better than Beam. That is our thing!” He also introduced an inspiring person for Beam since the beginning and our Honoree, Fabian Jabro.
During his speech Fabian shared memories of early days when our co-founder’s Brian Cohen and Danny Khan first began sparking conversations about developing a camp. He said, “When you [Brian] started Camp with Danny, I was interested in it because you said you were gonna do something with projects that will teach people to collaborate and problem solve.” Fabian designed our first project at Beam Camp, Nexus Canopy, and taught our co-founders how to build it with the support of campers. Also, as our co-founders’ first collaborator at Beam Camp, Fabian drafted site plans for any property under consideration for lease or purchase and supported our search for a home for camp.
Next up, the Director of Project Leaders spoke and introduced a 2016 Apprenticeship graduate, Laurisa Peters. Laurisa said, “As a naturally inquisitive person, I was inclined to work with the Beam Center because of its unique and hands-on approach to education.” After completing our Apprenticeship program, Laurisa worked at Beam Camp as a counselor and then as an after-school assistant. Laurisa added, “It was a true inspiration working with people who were incredibly passionate about the projects they created. The ideas and projects that they created never ceased to amaze me, I was always left in awe after every project. I took all of the values and experiences that I learned at Beam and applied them to many stages of life.”
Finally, Beam’s Co-Founder and Executive Director, Brian Cohen, wrapped up the speaking program expressing the importance and impact of funding Beam’s programs. Over the years, our funders - from individuals to foundations, from the government to city organizations - have helped us develop and grow, and Beam is grateful for the ongoing support.
After the tasty brunch we came together as a community and took group photos concluding the beautiful event filled with community and care. As a parting gift, brunch guests took home a basil and dill seedling and a delicious chimichurri that was generously donated by Gotham Greens.
We invite everyone to continue following our journey this summer as we carry on working to engage youth in creation and imagination. Together we'll create an inspiring summer, through our Beam Camp City Wide programming that will encompass several areas in New York City! Check back here later to learn more about Beam Camp City Wide and our summer programmings.
