This is non-profit gala season.
Nearly every night for the next couple of months, local organizations will host fundraisers. There’s catered food, auctions, and appeals to give generously.
All are worthwhile. The amount of good works, and the number of philanthropic Westporters, is impressive.
Even so, A Better Chance of Westport‘s Dream Event stands out.
The 24-year-old program brings academically gifted and highly motivated young men of color to Westport, where they live together and attend Staples High School. It is one of our town’s shining jewels.
The Dream Event is a chance not only to raise much-needed funds, but to celebrate ABC’s scholars, their families, and the community volunteers who make the program run, as host parents, mentors, tutors, drivers and more.
Like many fundraisers, there will be speeches about the impact the non-profit has made on individual lives.
Some of those remarks will come from Westporters associated with the program.
Some will come from alumni, who every year return from around the country — where they have successful careers, and growing families — to give back a bit of what they’ve gotten.
Scholars and alumni, at an A Better Chance Dream Event.
But the most impactful words will come from current ABC scholars.
Every year, the graduating seniors speak.
Every year, their words move listeners to tears.
They describe — with great insight, and devastating honesty — the road they’ve traveled since leaving their familiar homes and loving families, to arrive in a strange town, surrounded by people who don’t look like them, and attend a high-powered, highly competitive school, where most students already enjoy built-in friend groups and activities.
Their 4 years here are not easy. At the Dream Event, the scholars talk about their challenges, hardships and detours.
But they also acknowledge the many people who have helped them get where they are today. Movingly, they thank their host parents, who have offered a home away from home — and their own parents, who entrusted them to this program, our town, and their host families.
During 4 years as a host family, the Propps formed strong bonds with scholar Manny Ogutu.
Graduation season is a time for congratulations. It’s a time for looking both backward, and ahead.
Some — but not all — Staples seniors take time for self-reflection.
The A Better Chance of Westport seniors always do. Their words are important highlights, of a very important fundraiser.
Two resilient, remarkable Staples Class of 2026 ABC scholars — Souleye Kebe and Vincent Vega — will share the spotlight at this year’s Dream Event. It’s May 7 (6:30 to 9:30 p.m.) at House on the Hill in Norwalk.
Vincent Vega and Souleye Kebe. (Photo/Pamela Einarsen)
Souleye has made his mark in Westport as a 2-year student representative on Westport’s Board of Education, and this year serves as student government president. He has participated in the national award-level We The People class and competition, ran cross country and track, and has worked with the Democratic Town Committee.
Vincent is a 4-year baseball player, and a captain for his upcoming senior season. Last year, he was named to the All-FCIAC honorable mention team. He has volunteered with Westport Little League, and with Staples culinary instructor chef Cecily Gans, cooking for a variety of events.
Another key member of the A Better Chance community will be honored too. Maggie Gomez — a longtime Staples math teacher — has served as the ABC/Staples liaison for more than a decade.
In addition, for the past 4 years she has opened her home as a host family. Her commitment to student success both inside and outside the classroom will be feted, as she receives ABC’s 2nd annual Community Award.
In 2018, Maggie Gomez met ABC scholar Jarod Ferguson in her Staples office.
The evening also includes food from Marcia Selden Catering, plus live and silent auctions.
If there is only one fundraiser you go to this spring, consider A Better Chance of Westport’s Dream Event. Click here for tickets, and information.
