On Saturday, March 15, the Friends of the Culver City Youth Health Center hosted a fundraiser at the Double Tree Hilton in Culver City.
The wonder ful event for the started with hors d’oeves, wine and was accompanied by the music of Ronnie Jayne.
Guests were encouraged to peruse and makes bids at both the Silent and Chinese Auction. Two Culver High students, Gregory King and Billy Wild, helped with the auctions.
A lively leprechaun, Frances Bustos, cheered the guests on with her costume, dance and smiles. Mike Cohen, sports editor for Culver City news and local realtor, was the Master of Ceremony for the event and created a fun and cheerful atmosphere during dinner in the Ballroom.
Sandy Segal who helped originate the Health center was honored as her son, Dr. Bill Resnick, delivered a thoughtful and touching speech. Segal then informed the group about her struggles with the original clinic and led into stories of her successes.
With the help of the Resnick Foundation, the clinic will soon be renamed the Sandy Segal Youth Health Center.
Dr. Sarah Carpenter discussed the physical health part of the clinic during which time she emphasized that teens were receiving sports’ physicals, reproductive health and acute and chronic illness care. She pointed out how there are some very needy students that the clinic has been able to help.
Dr. Carpenter also gave special thanks to the Venice Family Clinic, Andy Alexander and Diana Hauptman, (emeritus Friends Presidents) the Friends of the CCYHC and the guests for their support.
Robert Newman, a lawyer from the Western Center on Law and Poverty (and Sarah Carpen- ter’s husband) also spoke and introduced Sen. Holly Mitchell, remarking on her many achievements to help children in the State of California.
Sen. Mitchell spoke about her achievements as well as what she plans to accomplish as a member of the state legislature. Among her goals are to help needy youth immediately.
Dr. Francine Bartfield, who coleads the mental health portion on the clinic, also shared a few words and took the time to thank Miriam Foreman for her five years as a volunteer in the front office.
Bartfield also introduced Godze Gokozan and Nathan Oliver, who are the marriage and family-counseling students train- ing at the health center. Both gave very moving speeches.
Godze works with grief counseling and with recent immigrants to Culver City while Oliver does work for youth with anger management and substance abuse.
The evening was topped off when Michelle Ford, and others from the Exchange Club, awarded the Youth Health Center with $5,000.
Everyone was entertained with the ver y humorous and slightly naughty songs of Ray Jessel.
