City Year Miami’s “Paint the Town Red” Gala

City Year Miami – an education-focused nonprofit dedicated to ending the dropout crisis – held its fifth annual “Paint the Town RED” Gala at the University of Miami’s brand new Student Center Complex Ballroom. The event united over 400 of South Florida’s most influential business leaders, elected officials, and community philanthropists. Guests were “power greeted” by corps members upon arrival and ushered into a pre-program cocktail reception offering sumptuous libations, delectable hors d’oeuvres, and interactive video games. Attendees were then escorted into the main ballroom which was transformed into a high-energy nightclub with VIP lounge seating.

The evening’s program paid homage to the 203 young men and women who make up City Year Miami’s corps – a diverse group of full-time, trained volunteers (ages 17-24) who have dedicated a year of their lives to serve as tutors, mentors, and role models to at-risk students in Miami’s highest-need schools. The highlight of the night’s program was a rousing personal testimony from City Year Miami corps member Pascal Florestal. Each and every day, City Year Miami corps members – like Pascale – are working to make better happen by offering academic and socio-emotional support to the students who need it most.

Upon the conclusion of the evening’s program, guests danced the night away and enjoyed live musical performances from chart-topping recording artist, Iggy Azalea and international singer/producer, Yones – courtesy of Power96.

Gala sponsors included: Bain Capital, Walmart, Goldberg and Rosen, Sazon Goya, Akerman LLP, Tony and Ana Figueroa Cisneros, Baptist Health South Florida, Brad and Cori Meltzer Charitable Trust, CareerSource South Florida, Comcast NBCUniversal, Deloitte, Greenberg Traurig LLP, Power96, Venetian Lady, Apollo Bank, Becker & Poliakoff, Berger Singerman, Clarisse Carbonell P.A., CSX Transportation, Macy’s, MBF Healthcare Partners, Miami Dolphins Foundation, Orthopedic Care Center, Univision, Wells Fargo, and Stinghouse.