10.20.2013

8 Days of Celebration

Well I just completed 8 days full of events for work. I was in front of news camera crews on four dates in 8 days... and I have completed my first month on the job at La Casa de Amistad.

Last Friday (10/11) we had an open house. It was a mixed crowd of first time visitors and regulars, some of our board members and families that attend the center. We did have some folks pick up some sponsorships and buy tickets so for friend and fundraising it was successful. We were in the paper that day, and our local ABC station came and did interviews (but we didn't make the news).
SB Tribune: La Casa Events

Then it was a hectic week of prep for our big dinner and dance events. Last minute arrangements, calls on tickets and collecting all of our items for the silent auction kept me busy.
Silent Auction
Ready for Dinner
Thursday (10/17) was our 40th Anniversary dinner. We had the mayor, our state senator, chief of police, school board... the list was endless. We had 140 people there, nearly 40 items in our silent auction and a great event with a Proclamation from the Mayor, the CEO of our major hospital as our keynote, and awards for some outstanding community members. It was my first major event with La Casa and I enjoyed it and it went well.
ABC57 News: 40th Anniversary
Awards Dinner
Immigration Forum
Friday (10/18) the Northern Indiana Coalition for Immigration Reform asked me to serve as the moderator for an Immigration Roundtable. It featured the mayor, head of the local AFL-CIO, religious leaders, a naturalized citizen and local business representatives. Once again news coverage!
WNDU: Immigration Roundtable

Finally on Saturday (10/19) was the big annual dance for La Casa. It is the annual celebration and musical event for the community. We had cake for our 40th Anniversary and a great line up of musical acts and special presentations at our downtown conference center.
Great Music!

Dancing

It was a long few days... but a great time of networking, learning more in my new role and celebrating the great work of La Casa! It is truly an honor to be in such an important role in our community. I am blessed to see so many people that believe in and support the work we do in South Bend. Watch for more big news, and fun events... but for now I need a little down time!