News Release – Wyman Celebrates Teen Success at Annual Gala – Together in the Pursuit of Success

St. Louis, MO [April 2017] – Wyman believes that every young person has the potential to succeed and lead, regardless of life circumstances, deserves to have connections with caring adults, who empower them to share their voice and engage within their communities, and deserves equable access to education, work and life experiences—ensuring a better future and a better world.

On Saturday, April 8, dozens of teens from Wyman programs joined with 400 local leaders and civic-minded individuals to help bring this vision to life. Leading the charge at the podium was Ametra Harris, a graduate of Wyman’s Teen Leadership program, recent graduate of the University of Dayton and newly appointed member of the City of St. Louis Planning Commission.

“In our city, young people don’t always have the abilities and the resources to articulate what they need to grow and be successful, but advocates like Wyman make that possible,” said Harris. “Being surrounded by such a positive network like Wyman was one of the most influential times in your life can really make a positive difference.”

Gala Gold sponsors included Emerson, The One at a Time Foundation and Sense Corp; silver sponsors include Ameren Missouri; Drs. Mark Barlow and John Galanis of the Galanis Cataract and Laser Eye Center; The Boeing Company; Becky Brown and John A. McHugh; Brown Smith Wallace LLC; the Clark-Fox Family Foundation; The Kling Family; David K. Rodgers & Paul Whitsitt; Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard P.C. and Stifel – Paul Putzel and David Weiss.

In the last seven years, the Wyman gala has raised $1.25 million to support approximately 3,000 teens that Wyman serves locally. Wyman’s programs – offered for more than 118 years in St. Louis, and fifteen years across the nation – are proven to help teens achieve educational success, develop healthy behaviors and relationships and exhibit life and leadership skills.

About Wyman
Wyman, a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit and proud member of the United Way, has been dedicated to serving youth from disadvantaged circumstances for more than a century. Wyman empowers teens, equips adults and strengthens systems. Wyman’s engaging, empowering and experiential programs and services help teens build skills, develop a sense of self, and connections to their world. As a result, teens achieve educational success, develop healthy behaviors and relationships, and exhibit life and leadership skills. From thousands of teens in St. Louis – to tens of thousands nationally – Wyman programs and services make a difference in the lives of today’s teens and tomorrow’s leaders.

For more information, to schedule an interview or to obtain photos from the event, contact:

Media Contact:
Kristin Gumper
Director, Communication & External Affairs
Kristin.Gumper@WymanCenter.org
314-630-5459