At the 2006 Dream Ball, Kristian Smith, a poised 15-year old graduate of CharityWorks’ 2006 Partner, Higher Achievement Program (HAP), talked about growing up near the National Building Museum. Kristian related how he would hear gunshots and listen to drug deals take place near his home. But there was hope – just two blocks away, 1,400-plus kids were lined up, waiting for a chance to enroll in a program that would allow them to choose “hope over chaos.” Kristian’s story opened the hearts of CharityWorks’ supporters, who helped raise over $1.4 million – enough funds to add 200 at-risk children to HAP.
Seven years ago, we had a dream to build a philanthropic organization dedicated to meeting the special needs of at-risk families and children in Washington. Due to the untiring efforts of CharityWorks’ 100-plus members and the 40 members of the advisory board, the annual CharityWorks’ fundraising events (Vintage Wine Tasting and Dream Ball) have become the highlights of this community’s charity-driven social season.

This year, under the banner of the theme SOARING, the CharityWorks Dream Ball will be held on September 29 at the National Building Museum. The primary benefi ciary (“Partner” in CharityWorks’ lexicon) of this year’s event will be Center City Consortium, an organization comprised of 12 elementary and middle schools located in some of the most under-resourced areas of the city. Proceeds from this black-tie affair and those from other CharityWorks events in 2007 are expected to net in excess of $1.5 million to benefi t the Consortium, several other area programs and a new CharityWorks Grant Program.   This year, CharityWorks expects to exceed the funds raised in any previous year. The annual 100 Point Vintage Wine Tasting event in May netted over $600,000. The much-anticipated Dream Ball is expected to SOAR to new heights and reach the $1 million mark.
CharityWorks is a high-impact organization creating positive change in the Washington metropolitan area by uniting corporate leaders, donors and volunteers to enable non-profits to transform lives. Through a rigorous selection process, Charity Works brings local organizations to the attention of sponsors.

For many of them, being a CharityWorks partner is the only way to grow and fi nance new and meaningful programs.
Center City Consortium recognizes the potential inherent in children, understands the need for research-based academic programs and values the power of partnerships. The Consortium was chosen as CharityWorks 2007 Partner because of its proven ability to provide the opportunities and tools needed to break the cycle of poverty that defi nes the lives of so many of its 2,400 students.
For more information on CharityWorks, visit www. charityworksdc.org or send an email to charityworks@aol.com.