The San Francisco chapter of Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy (BGTI) is a non-profit organization that empowers war refugees, migrants and at-risk youth living on the streets of Italy. The BGTI held its 50th Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon on Monday, November 30th at The Fairmont Hotel.

The honorary co-chairs were the recently-appointed Consul General of Italy in San Francisco, the Honorable Mauro Battocchi, and Bay Area fashion trend setter Wilkes Bashford, the first retailer to bring many top designers from Italy into the United States. Lily Blue Designs was this year's featured designer and Brenda Alessandria served as General Chairwoman.

The event began with a reception in The Terrace Room, and was followed by the luncheon and fashion show.
Some 400 attended the luncheon and proceeds went entirely to BGTI, which has been funded by a generous community of American donors moved by the immigrant experience ever since the organization was founded in 1945.

BGTI gives war refugees and migrant youth a community base from which they can build fulfilling lives as adults. Through an innovative self-government approach, the young people at the two campuses outside of Rome learn to take responsibility for running their Town. In this way, they not only acquire formal education and vocational training, but also the confidence and social skills needed to integrate into and contribute to democratic society.

Designer Lily Blue was inspired to contribute to the fashion show after learning about the organization from a close friend and BGTI supporter in New York. "It is such an honor to be able to share my work at this wonderful event. The loving support of my friends, family and community has really helped me thrive in what I do and I'm so happy to contribute to an organization that helps young people who haven't had that support."

Executive Director Carrie Sackett sees the ongoing support of the San Francisco community as a testament to the far-reaching impact and success of BGTI. "As we mark the 50th anniversary of this luncheon, it is especially meaningful to recognize the dedication and commitment from our Bay Area supporters, many of whom are the daughters and granddaughters of the original committee women."

Over the years, many eminent personalities from politics, business and entertainment have been proud supporters of Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy and visitors to the two Rome campuses. Many have been honored at these prestigious fundraisers, helping to raise millions of dollars for young people.

Among the eminent personalities have been fashion leaders such as Valentino, Carmen Dell'Orefice, Carolina Herrera, statesmen such as Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, President John Kennedy, Mayor Ed Koch, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan, as well as entertainment and sports stars such as Gina Lollobrigida, Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio and Rocky Marciano.

The Towns that become home for BGTI's young people are located on the outskirts of Rome. Boys' Town was founded in 1951 on a 200-acre facility, and Girls' Town, founded in 1954, is located in a villa.
With over 65 years of success supporting at-risk young people, BGTI believes this approach has a lot to offer to the field of youth development.

At the heart of this organization there are youth who have fled their family and homeland due to war, violence and extreme poverty. They arrive on Italy's shores and streets as unaccompanied minors from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Thanks to Boys & Girls Towns of Italy they find a secure, nurturing environment that empowers them to become self-reliant adults.

With the approach of the holiday season, Christmas activities will be organized at Boys and Girl's Towns in Rome. Many of the youth who remain at the campus in Rome have no family to celebrate the holidays with, and the school, training, sports, and arts programs are closed for Christmas.
"BGTI strives to ensure that all of the kids have a joyous holiday by organizing activities such as as visit to the theater or a ski outing in the nearby snow-covered hills. For children like Oumar, who is spending his first Christmas at BGTI and last year at this time was living alone on the streets after having fled the Ivory Coast civil war during which he lost all his family, these BGTI holiday experiences are priceless".

Future fundraising events for the year 2013 will feature the Annual Spring Ball in New York on April 11th, and the Ball of the Year in San Francisco on May 4th. A Group Visit to Boys' & Girls' Towns in Rome will be held May 20th and 21st, and the Wine and Spirits Annual International Dinner, will be held in New York on September 9th.

For a complete overiew of the organization and an introduction to the children of BGTI watch the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkltHVothHM&feature=plcp.

fonte: L'Italo-Americano