Sycamores Celebrating John Drinker and the Los Altos Auxiliary

Sycamores is looking forward to hosting its Celebrating Children Gala on Saturday, March 16th at the prestigious Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles. This festive evening will bring together supporters to raise funds for Sycamores’ crucial behavioral health programs.

Guests will enjoy an elegant chef-prepared 3-course dinner at the Jonathan Club, complemented by live music and captivating auctions. The event will also feature inspiring stories from individuals who have benefited from Sycamores' services and much more.

The heart of the Gala is the presentation of the Sycamores Celebrating Children Award. This year, the organization proudly honors both John Drinker and the Los Altos Auxiliary for their outstanding dedication, leadership, and commitment to creating better lives for children, families and adults in the Southern California community. John Drinker served as Sycamores Board Chair from July 2021 to June 2023. During his tenure, Sycamores saw many positive changes – from opening a new clinic in Palm Springs and Family Resource Center in Palmdale, to launching the organization’s Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams in partnership with the 988 Suicide Camp; Crisis Lifeline and L.A. County. John’s leadership was invaluable as the agency expanded to accommodate these new programs and services.

The Los Altos Auxiliary has provided unwavering support and care for boys (mostly current foster youth) at Sycamores El Nido Residential Therapeutic Program for many decades. In addition to funding large-scale capital improvements, through compassionate gestures members provide a personal touch of home, with on-campus and off-campus activities, as well as meaningful one-to-one interactions. Their involvement enriches campus life and enhances the work Sycamores staff does with the youth.

Debra Manners, President, and CEO of Sycamores, eagerly anticipates this year's Gala, emphasizing, "The event provides a fantastic occasion for our community to celebrate the collective positive impact we achieve together. We are excited to honor John Drinker and the dedicated members of Los Altos, recognizing their invaluable contributions to Sycamores."

The Celebrating Children Spring Gala committee is co-chaired by La Cañada Flintridge residents Laura Baker and Christina Bang. Laura Baker, Southern California/Nevada Health Business Leader at Mercer and Sycamores Board of Directors member, joins Christina Bang, President of Bang Licensing Group, and long-time Sycamores supporter, in spearheading this event.

Proceeds from the event will directly benefit Sycamores' child welfare and behavioral health programs, impacting over 18,000 vulnerable children, youth, and families annually throughout Southern California.

Come and be part of a fun-filled night, packed with meaningful moments to remember! Visit
www.sycamores.org to become a sponsor or purchase tickets or ads for the 2024 Celebrating Children Gala. Sponsorships and tickets are limited. Please RSVP by February 26, 2024. The Tribute Book Ad deadline is February 16, 2024. Please email development@sycamores.org or call (626) 390-4191 for more information.

About Sycamores

Sycamores is a leading behavioral health and child welfare agency that impacts over 18,000 of the most vulnerable children, youth, adults and families in Southern California annually. For over 120 years Sycamores has been committed to helping those we serve have a better life. With an unconditional, whatever-it-takes approach, we provide help during some of the most challenging times in their life. Whether it is at one of our 10 locations, in the community, or on a school campus, our programs and services cover the full spectrum, from prevention and early intervention to intensive programs. Sycamores services include residential treatment; foster care and adoption; transitional living assistance for young adults currently or at risk of experiencing homelessness; outpatient and school-based mental health services; mobile crisis outreach; wraparound/in-home services; psychiatric services; psychological testing; and educational support services. Sycamores is licensed by the Community Care Licensing Division of the California Department of Social Services, certified by the Los Angeles County Department
of Mental Health, LAHSA funded and accredited through The Joint Commission. To learn more, visit www.sycamores.org.