Los Angeles, CA (Top40 Charts/ Agenda Foundation) - Sunday,
September 26, 2010, from 6 to 10 p.m., local LA jazz vocalists Kaylene Peoples, Marian Marie, and Forte' Carter sing for foster youth in filmmaking at the first official Agenda Foundation charity benefit, held at the exclusive Hollywood jazz supper club, Catalina Bar & Grill, located at 6725 West Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.
In an effort to raise consciousness and funding, Kaylene Peoples created the Agenda Foundation four years ago as a nonprofit for her popular online magazine, Agenda Magazine (www.agendamag.com). Her concern for foster youth came one day when she met Lucy, a child who had been abused. After spending a little time with Lucy, Kaylene discovered that she had been tossed from one home to the next for years, and she had no solid foundation or any hopes of becoming a valuable member of society.
'After that little girl turns 18 (if she doesn't end up on the street before then), she would probably become homeless, incarcerated, or even worse . . . dead. I was so ignorant of this foster care system. I knew of orphanages, but I just didn't even know this whole other society existed. I was lucky I grew up in a good family with parents who loved me. The idea of growing up the way Lucy did is unfathomable.'-Kaylene Peoples
Among other things, Peoples is an award-winning filmmaker and avid movie buff. Her idea to train foster youth in film stemmed from the lack of information the rest of the world seemed to have about this particular demographic. 'There was a clear need for a voice, and what better way to do that than by training these kids to tell their stories through filmmaking. I met several people who have overcome their circumstances and have achieved great things with the help of a mentor,' said Kaylene. 'Why not start a mentoring program for those foster youth who have a talent for filmmaking?'
Agenda Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit that provides the proper tools by industry veterans, offering a platform for foster youth to express themselves and share their unique experiences through cinema. Agenda Foundation provides this filmmaking opportunity to a highly screened group of foster children who are then placed in a classroom setting where they make a movie from start to finish. Agenda Foundation will continue to find ways to fund the innovative and opportunity-filled programs for America's foster youth in the film industry.
Come join Kaylene Peoples, Marian Marie, and Forte' Carter as they promise to entertain you with jazzy, soulful vocals, delight you with great musicians and a worthy cause at the Catalina Bar and Grill. To purchase tickets for this event, visit www.agendafoundation.org. For media inquiries, donations, or sponsorship opportunities, contact Kaylene Peoples at donate (at) agendafoundation (dot) org or call 323-244-1140.
