December 29, 2005

‘Cirque du Soleil’ performance to benefit runaway, homeless youth

“Cirque du Soleil” will hold a performance of Corteo on Feb. 10 to benefit runaway and homeless youths. The Social Advocates for Youth and EHC Lifebuilders have 500 tickets to sell by Jan. 10.

“Cirque’s generosity fosters community support and we’re proud to have been chosen as a beneficiary. People who purchase tickets through our organization can feel good that 100 percent of their donation goes to help at-risk youth while they enjoy a world class performance,” said Elisa Koff-Ginsborg, interim executive director of Social Advocates for Youth.

“It’s expected that tickets will sell out, particularly for this show, which falls on the Friday of Valentine’s Day weekend. These Cirque tickets are a wonderful gift—the recipient gets to see a remarkable show and help at-risk youth in one package,” Koff-Ginsborg added.

In each city where Cirque du Soleil performs (locally and internationally), they assist organizations working with youth at risk by donating tickets that are then sold by the organization, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to their respective youth programs; this tradition is rooted in Cirque’s origins as street performers.

Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) was chosen as one of the local beneficiaries of Corteo and has benefited from several previous performances. SAY and EHC LifeBuilders are in the midst of merging, with completion expected in
early 2006.

SAY and EHC LifeBuilders have parallel missions that, when combined, will increase advocacy, multiply options for shelter and housing, expand services, and reach out to more youth. This year’s performance is a major fundraiser for the youth-serving organizations. The funds will ensure that approximately 200 runaway, homeless or street youth will receive shelter this year and an additional 500 will receive case management or referral services. Tickets can be purchased online at www.sayscc.org or by calling (408) 539-2121.

About Social Advocates for Youth and EHC LifeBuilders
Social Advocates for Youth strives to turn young lives around. Its programs and services for at-risk youth in Silicon Valley include providing emotional and physical shelter, reuniting families, counseling, independent living sills, truancy abatement and mentoring. It helps build life skills, confidence, self-esteem and respect for one’s self and others. For more information about Social Advocates for Youth, visit www.sayscc.org or call (408) 539-2144.

EHC LifeBuilders, a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, is the largest provider of shelter, housing opportunities and supportive services to people in crisis and those experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara County, California. Founded in 1980 as Emergency Housing Consortium, the agency began doing business as EHC LifeBuilders in 2005 in order to more accurately reflect its scope of award winning housing programs and supportive services.

In 1989, EHC LifeBuilders started Our House, the agency’s Youth Division. The Our House Service Center, Shelter and Transitional Living Programs are nurturing, safe environments that meet the needs of abandoned youth. At Our House, young people can access tools and opportunities to build their lives and their futures. For more information about EHC LifeBuilders, visit www.ehclifebuilders.org or call (408) 539-2100.