On June 24, 2016 the Urban Foundation hosted Ultreya to celebrate Kid City’s accomplishments.  This year Ultreya raised $35 K which supports Kid City's core causes which include youth leadership, college access and lifetime support for first generation college students. During the event, we honored our first college graduates: Kwesi Essilfie (Cal State Northridge), Kofi Essilfie (UC Irvine) and Alma Sanchez (UC Berkley). We ate delicious tacos, enjoyed refreshing raspados and listened to Kid City’s band entertain the crowd with lively music.

* Currently looking for sponsors for Ultreya! 2017, when we'll have even more graduates to celebrate! Currently looking for underwriting sponsorships for $2500, $5000, and $10000! Please donate here or contact Anne Hawthorne at the Urban Foundation ([email protected]) for more information. Read on about this year's party!

Each of our college graduates' remarkable achievements inspire young adults and teens with academic aspirations to reach for goals, take heart and carry on during their journey into adulthood. Kwesi Essilfie spoke about the early days of Kid City, when it was just a couple of unfurnished rooms with a few neighborhood and church kids who needed a safe place to be kids on weekday afternoons. Alma Sanchez spoke about the awareness she gained of her own struggles as a first generation student helped her to surmount obstacles, complete her degree, and help others like herself. Kofi Essilfie's last-minute arrival, after driving up from his first week on-the-job at Qualcomm in San Diego, added an impressive dramatic turn at the end of the program.

The Urban Foundation also honored FoxGives for their recent beautiful Kid City makeover; Centenary United Methodist Church for its amazing volunteers; and First United Methodist Church of Los Angeles, for its role as founder and partner of Kid City.

A heart-felt thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered and donated, and made Ultreya 2016 a fun and successful evening. 

Special thanks to LA Photo Party and DJ Danno for putting the party in Ultreya!