President & CEO Bruce McNamer was honored to accept the 2017 MVP Award on behalf of the Greater Washington Community Foundation at Generation Hope’s 6th Annual “Pep Rally Under the Stars” gala on Friday, June 16.

The Community Foundation has been a vital part of Generation Hope’s success. In 2010, as a fledgling nonprofit, Generation Hope participated in The Community Foundation’s incubator program, sharing office space and resources to support the organization during its critical first years. Since then, Generation Hope has been able to provide emotional and financial support to 120 parenting teens as they pursue a college degree. Additionally, Generation Hope has reached nearly 600 expecting and parenting teens through college-readiness workshops in schools, churches, and organizations across the D.C. Metro area.

While it was wonderful for The Community Foundation to be recognized as a long-time supporter of Generation Hope, the highlight of the evening was hearing inspirational speeches by Generation Hope Founder and CEO Nicole Lynn Lewis, as well as 2016 National Teacher of the Year Jahana Hayes. Their stories and experiences as former teen parents, were marked by their perseverance and dedication to education; stories which mirrored those pregnant and parenting teens who benefit from Generation Hope’s programs and services today.

Generation Hope currently supports 100 teen parents attending 18 different two-and four-year colleges across the region. The mission of Generation Hope is to empower ambitious, family-focused teen parents striving to complete their college education by pairing them with caring, committed, adult mentors and an emotional and financial support system, thereby driving a two-generation solution to poverty.

You can learn more about Generation Hope’s mission and services by clicking here or viewing this video shared at the gala.