June 13, 2016 — A ringing telephone silenced guests at the Silver Lining Mentoring Match Gala on Wednesday June 8th, so that CEO, Colby Swettberg, could announce how she answered the legendary surprise call that every non-profit in the city longs to receive from New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft.   

Swettberg shared that Robert Kraft recently visited with some of the young people that Silver Lining Mentoring serves and listened to their stories of growing up in the foster care system.  One Silver Lining Mentoring participant explained to Kraft how it feels to go to nine different high schools in five years and to be left behind in a residential facility with paid service providers on holidays when other kids are home celebrating with family.

Kraft explained that, “he had heard a lot about the great work that Silver Lining Mentoring was doing with foster youth and was moved to help.”  Mr. Kraft issued a generous challenge; he will donate $100,000 if Silver Lining Mentoring can raise $100,000 in donations.   Thanks to the generosity of the 300 people in attendance at the gala, Silver Lining Mentoring raised more than $100,000 to meet Kraft’s challenge in less than ten minutes at the event!  

Among those in attendance at the Silver Lining Mentoring Match Gala were Marla Felcher, President and Founder of The Philanthropy Connection, who received the Social Impact Award for her commitment to philanthropy and young people affected by foster care.  Felcher’s award was presented by one of Silver Lining Mentoring’s youth participants.  Gary Gillis, long time television and radio reporter, served as the auctioneer and emcee.

Silver Lining Mentoring is a Boston-based nonprofit that empowers youth in foster care to thrive through long-term mentoring relationships and the development of essential life skills.  The only mentoring organization in the Commonwealth focused exclusively on youth impacted by foster care,  Silver Lining Mentoring will serve at least 315 young people in 2016.

To learn more about Silver Lining Mentoring visit www.silverliningmentoring.org or

Contact:

Alyson Molloy Hussey

Director of Development

Silver Lining Mentoring

727 Atlantic Avenue, 3rd Floor

Boston, MA 02111

(617) 209-5307