My Friend’s Place will commemorate 30 years of providing vital, life-changing services to tens of thousands homeless youth in Los Angeles with a 30th Anniversary Gala event on April 7, 2018 at the Hollywood Palladium. The announcement was made today by the organization’s executive director, Heather Carmichael, along with event co-chairs art consultant Sylvia Chivaratanond and WholeWorldBand CEO, Gregory Butler.

Actor/comedian/musician Jack Black ( Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) will host the benefit Gala as it honors the individual work of the following:  The Happy Hippie Foundation, founded by Miley Cyrus; USC Football’s  Angela Helton; Renowned chef, author and food activist  Alice Waters; My Friend’s Place Board member and community advocate  Cheryl Hayward; and Social media platform  Instagram. The Gala is open to the public and ticket/sponsorship package information is available  here.

“We are thrilled to have the acclaimed Jack Black host this year’s special  My Friend’s Place 30th Anniversary Gala, a night that will bring together our amazing Honorees; our organization’s co-founders; past and present Board of Directors; supporters; volunteers; and alumni who have benefited from our wide range of services and programming over the years,” said Ms. Carmichael. “As we reflect on our 30-year history in Los Angeles, we feel fortunate to celebrate our accomplishments, and remain resolute in our mission of developing and sustaining unique programming with the goal of ending youth homelessness, one young person at a time.”

Mr. Black said, “As a native born and raised in and around Los Angeles it is my pleasure to host this event honoring those who have stepped up with creative solutions to homelessness in this great city of ours. Les do dis!”

For one special night, more than 500 business and philanthropic leaders, community members and advocates for homeless youth will come together to celebrate  My Friend’s Place and the champions of our community who make transformative opportunities possible for young people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. An evening of festivities that include world-class entertainment, dining and auctions, the 30th Anniversary Gala  celebrates the partners who have tirelessly worked to help  My Friend’s Place become the organization that it is today.

Last month, My Friend’s Place was awarded a Mayoral Proclamation designating January 8, 2018 as “My Friend’s Place Day” in Los Angeles by the Honorable Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles, with the support of 13th District Councilman Mitch O’Farrell. Since its inception, My Friend’s Place has helped tens of thousands of homeless youth between the ages 12-25 discover a path to wellness, self-sufficiency and a permanent exit from homelessness.