College Bound Dorchester Celebrates “I Am My Future” Nonprofit to Host Annual Gala

Thursday, June 11

DORCHESTER, Mass. – On Thursday, June 11, College Bound Dorchester will host I Am My Future, the organization’s annual gala. Up to 400 people will gather to celebrate the nonprofit’s 11th year of working with young people, using education as a means to transform lives and change the neighborhood of Dorchester from within.

Based in Bowdoin-Geneva, College Bound Dorchester targets men and women, ages 14 to 27, who have been failed by the system and are deemed least likely to succeed. The nonprofit works with students to pass their HiSet exam, get into community colleges, earn associates degrees, find employment and stay within their urban neighborhoods. 

Alberto Vasallo, host of WHDH-TV’s Urban Update and president and CEO of El Mundo, the largest Latino newspaper in New England, will emcee the event. The night will begin with a cocktail reception and will celebrate students like D’Andre Young, 23, of South Boston, a student who participated in College Bound Dorchester’s programming. He will share his story of going from a high school dropout to a student at Bunker Hill Community College. Mayor Martin J. Walsh is also expected to attend and make remarks. 

For too many, College Bound Dorchester is the last hope for an education and the ability to earn a living wage. Since 2012, the organization has enrolled 100 young people into college with a retention rate above 60 percent, a rate which is significantly higher than national norms. College Bound Dorchester helps to shift the system toward a college-bound culture in Dorchester. The goal: Dorchester youth graduating college is the norm, not the exception.

I Am My Future will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Boston Convention Center, which is located at 415 Summer Street in Boston. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. To register to attend the 11th annual gala click here or visit collegebounddorchester.org for more information.