For Immediate Release
February 27, 2003

Contact:
Erin O'Connor Jones
207-874-1175
Beryl Wolfe
(207) 775-5115
E-mail: oconnorjones@youthalternatives.org
Web Site: http://www.youthalternatives.org

PORTLAND, Maine - Youth Alternatives, a nationally accredited provider of services to children, youth and families throughout Maine, will host its fifth annual Passport to Our Future gala event March 27 at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland.

Proceeds from the silent and live travel auction will be used to benefit prevention programs at Youth Alternatives that serve more than 6,000 children, youth and family members each year across the state. Last year, YA raised a record-setting $77,535 at the event.

Passport to Our Future is presented this year by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage with key sponsorship from Hurley Travel Experts.

The event will feature a silent and live auction along with fine food from area restaurants such as David's and Perfetto's. Led by auctioneer Tom Saturley, the evening promises to be lively and entertaining. In the past, guests have bid on a walking tour of Tuscany and trips to Belize, Singapore, Bermuda, San Francisco and Icelandic Air to Europe, along with a range of trips to South/Central America and North America. There are sure to be more this year, including New England getaways to beaches, islands and skiing.

Cocktails, fine dining and the silent auction begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the evening program and the live auction. At 9 p.m., the drawing will be held on the Grand Prize Raffle - two round-trip business class transatlantic airfares on US Airways. Tickets to the event are $50 and the Grand Prize Raffle tickets are $10 each, or seven for $50. Tickets may be purchased online at www.youthalternatives.org/passport or by calling (207) 874-1175.

Founded in 1972, Youth Alternatives (YA) provides a full range of services, from prevention of child abuse and neglect to intensive intervention and safe-haven homes for youth.

Headquartered at 400 Congress St. in Portland, YA clients include survivors of abuse and neglect, whether physical, emotional or sexual; parents in need of support and education; children and youth at risk for homelessness or criminal behavior; and/or families at risk of having a child removed from their homes.

In addition to programs and services, YA residential homes for children include Bass House, Heritage House, Perry's Place, Reardon's Place and ROADS Group Home.

YA works to prevent child abuse and neglect through the Cumberland County Child Abuse & Neglect Council, Family Mediation, Healthy Families Partnership and Parenting Education programs.

In addition, YA provides community support for children and families through services in the following areas: family intervention, family outreach, intensive supervision, treatment, foster case, homeless youth and substance abuse.


YA relies on federal, state and local grants, foundations, United Way organizations, corporate support and individual donations. For more information, persons may visit the YA website at www.youthalternatives.org, call (207) 874-1175 or e-mail info@youthalternatives.org.

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