Inspiring Minds gala tonight in Warren

WARREN

The Warren non-profit organization Inspiring Minds was able to double this year the number of children and young adults it helped with its various educational programs, and it asked those attending its annual gala to help double that number again.

The gala, held Saturday at St. Demetrios Community Center, was attended by more than 500 people and included awards to the organization’s biggest supporters and a $7,500 check presentation by General Motors workers.

For people like Patsy Kouvas, there’s no question that the seven-year-old program meets a critical need to help underserved youth get the confidence, skills and experiences that will allow them to achieve scholarships, educational goals and careers.

“I notice that so many of our kids have so many things to overcome,” she said. “In order for them to compete out in this world, it seems like they don’t have that opportunity that other kids do. What Inspiring Minds does is give that opportunity.”

Kouvas, vice chairman of AVI Foodsystems of Warren, has worked with students in the Inspiring Minds high school program for 4 1/2 years.

“They gain in self-confidence and just go up to someone they don’t know and introduce themselves and know they are accepted,” she said.

For more on the event, the organization and the awards of the night, read Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.