Couple Competing To Raise Money For Youth Programs

A fundraiser for the Youth Development Inc. Foundation has turned into a friendly family competition.

West Side advocate Klarissa Peña, special projects director for YDI, told her husband, Johnny Peña, she wanted to raise $10,000 for the organization’s foundation. The two agreed to host a dinner and silent auction at their home next month. But they didn’t agree on everything.

“I told her there was no way she was going to raise that kind of money in this economy,” Johnny Peña said. “She said, ‘Oh yeah?’ And that was all she needed to light a fire under her.”

	If you go WHAT: Youth Development Inc. Fundraiser When: Oct. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. Where: The home of Johnny and Klarissa Pena, 6525 Sunset Gardens SW Cost: $20 per person and $30 per couple RSVP: By Oct. 1 to cquezada@ydinm.org or call 212-7450 For more information and to donate: www.ydinm.org

Klarissa Peña, determined to meet her goal, challenged her husband to a wager. If he wins, and the event does not bring in $10,000, she will buy him a set of tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game. But, if she wins, he has to stand at the Coors and Central intersection holding a sign that reads: “My Wife is Always Right.”

“You think I would learn by now,” he said. “I always try to prove her wrong, and I always lose.”

Although losing is not ideal, Johnny Peña said it wouldn’t be so bad.

“YDI has some great programs,” he said. “It’s a win/win situation.”

Klarissa Peña said the current economy has led to program cuts, and the money would help fortify those programs. One program, she said, is the GED course they offer as part of their services. She said currently private donations fund the classes. Also taking a funding hit were the organization’s scholarship and emergency assistance funds. The $500 and $1,000 scholarships are given to graduating high school students to attend college. Peña said the emergency funds go to families to help with things such as funeral expenses, utility bills and other every day necessities.

The event will take place Oct. 5 on the Peña’s property and feature live entertainment from Al Hurricane and Al Hurricane Jr. Klarissa Peña said the food and the entertainment have been donated.

YDI was started more than 40 years ago to give children something productive to do after school. It has expanded to offer comprehensive services to youth and young adults, including individual, family and substance-abuse counseling, Head Start, shelter for homeless teens, help finding jobs and a computer clubhouse.

“He’s already talking about the Dallas Cowboy game,” Peña said. “But there’s a lot of staff here that want to see Johnny on that corner. They are going out and buying stuff for that silent auction.”
— This article appeared on page 1 of the West Side Journal