A Night of Celebration Honoring Community Leaders and Organizations Making a Difference
Health Partners Foundation Spotlights Groups and Individuals Transforming Lives of Those in Need
On Thursday, October 26, Health Partners Foundation honored local community members and organizations that have transformed the lives of those in need at the annual Making A Difference Awards, held at the African American Museum in Philadelphia.
Jan Kenney Vice President of The Ray of Hope Project, Ray Gant, Maretta Walker (Health Partners) and former Ray of Hope Board Member Dana Kelley – photo by Health Partners
Frankford’s Ray Gant was among those honored for his work in the Ray of Hope Project.
Some history: “In October of 2002, Ray Gant and Willard Bostock were returning from a Philadelphia Eagles / Tampa Bay Buccaneers football game. On the drive home, they began a discussion about the community needs of Philadelphia. After conversing about the topic for several hours, they concluded that one of those community needs was the rehabilitation of badly damaged homes which were unsafe and unhealthy for their occupants as well as an eyesore in their communities. Hence, The Ray of Hope Project was born.”
The Ray of Hope Project is a registered Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to bringing hope to those who cannot afford urgently needed home repairs in the Communities of Philadelphia, while also offering rehabilitative job skills training to former inmates and educational apprenticeships for other qualified persons. The Ray of Hope Project is supported solely by charitable contributions and works to bring diverse communities together in a program demonstrating that, together, people can make a difference.
At the awards ceremony, honorees shared poignant stories of their missions, from raising awareness of suicide among youth to making neighborhoods safer and healthier places to live. The ceremony included an inspiring performance by spoken word poet/teacher Rienne Scott and moving musical selections by the Philadelphia High School for Creative & Performing Arts (CAPA) Concert Choir.
Awardees include Program Hope; Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia; Sarah-Ashley Andrews, founder and CEO of Dare 2 Hope; Raymond Gant, president and co-founder of The Ray of Hope Project; and Kyah McCall, CAPA Jazz Ensemble member.
About Health Partners Foundation
The Health Partners Foundation supports low-income communities in Philadelphia and surrounding counties with health information, educational programs, scholarships, emergency assistance and more. A 501c3 nonprofit organization, the Foundation is funded by employees, as well as vendors and friends of Health Partners Plans who share our commitment to offering a helping hand in disadvantaged communities.
