PRC’s Mighty Real affirmed the power of transformation and human connection. 

PRC is thrilled to share about its incredibly successful Mighty Real Fundraising event that took place on Thursday, November 9^th, at the stunning venue, Saint Joseph’s Arts Society. This fabulous evening, named after the signature song, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” of our generous benefactor and disco legend Sylvester, was a celebration of transformation and human connection that raised essential funds for our programs that help more than 5,000 individuals each year to transform their lives for the better.   

This year’s theme was transformation, and we curated the evening to showcase how PRC’s services transform our clients’ lives, the progress and growth we have experienced within PRC over the last year, and the power of human connection.  

Even the venue was a symbol of transformation. Saint Joseph’s Arts Society itself was transformed from a church that closed due to earthquake damage to a breathtakingly beautiful community gathering space and outlet for local artists to display their work. Its location around the corner from PRC’s Integrated Services Center in the heart of the community we serve made it the perfect space for the evening.   

Attendees were encouraged to engage in fun and informative activities as they enjoyed decadent food, libations, music, and community connection. Both staff and clients attended as ambassadors, giving everyone an opportunity to meet the people changing lives, and to hear directly from individuals who have benefitted from them. We enticed guests to explore the unique venue through a curated scavenger hunt to find one-of-a-kind disco items created by PRC’s Seth Abrahamson, each relating to one of our five main program areas, and were later auctioned off. As inspirational energy filled the space, we offered guests an opportunity to write a message of encouragement to a client, an uplifting note from a community that believes in them and is cheering them on. Genuine smiles filled the room from start to finish.  

A pivotal moment of the evening transpired as PRC CEO Chuan Teng encouraged guests to raise a light in response to a series of questions that genuinely reflected their life experiences. For instance, if they knew someone in recovery, if they had lost someone to a substance use disorder, or if they believed transformation is possible. 

The evening included inspirational speeches from PRC CEO Chuan Teng, PRC Employment Specialist and former client Jasmine Conley (watch here in case you missed it), Sylvester Pillar Awardee Joshua Gamson, Keystone Service Awardee San Francisco Pride represented by Executive Director Suzanne Ford, Outstanding Corporate Partner Awardee Wells Fargo represented by VP of Philanthropy and Community Impact Lorenzo Cordova, and San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey. 

A live auction included trips to Italy, Hawaii, and a year of dining out at 12 of San Francisco’s finest restaurants. Guests also gave generously by participating in the fund-a-need paddle raise which culminated in the ability to purchase backpacks for clients filled with emergency provisions.

To close out the evening we danced to the live sounds of DotCom and the Noise. Even this had a connection to transformation as the band’s lead singer shared how he’s benefitted from PRC’s supportive services. 

With our community’s support, we accomplished something incredible. Together, we raised funds for PRC’s essential services, which are vital for San Francisco’s most vulnerable individuals.

A Mighty Real thank you to our event chair Darren Smith, event co-chair Nichole Wiley, the incredible volunteers for making the night a smooth success, PRC staff and client ambassadors, and our generous sponsors: Janice Berthold Heffernan Insurance Brokers, Daniel Hancock & Kent Roger, Scan Medicare Advantage, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Allied Universal, Chevron, Cotchett Pitre & McCarthy, Kaiser Permanente, Josh & Dana Frieman & Brian Schneider and Robert Lieberman, JP Morgan, Michael Niczyporuk & Rachel Forisha, Nuveen Real Estate, Anonymous, Brayer Electric, CBF Electric & Data, Hayse Group Inc., JLL, Leo Levenson Consulting & Rebecca Levenson Consulting, Quest Diagnostics, Skyline Construction, and San Francisco Bay Times (see our write up on page 20).

The full photo gallery from the evening can be accessed here.

If you would like to extend your support of this year’s Mighty Real, you still can.

If you were unable to join us for this uplifting evening, don’t worry. We would love for you to join us for one or both of two nights of holiday cabaret at Songs of the Season, on Tuesday, and Wednesday, December 5th, and 6th, at Feinstein’s at the Nikko.