Art + Soul Lifts Self Enhancement Inc.

SEI Art + Soul 2012

Portland, September 29th. Priscilla and Dan Wieden were among more than 500 donors supporting Self Enhancement Inc. at Art + Soul. The spirited event was a showcase for SEI’s talented students. (Photo credit, Antonio Harris)

Students raise their voices.

SEI CEO, Tony Hopson and wife, Carla Hopson.

Mike and Cynthia Louaillier

Hundreds of SEI Guests gear up for the evening.

Priscilla and Dan Wieden

Honoree, Stephen L. Shepard and his family

From SEI:

We are Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI), a nonprofit organization supporting at-risk urban youth. In 31 years, SEI has grown from a 1-week summer basketball camp to a flourishing agency serving thousands of students each year in the greater Portland, Oregon area, with plans to replicate across the country.

Whereas others see only statistics, we see strong individuals, tomorrow’s business owners and leaders, teachers and citizens. We help our students see themselves and their potential the same way. Then we help them find their strengths, ignite their passion and identify the plan that will move them in the direction of their dream. And we stay with them every step of the way, 24/7, 365 days a year from age eight through 25.

Mission statements, vision statements, slogans and credos are displayed on walls and web sites all over for-profit and non-profit America. Some are poignant, some are pathetic. We think that too often they are just words that are pointed to now and then. Not here. Students and staff live by the SEI standards from the moment they walk through our doors.

Here’s a video about the SEI program.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.