Third Annual Dreamer Dinner Set for This Sunday at Skirball Center

On Sunday, March 20, the third annual "Dreamer Dinner" will take place at the Skirball Cultural Center to benefit "I Have a Dream" Foundation Los Angeles' (IHADLA) ongoing efforts to provide educational support for local at-risk youth.

This year's dinner will recognize the extraordinary contributions of Terence Carter (Executive Vice President Development & Programming at Fox), Wilmer Valderrama ("That '70s Show," ">From Dusk Till Dawn," "Grey's Anatomy"), and the Board of Directors of SHARE, Inc.

Melissa Peterman ("Baby Daddy," "Reba") will emcee the event.

IHADLA chooses entire classes of students (known as "Dreamers") and supports them from early elementary school all the way through college -- with financial support, afterschool tutoring, college preparation, field trips, and mental and social encouragement. Since 1987, IHADLA has worked directly with more than 1,000 students through 19 class sponsorships benefitting over 7,000 others including families, communities, and schools. IHADLA's most recent sponsorship is a class of third graders in Boyle Heights. IHADLA is also currently sponsoring students at schools in Watts and Inglewood.

The philanthropic endeavors of Terence Carter and Wilmer Valderrama, along with the programming Terence has championed at FOX and Wilmer's charitable commitments, make them outstanding honorees. SHARE, Inc. is an outstanding nonprofit philanthropic organization that raises funds for at-risk youth and children with disabilities. The vision of its Board of Directors has made a positive difference in the lives of Los Angeles youth.

NOTABLE ATTENDEES: Wilmer Valderrama ("That '70s Show," ">From Dusk Till Dawn," "Grey's Anatomy"), Terence Carter (Executive Vice President Development & Programming at Fox), Melissa Peterman ("Baby Daddy," "Reba"), Jussie Smollett (EMPIRE), LL Cool J (NCIS: LOS ANGELES), Morris Chestnut (Nurse Jackie, Rosewood), Jason Collins (Former NBA superstar), Lee Daniels (The Butler), Barrett Foa (NCIS: Los Angeles), Rick Fox (Boston Celtics), Aimee Garcia (Rush Hour), Justin Hires (Rush Hour), Scott Neustadter (The Fault in Our Stars), Jaina Lee-Ortiz (Rosewood), Peter Porte (Baby Daddy), John Salley (Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons) and the SHARE, Inc. Board of Directors.

"IHADLA has just sponsored a new class of third graders in Boyle Heights; 40 of these 'Dreamers' will be at the event," said Debra Fine, CEO of IHADLA. "This year's benefit includes a live auction, where attendees can support the greatest needs on the spot at the event, like clothes, healthy snacks, books, or field trips. Contributions will also go a long way to support a new college assistance program, which includes an important mental health component."

IHADLA's mission is more urgent than ever as data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that just nine percent of students from low-income families receive a Bachelor's degree and data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that more than half of public school students are from low-income families.

IHADLA's Dreamers have a graduation rate of above 80 percent. Eighty-six percent of IHADLA's 2013 class graduated; of those graduates, 96 percent are enrolled in college or post-secondary education.

"The support of the IHADLA was essential in giving me hope for a better future," said Britney Callins, Dreamer class of 2011. "When I was young, I went through a lot. I didn't value education, I couldn't picture my future, and none of it really mattered to me. It was then that IHADLA came to my rescue. Ms. Alvarado [IHADLA Program Coordinator] paid me a visit and explained the life I could have and how I was ruining it for myself. Her support gave me the kick I needed, and I resumed the fight. Now I'm finishing my B.A. at Cal State San Bernardino, and my ultimate goal is to earn a Ph.D in Psychology."

IHADLA was recently featured in a CBS Cares Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign during the 2015 holiday season with ads by Mayim Bialik ("The Big Bang Theory") and LL Cool J ("NCIS: Los Angeles"). The PSA campaign was part of a CBS Cares partnership with the national "I Have A Dream" Foundation, which also included a spot during the 2015 Super Bowl.

ABOUT THE HONOREES:

Terence Carter
Terence Carter is Executive Vice President, Drama Development and Programming for Fox Broadcasting Company. In this role he is responsible for overseeing all of the network's one-hour scripted programming initiatives.

Prior to his promotion to Executive Vice President in 2014, Carter served as Senior Vice President, Drama Development for the network. While at FOX he has been responsible for developing and overseeing EMPIRE -- the #1 broadcast network drama -- as well as many other acclaimed shows like GOTHAM, ROSEWOOD, SCREAM QUEENS, SLEEPY HOLLOW, BONES, LUCIFER, "Glee," and "The Following," as well as the upcoming HOUDINI & DOYLE, and SHOTS FIRED.

In 2011, Carter received the honor of being profiled in Variety's "New Leaders" edition. In 2009, he was named one of The Hollywood Reporter's "Next Generation: Top 35 Executives Under 35."

Carter graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in African-American Studies and a focus in Film and Media.

Wilmer Valderrama
Wilmer Valderrama most recently starred in the FOX/Amblin Entertainment series MINORITY REPORT, a sequel to the 2002 Steven Spielberg-directed movie. Valderrama also recently starred in FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, Robert Rodriguez & Quentin Tarantino's first original television series, as 'Carlos Madrigal,' the series' main villain.

Up next, Valderrama will voice 'Prince Charming' in the John H. Williams animated film CHARMING, opposite, Ashley Tisdale, Avril Lavigne and Demi Lovato. Most recently, Valderrama starred in the indie dramas THE GIRL IS IN TROUBLE, from director Julius Onah and Executive Producer Spike Lee; TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN from French director Manu Boyer and THE ADDERAL DIARIES, opposite Amber Heard and James Franco, which premiered at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival. His other film credits include, LARRY CROWNE, FROM PRADA TO NADA and FAST FOOD NATION.

As for his philanthropic efforts, Valderrama has directed several PSAs for multiple organizations such as Voto Latino, where he stands as co-chair, and the Environmental Media Association, where he is an Executive Board member. Valderrama is the spokesperson for CHCI, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and is the founder of their Ready 2 Lead program, which educates and empowers the Latino youth. He is also working with President Obama's Organizing for Action campaign on future efforts involving immigration reform and education.

SHARE, Inc.

In 1953 seven women met for lunch. These women had an agenda and a mission: they had decided to passionately commit to raise money and help organize programs to improve the lives of children with special needs. It is now 63 years and a hard earned $52 million later, and there are now 80 SHARE ladies dedicated to carrying on that early mission. This team of women (still including some of the Founding Members) is as emotionally and financially committed as ever to helping children who are at risk or abused, as well as supporting treatment, research, prevention, vocational training and independent living skills programs for kids facing the broad spectrum of developmental disabilities.

Over the years, SHARE has provided critical support to many of the programs and facilities so vital to children with special needs. SHARE provided the first money for the now industry-leading Exceptional Children's Foundation, and early money for Stuart House at The Rape Treatment Center. In later years, SHARE has provided critical support for research into developmental disabilities through the SHARE Child Disability Center at Cedars-Sinai, as well as vital funding for Ahead With Horses, The Sophia T. Salvin Center, Team Prime Time, Children of the Night, Baby2Baby, and The Art of Elysium and many others.

SHARE Board of Directors: September Sarno, Ellen Feder, Christine Wallace, Lynn Beyer, Samantha Faulkner, Joan Rush

ABOUT MELISSA PETERMAN (EMCEE)
Growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Melissa Peterman first made a name for herself when she was cast in the local production of "Tony and Tina's Wedding." She went on to perform in over 600 shows and became a staple on the comedy and improv scene.

Currently starring as Bonnie Wheeler in ABC Family's hit comedy series "Baby Daddy," Melissa is best known for her starring role as Barbara Jean on the hit series "Reba." She also starred in "Working Class," "Retired at 35," "Surviving Suburbia," "Rita Rocks," "Just Shoot Me," "Cedric," "Living in Abandon," "The Pitts" and "American Dad." Her first televised comedy special, "Melissa Peterman: Am I the Only One?," aired on CMT and she also starred in "Dusty Peacock," the online series for Crackle.com. Melissa has hosted several competition shows, including the fourth season of CMT's "The Singing Bee," ABC Family's reality comedy clip show "Dancing Fools," and will host another season of ABC's primetime game show "Bet on Your Baby."

Peterman is committed to many charities, including Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night, Habitat for Humanity, The Red Cross and the non-profit Buzzworks Theatre Company.

The "I Have A Dream Foundation" of Los Angeles (IHADLA) was established in 1987 by Whittier Family Foundations to break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment by producing high school graduates who are poised for secondary education, employment and life success as independent community minded leaders. IHADLA is an affiliate of the national organization, the "I Have A Dream" Foundation (IHDF), a leading education nonprofit focused on breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty through a comprehensive program of support that follows the same group of children ("Dreamers") from elementary school all the way through college. IHDF was founded in 1981 by Eugene Lang. IHDF operates in 16 cities and has nearly 17,000 alumni.

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