By: Kim Merritt, GenR: LA Communications Chair

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Partygoers at GenR: LA's Force For Change Photo Exhibition.
Photo: Getty Images

On June 7th, 2018, GenR: LA  members and friends came together at Greenbar Distillery for our second annual fundraising event in support of the IRC.

Through ticket sales and auction items, GenR: LA proved that we are indeed a force for change, raising over $31,000 for the IRC's work in LA and around the world.

The sold-out event featured photography from The Vision Project, a photo series featuring resettled refugee girls right here in California, as they envision their future and set out to achieve it. Each of the girls were asked "what do you want to be when you grow up?" before the IRC paired them with a mentor, helping them to create a vision, grow their dream, and develop a plan for making it a reality. The end result was a photo shoot where each girl posed as her future self, having achieved her goal.

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GenR: LA Leader, Sam Becker, shares why she is committed to the work of the IRC during the evening's remarks.
Photo: Getty Images

Not only were the powerful photographs incredibly moving, we also heard inspirational stories from GenR Leader Sam Becker and IRC in Northern California’s Executive Director Karen Ferguson, as well as GenR: LA Volunteer Co-Chair Hannah Mora on her recent trip to the field with the IRC.

Our like-minded guests mingled over delicious food and drinks, all the while observing the empowering exhibit and bidding on unique auction items. They also had the opportunity to meet with IRC staff to learn firsthand about their work with refugees, asylums, and unaccompanied minors in LA.

Thank you so much to our generous sponsors for making this amazing evening possible: Airbnb, TripAdvisor, the Cash App, Amblin, Cadence 13, Filmograph, and Fenway Strategies

And our in-kind sponsors: Cafe Gratitude, Greenbar Distillery, Who's Hungry Caribbean, Martian Winery, Milk Bar, Modelo USA, Momed, Peddler's Creamery, Popsalot Popcorn who brought delicious food and drinks.

We couldn’t have done it without you!

Until next year’s event, relive the evening in photographs here.