For Immediate Release:
Generation Hope Takes Over Washington Nationals Park to Fundraise for Teen Parents’ Success in College
Dollars raised drive a two-generation solution to poverty through educational attainment
Washington, DC - This Sunday, November 17, Washington Nationals stadium, most recently the site of World Series showdowns, will host a different kind of competition: Generation Hope’s Pancake Battle. The annual fall event raises awareness and funds for a two-generation program that helps teen parents earn college degrees and helps their little ones become kindergarten rock stars. Founded on the belief that educational attainment can change lives by opening the door to opportunity, Generation Hope works with up to 100 teen parents across the DC-metro region each year. Generation Hope Scholars graduate at a rate that is double the national average for low-income college students and eight times the national rate for single mothers.
The Pancake Battle fundraiser will bring together education advocates, elected officials, philanthropists, and local families, including Generation Hope Scholars and alumni, who are passionate about increasing support for student parents in college and their families.
“The Pancake Battle provides crucial funding for Generation Hope’s work with young families, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to share with a broader audience our commitment to amplifying the experiences of student parents and impacting two generations through educational attainment,” said Nicole Lynn Lewis, CEO and founder of Generation Hope. “Everyone who joins in the fun this weekend, from our generous corporate and individual sponsors to local families, is directly supporting two generations at the most critical points in their lives — early childhood and young adulthood — so entire families can achieve their full potential.”
In addition to behind-the-scenes ballpark tours, lawn games, and a full brunch, three local education celebrities—all tenacious advocates for student parents—will lead teams cooking pancakes to compete for the Pancake Battle 2019 title: Rushern L. Baker III, Former Prince George's County Executive; Dr. DeRionne Pollard, President of Montgomery College; and Hans Riemer, Councilmember At-Large, Montgomery County.
This year’s Pancake Battle received generous support from Presenting Sponsor AT&T. Clark Enterprises and Venable LLP are this year’s Team Sponsors. Friend Sponsors include Buch Construction, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Valarie Clark, Crowell & Moring LLP, M&T Bank, M. Monique McCloud-Manley, Montgomery College, Judith and Richard Morrissey, Prince George's Community College, Regina Romero, Sima Tessema & Cos., and the Universities at Shady Grove. Supporters include Lesley-Jane Dixon, Aaron and Meg Kissel, Linder Global Events - Rebecca Linder and Lisa Bodager, Karen and Jim Nussle, and Leadership Montgomery.
Media Contact:
Devon Haynes
202-897-4527
devon@generationhope.org
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Founded in 2010, Generation Hope is a nonprofit organization in Washington, DC that surrounds motivated teen parents and their children with the mentors, emotional support, and financial resources that they need to thrive in college and kindergarten, thereby driving a two-generation solution to poverty. Fewer than 2% of teen mothers will earn their college degrees before they are 30 years old, yet Generation Hope Scholars graduate at a rate that exceeds the national average for all college students. Generation Hope engages in local and national advocacy work, amplifying the student parent voice and centering their experiences. Additionally, Generation Hope leverages its data and best practices to provide colleges with the tools, resources, and support that they need to improve outcomes for student parents.