The SER-Jobs for Progress 50th Anniversary “Building Our Workforce” Gala on Oct 16 was a huge success. The event featured a silent auction, dinner, inspirational speakers, and dancing to live music – raising more than $365,000 in support of SER’s life-changing services to the local Houston community.
SER is the Spanish verb which means “to be” and represents the organization’s goals of Service, Employment, and Redevelopment. SER provides education, training, and employment services to individuals and businesses in socioeconomic-challenged communities.
The Tellepsen Family, who operate one of Houston's most successful family businesses, were honored at the gala. The four generations of Tellepsens that have led the company for more than 100 years have made giving back to the community a hallmark of the Tellepsen way of doing business. Nory Angel, CEO and Executive Director of SER, was proud to announce that in 2016 SER is slated to move into Tellepsen’s former corporate headquarters on Telephone Road in the East End. This relocation will give the non-profit organization access to exceptional facilities, more square footage and the infrastructure needed to continue its mission for future generations of Houstonians. Angel stated:
“We’re so proud to honor the Tellepsen family as we link our future with Tellepsen’s long history of building our city and local workforce. This merging of Tellepsen’s past with SER’s future will create workforce opportunities for Houston’s most in-need residents and ensure our city has the workers it needs to grow our local economy. Through this new center, SER will grow its operations to more than 50,000 square feet of space, which will enable our expansion of occupational training, education and financial empowerment programs. The building will feature an innovative Career Café concept that will connect the local community to middle-skill jobs and applicants, and provide training opportunities in the service industry for Houston’s youth.”
The evening continued as Pastor Jeremiah Busby shared his journey from a life behind bars to a life of opportunity, and implored guests at the gala to help SER continue this impact through programs like YouthBuild Houston. Guests accepted this challenge, raising funds on the spot to purchase a 12-passenger van for the YouthBuild Houston program!
You can learn more about the type of life-changing services SER offers in the following 4½-minute video titled The Power of Potential:
Photos courtesy of SER-Jobs for Progress
