Monday 12 September 2011

Producer/Singer Ne-Yo To Honor Selita Ebanks; Raises Money For Foster Kids

 Grammy Award-winning singer/producer Ne-Yo has announced that he will host his 2nd annual benefit for his charity organization, The Compound Foundation.

This year, super model Selita Ebanks, who also serves as a foster care advocate, will be honored, along with National Foster Care Month spokesperson and Mecca/ENYCE clothing founder, Tony Shellman.

The benefit, which is slated to take place at singer/songwriter Denise Rich's home during a private and intimate cocktail reception, will be hosted by Ne-Yo and his closest supporters.

“Our goal is always to bring smiles to the faces of children, and challenge them to create, define and execute their dreams” Ne-Yo told hiphopgeek.net in a statement today (September 12th).

Selita Ebanks, who hails from the Grand Cayman Islands, was discovered at Six Flags Great Adventure at the age of 17.

Although she's gone on to become one of the world's most famous models for Victoria Secret, Ebanks was raised in different foster homes during her childhood, until her grandmother took her in, along with her seven siblings, as her mother struggled, due to being homeless.

“Having gone through a similar experience, my goal is to reach out to the thousands of young people in foster care," Selita Ebanks stated. "So for me it is not only giving money, but dedicating my time and my energy. Sitting down with these young people and letting them know that they can be successful regardless of their past."

Shellman, who sold ENYCE Mecca to Liz Claiborne in 2005 for $114 million dollars, is now focused on mentoring young people, providing job training and offering employment opportunities to those in need.

Shellman himself was adopted from foster care at the age of two, by a seattle couple.

“I beat the odds, but there are thousands of young people in foster care right now who don't have that kind of support. Not every child in foster care gets the happy ending" says Shellman.

For more information visit: http://www.compoundfoundation.org.

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