Proteus, Inc. to Celebrate 50 Years with Anniversary Gala
VISALIA, CA- Proteus, Inc. will commemorate its 50-year history with an anniversary gala event and masquerade to be held on Friday, October 20 at 6 p.m. at the Visalia Convention Center. The gala will feature a no-host social hour, dinner, entertainment, dancing, and a tribute to Proteus’s history and customers.
Critically-acclaimed comedian and magician Christian Ford won’t mask his special kind of entertainment. With credits such as America’s Got Talent and FOX comedy series “Brooklyn Nine-nine,” Christian will unveil what some are calling, “the next generation of magic!” Also performing is singer-songwriter Natalie Gelman. Known for her unique sound that combines elements of folk, country and pop, Gelman most recently opened for Bon Jovi as well has performed at the Staples Center, House of Blues, Carnegie Hall and many more.
Proteus, Inc. was born in 1967 via a grant given to the Tulare County Community Action Agency by the Farmworker Division of the National Office of Economic Opportunity. Proteus, Inc., then called Proteus Adult Training, operated a single Adult Basic Education class for low-income residents of Tulare County out of the basement in the old Visalia jailhouse. Today, Proteus’s service delivery area expands five counties with 55 diverse programs being operated out of 30 offices, individual onestop locations, and two mobile units.
“It’s amazing that Proteus is 50 years old! I am honored to have witnessed first-hand the dedication of staff, resilience of customers, and the commitment to serve by Proteus’s board members, partners, employers, and community members during my thirty-eight years at Proteus,” shares Robert A. Alcazar, Proteus, Inc. CEO. “It is through this dedication, resilience, and commitment that Proteus continues to endure 50 years later.”
Four customers who have been served over the past 50 years will be celebrated at the gala. Vivian Escalera-bell was only 17 when she came to Proteus for assistance 39 years ago. She received assistance with finding a job after school and the tools she received from Proteus allowed her the confidence to become selfsufficient. Ricardo Coca came to the United States from Honduras in hopes of funding his educational dreams. With Proteus’s help, Ricardo was able to receive his high school certificate through the High School Equivalency Program. He is currently attending COS, preparing for his certificate in English and is striving to obtain his certificate in business administration. Braulio Hernandez was working in the fields when he found out his wife was pregnant. Motivated to find a fixed, full-time job, Braulio came to Proteus for assistance. After receiving resume and job search assistance, Braulio was placed in an On-the-job contract at Harris Ranch. Eventually, Harris Ranch hired him and he continues to work there 27 years later. Samantha Griffin migrated to the United States as a war refugee from Thailand. After joining the Jobs 2000 program at Proteus, Samantha was able to build self-confidence and discover her self-worth. She now attends Reedley College with a career in law in her future.
Find out how these stories unfold by attending Proteus’s 50th Anniversary Gala and Masquerade. Tickets are on sale now for $50. If you are interested in attending, please contact Michelle Engel-silva at (559) 735-3670.
Proteus, Inc. is a non-profit, community-based organization with over 50 years of experience serving farmworkers and other low-income residents in the counties of Fresno, Kings, Kern, Tulare, Northern Los Angeles, and San Bernardino. Some of the programs Proteus, Inc. offers include adult basic and vocational education, job training, employmentrelated services, family self-sufficiency, gang prevention, childcare, and other human services programs aimed at helping individuals and families. Proteus, Inc. is also a California Award of Performance Excellence (CAPE) award winner.
For more information, contact Michelle Engelsilva at (559)735-3670 or visit www.proteusinc.org <http://www. proteusinc.org> .