Introducing Advocates & Dream Society

"South Los Angeles is seeing the change it deserves," said Anthony Anderson, star of ABC's "'black·ish," as he introduced our 5th Annual Dream Lunch on January 12, 2018, "and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital is the agent of that change."

Soon after, MLK Community Health Foundation President Dyan Sublett introduced a few more agents of change at our luncheon that day—members of our newly formed Advocates and Dream Society programs. Included in the launch of the programs was a screening of a film about investing in South LA, featuring foundation board member Kyle Walton.

The Advocates is our new giving program for gifts of $84 or more per month or $1,000 or more per year. Dream Society members are supporters who make planned gift and estate commitments—creative, long-term ways to help secure the hospital’s future.

In the video shown at the luncheon, Kyle spoke about his personal reasons for giving to the hospital:

“[This hospital] is easy to get excited about. It’s not just a hospital. It’s not just an employer. It’s not just a beacon of hope or an illustration of what can be. It’s really all of that.”

The formation of these giving programs demonstrates the foundation's forward progress in expanding its outreach to individual donors. Together, the programs offer critical financial stability for the hospital as it grows, and signals confidence in our future.

"The hospital changed my life and left a lasting impression on what it means to be committed to a cause," says Tracy Donegan, a member of both Advocates and the Dream Society. "I designated just a small portion of my 401(k) to the foundation but it doesn’t compare to what the hospital has given me."

Advocates

In recognition of their interest in affecting change, the foundation is providing year-round opportunities for Advocates to engage and learn: tours with hospital leaders; future volunteer and educational opportunities; and the Advocates Forum, an ongoing speaker series which considers healthcare and public policy issues for South LA and beyond.

The first event, a behind-the-scenes tour hosted by hospital leaders, is scheduled for April 25, 2018. Reservations are required.

Dream Society

The Dream Society inspires generous and forward-thinking supporters to make a planned gift or a gift of assets in support of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital. Members are featured in the foundation’s annual donor listings and included in exclusive events and opportunities throughout the year, in recognition for their thoughtful and enduring commitment to the health of South LA.

Both programs will recognize as Founding Members new supporters who join before June 30, 2018.

Become a Change Agent

For more information on the Advocates or Dream Society programs, contact Dyan Sublett at 424-338-8686 or dyan@mlk-chf.org.