Selfless Love Foundation Hosts Competition for Former Foster Youth to Achieve their Dreams
Five Selected Finalists Present their Career Dreams and Aspirations in Front of Prestigious Panel of Judges; Receive Funding
Selfless Love Foundation (SLF), a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of current and former foster youth, recently hosted its Statewide Dream Tank Competition for former foster youth.
The event was held on Friday, April 30 at The Canopy Hotel in West Palm Beach and was hosted by Comedian and Actress Melissa Peterman, as well as former foster youth and SLF’s Youth Engagement Intern John Watson.
The Dream Tank was created to provide aged-out foster youth across Florida the opportunity to present on their dreams and aspirations in front of an audience and panel of judges, followed by a Q&A session. The five Dream Tank finalists were paired with a professional in their respective field to prepare a speech, better equip them to pursue their dreams and be able to attain their overall goals for their future.
The winner of the Dream Tank Competition was announced the evening of Selfless Love Foundation’s signature event, their Fourth Annual Gala on May 1 at The Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa. World-renowned artist and former foster youth himself, Pitbull, announced A’Miracle Smith as the 2021 Dream Tank Competition winner. Each finalist received $1,000 for participating, and the selected winner received $5,000. In addition to Pitbull making the winner announcement, he made a surprise pledge on stage to give an additional $15,000 to the winner and finalists.
Prior to the competition, the contestants participated in the Dale Carnegie Leadership Training Program offered to former foster youth across the State of Florida virtually at no cost and provided by SLF.
The five finalists and their dreams included: A’Miracle Smith with a dream to be the Secretary of the Department of Children and Families; Rayla James, to become an author and write a memoir; Jordan Klohr, to be an investor; Esperanza Harb, to become a detective; and Diamond Whitley, to receive a PhD in Psychology.
The impressive panel of judges included Ed Brown, Co-Founder of SLF and former President and CEO of The Patrón Spirits Company; Shannon Smith, Former Top Performing Sales Representative and Senior Sales Account Manager with Pitney Bowes, as well as local philanthropist to the Palm Beach area serving on the board for The Benjamin School, Jupiter Inlet Beach Club, The Smith Brothers Family Foundation and a member of the Impact 100 of Palm Beach; and Mark Pulte, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mark Timothy Incorporated, a Florida based luxury home builder as well as serving as the Vice President, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Investment Officer for the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.
“While the climb to adulthood for foster youth is particularly steep, they have big dreams for their future,” shared SLF’s Executive Director Dr. Elizabeth Wynter. “SLF’s Dream Tank competition allows youth to build leadership and life skills, connect with professionals in their field of interest and present their plan to business leaders. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity gives the finalists the focus and the confidence needed to reach for the stars!”
A special thank you to the Pulte Family Foundation for being the Official Sponsor for the 2021 Dream Tank and to Jack Elkins Real Estate Elevated for being the Event Sponsor.
SLF plans to host its second statewide Dream Tank Competition next year, along with its Fifth Annual Gala.
