The Heritage School’s annual scholarship gala, featuring a dinner, an auction and a show, will take place on Thursday evening.
The Heritage School is a Provo-based nonprofit that helps students ages 12 to 17 who are struggling with psychiatric issues including depression and substance abuse problems. Heritage is considered as one of the top youth treatment centers in the country for its unique and innovative treatment plans.
“Residents undergo an innovative, relationship-based therapeutic model that includes family involvement, relationship therapy, hard work and trust,” said Wyatt Semanek, spokesman for the school.
Students can choose from a variety of treatment options within the relationship based therapeutic model. This includes the Heritage Center Stage Performing Arts Program, a Broadway style production put on by the youth and the Equestrian Therapy Program, where students learn to take care of and ride the horses.
“Heritage School’s goal is to change the lives of the youth in our care,” said McKaye Treanor, development director for Heritage Schools. “Because of their psychiatric diagnosis, the youth often have poor social skills, are behind in school, have troubled familial relationships, and low self esteem. We help them repair relationships, get caught up in school, teach them social and life skills, and help them gain confidence.”
The gala helps Heritage make their treatment available for more students.
“The goal of the Gala is to raise funds to support the extra programs we provide the youth, including performing arts and equine therapy,” Treanor said.
Treanor said that the gala will also raise money for Heritage alumni to attend college or a trade school through scholarships, and this year Heritage is awarding five scholarships to graduates at the gala. The gala is also a night to celebrate the people who make a difference in the lives of the youth, and the accomplishments of the youth themselves.
Money for these scholarships will come from gala entrance fees as well as a live and silent auction. The items for those auctions were donated by community members and include everything from gift baskets to trips to Cancun to BYU memorabilia.
The gala Visit http://heritagertc.org/galamain.php to register for the gala.
