Sips, Sweets, and Stories, the spring fundraiser put on by the Portland Public Schools’ Multilingual and Multicultural Center, was a great success. The April 16 event raised nearly $5,000 to benefit the district’s award-winning Make It Happen program, a college-readiness and academic success initiative that equips multilingual students with the skills, confidence, and tools they need to prosper in school and beyond.

The event began with attendees enjoying a delicious assortment of international drinks and desserts, crafted to showcase some of the diverse cultures and cuisines of some of the students in the Make It Happen program. As everyone sipped and savored, they were captivated by the powerful stories, poems, and reflections of Make It Happen students. The middle- and high-school students delivered inspiring testimonies of how the program has empowered them with confidence, leadership skills, and pathways to success in college and beyond.

The funds raised will help equip college-bound Make It Happen students with laptops, provide access to enrichment activities and programs, fund SAT prep support and college-readiness coaching, and cover the cost of college visits. 

The Portland Public Schools is very grateful to everyone who sponsored, donated and participated to make this event so successful. Read this Portland Press Herald story about the event to learn more details: Society Notebook: Make It Happen hits its sweet spot with storytelling social.