SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Encompass Youth, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is hosting a spectacular night filled with live music, community, and purpose driven by goals to support children and transitional-age youth in the Tahoe region at Lake Tahoe AleWorX, the Y and the Cocktail Corner on August 19.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Karen Houser and a group of community members began exploring ways to address the lack of available support for people ages 12-24 – a critical, transitional stage in a person’s life between childhood dependence and adulthood independence where finishing school, finding employment and a place to live can seem daunting, especially without guidance or knowledge of resources.
Since its inception, Encompass Youth strives to maintain that support by providing services, opportunities and stability to transitional-age youth through mentorships, educational and job training programs, and healthy living assistance.
Chaz Ross, local artist and production manager for Encompass Live, was introduced to Amy Jackson, board member of Encompass Youth, 11 years ago and prior to her time at the nonprofit.
“[Jackson] helped me get my first Christmas tree when I was 19,” Ross said. “It might not seem like a big deal, but I was already broke, struggling to just pay for and furnish my first apartment, and to have something like that to make it feel normal was a big deal to me.”
Jackson also went on to help Ross apply for college and be there for him throughout his own transition periods while living in South Lake Tahoe. Through his desire to give back, Ross reached out to Jackson and began volunteering. Ross is now Encompass Youth’s newest board member.
Encompass Youth’s inaugural event, Encompass Live aims to not only shed light on their cause, but raise funds through live performances, local sponsors, and raffles.
Ross will be part of a multi-genre lineup of nine local artists set to perform at Encompass Live. Other artists include Street Urchinz, Doe the Unknown, Bob Lopez, Soulmedic, PBUH, R Styles, Galactik Vibes and Connected, and power duo Wes & Liz.
Liz, also known locally as Drumchik, created a youth empowerment and social-emotional learning program called “Drumming it Forward – One Beat at a Time”, and she has worked with Encompass Youth throughout its seven years in South Lake.
In addition to the live performances, Encompass Live will offer some amazing raffle prizes including fishing trips from Tahoe Sportfishing, a $300 dining voucher from Edgewood Tahoe Resort, swag bags from South Tahoe Refuse and Recycling, and gift cards to local Tahoe businesses.
A photobooth will also be available at Encompass Live providing complimentary photobooth-style photos to attendees while local artist Morrison “Mo” Salmon creates a live painting to be auctioned off.
“I’m excited to see the community come together for a good cause. “[The event] has already been more successful than I could have dreamed, and we haven’t even had it yet,” said Ross. “I’m super stoked to meet others who are like-minded individuals willing to give back to their community.”
Encompass Live will take place on Wednesday, August 19 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Lake Tahoe AleWorX, the Y and the Cocktail Corner.
For more information about Encompass Youth or to make a donation, visit encompassyouth.org. For details on the Encompass Live event, visit encompasslive.org.
Lake Tahoe AleWorX, the Y is located at 2050 Lake Tahoe Blvd in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
