Queen Silvia of Sweden to Meet with DC High School Youth from Mentor Foundation USA Projects Then She Will Preside at the 2015 Mentor Foundation USA International Gala

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden will visit Washington, D.C., on Sept. 22, and spend the day at two different events that support the mission of Mentor Foundation USA, the U.S. member of her international organization that focuses on preventing drug abuse among youth and help them realize their potential.

First, H.M. Queen Silvia's will visit The Swedish Embassy – 2900 K Street, N.W. at 2 p.m., where she will meet with Mentors and Mentees for "Mentoring in Action" session with Mentor Foundation USA and selected corporate and community partners—a program serving students at Cesar Chavez School Charter Schools for Public Policy in Ward 7 and 8 of Washington DC. Pre-approved media coverage of this event will be allowed at 3:15pm. 

Next, H.M. Queen Silvia will preside at the 2015 Mentor Foundation USA International Gala, held at The Mayflower Hotel – 1127 Connecticut Ave. N.W.  H.E. Bjorn Lyrvall, Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S. will also attend the Gala and actor and director Mr. Dolph Lundgren will be the Emcee of the evening. Gala Co-Chairs are Dr. Susan Blumenthal Markey and Mrs. Nancy Folger. Ms. Irasima Salcido, founder of Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy and the DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative will receive Mentor's 2015 Partner in Prevention Award, recognizing her for her commitment and dedication to support and motivate Washington D.C.'s youth towards successful futures. There will be a red carpet area with a staging point where media can get photos of their arrival, as well as of other Gala guests.

This event will bring together top influencers from business and government as well as philanthropists from around the world—all caring about the well-being of youth. The goal for this important event is to raise awareness on a local and global level around the importance of positive youth development and drug prevention. Global fashion retailer H&M is the lead sponsor of the event.

Photos from the reception and Gala will be available upon request on Sept. 23. 

About Mentor Foundation USA
The Mentor Foundation USA mission is to empower youth to fulfill their potential and avoid drug abuse in the United States.  Mentor USA offers programs that combine the best of international and US prevention efforts. Mentor USA's approach is to bring the business community together with schools and offer prevention initiatives to youth through a variety of programs. Mentor International was founded in 1994 by H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden and the World Health Organization (WHO). Mentor Internationals has chapter organizations in Germany, Sweden, Lithuania, Colombia, UK, USA and a Regional Chapter in Lebanon serving 22 Arab countries.  For more information, visit http://www.mentorfoundationusa.org

Contact: Michaela Pratt: (202) 536-1593
(571) 480-3350            
[email protected]

SOURCE Mentor Foundation USA