Kids Potential hosting first-ever Spring Benefit

Kids Potential, in partnership with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Orange County, is hosting its first-ever Spring Benefit from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday in Costa Mesa.

The free event at the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel, 686 Anton Blvd., aims to bring awareness about the Irvine-based nonprofit and its programs.

Donations will be accepted. The benefit will feature cocktails, appetizers, speakers and networking.

Speakers include: Gregory Koch and Kids Potential founder Shirin Ansari, who will both discuss “mindful parenting;” Paul Merage, founder and chief executive of Merage Foundations, who will speak on philanthropy; Gene Howard, chief executive of CASA Orange County; and Jean Mylen, a positive behavior consultant and former Irvine Unified School District principal.

“This is an event we hope will become an annual occasion,” Ansari said in a prepared statement. “We believe there is a better way to care for at-risk foster youth and improve their success factors in life by enhancing their educational opportunities and performance while in the care of the courts or social services. The fundraising event will help us accomplish these goals.”

Kids Potential helps children and parents throughout Orange County by eliminating barriers that hinder school performance and achievement, according to a press release. It provides educational and psychological services to public, private and parochial schools.

To further its outreach effort, the nonprofit recently partnered up with CASA.

The first hour will be a meet and greet, with speakers from 4 to 5 p.m., and then networking and mingling from 5 to 6 p.m. Parking at the hotel is $10 for self-park and $14 for valet.

For more information about the event or Kids Potential, contact Diana Karjoo at (949) 654-2424 ext. 5555 or visit https://www.kidspotential.org.

alisha.gomezberman@latimes.com

Twitter: @TheDailyPilot