International Opera Singer Carlos Seise in Concert to Benefit Camp Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks Institute to Create Camp Rosa Parks in West Michigan

Benefit concert set for October 15

Grand Haven, Mich., -- The West Michigan affiliate of the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development is launching it’s first campaign to raise funds for the creation of Camp Rosa Parks which will be the new home for the successful international youth initiative, “Pathways to Freedom.”

The nation's oldest Boy Scout Camp, Camp Owasippe located in Muskegon County, Michigan has been selected as a possible first choice location for Camp Rosa Parks.  The creation of the new camp will allow the Institute to partner with Owasippe Outdoor Education Center in the preservation of this natural resource and to utilize its facilities to create an environment of learning and leadership training.

This endeavor expands upon the legacy of Rosa Parks and her dream for the Institute and the children it serves. The camp will welcome children from all nations to West Michigan to learn life lessons including leadership skills, social and financial responsibility, nutrition, sustainability and put into practice Mrs. Parks’ philosophy of quiet strength. 

The Pathways to Freedom initiative began 21 years ago in Detroit and has been a strong influence on the future success of the youth participants.  Thousands of students from around the nation and the world have graduated since its inception and have gone on to become leaders in their communities, in business and in government.  Pathways is a year-long program that features life skills training and mentoring opportunities that culminates in a 6 week camp-experience during the summer.

The fundraising campaign kicks off on Wednesday, October 15 in Grand Rapids at Fountain Street Church with a benefit concert showcasing West Michigan resident, Carlos Seise.  Mr. Seise, a West Michigan resident, is a classically trained operatic singer who has performed side-by-side with Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti on international stages.  Mr. Seise is generously donating his performance fees for the night to the Institute.

"Rosa Parks was a great inspiration to me and I share her same love of helping children," comments Seise. "I am proud to be able to help such a great cause. Camp Rosa Parks will help many children who will in turn help us all."

The concert performance will begin at 7:00pm.  Event tickets are available through StarTickets outlets at all Michigan Meijer stores and online at www.startickets.com keyword search Camp Rosa Parks.  Tickets are $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for youth 16 and under.  A private reception, limited to 200 guests, will begin at 5:30pm with Mr. Seise and Elaine Eason Steele, co-founder of the Institute.  There is an additional charge of $20.00 per person to attend this private reception.

Monies raised through this event will allow the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute to begin building the international Camp Rosa Parks in Western Michigan. This camp will serve as the home of the Institute’s flagship program for young people ages 11 – 17, "Pathways to Freedom".

The Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, the only organization established by Mrs. Parks to continue her legacy, was co-founded in February 1987 by Mrs. Rosa Parks and Ms. Elaine Eason Steele, in honor of Raymond Parks (1903 - 1977). Today the Institute is a living legacy of two individuals who committed their lives to civil and human rights issues.

Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was arrested December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give her seat to a white male passenger on a segregated bus upon the demands of the bus driver. Four days later, December 5, the Montgomery Bus Boycott began and lasted 381 days. Mrs. Parks' courage catapulted her into world history where she is affectionately referenced as the "Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement." The boycott also brought world prominence to a young Baptist minister, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The Rosa & Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development is a 501(c) 3 organization.

Learn more about the Institute at www.rosaparks.org

Learn more about Carlos Seise at www.carlosseise.com

Learn more about Owasippe Outdoor Education Center at www.ooec.org

Tickets available at www.startickets.com and all Michigan Meijer stores