A Creole carnival celebration to nourish, educate & empower the youth of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana—The Link Stryjewski Foundation has announced its dates for the 2020 charity Bal Masqué. Set for Saturday, January 18, 2020, the Link Stryjewski Bal Masqué will follow a special Chefs’ Dinner on Friday, January 17. “Bal Masqué was conceived by chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski as a celebration of so much we all love about New Orleans—food, music, creativity and community,” said Emery Van Hook Sonnier, Foundation Director. “Pulling all of that together in support of the future of our city, our young people—it creates something both uplifting and humbling.”
According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Louisiana ranks 49th in overall child well-being among U.S. states. New Orleans’ youth face high poverty rates. A high percentage of youth are disconnected from school and work. “In order to effect change for these young people, we need to respond by providing them with the necessary education and skills to compete for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” said Link. “We can’t afford to just stand by and watch. We must stand up and advocate and be changemakers.” The Link Stryjewski Foundation provides financial support and partners with New Orleans-based non-profits that share a commitment to the Foundation’s mission to nourish, educate and empower the youth of New Orleans. The Foundation’s partner organizations collectively serve thousands of youth through high quality early childhood education, after-school programs and summer camps, mentorships and job readiness programming. In addition, Link Restaurant Group extends externship opportunities for young people. “I see a bright future in the eyes of the youth we are serving,” said Stryjewski.
Tickets will launch with a pre-sale later this fall. Find out more information about Bal Masqué and the Link Stryjewski Foundation at https://www.balmasque.linkstryjewski.org.