Alums of Teens, Inc. -Eleanore St. John Sutton and Ryan Conway serving it up!

by Marianne Dwyer and Arianna Neromiliotis

On Sunday, Nov. 22, Teenagers Inc. will ring in its 20th year in style with a “platinum” celebration at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

To most people, platinum connotes a ring or a record, but with Teenagers Inc. it signifies endurance, strength and overcoming obstacles.

Since 1996, with minimal funding in the early years, Teenagers Inc. has been rocking the Northwest section of Philadelphia with its unique approach to working with youth and providing incredible service opportunities in our community, in Philadelphia, and now, internationally, in Guatemala.

How Teenagers Inc. started is a classic story. Husband and wife Richard and Jane Becker, two retired Philadelphia schoolteachers, recognized a need in the community. They saw many high-school-age young people needing an outlet and a place to socialize, so they created a plan andTeenagers Inc. was born.

Working with a longtime resident, youth advocate and mother of seven, Marianne Dwyer, they put their plan into motion. From 1996, with five adult volunteers, to 20 years later, with a teen leadership and adult board, there have been countless social and service programs. That history will be revisited with a film called ”A Trip Down Memory Lane” created by alums Brendan and Mike Dwyer and Pat O’Donnell.

We will be bestowing the Dick and Jane Becker Alumni Service award to Colin Koch for his continual volunteering since a teen and his service on the adult board and Taste of Chestnut Hill. Stuart and Sherill Treitel, longtime advocates for youth and Teenagers Inc. and founding board members, will receive the Champions of Service Award. This will recognize their dedication to young people through the organization's building years and sharing their time and talent at various events such as Taste of Chestnut Hill and recycling.

Roller’s at Flying Fish will provide the entrées, and our local restaurants Thai Kuu, Campbell’s Place, Humpty Dumplings, Chestnut Grille, CH Cheese Shop, CinCin, Brunos, Fiesta, Cosimos, Evergreen Cheese and Yu Hsiang Garden will offer tantalizing appetizers. The Night Kitchen, Meg McNally, Pennsylvania General Store and teen families, will bake delectable desserts. An anniversary cake will be made by Bredenbecks, and coffee will be provided by Chestnut Hill Coffee.

Some other highlights are our very popular wine auction and silent auction with incredible items from Matt Paul Basketball, Woodmere Art Museum, CHCA Holiday House Tour, Hill Company, Carmen’s Shoe Repair, Chestnut Hill Music Academy, Chestnut Hill Business Association, Flyers tickets and beautiful donations from the neighborhood businesses of Chestnut Hill.

In addition, Dawn Stensland Mendte will be our hostess, and we will have a photo booth by PhotoBot3000 to create lasting memories for another 20 years. Our evening is sponsored by Bowman Properties, Dr. Robin Gallagher-CH Dental and Our Mother of Consolation Parish.

“A Taste of Chestnut Hill – A Trip Down Memory Lane” will be held on Sunday, Nov. 22 from 5:30-8 p.m. at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy; 500 W. Willow Grove Ave. (at Cherokee Street) promises to be a night of fun, good food, and definitely an event you don’t want to miss! Ticket prices are $50 (12 years old and older), $60 (at the door) and $10 (children).

To make a reservation or donation, go to Teenagers Inc. website, www.teensincphilly.org or call Jason at 215-264-3793, Arianna at 215-260-8013, or Marianne at 215-242-4976.