“Living the Example” Award Ceremony with Mentor Foundation USA

SACC-LA’s partner organization Mentor Foundation USA is an affiliate of Mentor International, founded in 1994 by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden and the World Health Organization. Mentor is the leading non-governmental organization working globally to prevent drug abuse. Collectively, Mentor has implemented projects in over 80 countries impacting more than 6 million youth.

On the evening of the 27th of September, 2019, SACC-LA in collaboration with Mentor Foundation USA hosted the red carpet celebration of “Living the Example” (LTE) National Video Contest. The LTE contest was created to provide young adults a powerful platform to share passions, hobbies, and achievements while empowering them to stay drug-free and promoting healthy living.

Actor, Director and Honorary Ambassador for Mentor Foundation USA, Dolph Lundgren with the LTE contest winners (from left) Stephanie Sithu, Jenna Wang and Gael Fernandez

The first-, second- and third place winners of the LTE contest was flown-in to Los Angeles to be celebrated during an exclusive evening at the terrific private residence of the Consul General of Finland, located in Bel Air, Los Angeles. The presenter of the prizes was the Swedish actor, director, Hollywood star and Mentor Honorary Ambassador – Mr. Dolph Lundgren.

Gael Fernandez was the first prize winner of the LTE video contest and was awarded $1,000 cash. Gael is inspirationally living the example through his podcast “Teenager Therapy”, which courageously addresses struggles that come along with being a teenager.

Left Photo: Guest & SACC LA Board Member Sara Fahlgren
Right Photo: Guest, Swedish-American model, actress, & author Anna Anka, & Litigation attorney Helena Wallentin-Lindstrom

Left Photo: Susanne Karlsson with daughter Hannah Cousins & Community Outreach Specialist DEA 360 Jena Fellenzer
Right Photo: Guest, second prize winner Jenna Wang, and third prize winner Stephanie Sithu

Left Photo: SACC LA Board Member Daniel Wagner & Jennifer Wagner Right Right Photo: SACC LA Board Members Fredrik Loving & Camilla Loving

Left Photo: President & Chair of SACC-LA, Gudrun Giddings, President & CEO of Mentor Foundation USA Michaela Pratt
Right Photo: First prize winner Gael Fernandez (second from left) with family & friends

Photos: Courtesy of Helena Gytare

SACC-LA would like to warmly thank the Honorary Ambassador of Mentor Foundation USA and SACC-LA member Mr. Dolph Lundgren, the Consul General of Finland in Los Angeles and of course, Mentor Foundation USA for a very successful event. SACC-LA would also like to thank all of the wonderful guests that showed such genuine support for the winners and to this important cause. Including the evening’s sponsors for their generous contributions to this event.
This was the first event Mentor Foundation USA has hosted in Los Angeles, with many more to come in collaboration with SACC-LA!