Hope for the Future, a non-profit organization created to help Romanian children living in Romania who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless, holds its annual fundraiser Oct. 6 at Skyline Park in Napa. The event, which begins at 6 p.m. features a traditional Romanian dinner, live and silent auctions and live music.

The organization began with one woman’s vision to shelter homeless children in Romania. Rodica Lack, born and raised in Romania, moved to the Napa Valley in 1990, but she never forgot the needs of the Romanian people, and especially the Romanian children.

Moved by the desperate situation in Romanian orphanages in the early 1990s, Lack began to build a support base among her friends and acquaintances. Since then, Hope for the Future has established and assisted foster homes, created a rescue center for children, purchased and renovated a home for street children, and assisted many families in need of food and shelter.

One of Hope for the Future’s goals is to prevent children from becoming homeless. Many Romanian families are struggling to provide adequate food, and when there is not enough,the older children leave home and struggle on the streets alone. Hope for the Future’s family program aids families so that the children eat healthy meals, attend school and keep the family units intact. The organization’s missionary and social workers visit these families and, while making sure their most vital needs are met, they also offer emotional and spiritual support.

Right now Hope for the Future is helping 46 children and 13 adults. The goal is to increase that number  with new sponsors and assistance — the program in its current size can be fully funded by 53 supporters contributing $27 a month!

For information or to make a donation, contact Lack at 592-6801, Julie Ross at 363-5405, Sylvia Klenz at 252-7819, or Rebecca Zivkovic at 224-5152. Also, visit the organization’s Web site: www.hopeforthefuture.org.