“The days are long but the years are short.”
Promises2Kids is dedicated to our mission of creating a brighter future for foster children in San Diego. From the moment they come into foster care and through to adulthood, Promises2Kids provides the hope, support, and opportunities these individuals need to change their lives for the better… now and for years to come. Ben Hester is a mentor with the Men’s Leadership Network, and Emily Hester’s business, an ice cream shop called JoJo’s Creamery, participates in Foodies4FosterKids each year. Emily has also hired former foster youth in the Guardian Scholars program to work at JoJo’s Creamery. Emily and Ben Hester are great examples of the many opportunities to help make a difference in a foster child’s life through Promises2Kids.
#1 Ben Hester grew up in Laguna Beach, California and had a surfboard shaping company in high school. Emily Hester grew up in Rye, New York and lived in London when she was younger.
#2 We love to hike together and spend as much time as we can at the beach with our kids.
#3 Favorite travel destinations: We love traveling to Mexico and anywhere with big mountains! We want to visit Japan. While in Japan, we would love to do some hut-to-hut hiking in the Japanese mountains.
#4 Favorite movie: “Tommy Boy”.
#5 Book Recommendation: “Our Kids” by Robert Putnam.
#6 We have an eleven-year-old Brittany Spaniel dog named Sophie.
#7 Our parents prioritized giving back, both time and financial resources, to people and causes locally and globally. We hope to set the same example for our kids.
#8 We believe in the word “our” as it relates to San Diego – this is our city, and everyone is our neighbor. We want to see our community thrive, especially at-risk youth.
#9 We are former foster parents and value the services that Promises2Kids provides to foster youth in San Diego, including Camp Connect, Guardians Scholars and more.
#10 Money raised from our Dream On Gala will go towards reuniting siblings who are separated and living apart in care, helping foster youth achieve their educational and career goals, matching foster youth with mentors, providing resources and opportunities needed to prevent homelessness, and much more.
Promises2Kids
“Dream On Concert Gala”
Monday, September 15, 2025
5:30 pm
La Jolla Estate home of Joan Waitt
www.promises2kids.org/dream-on-2025
To volunteer, mentor, donate, or learn more ways to get involved www.Promises2Kids.org
