LOS ANGELES, February 16 – On Thursday, February 17, female boxing superstar Mia St. John will join with Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano and Los Angeles Lakers star Ron Artest on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. to reintroduce the Mental Health in Schools Act and create awareness and support for mental health initiatives.
This bill, which is a model of the current program that Congresswoman Napolitano has in 11 schools within her 38th Congressional District in California, focuses on prevention efforts that will help to identify mental illness and any signs of depression for youth early on. Prevention is one of the best ways to combat mental illness and help rid the stigma so youth are not afraid or ashamed to ask for help.
This initiative is just the opening salvo in a battle to aid young people dealing with mental health issues. On Friday, May 20, at the Playboy Mansion, Ms St. John will host “A Night of Knockouts” from 8pm to 1am. This charity boxing event is collaborated with female boxing promoter Claudia Ollis and designed to raise money during mental health awareness month, and many celebrities from the sports and entertainment world have already pledged their support.
Said Event Promoter, Claudia Ollis: “Mia and I are good friends and I know the importance of the bill. I absolutely support her in every way. I’m looking forward to the benefit boxing event dinner on May 20 at The Playboy Mansion because I believe it will help create awareness to the mental health initiatives, that this extraordinary group of hard working people, are attempting to bring to the forefront. Too many people’s lives have been affected and this is something that we as a society need to be actively involved in to remedy the situation. ”
Already confirmed to be in attendance on May 20th are Dukes of Hazzard star Catherine Bach, Baywatch beauty Erika Eleniak, former WWE Diva Torrie Wilson, actress and supermodel Sandra Taylor, actress and former Playboy playmate Daphnee Duplaix, Playboy cover girl Angelica Bridges, host of Spike TV’s UFC’s lnternational Show, Best of Prize Fighting’s Kenda Perez, Former Major League Baseball player Jose Canseco, Rap stars Mack 10 and Warren G, Operation Repo’s Lou Pizarro, and two-time Emmy winner Kristoff St. John.
In addition to a full night of exciting boxing action and the opportunity to meet some of your favorite stars, this event will also feature charity auctions of sports memorabilia and a luxury Cavali Potenza automobile donated by Bad Chick that is valued at $120,000.
Individual tickets, which include dinner and an open bar, are priced at $1,000. Tables (which seat 10) are priced at $10,000. To obtain tickets, please visit www.miastjohnfoundation.org click on the donate button and proceed to the PayPal link.
More information on this event, including the full slate of fights, will be announced in the coming weeks.
“El Saber Es Poder”
The El Saber Es Poder Foundation seeks to empower our youth by providing programs to better educate and inform underprivileged children and their families.
Mia Rosales St.John is a first generation born Latina in America. Her mother, Maria Elena Socorro Rosales, who was born and raised in the beautiful state of Zacatecas, Mexico, is on the board of directors. Maria raised her three children in America and always stressed the importance of education. Maria’s favorite saying has always been “knowledge is power.” All three of her children hold college degrees.
St.John says “I was put in this position of fame to enable me to help further the position of my people and to be an inspiration and a role model to Latinos everywhere. I want them to know that with education, unity, and believing in ourselves we can overcome any obstacle placed in front of us.”
In November of 2008, El Saber Es Poder and Micron donated 30 computers, electricity and internet to Barrio de La Cantera in Zacatecas, Mexico. Mia was also presented with an award from Governor Amalia Garcia, for her role in sports and humanatarianism. The World Boxing Council also presented her with the 2008 “WBC Goodwill Ambassador” Award.
In March of 2010, El Saber Es Poder along with Lou Pizzaro of the hit TV show “Operation Repo” and producer Randy Martinez, produced a PSA in Spanish to raise awareness of mental illness in our inner city youth. It is our hope that by increasing awareness we can decrease the numbers in our correctional system.
In November of 2010, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano joined Mia and LA Laker Ron Artest for an official mental health and suicide prevention training at Napolitano’s district office in Santa Fe Springs. Artest and St. John have joined Napolitano to promote the Mental Health in Schools Act, legislation she authored which would increase federal funding for mental health therapists in schools.
Mia also speaks in schools and juvenile halls on the importance of education and overcoming hardship. She recently spoke at The Professional Social Workers Association about the importance of mental health in our community. She speaks of her own battles with mental illness, addiction, poverty and overcoming it all, to become a three time international boxing champion.
El Saber Es Poder is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. All donations are tax deductible.
