EriAm Sisters draw crowd of about 250 to CISR benefit in Renton

Renton's EriAm Sisters, who've gained national recognition on NBC's "America's Got Talent," are now proving that Renton's also got charity.

Performing at a Communities in Schools of Renton (CISR) fundraiser, the girls performed the longest concert of their new careers.

"The beauty of the concert was ... that the majority of the people were there supporting each other," said CISR director Sari Pascoe.

People came to support the musicians who were supporting CISR, a youth drop-out prevention program, she said.

"The crowd was very responsive," said Mulugheta Abraham, the sisters' father. "There were different acts. It wasn't just the EriAm Sisters."

The staff hasn't totaled the numbers, but about 250 guests paid $20 for tickets to the June 26 show at the IKEA Performing Arts Center.

Other artists that attended the concert included Jordan Bolden with the band Anonymous and the Breaking Point and Amazing Grace Praise dance groups.

"It was one of the few times that it really happens that you partner with a local charity group and get local talent to contribute," Abraham said. "It was a beautiful thing."

Getting word out about CISR's programs was a major goal of the event, Pascoe said, adding that KING5 TV aired news about the event several times.

"The more we let people know about the programs, the more children we can serve," Pascoe said, adding that some volunteered to help after the event.

In the 2008-2009 academic year, about 4,500 students received assistance from the CISR liaison program, which works with families and school staff, Pascoe said.

Liaison staff work inside the schools, she said. "It allows us to have first-hand information of problems."

Students are also offered the opportunity to participate in a youth mentorship program, where once a week volunteers meet with students to encourage them, Pascoe said. "They mentor not academically, but for self-esteem," she said.

About 150 students participated in CISR mentorship program this past year.

Contact Renton Reporter Staff Writer Celeste Gracey at cgracey@rentonreporter.com or 425-255-3484, ext. 5052.

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