State Rep. Daniel J. Hunt; Senior VP of Strategy & External Affairs at College Bound Dorchester, Michelle Caldeira, and College Bound Dorchester CEO Mark Culliton at the “I Am My Future” gala last week. Romana Vysatova Photography
More than 300 Bostonians packed the Boston Convention Center last week to help raise more than $300,000 and celebrate College Bound Dorchester and its mission of using education as a means to end systemic urban poverty and change the neighborhood of Dorchester from within.

The nonprofit’s annual gala, “I Am My Future,” was led by master of ceremonies Alberto Vasallo of WHDH-TV. Familiar faces on the guest list included Mrs. Massachusetts, Janelle Woods-McNish, state Rep. Dan Hunt, Senior VP of Strategy & External Affairs at College Bound Dorchester Michelle Caldeira, and College Bound Dorchester CEO Mark Culliton.

Current and former College Bound Dorchester students shared their personal stories of transformative success through the program. Based in Bowdoin Geneva, College Bound Dorchester works with students ages 14 to 27 on their HiSet exams, and helps them get into community colleges, earn associates degrees, find employment, and earn a living. The goal: Dorchester youth graduating from college is the norm, not the exception.