Photo Credit: Swish & Click PhotographyEvents
YES to YOUTH’s 2026 Gala breaks fundraising records and celebrates hope and brighter futures for vulnerable youth
Over 500 guests gathered August 8 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center for YES to YOUTH’s annual gala, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to help provide shelter, counseling, crisis intervention, and other critical services for children and youth facing difficult circumstances.
This year’s gala, themed “Every Child Deserves an Ever After”, reflected YES to YOUTH’s belief that no matter a child’s past, their future can still be filled with hope and possibility. The theme underscored the organization’s mission to help children heal, grow, and envision a brighter future with the support of caring adults and a safe community.
For more than 47 years, YES to YOUTH served vulnerable youth and families throughout Montgomery County and surrounding communities. Through crisis intervention, mental health counseling, and suicide prevention services, as well as its BridgeWay Youth Shelter, YES to YOUTH provides support to children ages 10 to 17 experiencing abuse, neglect, homelessness, trafficking, and other crises. The BridgeWay Youth Shelter offers a safe and supportive environment for youth who have nowhere else to turn.
The ballroom transformed into a magical “ever after” ambiance. As guests, who were comprised of community leaders, elected officials, philanthropists, and community supporters, arrived adorned in elegant gala attire, they were greeted with a cocktail reception that welcomed socializing and perusing a silent auction of extraordinary items and experiences.
The program featured remarks from YES to YOUTH CEO Michele Kooken and gala co-chairs Evan Berlin, Lauren Fox, Rachel Ray, and Amber Scheer, who helped lead the volunteer effort behind the event. Gala producer Ann Wolford of The Wolford Group also played a key role in bringing the event to life.
Master of Ceremonies Brad Bailey kicked off the program, and Montgomery County Pct. 3 Commissioner Rich Wheeler led an invocation.
Kooken and board chair Lauren Janssen recognized Robichau’s Jewelry as this year’s Community Partner Honoree, and Sylvia Caracio and Jacque Everson as the inaugural Lifetime Legacy Award Honorees for their longstanding commitment to supporting the organization and its mission.
High energy and excitement filled the room as auctioneer Will Murphy promoted a series of live auction packages that included unforgettable excursions and experiences that had the audience enthusiastically vying to be the top bidder. The celebration continued with a festive after-party featuring dancing to live music by Danny Ray & The Atlantic Street Band.
YES to YOUTH CEO Michele Kooken said, “We are incredibly grateful for a community that consistently shows up for children and families when they need us most. As the funding landscape changes and demand for our services continues to grow, raising more than $1 million comes at a critical time. These funds will provide vital support for YES to YOUTH’s $4.5 million annual operating budget, helping us continue providing much-needed counseling, shelter, and critical resources to children and families in crisis.”
Sponsors ($5,000 and above) include: The Foundation Chapter – Tricia and Jack Futcher; The Growth Chapter – Premiere Events, Waste Connections; The Resilience Chapter – Alloy Coating Supply, Entergy Texas; The Momentum Chapter – BMW of The Woodlands, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, Laura and David Piccione; The Ever After Chapter – AmRisc Group, Breathe Pilates Studio, Sylvia Caracio, Community Impact, DOCUmation, Jacque and Lloyd Everson & Alison and Hilton Yee, Frost Bank, Dr. Guy Facial Plastic Surgery, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, Howard Hughes Communities, Memorial Hermann – The Woodlands Medical Center, NOV, Dunneah and Robert Ogletree, PlainsCapital Bank, Truluck’s, Western Midstream, and WoodmenLife.
Kooken added, “The overwhelming support of our sponsors and more than 30 underwriters reflects the extraordinary generosity of this community and its shared commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to create their own Ever After.”
Interested in sponsorship and underwriting opportunities for the 2027 YES to YOUTH gala? Contact Michele Kooken at michele.kooken@youthmc.org. For more information about YES to YOUTH, visit www.sayyestoyouth.org.
Source: YES to YOUTH
