November 17, 2025
Celebrating Our First Family Gathering
We hosted our first large family event this month, and the energy in the room reminded us why community matters so deeply to the work we do. More than twenty children joined us at Chuck E. Cheese, along with their parents, caregivers, and mentors. For many, it was the first time meeting other families in our program, and it was powerful to watch new relationships form in real time.
We created this event with a simple purpose: to bring our families together in a way that feels joyful, welcoming, and low-pressure. Youth spent the afternoon playing games and sharing pizza while caregivers swapped stories or enjoyed a break as their kids played.
Events like this strengthen the foundation beneath our long-term mentoring relationships. When families have the chance to meet one another, they see that they are not alone and a sense of belonging begins to grow. When youth see their mentors outside of school and home, surrounded by friends and family, trust deepens. These small but meaningful experiences help us build the consistency that makes our 12+ year commitment possible.
We are grateful to every family who showed up, shared their time, and helped make this first gathering such a success. We look forward to hosting many more events that celebrate our youth and bring our community even closer together.
Our mentors walk alongside each child for more than a decade, but gatherings like this remind us that we walk alongside families too. This is only the beginning. We are excited for all that’s ahead.