On Friday, May 12, the Montrose Center held its 6th annual Housing Our Future Gala, which benefited housing services for local LGBTQ youth who are experiencing homelessness. The event was the Center’s most successful Spring gala to date, raising $255,000 for housing and case management services for local LGBTQ youth in need. Since the program began in 2017, the Montrose Center’s rapid rehousing program has provided safe, affirming housing and support to more than 300 youth.
The special evening was all about entertainment! Miss Conception had us in stitches, and Eric Michael Krop knocked us out with his power vocals. With a nod to the night’s theme of Stars, Statements, and Legends, we enjoyed celebrity illusionist performances by Emcee Blackberri as Lizzo, Roxanne Collins as Tina Turner, Linda D. Crawford as Selena, Chloe Crawford Ross as Beyonce, and Preston Steamed as David Bowie, plus the International Kiki Haus of Vera Wang showed off their voguing skills. DJ Danny Nunez spun records in the after-party after the main event.
We couldn’t have done it without our amazing team! Huge thanks to Jim Spears for providing the $75,000 Matching Gift to donors at the event, doubling the impact of attendees’ gifts. Our heartfelt thanks also goes out to our generous underwriters The Ballroom at Bayou Place, Charles Caliva & Kim Gustavsson, Concierge Travel, Brand g Vacations, and Mehddi Keddache & Adam Slone.
Huge thanks also to youth participants Charles, Autumn, and Yndia for sharing their stories with us, and to Youth Services Manager Jenn Brock and Board Member Clark Caperton for inspiring our guests’ support.
“The Montrose Center has given me a second chance. A second chance at life. A second change at success. A second chance at everything.”
Charles, Youth Rapid Rehousing Participant
More than 330 guests attended May 12’s gala, which took place at The Ballroom at Bayou Place. In celebration of the night’s theme of Stars, Statements, and Legends, many guests came in costume as their favorite celebrity or LGBTQ icon. Notable costumes included Freddy Mercury, Elvis Presley, Frida Kahlo, Madonna, Elton John, Ziggy Stardust, Sonny and Cher, and many more.
The night before the gala, on Thursday May 11, underwriters Kim Gustavsson and Charles Caliva of Concierge Travel opened up their beautiful home to 80 of the gala’s top supporters at the VIP Underwriters Reception. Pho 518 provided delicious cuisine, and Chris Loera provided a scrumptious array of desserts, while Duo Dorado (Amy Armstrong and Fernando Gonzalez) kept us entertained with their beautiful music.
To make a donation in support of housing services for local LGBTQ youth who are experiencing homelessness, please click here.
Thank You to Our Event Sponsors!
Icon Sponsor
Jim Spears
Legend Sponsors
The Ballroom at Bayou Place
Charles Caliva & Kim Gustavsson
Concierge Travel
Hero Sponsors
Brand g Vacations
Mehdi Keddache & Adam Slone
Superstar Sponsor
Chevron
Kirksey Gregg Productions, LLC
Scott Read Pharmacy
Star Sponsors
Stacey E. Burke, P.C.
Clark Caperton
CORT
Brian Dupnick
Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Raed Gonzalez
Gonzalez Olivieri LLC
Hawthorne Capital
Bryant Johnson-Wood & Gary Wood
Jonathan Netek & Dan Oslie
OutReach United
Todd Shell & Rock Edwards
Frances & Susan Smith-Snider
Southwest Airlines
Richard Werner & Tony Bravo
Winesellers Limited
Woodside Energy
Celebrity Sponsors
Amber Berchiatti & Kelly Nicholls
Tina Burgos & Lisa Waskom
CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County
Dignity Houston
Charlie Huynh & Kennedy Loftin
Inverness Realty Group
Dustin Meuth
David Ramirez
Colby Remsing & Matt Wilhoit
Corey S. Scranton
Michael Sirimaturos & Matt McKenzie
VIP Underwriters
Joe Ahern & Keith Hebert
Jack Bell
Bob Burress & Tom Seymour
Matthew Horsfield & Michael R. Kauth
Mark & Shae Jacobs
Alex & Jane Robinson
Nancy Sims
Photo Gallery
Enjoy this selection of photos from the Housing Our Future Gala that took place on Friday, May 12!
These photos are from the VIP Underwriter Reception that took place on Thursday, May 11!