On Saturday, April 13, the Montrose Center hosted the Empowering Our Future Gala, which raised $220,000 for local LGBTQ youth services. Funds raised at the event will benefit mental and behavioral health services, on-campus school support, transportation, education, and employment assistance, as well as housing for local youth experiencing homelessness.
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 Animation Nation, we enjoyed performances by Emcee Reign LaRue as Jessie from Toy Story, A’Maya Jackson Ross as Tinkerbell from Peter Pan, Muffy Blake Vanderbilt III as Mario from Super Mario Bros., and Teresa LaRue as Princess Fiona from Shrek. Abigail entertained our guests at Friday, April 12’s VIP Underwriter Reception, and DJ Fanci spun records in the after-party of the gala.
The event’s success could not have been achieved without our team of amazing sponsors and partners! We express our deepest gratitude to Jim Spears for providing the $28,000 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, Ed Finger, and Mehddi Keddache & Adam Slone.
We would also like to thank to our youth services team and participants Ashanni and Kylie for sharing their stories with us, and to Youth Education and Employment Navigator ZsaZsa Stelly, Chief Executive Officer Avery Belyeu, and Board Member Clark Caperton for inspiring our guests’ support.
“The Montrose Center’s dedication to helping me find a job and secure housing has been life-changing. You guys truly made a positive impact on my life, and I’m forever indebted to you.”
–Kylie, Youth Participant
Nearly 400 guests attended April 13’s gala, which took place at The Ballroom at Bayou Place. In celebration of the night’s theme, many guests came in costume as their favorite animated or cartoon character. Notable costumes included Cinderella, Miss Frizzle, Jessica Rabbit, Mr. Incredible, the Flintstones, the Space Jam team, and many more.
The night before the gala, on Friday, April 12, underwriters Kim Gustavsson and Charles Caliva of Concierge Travel opened up their beautiful home to 60 of the gala’s top supporters at the VIP Underwriters Reception. Huge thanks to Chris Loera for the scrumptious array of desserts and to Abigail for keeping us entertained with her beautiful music.
We are 88% towards our fundraising goal of $250,000, which is vital to our ability to support local LGBTQ youth year-round. Please consider a donation today to help us get to our goal! To make a donation in support of local LGBTQ youth services, please click here.
Thank You to our Event Sponsors!
Tom and Jerry Sponsors
The Ballroom at Bayou Place
Charles Caliva & Kim Gustavsson
Concierge Travel
Jim Spears
Pokémon Sponsors
Brand G Vacations
Ed Finger
Mehdi Keddache & Adam Slone
The Proud Family Sponsors
Clark Caperton & Alex Zuniga
Chevron
Paul & Leon Guillory
OutReach United
Gary Wood & Bryant Johnson-Wood
Scooby Doo Sponsors
CORT
Galene Financial – Rick Dickson
Houston Ballet
Nancy Sims
Southwest Airlines
The Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Theatre Under The Stars
Richard Werner & Tony Bravo
Woodside Energy – VIBE
X-Men Sponsor
Avery Belyeu
Bob Burress & Tom Seymour
Karen & Evelyn Carlson
Marvin Fuentes & Juan Fernando Lerma
Raed Gonzalez
Gonzalez Olivieri LLC
Tara M. Kelly & Rhonda Sigman
Jani Lopez
Corey S. Scranton
Michael Sirimaturos & Matt McKenzie
Table Captains
Ed Holmstrom & Chris Delphin
VIP Underwriter Ticket
Joe Ahern and Keith Hebert
Jeff Falk
Photo Gallery
Enjoy this selection of photos from April 13’s Empowering Our Future Gala:
Enjoy this selection of photos from April 12’s VIP Underwriter Reception: