2024 YES to YOUTH Pop Art Gala is Set for Saturday, August 10, 2024!

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Save the Date for the 2024 YES to YOUTH Gala! The event will be held on Saturday, August 10, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. This year’s theme is Pop Art, chosen by the 2024 event co-chairs Christin Allphin, Laura Everson, and Katrina Savage. “‘The idea is not to live forever, but to create something that will.’ What powerful words by Andy Warhol to describe the positive impact any one person can make in our lifetime on those who need it the most, the vulnerable youth in our community,” said Christin Allphin, who helped to curate this year’s theme with provoking thought and purpose.

Christin Allphin is an Executive Vice President with Woodforest National Bank. She has been a longtime supporter of YES To YOUTH and served as co-chair of the gala in 2021 and 2022. Christin is steeped in community service and volunteers her time in various leadership capacities with an array of non-profits and community organizations. She currently serves on the board of directors with The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership, The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Montgomery County Community Foundation.

Laura Everson is a passionate advocate for YES to YOUTH and the impact it makes on the lives of at-risk youth. She and the Everson family have supported and volunteered with this nonprofit for decades. Laura also co-chaired the gala in 2017 and 2018. While she has supported many other charities, YES to YOUTH is near and dear to her heart, and she feels a personal mission to help get the word out about youth mental health awareness and all of the services YES to YOUTH offers.

Katrina Savage is a dedicated volunteer and supporter of numerous charitable organizations and causes. She is particularly passionate about helping at-risk youth and serving the needs of children who are less fortunate. Katrina reflects that while she has traveled all over the world, she is astounded to see the statistics of the need right here in her own community. She has witnessed kids who are coping with social pressures, experiencing neglect, and navigating unfortunate circumstances, and how YES to YOUTH's abundance of services and resources has made an impact on their lives.

“We are so grateful to have the leadership and vision of Christin, Laura, and Katrina as chairs of our gala this year. Each has served as a co-chair for our gala in past years, and we are honored to have them return their time and talent to make this year’s gala fundraising efforts a success,” said Michele Kooken, CEO of YES to YOUTH. “With five locations serving at-risk youth throughout our county, the escalating operational and program costs continue to create a need for continued financial support. With support from generous individuals and organizations, we can continue to help get these youth and their families back to a place of hope and healing for a stable, bright, and productive future – all at no cost to them.”

She continued, “With the rise of inflation and the cost of food, many families are working two or more jobs and still struggle to afford the basic necessities. These escalating costs of living also prohibit a family’s ability to secure youth counseling for those who are being bullied at school or those who have suicidal ideation. We are also experiencing these same escalating costs at our BridgeWay shelter, where we provide emergency shelter for youth in need of a nurturing home environment. Fundraising events, like our gala, raise critically needed funds to provide all our services.”

Last year alone, the YES to YOUTH BridgeWay Emergency Youth Shelter housed 71 youth for an average of 46 days.

“Last year our gala raised $750,000. This year, our hearts are hopeful we will exceed that amount so we may serve even more in Montgomery County,” Kooken added.

This year’s avant-garde theme will come to life through vibrant décor that sets the stage for a creative and memorable evening that includes a bid board, live auction, three-course dinner, an after-party, and a program that promises to compel guests to make a difference.

YES to YOUTH is appreciative of the sponsors who have committed thus far, which include Andy Warhol Presenting Sponsors – Tricia & Jack Futcher; Sculpture Sponsor – Woodforest National Bank; Balloon Dog Sponsor – The Woodlands Waterway Mariott Hotel & Convention Center; Popsicle Sponsors – AmRisc Group, Robert & Dunneah Ogletree, SVN | J. Beard Real Estate, and Truluck’s Oceans Finest Seafood & Crab – The Woodlands. Underwriters include Custom Designed Jewelry – Robichau’s Jewelry; Décor – Pull It Together Party Co.; Pop Art Centerpieces – Rosemary Rodd; VIP Celebration – Truluck’s Oceans Finest Seafood & Crab – The Woodlands; Auction Paddles – Kristin L. Young & Associates; Photography – The Strong Firm, and Signature Cocktail & Commemorative Cup – Bates | Wilder McGee PC. Sponsorships and underwriting opportunities are available now at https://youthmc.ejoinme.org/2024YEStoYOUTHGala.

YES to YOUTH is a community-based youth services nonprofit celebrating its 45^th anniversary of serving Montgomery County youth and families. The mission of YES to YOUTH is to strengthen the emotional and mental health development of youth and families by providing crisis intervention, counseling, and suicide prevention services. They provide a safe and nurturing home where abused, battered, sex-trafficked, homeless, and at-risk youth begin healing from the past and become empowered for the future. Their programs include:

• Individual, Group, and Family Mental Health Counseling

• Crisis Intervention for Youth and Families

• Suicide Prevention for Youth and Families

• BridgeWay Emergency Youth Shelter (Ages 10-17)

• Prevention Presentations and Crisis Counseling in Schools

• Parenting and Youth Skills Groups

• 24-Hour Crisis Hotline 888-756-8682

For more information about YES to YOUTH, visit www.sayyestoyouth.org.