Sylvia Caracio and Jacque Everson Named as Lifetime Legacy Honorees for YES to YOUTH’s 2026 Gala

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- In honor of decades of support, YES to YOUTH has named Sylvia Caracio and Jacque Everson as the Lifetime Legacy Honorees for its 2026 fundraising gala.

YES to YOUTH is a nonprofit organization that has served at-risk youth and families across Montgomery County for more than 47 years.

The 2026 gala will feature the thee “Every Child Deserves an Ever After,” highlighting the organization’s mission to strengthen the emotional and mental health of youth and families by providing crisis intervention, counseling, and suicide prevention. Through the YES to YOUTH BridgeWay Youth Shelter, children ages 10 to 17 receive a safe, nurturing environment while healing from abuse, neglect, homelessness, and trafficking.

In describing why the honorees were selected, Michele Kooken, CEO of YES to YOUTH, said:

“Sylvia and Jacque truly embody what it means to leave a legacy. They have provided unwavering commitment to YES to YOUTH over decades as volunteers, advocates, board members, and generous supporters. Their steady leadership and quiet generosity have ensured that countless youth in crisis found safety, hope, and a path forward. They remind us that ‘Every Child Deserves an Ever After,’ and through their legacy, that promise continues to unfold. We are profoundly grateful to honor them with this well-deserved recognition.”

Everson shared, “YES to YOUTH has given many, many children the help, love, counseling, direction, and respect they so need. For my small part on the YES to YOUTH team, I believe it is not just what we provide FOR our children, but the lasting legacy we leave IN them.”

Caracio added, “I’m so very proud to be honored by YES to YOUTH. The work they do to support the needs of the youth in our community is truly inspiring.”

This year’s annual fundraising gala is set for Saturday, August 8, 2026, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center to raise critical funds to help ensure every child has a brighter future. The gala co-chairs are Evan Berlin, Lauren Fox of Premiere Events, Rachel Ray of Entergy Texas, and Amber Scheer of Truluck’s.

The gala is expected to draw approximately 500 community leaders, philanthropists, and supporters. Sponsorship, underwriting, and table opportunities are now available at https://app.betterunite.com/yestoyouth-2026gala-everafter.

Sponsors ($5,000 and above) as of the invitation print date, April 1, 2026, 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; The Ever After Chapter – AmRisc Group, Breathe Pilates Studio, Sylvia Caracio, Jacque and Lloyd Everson, Frost Bank, Garcia Real Estate Group, Howard Hughes Communities, Memorial Hermann – The Woodlands Medical Center, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, Western Midstream, and Alison and Hilton Yee.

Underwriters ($5,000 and above) include: The Chapter in Bloom – Johanna Terry Events; The Gilded Chapter – Robichau’s Jewelry; The Setting Chapter – Corporate Incentives; The VIP Celebration Chapter – Truluck’s; The Arrival Chapter – BMW of The Woodlands; The Champagne Chapter – Rosemary Rodd; The Sweetest Chapter – Rivela Plastic Surgery; Look Up! The Elevated Chapter – Pull It Together Party Co.; and The Reflection Chapter – Gullo Dealerships; Where the Story Begins – DOCUmation.

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