By Anna Roth, Development Coordinator
The Raising Hope Benefit Gala is more than an annual fundraising event. It is an opportunity to celebrate the life-changing work happening every day through Raise the Future while bringing together a community that believes every young person deserves lasting connections, support, and a place to belong.
This year's gala was an inspiring evening filled with generosity, hope, and a shared commitment to supporting youth in foster care. Community members, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and advocates gathered to raise more than $100,000 to further Raise the Future's mission and expand support for youth and families throughout Utah.
The success of the event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors:
- JNF Foundation
- SME Industries
- Beauty Now Med Spa & Mobley MD
- Everest Community Foundation
- Blake Moore for Congress
- All West Law Group
- Stubbs Dental Implant Center
- Boeing
- Windermere Foundation
- America First Credit Union
- CommonSpirit Health
- Utah Community Credit Union
Guests enjoyed a silent auction, dinner, and a mission-focused program that highlighted the impact of Raise the Future's work. The evening also featured the premiere of a new video, Connection Changes Everything, which beautifully captured the power of meaningful relationships and their impact on a young person's life.
Throughout the night, attendees were reminded of the reason we gathered: the youth we serve. At each place setting, guests found a handwritten quote from a young person with lived experience in foster care. These messages offered a deeply personal glimpse into the hopes, fears, and dreams of youth navigating uncertainty.
Some of the quotes included:
"I hope one day I'm not a foster kid, but I'm just someone's kid."
"I hope I don't have to spend Christmas alone in the dorms."
"I hope my kids will have grandparents."
These words served as powerful reminders that every child deserves connection, permanency, and a supportive community that stands beside them.
Utah First Lady Abby Cox spoke thoughtfully about these messages during the program, helping bring even greater meaning to the evening. Her remarks reinforced the importance of ensuring that young people have caring adults in their lives long after they leave foster care.
We are also grateful to Ashley Moser, who served as emcee and shared her support for our mission. Ashley also produced the Wednesday's Child story featured during the event, helping shine a light on youth waiting for connection and belonging.
A special thank you goes to Brian Epperson for leading the paddle raise and inspiring guests to invest in brighter futures for the young people we serve.
Most importantly, thank you to every donor, volunteer, sponsor, and community partner who made this evening possible. Your support helps create lifelong connections, strengthen families, and provide hope for youth throughout Utah.
Together, we are proving that connection changes everything.