celebrating 75 years of impact, community, and joy

Last night, our community came together for a milestone moment—75 years of supporting youth, young adults, and families. What began as a small nonprofit with a big heart has grown into a vibrant, resilient organization that continues to uplift generations. And in true anniversary fashion, we celebrated with one powerful theme: JOY.

A Community Reunion Filled With Heart

The event brought together the people who helped shape our organization across decades—past and present employees, former and current Board members, and community partners who have stood with us through every chapter. Seeing so many familiar faces reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate the journey reminded us just how strong and enduring our community truly is.

A Journey Through the Decades

Guests explored interactive activity stations inspired by each decade from the 1950s to the present. Every station invited play, laughter, and nostalgia—capturing how our organization has evolved while holding tightly to our mission and spirit.

A specially produced timeline video brought our history to life—highlighting key moments, courageous young people, dedicated employees, landmark changes, and the continued heartbeat of service that has carried us for three-quarters of a century.

A Night of Color, Flavor, and Fun

The room glowed with purple décor, celebratory energy, and beautiful floral centerpieces on each table. In honor of our 75-year journey, we served appetizers inspired by classic favorites from each decade—from pigs in a blanket to toasted Twinkies. These playful bites sparked conversations, memories, and plenty of smiles.

Generosity That Keeps the Mission Moving

During our paddle raise, our guests showed incredible generosity—reminding us once again that our work is sustained by people who care deeply about youth and families. Their support ensures that we can continue making a difference for the next 75 years and beyond.

A Joyful Finale

To close out the night, guests joined in a lively celebration with dueling pianos, filling the room with music, singing, and pure joy. It was the perfect ending to a night dedicated to honoring the past, celebrating the present, and stepping into the future with hope.

Fun was had by all. Hearts were full. And together, we celebrated 75 years of JOY.

Here’s to the next 75 years—growing, serving, and continuing to build a community where every young person and family has the support they need to thrive.