Youth Enrichment Services (YES) held their 11th Annual Black Diamond Gala on Thursday, June 30 at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel in Seaport. The event attracted nearly 300 supporters and raised over $550,000 for Boston youth. Funds will support YES’s outdoor sports and leadership programs: Operation SnowSports, Outdoor Adventure, Track & Field, Leadership Corps, and College Preparation programs.
Board of Trustees members, Deniz Ferendeci and Kalli Catcott were co-chairs of the event for the evening. We were also fortunate to have two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Ted Ligety; Olympian Paula Moltzan; and Paralympian Jamie Stanton attend the event.
Guests heard from YES Alumni and staff member, Aaliyah Yarde. She reflected on how YES helped her develop a love for the outdoors and inspired her to be a better leader. Guests also had the chance to virtually meet 18-year-old YES Leadership Corps member, Karim, through a video. Karim was also at the event to be awarded a Richard Williams Memorial Scholarship where he spoke about how “At YES, I felt noticed as a kid. And now as part of the Leadership Corps, I help other kids feel noticed and be a part of YES.” At YES, we want every young person to feel like they belong.
Top sponsors of the 11th Annual Black Diamond Gala included Adage Capital Management, Yawkey Foundation, Share Winter Foundation, The Martin Richard Foundation, Phill & Liz Gross, Carolyn & Jason Soules, Brian Lash & Family, Meg Reynolds & Skip McKee, David & Mia Fitzgerald, Ian & Anne Sanderson, Citi, Peabody Office, The Strachan Group from Morgan Stanley, VVA, Repligen, Stag Industrial, Matt & Martha Bell, Kalli & Samantha Catcott, Denzi Ferendeci & Becky Bedwell, Paul & Carol Fremont-Smith, Christopher & Julie Peabody, Michael & Megan Preiner, and Biria & Elaina St. John.
Click here to view photos of the event.