Youth Enrichment Services (YES) held their 12th Annual Black Diamond Gala on Thursday, April 20 at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel in Seaport. The event attracted over 400 supporters and raised over $700,000 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.
At the event, YES Alumni and our emcee for the evening, Nuha Futa, reflected on how YES helped her grow and set her on a pathway to success. 18-year old YES Leadership Corps member, Tamsen, shared that after she graduates high school in June and begins her next chapter at college, “The impact YES has on me will be life-long. At YES, you always leave feeling like you want to do more, help more, give back to the place that helped you so much.” Event Co-Chairs, YES Trustees Kevin Hicks and Chris Petryshin, echoed this sentiment as they shared the special meaning that YES has to them in particular how YES helps give young people new opportunities, builds their self-confidence, and creates valuable connections with mentors and positive adult role models.
Guests also had the chance to meet special guests for the evening: State Senator Liz Miranda; State Representative Sam Montano; State Representative Christopher Worrell; Boston City Councilor President, Ed Flynn; Boston City Councilors Michael Flaherty, Julia Mejia, and Erin Murphy; Share Winter Foundation Executive Director, Constance Beverley; Olympic Gold Medal Cross-Country Skier, Jessie Diggins; and athletes from the World Cup Dreams Foundation: Drew Duffy, Julia Ford, AJ Hurt, Patrick Kenney, Brian McLaughlin, Alice Merryweather, and Nina O’Brien.
Top sponsors of the 12th Annual Black Diamond Gala included: Adage Capital Management, Phill & Liz Gross, Share Winter Foundation, Yawkey Foundation, Great Hill Partners, Martin Richard Foundation, Ian & Anne Sanderson, Carolyn & Jason Soules, Off the Bus Communications, Kalli & Samantha Catcott, Citi, Embarc, Goodwin Proctor, Peabody Office, STAG Industrial, the Strachan Group from Morgan Stanley, Timberline Construction, VAA Project & Cost Managers, Matt & Marti Bell, David & Mia Fitzgerald, Brian Lash & Family, Mark & Wendi McKenna, Christopher & Julie Peabody, Michael & Megan Preiner, Geoff & Genny Soper, Biria & Elaina St. John, and Payson & Jane Swaffield.