This year, we have chosen to embrace a simple but powerful theme for all our marketing opportunities, “Building a Village of Hope”. We brought that theme to life on May 5th at our annual Giving Luncheon. Children’s Hope Alliance is rooted in the belief that for children to thrive, they must be surrounded by a strong village of family, staff, and community support. Over 260 amazing individuals gathered at The Cove Church to attend Children’s Hope Alliance’s annual Giving Luncheon to join that powerful village.
As guests arrived, they were welcomed into a homemade “Village” experience adorned with hand-drawn displays that represented the pillars of a village such as a community center, office building and school. The highlight of the experience was guests having the opportunity to see in action how their church, office, or even book club could impact the lives of children. Guests packed “Summer Fun Kits” for the children in our care, filled with sunglasses, stickers, bubbles, and other goodies that were given directly to our School-Based Therapy staff to distribute to our clients for summer.
Guests were welcomed into the main program to hear amazing testimonials that told of the mission and impact of CHA in the community The stories highlighted the impact a village can have on the outcome of a struggling child. Our keynote speaker was Celeste Dominguez, President and CEO of Children’s Hope Alliance. Celeste braved the stage and shared her own personal testimony of her childhood in which she experienced significant trauma growing up in a family clouded with substance use and domestic violence. She gave guests a glimpse of her darkest days but shared how her elementary school teachers, neighbors, and police officers all circled around her and created a village of safety and hope for a better future. Celeste leads our agency knowing that there is always hope and that not a single child deserves to suffer alone.
The testimonies of Braiyan and Eli stood out as inspiring examples of CHA’s tangible impact today. Braiyan, a Peer Support Specialist in our Healthy Transitions program, shared about his teen years where he struggled to have the support he needed. Today, his passion for work is driven by these experiences, always motivated to be the support he needed for other young people. Eli, a former foster child at CHA, shared how the support he received from our programs helped him keep his dreams for the future alive.
“I had the backing of these great people here at CHA who believed in me, drove me to events, and gave me the tools I needed to keep doing what I loved.”
He closed with a challenge to the audience:
“It really does take a village to raise a foster kid, but it takes each one of you individually to change a child’s life.”
At the close of the event, guests were challenged to take action by making a gift or pledge donation. The response was overwhelming as members of the community were moved to give hope, health, and healing to children across our state. Together, we raised more than this event has ever raised in its 20 years.
A big thank you to the event’s sponsors who covered the event costs and beyond. Thank you also to each person who attended the event, whether for the first time or 10th time. You are making a difference!
Watch this short recap to get a glimpse into the event:
Thank you to our 2026 Giving Luncheon Sponsors
