On Saturday, May 18th, we hosted our Annual Gala & After-Party at San Francisco’s historic Palace of Fine Arts. Centered on the theme of Our Youth, Our City, Our Future, the Gala attracted nearly 1,100 attendees who were shown the numerous ways BGCSF makes a difference in the lives of young people in San Francisco. Thanks to the incredible generosity of event sponsors and attendees, we raised $2.54M in support of the youth of our City and their futures—an incredibly important accomplishment as we kick-off summer and soon start the new school year.

To start the night, attendees were welcomed to an interactive exhibit that highlighted the neighborhoods where our 14 San Francisco sites are located, as well as an exhibit about Camp Mendocino. The exhibits highlighted the many ways we positively affect Club members through our programming and outstanding staff. Displays contained testimonials and achievements, demonstrating BGCSF’s impact on youth and emphasizing the program staff who make it happen. Club members and staff were also present to engage with attendees and provide a first-hand account of the meaningful work BGCSF is doing every day.

During dinner and the reception, four Club members showcased an assortment of musical performances, fostered by our in-house music partner, Notes for Notes.  Additionally, a creative compilation of four speeches from our 2019 Youths of the Year was featured, and Yaret, the Mission Clubhouse Youth of the Year, beautifully delivered her full speech. Together, the entire event poignantly highlighted how BGCSF programming allows our youth to reach their full potential and sets them on the path as leaders of today…and tomorrow!

President Rob Connolly delivered a moving speech on the Club’s importance in the lives of San Francisco youth.  Touching on the evening’s theme of Our Youth, Our City, Our Future, Rob spoke of the challenges faced by San Francisco families and BGCSF, at large, as a result of the City’s shifting economic landscape.

The evening concluded with an exciting After-Party filled with dancing, fine foods, and fun that featured a live performance by San Francisco’s favorite band, Pride & Joy.

Check out our Flickr album to see more great photos from the Annual Gala and After-Party!

Visit our YouTube for video of President Rob Connolly’s speech and other special moments from the event. Additionally, take a look at our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts for photos from the evening, and also check out the event hashtags #OurYouthOurCity and #BGCSF for more content. We encourage you to share these inspiring videos with family and friends.

To all those who attended, thank you for supporting the incredible work we do at the Club every day! If you were unable to attend but would still like to show your support, visit our Ways to Give page to learn how you can contribute.