A Night to Remember: Hope Lives Here at LAYC’s Gala 2026

On an evening grounded in hope and possibility, LAYC hosted Gala 2026: Hope Lives Here—Inspiring Youth & Building Futures, bringing together community leaders, supporters, and—most importantly—young people to celebrate the power of opportunity and the promise of youth shaping our future.

This year, we were proud to honor The World Bank Group, Chris Hornig & Nancy Garruba, Pepco, and Millie Perez for their outstanding commitment to advancing opportunities for youth and families. Their leadership and generosity continue to strengthen our work and uplift the communities we serve.

We extend our sincere thanks to LAYC’s Board of Directors and Gala Host Committee for their dedication in garnering support through sponsorships, ticket sales, outright contributions, and in-kind donations—all of which help sustain and expand critical programs for our young people. We are also deeply grateful to our generous sponsors for their continued partnership.

We are thankful to everyone who made the evening truly unforgettable, including our talented youth performers and our incredible emcee, Erika Gonzalez. Your support ensures that LAYC can continue creating spaces where young people are empowered to dream, grow, and thrive.

Explore the photos from Gala 2026 and relive a night where hope truly lived here.