Great Futures Gala

Start: Friday, May 9, 2025 6:30PM
End: Friday, May 9, 2025 11:30PM

The Boys and Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic (BGCPP) is thrilled to announce its upcoming Great Futures Gala, scheduled for Friday, May 9, 2025, at The Venetian in Garfield, NJ. Themed "Defying Gravity," the evening will celebrate and support the unlimited potential of youth in Paterson and Passaic. The evening's Honoree is Limor Regular, Ph.D., with special guests including Paterson native and WNBA All-Star, Essence Carson.

From 6:30 to 11:30 pm, attendees will be immersed in the enchanting world of Oz with surprise special guests, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, an exciting live and silent auction, inspiring stories, dinner, and dancing. Emcee Patrick Tully and Golden Note Entertainment will guide guests through this memorable evening of community and celebration.

Proceeds from the event will bolster BGCPP's literacy programs, including daily homework assistance, a free Saturday Academic Tutoring program, and high-yield learning activities. Guests are encouraged to bring a new children's book to donate to the Clubhouse library.

"The Great Futures Gala supports our vision of a community where every young person is empowered through transformative experiences that foster self-love, advocacy, and efficacy," states Dr. Christina Dukes Brown, Chief Executive Officer of BGCPP. "We strive to ensure that each individual feels safe, supported, and equipped to reach their full potential, and our literacy initiatives and free Academic Tutoring program are a part of that. Our goal is that every child counts their time as a Club member among the top five most impactful experiences of their lives."

BGCPP's focus on enriching educational opportunities for youth extends beyond elementary school to include high school students. This year's gala honors Dr. Limor Regular with the Champion of Youth Award for her exceptional dedication and transformative contributions to BGCPP. As Treasurer of the Board of Directors and a passionate volunteer, Dr. Regular established a groundbreaking partnership between BGCPP and Saddle River Day School, securing multi-year scholarships that have opened life-changing educational opportunities for Club teens. Her innovative efforts ensure deserving students can access an exceptional education that will profoundly shape their futures.

Reflecting on this partnership, Mr. Jalaj Desai, Head of School at Saddle River Day School, remarked, "We are honored to celebrate Dr. Regular with the Boys and Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic, and recognize her leadership in fostering this meaningful collaboration. This initiative aligns with our mission to foster an inclusive learning environment, enriching the educational journey for all our students."

The Boys and Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic is proud to welcome special guest Paterson native and WNBA All-Star Essence Carson to the Great Futures Gala, where she will receive the Community Trailblazer Award for her outstanding achievements, leadership and impact on local youth. "Essence's presence and continued commitment to inspiring the next generation make her a powerful role model in the community," states Dr. Brown.

Registration is open now to purchase tickets, journal ads or to sponsor the Great Futures Gala. For more information visit Great Futures Gala | BGCPP.
Great Futures Gala: Defying Gravity Details:
- Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
- Time: 6:30-11:30 PM
- Location: The Venetian, Garfield, NJ

Sponsors of the Great Futures Gala to date include: The Regular Family, Railroad Construction Company, The Corwin Family Foundation, Infolinks, Accurate Box, Provident Bank and more.

ABOUT BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF PATERSON AND PASSAIC
The Boys and Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic is committed to delivering positive, transformative experiences that become one of the top five most impactful moments of a young person's life. In a safe, inclusive and fun environment, youth are empowered to build self-efficacy, self-advocacy and self-confidence to help them reach their full potential and be Future Ready. As the largest afterschool childcare provider in both cities, BGCPP serves 2,700+ youth ages 5-18 at two Clubhouses and 11 school-based sites. For more information, visit www.bgcppnj.org.

Price: General Admission: USD 300.00