This Week in Boston: The Best Events

There were two great events in Boston this week, both of which were held last night. The Home for Little Wanderers hosted their signature fundraising gala at the Seaport World Trade Center while the Friends of the Children Boston’s 10^th annual “Friend Raiser” was held at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology. In case you missed them, here’s a peek at both events.

Photo Credit: The Home for Little Wanderers

Guests who attended The Home for Little Wanderers’ gala, Voices & Visions, enjoyed a cocktail hour, art exhibit, silent auction, formal dinner, and recognition of special honorees including Jerry Sargent, President of Citizens Bank, and recipients of this year’s Sabino Marinella Award (presented to the first five graduates from The Home’s Academic Support for Career and Life program. The Home hosted a year-long inspirational arts project, which was featured at last night’s event. The theme of this year’s event was “Who Am I?” which enabled children to create works of art and writing to reflect their own personal journey, which is helpful for kids who have experienced trauma. Voices & Visions, which was hosted by Channel 5’s Shayna Seymour, has evolved into one of Boston’s largest events with more than 1,000 attendees each year raising $1 million for the child and family service agency’s programs and services across Boston and eastern Massachusetts. The Home for Little Wanderers is a safe haven for children and young adults (up to age 22) who do not have family support. Each year, they assist nearly 7,000 families in Massachusetts by providing behavioral health services, therapeutic residential, special education, adoption and foster care.

Also held last night was the Friends of the Children Boston’s 10^th annual Friend Raiser. This year, the evening celebrated the program’s inaugural children, who are now in high school. For the past decade, the program has mentored children in high risk communities and provided them with advocacy services. From first grade on, these children receive the mentoring and support they need up until they graduate high school. Each year, the program helps guide kids ages six through 16 toward the goal of high school graduation and college life. The theme of last night’s event was “Our Achievers Then and Now” in celebration of the 10 years of providing guidance to kids at risk.