Carmel Gala raises over $75K for Youth Assistance Program

Jeff Worrell and Tim Griffin getting the crowd energized for the Dessert Dash at the Carmel Gala. (Photo provided by City of Carmel)

Thanks to generous sponsors and community support, the Carmel Gala, Design Bright Futures, was a big success for the Carmel Youth Assistance Program (CYAP), which received profits of more than $75,000 from the sold-out event held on April 29 at Ritz Charles.

These funds will be used to help advocates identify and provide community resources to these families such as food and clothing assistance, camp and recreational opportunities, mentor pairings, tutoring, counseling services, and more.

Held each April, the Carmel Gala provided an evening of dinner, dancing, ring toss, bike and bling raffle, silent auction, and dessert dash for attendees while raising valuable funds to benefit the private, non-profit CYAP organization. More than 350 people gathered to celebrate the work done by the organization in the past year and learn more about what is planned for the future.

The evening was emceed by Carmel Firefighter and Hamilton County Council member Tim Griffin and Carmel City Council President Jeff Worrell. Attendees watched a video generously produced in-kind by Adam Grubb Productions, which highlighted the organization’s work in the city. The event also featured a silent auction and “Dessert Dash” where guests bid on sweets donated by bakeries and sweet shops around Carmel and nearby communities.

The Carmel Gala would not be possible without the support of the generous sponsors who are committed to the mission of CYAP. Thank you to:

  • Adam Grubb Media
  • All Things Carmel
  • Allied Solutions
  • American Structurepoint
  • Anthem BlueCross and BlueShield
  • Carmel City Council
  • Carmel Monthly
  • CBIZ Somerset
  • Church, Church, Hittle + Antrim
  • City Clerk’s Office
  • City of Carmel
  • Anita Joshi
  • Bob Youkilis, Northside ENT
  • Evans Audio-Visual
  • A. Wilhelm Construction
  • First Mile Security
  • Friends of NextGear Capital/John Wick
  • Future Velo
  • Glen and Stacey Pomeroy
  • Joe’s Butcher Shop and Fish Market
  • Kite Realty & Kimley-Horn
  • Krieg DeVault, LLP
  • Marc’s Brain Gang
  • Metalmark Fine Jewelry
  • NCAA
  • Northview Church
  • Oak Street Funding
  • PIP Printers
  • Porchfest
  • Ritz Charles
  • Solential Energy
  • Synergize
  • Tammy Thornbury
  • Telamon Corporation and Telamon Enterprise Ventures
  • The Cat
  • THE PLAID AGENCY
  • United Consulting
  • Wallack Somers & Haas, P.C.
  • Wilkinson Brothers

About CYAP
The Carmel Youth Assistance Program was founded in 2015 to serve as an early intervention advocate for youth aged 3 to 17 throughout Carmel who are facing challenging life circumstances. Since its inception, CYAP has served more than 1,100 children in Carmel. CYAP is one of six organizations under the umbrella of the Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program, which was founded in 2009.

Each Youth Assistance Program has the same mission to serve their respective communities around the county including Fishers, Hamilton Heights, Noblesville, Sheridan, and Westfield. CYAP’s Early Intervention Advocates work with local schools, police, fire, and other community leaders to accept referrals of youth and families in need. Advocates identify community resources available to these families such as food and clothing assistance, camp and recreational opportunities, mentor pairings, tutoring, and counseling services.