< Back to Events

Events

Boston 2023 Friend Raiser Website Graphic V2

Shining a Light on Hopes and Dreams

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2023 Friend Raiser!

We were excited to celebrate our three inaugural awards for 2023

As Friends-Boston embarks on the next stage in our organizational growth guided by our Five-Year Strategic Plan and preparing to hit an organizational milestone – the celebration of our 20th anniversary in 2024; we are taking a moment to pause, reflect upon, and honor those who have helped us get to where we are today and who will play a pivotal role in our future.

To that end, Friends-Boston has established three (3) Awards to honor and recognize the individuals and or institutions who have 1. had a substantial and direct impact on Friends-Boston and most importantly our Achievers and their families; 2. have been influential in helping to create solutions to issues that impact youth and families; and most importantly 3. our Achievers themselves who embody resilience and hope regardless of what life sends their way.

Launching at our 2023 Friend Raiser, the awards will be as follows:

The Power of One Award is our Marquee Award and is given to an individual or institution that has had substantial and direct impact on Friends-Boston, our Achievers, and families. We believe very strongly in the power that one individual can have on the life of another. It is a core tenant of our model – One Child. One Friend. 12+ years, no matter what. Power of One Awardees are a key component in helping Friends-Boston change the story for our youth and families.

The Trailblazer Award is given to an individual or organization whose influence, expertise, and advocacy is setting the standard for excellence in finding solutions and removing barriers to the conditions that adversely impact those most in need. While they may not directly support Friends-Boston, their advocacy or programming is creating solutions and removing barriers that impact our Achievers and families. Trailblazer Awardees are often the ones doing the hard and daring work to better our community, but do not get the recognition they deserve.

The Achiever of the Year Award is given to a youth who has unique talents, interests and dreams, and faces multiple systemic obstacles to success. This Achiever (what we call our youth) has overcome and demonstrated resilience and hope regardless of life circumstance. They have led with joy and have shown investment and involvement in the Friends-Boston community by seeking out others to build community and build connections amongst Achievers. The Achiever of the Year Awardee is selected by our Friends and their peers and will be gifted with $2,500 to help them to continue to develop a growth mindset and find their spark.

Want to Show Your Support for Our Achievers? Make a Virtual Paddle Raise

Hazards & Risks

By attending Friends of the Children-Boston's Friend Raiser, you assume all risks, hazards, and dangers arising from or relating in any way to the risk of contracting a communicable disease or illness—including, without limitation, exposure to COVID-19 or any other bacteria, virus, or other pathogens capable of causing a communicable disease or illness, whether that exposure occurs before, during, or after the event, and regardless of how caused or contracted—and you hereby waive any and all claims and potential claims against Friends of the Children-Boston, the State Room, all food and beverage vendors, and all entertainment providers.