Thank You for Rising With Us at the Friend Raiser!
Achiever of the Year - Kamara Rodriguez!
Meet Our Achiever of the Year
We are proud to announce Kamara Rodriguez as our 2026 Achiever of the Year!
Our theme is We Rise! Igniting Hope, Sparking Dreams, and Kamara's story embodies that!
Read Kamara's SpeechWatch the Q&A with our Achiever of the Year - Kamara Rodriguez
Friend Raiser Speeches
Read the inspiring speeches delivered at the Friend Raiser
Yi-Chin Chen - Executive Director
Achiever of the Year - Kamara Rodriguez
Introduced by:
Mary Kate Sullivan, Assistant Director of Program - Elementary and
Kadijah Mootry, Youth Advocate (Friend) - Adolescent Cohort
Power of One - Joan Christel, President, State Street Foundation
Introduced by:
Anthony, Elementary Achiever and
Kenny Revoredo, Youth Advocate (Friend) - Elementary Cohort
Watch the New Friends-Boston Video
Introducing our New Organization Video - Still We Rise! Premiered at the Friend Raiser
Surprise Guest
We had a special guest join us this year, DeMario "Pop" Douglas, NE Patriots Wide Receiver
Pop donated his custom made and Friends-Boston designed "My Cause, My Cleats" and an autographed Patriots jersey for our auction!
The Power of One Award
We were proud to honor State Street with The Power of One Award
The Award is given to an institution or individual who has had both profound impact on Friends of the Children-Boston and the Greater Boston community. State Street's impact can be seen at Friends-Boston and beyond and we are honored to call them a partner.
Joan Christel, President, State Street Foundation accepted the Power of One Award from Achiever Anthony and his Professional Mentor Kenny
Thank you for Rising with Us!
May 8th was an evening filled with joy and celebration
We had an inspirational, fun-filled evening where guests interacted with and heard directly from our amazing Achievers and team of Friends, got to socialize with like-minded individuals dedicated to making lasting change, and bid on over 30 amazing auction items. Thank you for Rising Up With Us in support of our Achievers!
We can not do this work without you!
DonateYour investment fuels our mission!
Our Friend Raiser is our signature fundraising event and night of celebration. In addition to being essential to our yearly budget helping us to raise $650,000 (and counting!) – we also use this opportunity to celebrate our Achievers and their relationships with their Professional Mentors (Friends).
This year and at this time, it is more important than ever to ignite their hope and provide the spark to help their dreams come true. We hope that YOU will choose to join us to support their hopes and dreams through our Friend Raiser.
Give in spirit and make a virtual paddle raise using the button below. 100% of donations will directly benefit our Achievers.
DonateTHANK YOU TO OUR HONORARY COMMITTEE
Ed Markey, U.S. Senator
Ayanna Pressley, U.S. Congresswoman
Nick Collins, State Senate
Michael Rush, State Senate
Russell E Holmes, State Representative
Dan Hunt, State Representative
Adrian Madaro, State Representative
William Macgregor, State Representative
Chynah Tyler, State Representative
Chris Worrell, State Representative
Kevin Hayden, MA District Attorney
Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston
President Ruthzee Louijeune, Boston City Council President
Gabriela Coletta-Zapata, Boston City Councilor
Julia Mejia, Boston City Councilor
Henry Santana, Boston City Councilor
THANK YOU TO OUR HOST COMMITTEE
Ginnette Acevedo
Joe & Christine Boncore
Nicole & David Borden
Michael & Peg Cleary
Ruby Chiu
Jim & Lisa Davey
Deborah Drew
Bob & Harriett Hallagan
Junlin Ho & Derrick Ang
Dr. Marvin Loiseau
Gary Mikula & Holly Burnet Mikula
Julie & David Lynch
Uchenna J. Ndulue
Allen C. Nunnally & Sara DiVello
Charles & Rebecca Platt
Yanina & Mark Reid
Laura & Mitch Rock
John & Sue Simon
Jeff & Ruth Somers
Danielle & Stephen Williams
Jendayi Williams, Board Member and Program Alumni
Social Impact Investment Sponsors
