Last night, something powerful happened in St. Tammany Parish.
A crowd of nearly 275 people—friends, supporters, educators, and neighbors—gathered at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium for our annual Night of Hope Gala. It was a night filled with connection, joy, generosity, and purpose. It was also a night to rally around the youth of our community who need it most.
It was a night to say yes.
Thanks to our incredible sponsors, donors, and attendees, we raised over $55,000 to support at-risk youth in our region. That includes:
$34,850 from sponsorships
$8,500 raised through our silent auction
$2,405 from the 50/50 raffle
$7,175 in ticket sales
$2,184 in direct donations
But beyond the numbers, the real success was in the stories shared—and the hope sparked in every corner of the room.
The Message: The Power of Yes
Our theme this year was The Power of Yes—a reminder that sometimes, a simple “yes” can change everything.
A yes to driving school.A yes to rent when there’s nowhere else to turn.A yes to stamps so a student can write her mom.A yes to mentorship, to food, to safety, to someone who believes.
These small yeses add up. They become life-altering. They become love in action.
Stories That Moved the Room
Ann Fay, a mental health counselor with the Kids in Transition (KIT) program, spoke about the 120 students she and her team serve—43 of them on her caseload alone. She shared how One Way Love steps in again and again to meet urgent needs no one else can: from emergency housing and groceries to driving lessons and Christmas cheer.
Every time she’s called, she said, One Way Love’s answer has been the same:“Yes.”
Then came our co-founder, Rosemary Manint, who spoke from her 11 years of mentoring experience—stories of transformation and healing, of trust rebuilt and futures reshaped. She reminded us that investing in a child is always worth it—and that mentors don't have to have all the answers. They just have to show up and care.
Honoring Our Community Champions
We were proud to present the second annual Community Impact Awards, recognizing eight exceptional educators from across St. Tammany Parish. Nominated by their principals, these teachers have gone far beyond the classroom—providing mentorship, emotional support, and essential care to students navigating tremendous adversity.
They are the embodiment of yes in their schools, and we were honored to celebrate them.
2025 Community Impact Award Recipients
We were honored to recognize the following educators for their extraordinary impact on students across St. Tammany Parish:
Alexa Yates – Salmen High School
Dianne Waller – Pearl River High School
Dr. Katherine Lorio – Fontainebleau High School
Dr. Michele Margavio – Lakeshore High School
Jeannie Taylor – Covington High School
Kayla Hoover – Northshore High School
Krisner Green – Slidell High School
Matt Butcher – Mandeville High School
Where We Go From Here
A Night of Hope isn’t just a one-night event. It’s a spark.
It’s a reminder that the work continues all year long—and that every one of us has a role to play.
If last night stirred something in you, let it move you to action.
Become a monthly donor. Just $20 a month can meet a critical need for a teen in crisis.
Sign up to become a mentor. We’ll train and support you—you just need to show up.
Share our story. Bring others into the mission.
Because when the world says no, we get to say yes.
And that changes everything.
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