Youth One Gala a fancy party for a good cause

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on March 25, 2025.

Submitted photo - A group of guests take a selfie during last year's Black-Tie Gala fundraiser event in support of Youth One.

Community members are encouraged to get glammed up on Saturday evening to support Youth One’s youth programs.

The goal for this year’s Black-Tie Gala, which is presented by Allied Marketing Group, is $150,000, to fund 100 youth.

The evening will begin with cocktails at 5:30 at the Sandman Signature Ballroom. This year there will be an “Instacamper” outside of the venue so attendees can take photo booth style pictures of themselves in their fancy outfits and receive a filmstrip of the photos as a souvenir.

There will also be a professional photographer on-site as well as a red carpet. Pictures from the event will be posted on the Youth One Facebook page.

Following the cocktail hour, guests will be able to enjoy a gourmet dinner, entertainment and exclusive auctions.

This year’s keynote speaker is Jordan Schellenberg, chief executive officer and founding partner of Youth One.

He will speak on the organization’s story from its humble beginnings in 2014 and the impact it has had becoming a cornerstone of youth development in the community.

Aimee Wickersham, fundraising events coordinator, says Youth One was created when it was noticed there was a gap in the community when it came to youth.

“We launched because there was a major gap in the community for the need for prevention and mentorship-based programs supporting youth.”

Youth One has been offering after-school programs, lunch and mentorship to youth ages 11-18 with no financial barrier for the past decade.

The lunch program feeds between 40-80 students every day between Monday and Thursday.

Along with an after-school program, they also offer a sports program, where teens can learn how to play sports such as basketball and baseball.

Last school year, Youth One had 684 youth register in their programs and saw an upwards of 500 youth each week and served over 15,000 meals.

Wickersham says one in five youth in Lethbridge grow up in a low-income setting, meaning they will grow up with limited supports.

“In those formative years it is so crucial to have that role model/mentor, even if it’s just one it makes such a difference in their overall health and wellbeing and growing up into adolescence and adulthood.”

Those who are unable to attend the Gala, but would like to support Youth One, can donate through their website and they are accepting volunteers for those who can’t contribute financially.