2026 BIG LITTLE GALA August 27, 2026
PRESENTED BY
VOICES OF OUR YOUTH
Dear Friends, Good evening, and welcome.
OUR MISSION The Mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado is to create and support mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
OUR VISION All youth achieve their full potential.
Thank you for joining us tonight and for believing in the power of mentorship. This evening, we gather with a shared purpose: to invest in the potential of young people across Colorado. Together, we are creating opportunities for every child to be seen, supported, and reminded that their future is bigger than the challenges they face today. Our theme, Voices of Our Youth, is rooted in a simple but powerful truth: every young person is listening. They’re listening to the voices around them, the voices on social media, the voices of their peers— and perhaps most importantly, the voice inside their own head. A mentor has the power to change that conversation. By showing up consistently, offering encouragement, asking questions, and believing in a young person before they fully believe in themselves, mentors help replace doubt with confidence, fear with possibility, and uncertainty with hope. Tonight, you’ll hear stories that remind us what happens when one caring adult chooses to say, I see you. I believe in you. You matter. Thank you for being here, for lending your voice to this mission, and for helping ensure that more young people hear the message that has the power to change everything: your future is full of possibility.
Elycia Cook Chief Executive Officer Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado
DONATE NOW Help us raise $600K to support our children!
SCHEDULE
6:00-7:00 p.m. Registration, Cocktails, & Creative Hub 7:00 p.m. Seated Dinner 7:20 p.m. Program Begins Welcome, Elycia Cook, CEO of BBBSC and Tay C., Elycia’s Little
7:30 p.m. Awards Presention STARS Mentor of the Year Award: Rachael Ling Presented by HCA Alumni of the Year Award: Thia Crook Presented by Mariah Espinoza BOA Match of the Year Award: Imari and Spencer Live Auction, Simone Morrison
8:00 p.m. Keynote Address
Elycia Cook + Stephanie Jackson-Prather
8:15 p.m. Paddle Raise Simone Morrison
8:30 p.m. Closing Remarks:
Shawn Neville, Gala Co-Chair
Not ready to let the night end?
Join us at the After Party!
FIRE Restaurant & Lounge 1201 Broadway Denver, CO 80203 Inside the ART Hotel
LIVE AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS Escape the Ordinary: Luxury International Getaway for Two Where will your next adventure take you? Choose from five unforgettable destinations—Tuscany, Bali, Phuket, Dublin, or Santorini—and enjoy a 5–7 night luxury escape for two, complete with exclusive experiences, daily breakfast, and breathtaking accommodations. Bid high and let your dream vacation become reality.
South African Safari Adventure for Two Experience the adventure of a lifetime with a 5-night luxury safari for two in South Africa’s stunning Waterberg region. Enjoy thrilling game drives, an exclusive Big Five safari, gourmet dining, and an unforgettable Bush Braai beneath the stars. Every sunrise brings adventure—and every bid brings you closer to Africa.
Colorado Avalanche VIP Suite Experience Experience Avalanche hockey like never before! Host up to 20 guests in a private luxury suite, enjoy a $1,500 food and beverage credit, and take home autographed jerseys from Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon. The ultimate night of hockey, hospitality, and unforgettable memories awaits!
MATCH OF THE YEAR Spencer & Imari
For the past five years, Spencer Thomas has been a steady source of encouragement, guidance, and belief in Imari’s life. What began as a mentorship has grown into a life-changing relationship built on trust, consistency, and a shared commitment to helping Imari reach his full potential. Together, they’ve celebrated milestones that once seemed out of reach—from raising Imari’s GPA, earning his driver’s permit, landing his first job, and securing a competitive summer internship. Through every challenge, Spencer has remained a constant presence, helping Imari build confidence, resilience, and a vision for his future. As Imari’s mother, Ingrid, shares, this relationship has transformed not only her son’s confidence and communication but also the entire family’s outlook. Spencer didn’t just become a mentor—he helped provide the blueprint for the young man Imari is becoming. Tonight, we are honored to celebrate Spencer and Imari as our 2026 Match of the Year—a powerful reminder that one consistent relationship can change the trajectory of a young person’s life forever.
MENTOR OF THE YEAR Rachael Ling
Rachael Ling embodies what it means to lead with compassion, courage, and purpose. As a peer mentor in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado’s STARS program, she dedicated her time to helping a group of ninth-grade students feel seen, heard, and empowered during one of the most important transitions of their lives.
Although she began the year nervous, Rachael quickly grew into a confident and thoughtful leader. Through patience, empathy, and a willingness to share her own experiences, she created a safe space where students found their voices and built meaningful connections. When faced with challenges, she adapted her approach, meeting each young person where they were and helping them believe in themselves. Rachael’s commitment to service extends far beyond the classroom. From serving as a student leader to teaching at a refugee school, her passion for helping others has already touched countless lives. As she pursues her dream of becoming an educator and opening a tutoring center, there’s no doubt her impact is only beginning. Tonight, we are proud to recognize Rachael Ling as our 2026 Mentor of the Year—a remarkable young leader whose example reminds us that mentorship has the power to inspire at every age.
ALUMNI OF THE YEAR Thia Crook Since 2010, Thia Crook was a trusted mentor, guide, and champion for her then Little, Mariah. What began as outings and shared experiences grew into a lifelong relationship rooted in encouragement, trust, and unwavering support.
Reflecting on their journey, Mariah shares, “When I first got matched with Thia, I didn’t know what to expect. I thought she would just be someone I went on field trips with. I never imagined she’d become someone who would help shape my life.” As Mariah entered adulthood, their bond only grew stronger. When she began nursing school, Thia connected her with nurses in her network, opened doors to new opportunities, and continued offering the encouragement that had always defined their relationship. Today, thoughtful texts, inspiring quotes, and words of affirmation remain a constant reminder that someone believes in her. Mariah says it best: “She has been a constant voice of encouragement for me as a child and now as an adult. Her voice helped me overcome my fears.” Tonight, we are honored to recognize Cynthia “Thia” Crook as our 2026 Alumni of the Year—a testament to the lifelong impact one caring mentor can have on a young person’s future.
“Being matched with Mariah is the best thing that has ever happened to me.” - Thia - Thia
OUR IMPACT
1,641 youth served last year
DID YOU KNOW? Every $1 invested in quality mentoring returns $3 in societal benefits.
MENTORSHIP BOOSTS ACADEMIC SUCCESS (compared to non-mentored youth)
52% less likely to skip school
78% of Littles maintained or improved their grades
94% of Littles feel confident they will achieve their goals, even when facing significant barriers. Mentorship fuels that confidence.
20% more likely to enroll in college
MENTORED YOUTH ARE MAKING HEALTHIER LIFE CHOICES:
52% 46% less likely to be arrested
less likely to begin using drugs
27% less likely to begin using alcohol
2X as likely to hold leadership roles and volunteer in their communities.
1:1 MENTORSHIP A NEW MENTORING EXPERIENCE Beginning in October, every Big and Little will have access to weekly, staff-facilitated activities designed to strengthen their relationship and expand what they can experience together. PROGRAMMING WILL CENTER ON SIX PILLARS:
I M P A C T
Innovation & STEAM Movement & Wellness Preparation & Readiness (Post-secondary planning) Arts & Creativity Community & Belonging (Community Service ) Think Bigger (All non 1:1 mentorship partnerships)
From exploring new interests to building life skills, these experiences will give young people and their mentors more ways to connect, learn, and grow—while continuing the consistent, one-toone mentoring relationship at the heart of our mission.
BBBSC brings mentoring directly into schools across the Denver metro area and Pikes Peak region.
SCHOOLBASED MENTORSHIP
Through STARS, high school mentors build meaningful relationships with younger students while strengthening their own leadership skills. Project AIM helps middle school students make positive choices and envision their futures with confidence. Through interactive sessions focused on identity, goal setting, and career exploration, youth gain practical skills and a stronger sense of purpose—preparing them for success in high school and beyond. Together, these programs help young people feel seen, supported, and connected—right where they learn and grow.
Big Change Starts Here.
DONATE NOW
PRESENTING SPONSOR
PREMIER SPONSORS Shawn & Alexandra Neville
GOLD SPONSORS Greg Byles Nadege & Joe Toomey
SILVER SPONSORS Jeff Miller & Husch Blackwell
The Stuart & Janet Kritzer Family Foundation
BRONZE SPONSORS Jerome Blackwell
Connor Cole Randall Ohlson
Abe & Sarah Diamond
Phi Beta Sigma & Zeta Phi Beta
Cherry & Reggie Reynolds/ Margarita & David Rivera
Tiamo Wright & Aaron Sauerbrey
PROGRAM SPONSORS
OUR SPONSORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Andy Cullen Sarah Diamond Karen Collins Rhonda Sparlin Steve Schneider Jerome Blackwell Edward Brown Jr Jeremiah Erickson Amanda Gall Mary-Margaret Henke Lisa Jasper Michelle Kent Cory Leppert Jeff Miller Chris Picardi Alex Rasmussen Randy Ruggieri Nadege Toomey Emily Trujillo Tiamo Wright Andrew Yacavone
Former Bigs
2026 BIG LITTLE GALA COMMITTEE Elissa Banker Brown, Co-Chair
Shawn Neville, Co-Chair
BOA Technology, Inc.
BOA Technology, Inc.
Bradley Segura
Haley Fried
US Bank
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado
Nadege Toomey
Gina Fernandez-Gardner
Axuall
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado
Lakeasha Smith
Rebecca Reifel
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado