Last week, Leading Youth Forward celebrated 15 years of making a difference at our annual Party with a Purpose at the DoubleTree by Hilton Perth! Bringing together past and present volunteers, community members and local businesses, the evening was filled with heartfelt speeches, cultural celebrations, volunteer awards, an exciting silent auction and plenty of dancing. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on LYF’s journey, celebrate the incredible people behind our charity and recognise our shared commitment to empowering at-risk teens through mentoring and support.
Cheers to LYF
The evening began with delicious canapés, fun photo booth moments and plenty of time to connect and catch up. Throughout the night, members of the Leading Youth Forward (LYF) community shared treasured memories, reflecting on the importance of connection and the lasting impact of volunteering. The event brought together past and present volunteers, alongside local community members and businesses, to celebrate the people behind LYF and showcase the meaningful work the charity does to support young people.
Speeches and awards
The evening featured speeches from Will, our Fundraising Manager, and Caitlin, our President, before welcoming Soni, one of the co-founders of Leading Youth Forward (LYF), to the stage. Soni reflected on the charity’s growth over the past 15 years, sharing how LYF began with a vision to continue supporting young people who had graduated from the Uni Camp for Kids program. The founders recognised that these young people needed ongoing guidance and support throughout their teenage years, a crucial stage of life when mentoring, encouragement and positive role models can make a lasting difference.
Following the speeches, guests were welcomed with a moving Welcome to Country delivered by Josh McGuire, highlighting the importance of nurturing young people and recognising LYF’s valuable work within the community. This was accompanied by a traditional Aboriginal song performed by Josh with clapsticks, creating a meaningful moment of cultural connection and reflection.
The evening also celebrated the outstanding contributions of LYF’s volunteers through the presentation of the LYF Achievement Award. Congratulations to Georgina Bromfield and Emma Cavanagh, whose dedication and commitment to supporting young people were recognised through this special award. Their contributions reflect the invaluable role volunteers play in mentoring and empowering young people, making a meaningful and lasting impact on their lives.
Silent auction
The evening also featured an exciting silent auction, with an impressive range of items up for grabs, including a signed Lionel Messi jersey, a signed Taylor Swift microphone, a signed Shrek DVD, and other unique memorabilia. Guests could also bid on gift vouchers, food vouchers and a variety of smaller gifts. Many of these items were generously donated by individuals and businesses within our community, whose support helped make the auction a success. Every contribution plays a valuable role in helping Leading Youth Forward continue its mission of mentoring and empowering as many young people as possible, providing them with the guidance, encouragement and positive role models they need to thrive.
A special thanks
Leading Youth Forward’s Party with a Purpose, and the charity’s work throughout the year, would not be possible without the countless hours of dedication and planning from our committee members, the ongoing support of past and present volunteers, and the generosity of businesses and individuals who contribute their time, resources and efforts.
Every contribution, no matter how big or small, helps LYF continue its vital work within the community, supporting at-risk teens through mentoring, guidance and positive role models to create meaningful, lasting change. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has been part of our journey over the past 15 years and helped make our mission possible.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Party with a Purpose next year as Leading Youth Forward continues to grow, strengthen our community and empower the next generation of young people.
