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TE50Gala-logo-keybank

Friday   October 2   2026

6:00pm at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown

Thank you for Celebrating 50 Years with TE!

For 50 years, Towards Employment has helped Clevelanders build pathways out of poverty through the power of work — connecting thousands of people to careers and advancement opportunities, while strengthening our region’s workforce.

On October 2nd, 2026, Towards Employment with many neighbors, community members, and supporters celebrated 50 years of serving Clevelanders at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower. The evening kicked off with fun activities like caricatures, tattoos, photo booth with a decade-themed selfie station. Guests also enjoyed TE's 50 Stories for 50 Years display and had a chance to share their own stories at the TE Story Phone Booth!

Re-live the 5-decade celebration with 2 videos premiered during the night's program, a full photo gallery, and the interactive digital program.

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate and support TE!

Look at Videos & Photos

Relive some of the magic! Explore our Gala photo gallery and watch the two special films that premiered during the evening, celebrating 50 years of leadership, legacy, and lives transformed.

50 Years of TE History & Legacy

Alumni Stories & Ripple Effect Awardees

Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery

Take Another Look at Our 50th Anniversary Program

Our digital program is more than a guide to the evening—it's a keepsake celebrating the people and organizations who have shaped our first 50 years. Take a moment to explore the special tributes, congratulatory messages, and advertisements from our generous partners and supporters. Their words are a wonderful reminder of the community that stands behind our mission.

View the Digital Program

50 Stories for 50 Years

The People Behind the Impact

Our 50th anniversary is also an opportunity to celebrate the people who have shaped our journey. Through 50 Stories for 50 Years, we're sharing inspiring stories of alumni, partners, staff, and champions whose experiences reflect the power of opportunity and the ripple effects of meaningful work. Take a moment to explore these stories, celebrate the people behind our mission, and see what 50 years of impact really looks like!

Thank you to our Sponsors!

A Special Thank You to our Presenting Sponsor

KeyBank_Logo

Advancement Leader

Opportunity Builder

Career Catalyst

Training Advocate

Media Sponsor

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Gala Planning Committee

daquri mays profile

DaQuri Mays

Co-Chair

julie hammond profile

Julie Hammond

Co-Chair

Anthony Adkisson
Jennifer Angelo
Gloria Baker
Brenda Brown
Ronnie Cannon
Megan Cleary
Joan Crosby
Laura Desmond
Gabrielle Fortin
Lindsay Fousek
Addie Gall-Hunter
Haidee Garcia
Patrick Gillen
Hazel Harris

Tamika Hawthorne
Grace Heffernan
Brooke Hodge
Karla Hopkins
Ashley Jackson
Karen Jones
Michael Lepro
Rhonda Lowe
Jim Madden
Bola Majekodunmi
Sara McCarthy
Chelsea Mills
Robin Neorr
Amanda Pacanovski

Tammy Peterson
Kevin Poor
Laurel Ridenour
Jill Rizika
Sandi Rosado
Omid Sattarian
Adaora Schmiedl
Brian Siggers
Robin Smalley
Elizabeth Smith
Ellen Wisbar
Christie Yonkers

TE50 Leadership Committee

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Brian Lamb

Chair

Bishara​ Addison​
Jennifer​ Altstadt​
Brent​ Carson​
Michael​ DiCesare​
Char​ Fowler​
Walter​ Ginn​
Stephanie​ Howse​
Soad​ Mansour​
Bassem​ Mansour​
Randell​ McShepard​
Tania​ Menesse​

Dan​ Moulthrop​
Shelly​ Peet​
Kevin​ Poor​
Ryan​ Puente​
Patricia​ Ramsey​
Carrie​ Rosenfelt​
Sara​ Shookman​
Adam​ Snyder​
Chris​ Spence​
Ellen​ Wisbar​
Amy​ Woods​

Past Events

Every year, Towards Employment hosts our Annual Event to help raise funds to connect people to careers!

2025 Grand Opening

2025 Grand Opening

We were thrilled to welcome you – along with 200 other guests - to the TE Grand Opening on May 14, 2025.

We hope that you felt the pride and passion we have in the work we do, our new and expanded space, and in the neighborhood we call home.

We invite you to watch the Towards Employment video premiered that night – Knocking Down Barriers, as well as explore other videos, and the photo gallery highlighting the evening.

Thank you for supporting Towards Employment!

2024 Annual Event

2024 Annual Event

The Work & Reentry Experience at A Chance to Advance 2024 was an unforgettable, impactful performance - this musical and storytelling fusion featured a partnership with Dominick Farinacci and Towards Employment. 

2023 Annual Event

2023 Annual Event

Toward Employment celebrated their 18th annual event, A Chance To Advance: Pay it Forward, on June 7th at the Agora Theatre!

The event highlighted the premiere of a unique, storytelling performance from TE Alumni in partnership with Dominick Farinacci of the Modern Warrior Experience. The Agora Theatre also hosted TE's Hometown Hero Award announcement, our live auction, a beautiful singing performance, and more.

2022 Annual Event

2022 Annual Event

Toward Employment celebrated their 17th annual event, A Chance To Advance, on June 3rd at Music Box Supper Club! The event included a concert by a local CLE band: Blue Lunch, drawing of the Chance to Dream Raffle, and the Take A Chance on CLE silent auction. This was Toward Employment's second hybrid experience where guests attended both in person and virtually! Click the button below to view videos and photos from this event.

2021 Annual Event

2021 Annual Event

Toward Employment celebrated their 16th annual event, A Chance To Advance, on September 10th 2021 at Music Box Supper Club! The event included a concert by a local CLE band: Blue Lunch, drawing of the Chance to Dream Raffle, and the Take A Chance on CLE silent auction. This was Toward Employment's first hybrid experience where guests attended both in person and virtually! Click the button below to view videos and photos from this event.

2020 Annual Event

2020 Annual Event

2020 was a difficult year for many. COVID  cases spiked, businesses continued to shut their doors, and the unemployment rate kept climbing, but we KNEW we had to find a way to fundraise.

And then, an idea was born...TE's Got Talent, our first-ever virtual event! While we couldn't gather as a whole, people were able to join from the safety of their homes. Our donors, volunteers, staff, and friends really showed up to support Cleveland's workforce talent when it meant the most.

2019 Annual Event

2019 Annual Event

Every year, Towards Employment helps over 2,000 people get in the game with a personal career pathway – a game plan to prepare for a job, get a job, keep a job, and advance into a career.

On Friday, September 20, at the Westin Cleveland Downtown, we highlighted Clevelanders who got in the game – those who found long-term employment with opportunities to advance.