Hopes and Dreams Gala
5th Annual Hopes & Dreams Gala
2026 Hopes and Dreams Gala: Where Dreams Take the Spotlight!
Join us for an unforgettable evening of Old Hollywood elegance as we celebrate the individuals, families, and community partners who make Living and Learning Enrichment Center shine. Together, we’re writing a story of belonging, purpose, and joyโone life at a time.
Friday, May 29, 2026 | Saint John’s Resort, Plymouth 6:30 PM General Admission | 5:00 PM VIP Experience
Join us on May 29, 2026
Mark Your Calendar for an Amazing Night
The 5th Annual Hopes & Dreams Gala is coming, and you’re invited to be part of something extraordinary.
Imagine an evening of Old Hollywood glamour at the stunning Saint John’s Resort. Gorgeous surroundings. Inspiring stories. A community coming together to celebrate what happens when we refuse to accept limits and choose possibility instead.
Last year, more than 600 guests joined us and together we raised over half a million dollars. This year? We’re dreaming even bigger.
Whether you walk the red carpet as a sponsor, join us for the VIP Experience, or celebrate alongside us at the main event, your presence makes dreams possible for adults with different abilities throughout Metro Detroit.
Mark your calendar. Tell your friends. Get ready for a night you won’t forget.
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Friday, May 29, 2026
๐ Saint John’s Resort | 44045 Five Mile Road, Plymouth, MI
๐ฅ 5:00 PM VIP Experience | 6:30 PM General Admission
Sponsorship Highlights
Be a Star of This Year’s Show
Great events don’t just happen, they’re made possible by partners who believe in the mission.
When you sponsor the Hopes & Dreams Gala, you’re not just getting your name in lights. You’re investing in 54 job placements in 2025 alone. You’re supporting 135 community partner sites across 30 cities. You’re helping 87% of our families see positive changes in their loved one’s mental health.
That’s not just impact. That’s transformation.
Sponsorship opportunities range from $1,000 to $50,000, with benefits including VIP Reception access, reserved tables, program advertising, and recognition across all event materials and social media.
Questions? Contact Dennis Howie at 248.308.3592 ext. 122 or dhowie@llecmi.org
Meet Our Emcee: Monica “Mic” Curtis
She’s Taking the Mic, and We Couldn’t Be More Thrilled
Some partnerships just make sense. When we began thinking about who should hold the spotlight at this year’s Hopes and Dreams Gala, one name rose to the top immediately: Monica “Mic” Curtis.
Mic is a speaker, writer, and workshop facilitator whose entire body of work rests on a single, powerful conviction, women are the most underutilized resource in the world. Through her BADE framework, Be Anything. Do Everything. Mic shows up every day at the intersection of words, community, and impact, amplifying voices that deserve to be heard.
But what truly makes Mic one of a kind is what she calls the illuminators,ย the changemakers who quietly, consistently pour their energy into lifting others up. She seeks them out. She champions them. She celebrates them.
Sound familiar?
Living and Learning Enrichment Center was built by an illuminator. Founded by a mother who refused to accept that isolation was her son’s future, our community has always been led by exactly the kind of heart-first, community-driven spirit that Mic believes in and builds her work around.ย
Mic is deeply committed to championing women in the nonprofit sector, whether through board service, volunteering, or simply shining a light on the women doing meaningful work in their communities. We are proud to count ourselves among the organizations she believes in.
The Living and Learning Story: A Decade of Hope, Growth, and Transformation
What began as a mother’s dream has blossomed into a beacon of hope for hundreds of families across Michigan. Ten years ago, founder Rachelle Vartanian saw a gap in services for individuals with different abilities. As both a special education teacher and a mother of a son with autism, she understood firsthand the challenges families faced in finding affordable, accessible programs that could help their loved ones thrive.
From Dream to Reality Starting with just seven participants meeting weekly at the Farmington Public Library, Living and Learning Enrichment Center has grown into a groundbreaking 12-acre campus on the Novi/Northville border. But this isn’t just about buildings โ it’s about building lives.
What Makes Us Different
Living and Learning goes beyond traditional programs. We believe in:
- Real-world skill development
- Meaningful employment opportunities
- Genuine social connections
- Community integration
- Individual empowerment
Meet Our Community
Every day, we witness remarkable transformations:
- Young adults gaining their first paid employment
- Individuals moving into independent living
- Friendships forming and flourishing
- Parents seeing their children’s dreams become reality
- Communities becoming more inclusive and understanding
Looking to the Future
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we’re not just looking back โ we’re looking forward. With your support, we’re expanding our programs, enhancing our facilities, and reaching more individuals who can benefit from our services.
Join Our Journey
The Hopes & Dreams Gala is more than an event โ it’s an opportunity to be part of something transformative. Every ticket purchased, every sponsorship secured, every auction item donated helps write the next chapter in someone’s success story.
Our 2026 Gala Sponsors
Presenting Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Copper Sponsors
Table Sponsors