news release

Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy held its 46^th Annual Tropical Night Luau on Monday, October 23rdat Quail Valley River Club. More than 200 guests gathered for an unforgettable evening learning about the free programs and services Youth Guidance offers to Indian River County children, young adults, and families.   

Upon arrival, children enrolled in Youth Guidance greeted guests with a warm “aloha,” adorning them with Hawaiian leis at check-in. Students had the opportunity to showcase their involvement in Youth Guidance programs, displaying the different activities they participate in including Sewing, Gardening, Cooking & Etiquette, and Pre-Apprenticeship (HVAC, welding, plumbing, carpentry, and electric). Quail Valley River Club’s Chef Joe Faria accompanied Cooking & Etiquette students Nina (14) and Jahzara (15) to prepare bite-sized Tuna Poke Bowls for appetizers.  

The evening featured tropical tunes from steel drum player Albert Rodney and a breathtaking performance from Hiti Mahana Polynesia, followed by a Siva Afi fire knife spinning finale that captivated the audience. Guests enjoyed a taste of paradise with a three-course plated dinner, followed by a thrilling live auction and paddle raise that closed with an unexpected pledge of $75,000 from Michael Pierce in honor of his late wife, Kathie. Pierce’s pledge helped Youth Guidance reach its goal of raising $1.5 million to renovate its 8,600 square foot facility, located in the former library building at 1028 20th Place in downtown Vero Beach.

“This year’s Luau was an incredible way to celebrate our 50th Anniversary at Youth Guidance,” said Executive Director Phil Barnes. “Event proceeds will allow us to provide life-changing mentoring programs for 200 Indian River County children and young adults this year. Not only that, but we also met our capital campaign goal to remodel our facility and create a state-of-the-art center for academic enrichment, life skills, and vocational training.”

The renovated facility will include a commercial kitchen for culinary arts training, workshop for pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs within the skilled trades, tutoring room, expanded garden and recreation area, and multipurpose rooms for life skills and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). The renovation will allow Youth Guidance to increase the number of youth served annually from 200 to 300.

 This year’s Tropical Night Luau sponsors included:  

Aloha Sponsor ($10,000): Trudie Rainone; Pineapple Sponsors ($5,000): Exchange Club of Sebastian, Elke and George Fetterolf, Mary Lewisy; Mai Tai Sponsors ($2,500): Bill & Kate Antle, Herman F. Becker Family, CBH Advisory Group Consulting & Accounting, Exchange Club of Vero Beach; Tiki Torch Sponsor ($1,500): Dede Ashby; Coconut Sponsors ($1,000): Alex MacWilliam Real Estate, Carolyn Butler Norton, Esq., Center for Advanced Eye Care, Exchange Club of Indian River, F.V. Casano Electric, George E. Warren, James & Madeleine Kerns, Marine Bank & Trust Company, Lauren Michaels & Jennifer Cole, Greg & Lynda Miller, North South Supply, Perfect Stix LLC, Robin Lloyd & Associates, P.A., Richard Schlitt, Simsovic Chiropractic LLC, Bill & Gildamar Tait, Vero Beach Global Advisors, Lynne Whipple; Hula Dance Sponsors ($500): Susan Appel, Mark & Patricia Ashdown, Stephen & Lucia Bailey, Richard & Barbara Baker, Jack Berrigan, Paul Genke & Lila Blakeslee, Gold Coast Landscape Lighting, Marcia R. Hall, Inspired Closets Treasure Coast, Joan R. Vinas Associates LLC, Law Office of Brian J. Connelly, Al Lhota & Tamara Holliday, Wanda Lincoln, Linus Cadillac Buick GMC Midas of Vero Beach, R.J & Valerie MacMillan, Minuteman Press, Jonathan & Linda Nugent, The Hill Group, Vero Marine Center.

For 50 years, Youth Guidance has been dedicated to enriching the lives of Indian River County youth through mentoring relationships that inspire trust, self-esteem, and positive futures. Proceeds from the Luau support both one-on-one and group mentoring programs that provide life skills, hands-on vocational training, and healthy meals to 200 local children and young adults (ages 6-24) each year.

Programs include afterschool tutoring, culinary arts, boat mechanics, woodworking, gardening, web design, and more. Thanks to the generosity of their sponsors and local community, all programs and meals are provided to families free of charge. If you are interested in learning more about Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy or making a donation, please call 772.492.3933, or visit our website at www.YouthGuidanceProgram.org