Raising Hope

Best Foot Forward (BFF), a nonprofit based in Palm Beach County, will host its Bash Fundraiser event, “A Night with our Stars,” on April 20 at Boca West Country Club to celebrate one more year of achievement as the only organization in the county dedicated to the educational success of foster and at-risk youth.

The community-based organization, dedicated to improving educational outcomes for abused, neglected, abandoned and at-risk youth living in and aging out of Palm Beach County’s foster care system, offers participants the chance to become successful students and self-sufficient adults.

“Without dedicated guidance and support, children in foster care face unimaginable academic adversity due to a lack of basic skills, frequent changes to home and school placement, and emotional upheaval,” states BFF’s website.

Offering three distinctive programs (the K-7th grade, the 8th-12th and the college program), BFF’s team-oriented approach, led by academic coaches, delivers educational planning, monitoring, advising and support to participants. “We believe that positive school experiences enhance the well-being of foster care youth, improve their academic success, and ultimately reduce behavioral issues.”

During “A Night with our Stars,” scheduled for 6:30 p.m., guests will learn about BFF’s impactful programs while enjoying a special evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, auctions and dancing. All proceeds benefit participants of BFF programs.

Honorary chairs for this year’s event are community advocates Frank & Rita Barbieri. Frank is the Board Chair of the Palm Beach County School District. Dr. Van P. Williams, provost and dean of students at Palm Beach State College Boca Raton Campus, will receive the  

2024 Champion of Children Award for his support and dedication to foster and at-risk youth.

“This will be a memorable evening, and we hope to raise a significant amount of money to support our impactful and diverse programs,” said BFF Co-Founder Donna Biase.

Boca West Country Club is located at 20583 Boca W. Dr., Boca Raton.

For more information, call 561.470.8300 or visit bestfoot.org.