annual 2025 Los angeles Gala

Hope & Healing for Los Angeles: Supporting, Uplifting, and Empowering Communities Affected by the Los Angeles Wildfires

On May 1, 2025, Ali & Joe Torre hosted an unforgettable evening at The Maybourne Beverly Hills, bringing together guests from the worlds of sports, music, and entertainment, along with our life-saving counselors, staff, board, and supporters. This year, we gathered to create Hope & Healing for Los Angeles, supporting, uplifting, and empowering communities impacted by the wildfires.

The evening began with a VIP cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a deeply emotional program that was filled with emotion, gratitude, laughter, healing and moments of profound inspiration. Joe Torre, our co-founder, welcomed everyone with a heartfelt message, setting the tone for a night of connection and healing.

Ali Torre, alongside Joe, expressed their deep appreciation for the guests who made the evening possible and shared their commitment to standing alongside the communities that need it most. Ali introduced a short film featuring current Margaret’s Place students ranging from elementary through high school, giving us a powerful glimpse into how our programs are creating a tangible impact. As the next generation of changemakers, we witnessed their resilience, growth, and efforts to create safer, braver spaces in their communities, offering a moving reminder of the real, lasting change we are making together. 

"This is a place where we all come together, where the strength of our community and the kindness we show each other makes all the difference." - Ali Torre, Co-Founder & President, Safe At Home Foundation

We had the incredible honor of celebrating Lori Yve Sunkin, LMFT, a dedicated Board Member and psychotherapist, for her extraordinary contributions to the mental health field, and her unwavering commitment to supporting individuals through trauma, transition, and healing for over 30 years. Lori’s profound impact on the Safe At Home mission was acknowledged with heartfelt words from Denise and Bryan Freedman, who introduced her as our 2025 honoree.

“Lori’s generosity and deep understanding of trauma have shaped so many lives. She is a beacon of hope, reminding us all of the importance of safe spaces and the power of connection.” - Bryan Freedman

Lori was greeted with a standing ovation, and expressed her gratitude.

“I want to live in a world where even in our greatest pain, we connect and hold each other. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this community, where healing is always possible.”- Lori Yve Sunkin, LMFT

Maile Zambuto, our CEO, spoke from the heart, sharing her deep belief in the strength, courage and resilience of the youth we serve and the vital role Safe At Home plays in their healing journey. She introduced our Hope & Healing film.

“The strength and resilience of these young people are a reminder that even in our darkest times, we have the power to rise up and rebuild.” - Maile Zambuto, Chief Executive Officer, Safe At Home Foundation

The evening continued with a live program auction reflective of the deep investment and generosity of our community of supporters. Proceeds from this evening will directly fund our ongoing efforts and provide trauma-informed support, healing resources, and education to those affected by the fires—ensuring that youth and families have the tools they need to rebuild and thrive as well as our ongoing work across Los Angeles creating safer, braver spaces for youth.

"Margaret’s Place provides a place where students can feel that there is at least one person doing their best to create a safe space for them when there might not be any other space in their life where they can do that." - Silvia Galis-Menendez, Margaret’s Place Counselor, Royal Oaks STEAM Academy, Los Angeles

We were inspired by Susan Toler Carr, Co-founder & Executive Director of the Justin Carr Wants World Peace Foundation, who shared a deeply personal message about grief, healing, and the importance of building community. Susan spoke candidly about the loss of her son, Justin, and the pain of losing cherished memories related to him in the fires. Her words resonated deeply with everyone in the room as she spoke about the strength and resilience we all carry in the face of loss and tragedy.  

“Grief comes in many forms, but in all of its forms, we carry it together. It’s the power of connection, of community, that helps us heal. Safe At Home provides that connection, and through it, we can all find peace.” - Susan Toler Carr, Co-founder & Executive Director, Justin Carr Wants World Peace Foundation

The evening concluded with a beautiful performance by MILCK, a recording artist, writer, producer, and social change artist known for her anthemic songs that give voice to the emotions behind global and grassroots movements. MILCK performed “Power of the Heart” from her new album, as her music brought us all closer together with a message of healing and empowerment.

Following MILCK, Matt Scannell, lead singer and guitarist of Vertical Horizon, shared a selection of songs with the crowd. Matt, the songwriter behind the #1 Billboard hit “Everything You Want,” reminded us of the power of connection through art and song. “Music is where we find healing,” Matt said. “It’s where we all come together, no matter our differences, to find common ground.”

As the night came to a close, we were reminded of the collective strength of our community. Thanks to your incredible support, we continue to expand our reach and impact, helping young people and families across Los Angeles and beyond.

"Even though I lost so much, I learned that what really matters is the people who are there for you—your teammates, your family, and your community." - Jett Teegardin

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our Event Committee, Board of Directors, staff, photographers, volunteers, and supporters who helped make this event so meaningful. Thank you to the Pali High Staff, the Baseball Team, and the Film Team for capturing video of the evening. And a very special thank you to Lindsay Crystal Miller for her unwavering support in directing and producing the videos we shared throughout the night.

Together, we are creating safer, braver spaces where the next generation of changemakers can heal, grow, and lead the way toward brighter futures.

"In times like these, the power of community and collective resilience becomes our greatest strength." - Joe Torre

EVENT COMMiTTEE

Charmaine Bailey • Joseph & Rita Cohen • Lindsay Crystal Miller • Gia Levin

Edward Mady • Mareva Marciano • Neda Marroso • Alison Petrocelli • Jeff Proctor

Michelle Richman • Tawny Sanders • Ken Scherer • Vaun Wilmott • Richard Weitz

Couldn’t join us this year? Make a contribution below.

We look forward to seeing you next year!

Ali & Joe Torre standing at a podium with Safe At Home Logo, alongside a graphic that says " The Annual safe At Home Gala Celebrating the Next Generation of Changemakers"

Annual New York Gala 2024

Celebrating the Next Generation of Changemakers

The 22nd Annual Safe At Home New York Gala was an inspiring evening of community, commitment, and celebration. Held on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the iconic Gotham Hall in New York City, the event brought together supporters, partners, and changemakers to reflect on over two decades of impact and to look ahead to the future of Safe At Home’s mission.

The evening began with a warm atmosphere of connection as guests mingled during the cocktail hour and explored the silent auction, which featured an array of generous contributions. We extend heartfelt thanks to our auction donors for their incredible support, which helped make the event a resounding success.

Bob Costas, a cornerstone of Safe At Home’s journey, has been with us since the beginning, hosting the New York Gala year after year. As a legendary broadcaster with a career spanning more than four decades, Bob has not only left an indelible mark on sports journalism but has also played a pivotal role in elevating Safe At Home’s mission since its inception. This year, as he prepares for his retirement from broadcasting, we honored his unwavering support and reflected on the profound impact he has made in inspiring others to join our cause.

Joe and Ali Torre took the stage to share updates on Safe At Home’s journey and its growing reach. They spoke about how the organization has expanded beyond classrooms through innovative partnerships, including a collaboration with Minor League Baseball (MiLB). This partnership has introduced Margaret’s Place tools and resources to 45 teams, reaching over 150,000 individuals across the country. Inspired by this success, Safe At Home is now working to bring these resources to Major League Baseball and Little League, with the latter reaching over 1 million coaches and volunteers nationwide to educate them on keeping kids safe.

Maile Zambuto, Safe At Home’s Chief Executive Officer, provided an inspiring update on the organization’s growth and achievements over the past year. By the end of 2024, Safe At Home will have 29 Margaret’s Place programs across three states and three international locations. This includes the addition of nine new programs this year alone, thanks to a multi-year partnership with the Los Angeles County Office of Education and Department of Mental Health. Maile also highlighted the success of Safe At Home’s pilot initiative to adapt the Margaret’s Place model for children as young as five years old, demonstrating the ability to address trauma at earlier stages of development.

A video showcasing the “Next Generation of Changemakers” featured Peace Warriors from PS 117, Peer Leaders from MS 217 in Queens, and students from White Plains High School. Their honest reflections on what it means to be a kid today captured the resilience, hope, and determination of the young people Safe At Home serves, underscoring the importance of creating spaces where they can thrive.

One of the evening’s most poignant moments came when professional baseball pitcher Zac Kristofak shared his deeply personal story. Zac and his brother experienced the tragic loss of their mother to domestic violence. Despite this unimaginable tragedy, Zac has channeled his resilience and determination into rising through the ranks of professional baseball, making his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels earlier this year. His connection to Safe At Home’s mission and his courage in sharing his story served as a powerful reminder of the importance of creating spaces for healing, hope, and resilience.

The generosity of attendees shone brightly during the live and program auctions, led by Jamie McDonald, as the audience came together to support Safe At Home’s vital work. Their enthusiasm and commitment underscored the collective dedication to empowering youth and building stronger communities.

The evening concluded with unforgettable performances by Pete Muller and The Kindred Souls, followed by the legendary Goo Goo Dolls. Known for their decades of iconic hits, the Goo Goo Dolls have also shown a deep commitment to giving back. Through their 2022-2023 tours, they raised critical funds for Safe At Home, amplifying our mission. Their 2022 song “You Are the Answer” became a rallying cry for supporting youth impacted by trauma, and earlier this year, John Rzeznik visited White Plains High School to connect with Margaret’s Place students, further demonstrating their dedication to making a difference.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this night possible: our Event Committee, Board of Directors, staff, Margaret’s Place counselors, and school principals. Thank you to our sponsors and donors, including our Official Airline Sponsor Delta Air Lines, our media partners at Goodman Media, our photographer John Chan, our production team, our volunteers and security team, and the team at Gotham Hall for their hospitality.

The 2024 New York Gala celebrated not just the progress we’ve made but also the collective commitment to creating a safer, braver future for the next generation. With your continued support, we will ensure every child feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey.

EVENT COMMiTTEE

Michael Ball • Kyle Driscoll • Frank Longobardi

Howard I. Smith • Gerry Polizzi • Matthew Roux

Couldn’t join us this year? Make a contribution below.

We look forward to seeing you next year!