Join us to celebrate
Brighter Futures!
Wednesday, October 7th, 2026
Pittsburgh’s Grand Hall at The Priory Hotel
614 Pressley Street, Pittsburgh, PA
BRIGHT FUTURES brings together WORK’s community of supporters to celebrate the progress our families are making as they build pathways out of poverty through good, dignified work.
Join us for an evening of connection, celebration, and generosity in support of families globally - in Haiti, Ghana, Taiwan, Thailand, Viet Nam, Guatemala, Brazil, and more. Together, we can accompany families with access to resources and opportunities to create lasting change for themselves and their communities.
what to expect
Meet Our returning Emcee: Sony Ton-Aime
We were excited to welcome Sony Ton-Aime back as our emcee this year. Sony is a Haitian poet, essayist, translator, and Executive Director of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures. His latest book, Konbit (Carnegie Mellon University Press), was released in March 2026. His work reflects the deep connections among culture, identity, and collective progress — themes that resonate deeply with WORK’s mission.
2026 Host Committee
We are grateful to the community leaders helping make this year’s celebration possible.
Event Co-Chairs: Suzanne & John Graf, Board Members
Host Committee Members:
Cate & Ben Albu | Diana Bucco & Mark Chutko | Daren & Renee D'Ippolito | Amanda Gorecki | Cole Lennon | Ken & Linda Krynski | Sukanta & Vanessa Nag
Christina & R.J. Shanafelt | Lori Moran | Tyler Noland
2026 Bright Futures sponsors
Many thanks to our 2026 Bright Futures Sponsors for their long-term support. Together, we’re ending poverty for good.
Cheers to our talented vendors for supporting our celebration!
Chancelor Humphrey- Photographer | Entertainment Unlimited- Gaming | Galiffa Productions - A/V
Your Support Keeps the Momentum Going
The gala is one night, but its impact carries forward every single day. Families are earning a dignified income, children are attending school, and communities are taking steps toward stability.
Join us for an evening celebrating the power of dignified work. Purchase your ticket today, join us as a sponsor, or make a direct gift of impact.
scenes from bright futures 2025
Gather with the WORK community for a special evening celebrating the progress our families and communities have made and the work that’s still ahead.
For VIP ticket holders, the evening begins at 5:30p.m. with an exclusive VIP Cocktail Hour in The Priory Hotel Courtyard. The Main Event begins at 6:30p.m. for all guests.
Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres inspired by the countries where we work, casino games, a lively silent auction, exciting raffle prices, and a special presentation from WORK’s leadership team. The auction closes at 9:00p.m. and the even concludes at 9:30p.m.
Cocktail attire is encouraged. Add a bold pop of red, choose timeless black, or wear a conversation-starting accessory from your favorite trip. Most importantly, come dressed to celebrate and have a great time.
Valet and street parking will be available.
Every part of the evening supports WORK’s mission to accompany families out of poverty through good, dignified work. Together, we aim to raise $91,000 to help ensure this vital work continues without interruption.