“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” — Maya Angelou
On a lovely June evening, hundreds gathered for the Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area Annual Gala, not simply to dress in elegance or bid on silent auction treasures, but to embody a shared dream: that everyone deserves a safe place to call home.
The event sparkled, yes—with lights, music, and laughter—but beneath the surface, something more enduring was unfolding. Each speech, each paddle raise, each moment of connection wove together a deeper truth: this was not a celebration of charity, but of solidarity.
Philanthropy as Collective Resistance
In a housing market increasingly defined by exclusion, displacement, and inequity, this gala stood as a radical act of community care. What might appear, on its surface, as a night of glamour was, in reality, a gathering of resistance—one that challenged the assumption that housing is a privilege, rather than a right.
By raising record-breaking funds, attendees didn’t just support Habitat’s mission; they disrupted a narrative. They invested in a future where working families, single parents, and aging community members are not priced out of stability, but welcomed into it.
Keynote Highlight: Yolanda’s Story of Strength
Among the most moving moments of the evening was the keynote address, given not by a single voice, but by three—Yolanda, Vanessa, and Sonia, a mother and her daughters, standing together in radiant strength.
Years ago, Yolanda made the life-altering decision to leave an abusive relationship and apply for a Habitat home. That home was more than shelter—it was the threshold of healing. It marked the beginning of a slow, often painful, yet resilient journey back to self-worth, stability, and dignity.
Though Vanessa had already left home by the time Yolanda received her keys, Sonia remained. Both daughters bore witness to the quiet revolution their mother undertook. That home, they shared, gave their family more than safety—it gave them a framework to reimagine what was possible.
Today, Vanessa is a successful attorney and homeowner. Sonia holds a high-ranking position in the military. Yolanda, ever steady, remains the heart of it all—proof that with safety, love, and support, what violence tried to destroy can be rebuilt stronger.
“This wasn’t just a house,” Sonia said. “It was the start of everything.” “It gave us more than shelter,” Vanessa added. “It gave us permission to imagine a better life.”
Together, they reminded us why Habitat builds—not just structures, but futures.
Honoring Those Who Build Beyond the Blueprint
The gala also paid tribute to two individuals and organizations who model what it means to build community with purpose and persistence.
Lyn Felton, recipient of the Jimmy Carter Legacy Award, exemplifies service rooted in quiet leadership. Born on a dairy farm in upstate New York, Lyn spent his career in HVAC engineering and sales before retiring in Salt Lake City in 2007. But retirement didn’t mean rest. A tireless advocate and volunteer, Lyn continues to lend his energy to Habitat’s development work. Whether he's on the tennis court or the job site, his dedication echoes the Carter ethos: that leadership is best shown in service.
Bhava Title Insurance, led by founder Brooke Adair, received the Community Builder Award for its unwavering partnership with Habitat and commitment to ethical business. After nearly two decades in the real estate industry, Brooke envisioned a boutique, client-centered title agency grounded in care, precision, and purpose. Today, Bhava is not only a top-producing firm but also a values-driven force for housing justice. Their belief—that communities are built not just through property, but through people—resonated throughout the evening.
The Architecture of Hope
To call the gala a success would be accurate—but also incomplete. What truly made the night extraordinary wasn’t the amount raised (though it broke records), but the architecture of hope we constructed together. An architecture made of stories, solidarity, and shared conviction that homes should be healing spaces, not luxuries.
It’s easy to grow numb in the face of systemic injustice. But this night reminded us that change begins in rooms like these—with people who choose action over apathy, compassion over convenience.
What Comes Next
If you joined us—thank you. You helped lay the next bricks in a more equitable Salt Lake. If you missed the gala, you haven’t missed the movement. Whether you give, volunteer, or simply share this mission, you are part of the build.
