Press Releases

Voices for Children Marks 15 Years with Its Biggest Gala Yet

Published

6 months ago

May 2, 2026

South Florida Insider

Voices for Children of Broward County Celebrates 15th Anniversary with Annual Soaring for Children Gala, Capes & Courage on April 18th.

April 29th, 2026

Voices for Children of Broward (Voices) celebrated a milestone at its annual Soaring for Children Gala, the organization’s signature event, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at The Venue in Wilton Manors.

This year’s theme, Capes & Courage, was a playful yet elevated take on superheroes. It brought the community together to celebrate 15 years of impact for children in foster care and to honor the individuals and partners who continue to show up in meaningful ways.

The sold-out event welcomed nearly 270 guests for an evening that reflected on both the strength of the mission and the collective commitment to ensuring children in foster care have the resources, stability, and opportunities they need to thrive. The gala marked the largest event in the organization’s history, both in attendance and funds raised.

The event raised over $200,000 to support Voices’ mission to ensure that every child and young adult in Broward County who has experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment has access to the resources and support they need to thrive. The funds will help sustain year-round, high-impact programs that provide stability, meet essential needs, and create meaningful opportunities for children in foster care. Since 2011, Voices for Children of Broward County has served more than 14,000 children by providing advocacy, essential resources, wraparound support, and experiences that promote dignity, normalcy, and hope.

Attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception, a three-course plated dinner, a compelling program, a curated silent auction, and superpowered entertainment throughout the evening. Upon arrival, guests had the opportunity to pose for photos at the step and repeat alongside Batman and Wonder Woman before being welcomed into cocktail hour, where the silent auction was open and a violinist set the tone.

Guests were then invited into the ballroom, where superhero aerialists created a dynamic and engaging transition into the program. Throughout the night, interactive moments brought the theme to life, with DJ Christopher Andrew keeping the energy high.

A themed photo booth invited attendees to transform into their own superhero personas, creating memorable keepsakes that captured the spirit of the evening. Each table featured superhero action figure centerpieces, further reinforcing the theme.

Even The Venue’s service team joined in, with servers dressed as superheroes as they moved throughout the room, delivering each course with flair and reinforcing the evening’s message that heroism can take many forms. Guests embraced the spirit of the evening in elevated attire, wearing gold, deep red, and navy, the signature colors of Capes & Courage. Many added capes and superhero-inspired accessories, bringing an added sense of fun and energy to the night.

The evening reflected on 15 years of impact while looking ahead with renewed purpose, united in the shared commitment to supporting children in foster care. It served as a tribute to the community of partners, supporters, and advocates who continue to show up and make a difference.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who came out to celebrate our 15th anniversary,” said Voices President and CEO Erica Herman. “Capes & Courage reflects both the resilience of the children we serve and the commitment of those who show up for them every day. This evening honors the individuals and partners who have supported our mission over the past 15 years, and we are grateful to those who continue to help us respond to the needs of children in foster care.”

During the event, Voices honored 15 individuals and organizations in recognition of the organization’s 15th anniversary. Honorees included Donna and Jim Inglis; Representative Chip LaMarca, Florida House of Representatives; The Honorable Brenda D. Forman, Broward County Clerk of the Circuit and County Court; Gena and Tom Hoyer; BB Americas Bank; Dejah; Dario Knowles; Desiree Forsythe; Homeinc; Neiko Shea; Norene Bauers; Pam Tindall; The Paul Palank Memorial Foundation; Precious Dreams; and Susan Kraizgrun.

The 2026 sponsors included The Inglis Giving Fun; Homeinc; Shumaker; Pam Tindall; Myrna & Bob Kopf; The DeBrito Family; The Ogden Family; Amy Goldin & Brian Strelitz; Margy & Rich Puritt; The Honorable Brenda D. Forman, Broward County Clerk of Courts; Gena & Tom Hoyer; Holman; ChildNet; AT&T; The Dryer Family; The Brooksy Group; The Giuliano-Fried Family; Publix Super Markets Charities; Locality Bank; Ron Rubinoff; Dr. Sylvan and Ruth Goldin; Luz Carime Reveiz; Setnor Byer Charitable Family Fund; PKF O’Connor Davies; Ken Fisher & Elizabeth Lender and Heal the Planet; Angel Palank-Sharlet & Phil Sharlet; Justice for Kids; Handy; Broward Sheriff’s Office; Christopher Andrew; Print E Solutions; Balloons Galore & More; and The Venue.

For more information about Voices for Children of Broward County, please visit https://voicesbroward.org/soaring-for-children-annual-cocktail-reception/.

About Voices for Children of Broward County (Voices):

Each year, Voices for Children of Broward County (Voices) works to make the foster care experience better for over 2,500 children in the South Florida community, so they can rise with strength, dignity, and hope. Voices is dedicated to ensuring that every child and young adult who is a victim of abuse, neglect, and abandonment in Broward County has access to the resources and programs needed to support their health, educational, and social well-being. Through its core programs, Voices provides advocacy, case management, age-appropriate referrals, and wraparound services that work to create an abuse-free future for every child. In collaboration with the 17th Judicial Circuit Dependency Court Division and community partners, Voices serves children with open dependency court cases, committed to meeting their essential needs and ensuring they have a voice throughout the court process. Voices is located at 2903 NW 28th Street, Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33311. For more information, visit voicesbroward.org, or follow along on social media at Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. Contact Voices at 954.367.9185 or info@voicesbroward.org.

Related Topics:Voices for Children of Broward County

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Palace Miami Beach Is Going All Out for LGBTQ+ History Month

Published

2 weeks ago

October 1, 2026

McKaela Lulic

Drag brunches, rooftop parties, a Courage Wall, Halloween chaos and meaningful moments of community are taking over Ocean Drive this fall.

October 1, 2026

There are some places in South Florida that just feel like Miami, and Palace is absolutely one of them.

The drag. The music. The brunch. The people walking down Ocean Drive who suddenly realize they’re part of the show. If you’ve been, you know.

But Palace Miami Beach has also spent nearly four decades being something much bigger than a fun place to spend a Sunday afternoon. For generations of South Florida’s LGBTQ+ community, it has been a place to show up, be seen, find your people and celebrate exactly who you are.

And this October and November, Palace is leaning into all of it.

For LGBTQ+ History Month, the Ocean Drive icon is rolling out nearly two months of events that somehow manage to include drag, dating, voter registration, comedy, rooftop pool parties, Halloween, Thanksgiving and some genuinely meaningful community moments.

It is a lot. In the best possible way.

First Up: Love, Drag and a Very Palace Start to October

October 1 kicks things off with Love Is a Drag, Palace’s first singles dinner club and networking mixer.

Because apparently even dating is more fun with Palace involved.

Guests can meet over dinner, drinks and conversation before the evening rolls right into Welcome to the Family: Drag Turnabout, a three-night event where Palace staff get their own full drag transformations and compete onstage. Poizon Ivy Lords, CC Glitzer and Tiffany Fantasia will each host a night from October 1 through 3.

Already, we’re off to a very strong start.

But what we really like about this entire lineup is that Palace isn’t treating LGBTQ+ History Month as just another reason to throw a party. The parties are definitely happening, but there’s purpose behind them too.

Throughout October, Palace will host nonpartisan voter registration and civic engagement events, with Miami Beach commissioners joining Tuesday programming throughout the month. The goal is simple: make it easy for people to get registered, find voting resources and connect with local leaders in a space where they’re already comfortable gathering.

We love that.

The Courage Wall Might Be Our Favorite Part

Then comes October 11, National Coming Out Day, and this is where the calendar gets especially meaningful.

At exactly 10:11 a.m., Palace will unveil The Courage Wall, a community installation built around one sentence:

“I found the courage to…”

That’s it.

Guests get to decide how the sentence ends.

Maybe it’s coming out. Maybe it’s finally being yourself. Maybe it’s supporting someone you love, leaving something behind, starting over or speaking up when it would have been easier not to.

There’s something really lovely about taking all of those individual stories and putting them together in one place.

Later that day, Palace is teaming up with SAVE for a special National Coming Out Day Drag Brunch bringing together Palace performers, community members, supporters and local leaders. A featured cocktail during the weekend will also benefit SAVE.

And because emotional reflection and a rooftop pool party can absolutely exist on the same day in Miami, Palace will also host its National Coming Out Day Rooftop Pool Party from noon to 10 p.m. with DJs Jesus Montanez and Jrny.

Honestly, that’s kind of the whole Palace experience in one day.

And Then Palace Goes Full Halloween

Before we even get to Halloween, there’s Love Out Loud Weekend from October 16–18, celebrating couples, friends, allies and chosen families.

Then Tiffany Fantasia is taking over the rooftop on October 23 for the debut of Laughs on Top: Tiffany & Friends, a new monthly comedy series. South Florida comedian and actor Lisa Corrao joins the first show.

And then things get wonderfully ridiculous.

From October 26 through November 1, Palace transforms into Camp Palace: The Final Slay.

Yes, that’s the real name. No notes.

The week includes Deadly Dolls, Secrets from the Crypt, Slasher Night, Noche de los Muertos and The Final Girls before everything culminates with The Final Slay on Halloween night. Expect drag, costumes, themed entertainment, cocktails, food and exactly the amount of Halloween drama you’d hope for from Palace.

Palace isn’t even staying in Miami Beach for the night. The team is also heading to Wilton Manors to produce Halloween entertainment at Wicked Manors, complete with its own Mayhem Masquerade programming and costume competitions.

November Brings an Important Moment of Visibility

Once Halloween is over, Palace shifts the focus.

Transgender Awareness Week runs November 13–19, followed by Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, and Palace will use its programming to highlight transgender talent, visibility and community.

On November 20, Palace will host a special Transgender Day of Remembrance Brunch featuring an all-trans cast.

This one isn’t simply another themed brunch.

The event is designed to create space for performance and visibility while also making room for remembrance and reflection. A portion of the proceeds will benefit a local trans-inclusive organization.

Later that evening, Laughs on Top returns with comedian Brad Loekle.

Oh, and There’s Food. Obviously.

Palace’s fall isn’t only about what’s happening onstage.

The culinary team heads to Lummus Park on October 24 for Seafood Slam at the South Beach Seafood Festival, while Palace’s seasonal menu gets very into fall with a Pumpkin Espresso Martini, Harvest Pumpkin Margarita, Pumpkin & Burrata Arepa, Brown Butter Pumpkin Gnocchi and seasonal desserts.

November keeps going with an Official Latin GRAMMY Watch Party in partnership with Gilead on November 12 and, because Miami apparently needed this and we just didn’t know it yet, a Coffee Party with Oscar G on November 23.

Then Thanksgiving week brings the whole season back to one of its sweetest themes: chosen family.

Palace is planning Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving dining centered around turkey, traditional holiday favorites and a table meant for friends, relatives and the families we create for ourselves. Thanksgiving weekend closes with a November 27 rooftop pool party featuring DJ Oscar Velazquez.

This Is Why Palace Is Still Palace

What makes this lineup fun isn’t just that there is so much happening.

It’s that somehow it all makes sense together.

You can register to vote and then watch a drag show. You can write something deeply personal on the Courage Wall and spend the afternoon dancing on a rooftop. You can remember people the community has lost while also celebrating the people who are here.

That’s what LGBTQ+ spaces have always been capable of being: joyful and serious, loud and safe, ridiculous and meaningful, sometimes all at once.

After nearly four decades on Ocean Drive, Palace seems to understand that better than most.

As General Manager AJ Prasaguet put it, Palace has always been about more than what happens on its stage. It’s also about the people who walk through the doors and find community there.

And this fall?

They’re giving everyone plenty of reasons to walk through those doors.

Keep Up With Palace

With this much happening over the next two months, there’s a pretty good chance Palace will give us even more reasons to head to Ocean Drive.

Follow @palacesobe on Instagram and visit the Palace Miami Beach website for the latest events, reservations, performers and everything else they have coming up.