About Jeannette Walls

Long before Jeannette Walls became the bestselling author of The Glass Castle, she was a child navigating extreme poverty, instability, and a constantly moving, unconventional family. Her remarkable story of resilience became a literary phenomenon, spending more than eight years on The New York Times bestseller list and inspiring a major motion picture starring Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, and Naomi Watts.

Despite an unpredictable childhood, Walls went on to graduate from Barnard College and build a successful career in journalism before becoming an acclaimed author. Her other bestselling books include Half Broke Horses and The Silver Star, while her latest novel, Hang the Moon, was named one of 2023’s most anticipated books.

Today, Walls shares her extraordinary journey with audiences around the world, offering a powerful message of resilience, courage, and self-determination. Through her storytelling, she inspires others to overcome adversity, embrace their pasts, and create lives defined not by where they began, but by what they choose to become.

Don’t miss this chance to meet and hear Jeannette Walls speak at our Spotlight fundraiser supporting Family & Children’s Center’s child abuse prevention services on April 15, 2026!

About Family & Children's Center

Family & Children’s Center annually serves families in St. Joseph County, Indiana by carrying out an array of evidence-based early childhood parenting education programs at no cost to the participants.

Healthy Families: High-impact home visits for 250 new and expectant parents.
The Brain Train: 1:1 and small group guided-play experiences for parents and children from birth to age five.
Tech Crossing: Helpful, innovative tech tools for toddlers and parents in monthly 1:1 sessions.

Family & Children’s Center programs boast a 99%+ free from child abuse and neglect rate.

Tickets

Patron Ticket $300/Each
- (1) Seat for Fine Dining Meal
- Wine Service During Dinner
- Premium Open Bar from 6:00-9:00 P.M.
- Tax-Deductible Donation

Sponsorship Options

Presenting Sponsor $20,000
- Tax-Deductible Donation
- 30 Seats w/ Wine Dinner
- Promo Recognition: Exclusive - Only one available w/ presented by named event; all marketing materials, premium event day and stage promos, and more!
- Photo Opportunity w/ Jeannette Walls for all guests

Resilience Sponsor $10,000
- Tax-Deductible Donation
- 20 Seats w/ Wine Dinner
- Promo Recognition: All marketing materials, premium event day and stage promos, post-event promos
- Photo Opportunity w/ Jeannette Walls for all guests

Believe Sponsor $5,000
- Tax-Deductible Donation
- 10 Seats w/ Wine Dinner
- Promo Recognition: All marketing materials, event day and stage promos, post-event promos
- Photo Opportunity w/ Jeannette Walls for all guests

Hope Sponsor $2,500
- Tax-Deductible Donation
- 6 Seats w/ Wine Dinner
- Promo Recognition: All marketing materials, event day and stage promos
- Photo Opportunity w/ Jeannette Walls for all guests

Advocacy Sponsor $1,500
- Tax-Deductible Donation
- 4 Seats w/ Wine Dinner
- Promo Recognition: All marketing materials and event day promos
- Photo Opportunity w/ Jeannette Walls for all guests

Benefactor $500
- Tax-Deductible Donation
- Not Attending; No Tickets Included
- Promo Recognition: E-mail marketing, event day slideshow, event day program

2027 FCC Spotlight Dinner feat. Jeannette Walls