Welcome to the 2026 Helping Families Fundraising Gala!

For Kids Only Afterschool (FKO) is thrilled to host our Helping Families Gala on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Hyatt Boston Harbor. This special evening will help us connect low-income and at-risk children to safe, supportive before school, afterschool, and summer enrichment programs.

The Need for Support

A majority of working families depend on access to quality early education and care to supervise their children and enable caregivers to work. However, with many Massachusetts families unable to afford the cost of these crucial programs, thousands of children find themselves alone during out-of-school hours.

This underlying issue prompted the establishment of FKO in 1984 when our first program began serving five children in a church basement. Today, FKO enriches the lives of more than 1,800 children annually, with enrollment levels consistently rising as families seek a nurturing environment for children when school is out with unique opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. And yet, we have more work to do. Hundreds of children in FKO communities require child care but, without financial assistance, cannot enroll in programs.

FKO established the Helping Families Gala to meet this need. Since its inception in 2008, the Helping Families Gala has provided scholarships for hundreds of families to access FKO programs. This year, FKO is committed to raising $100,000. Please help us reach our most substantial goal yet and enable some of the most vulnerable children from Chelsea, Everett, Peabody, Revere, and Winthrop to enjoy the benefits of quality out-of- school time services.

Support our Cause

We invite you to join us as at the exciting Helping Families Gala. Proceeds from the gala will fund scholarships that ensure equitable access to safe spaces with caring adults, healthy snacks and meals, engaging enrichment classes, social-emotional learning, homework support, active play, and exploration of new passions.

Please consider leaving your heartprint to make a meaningful difference in the lives of disadvantaged youth. Below is information on sponsorship levels and benefits you will receive and more details on how Helping Families scholarships will be put to good use in our communities. I hope you will join for fun festivities at the Helping Families event.

For more details about sponsorships and the event, please contact us at giving@fkoafterschool.org.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

2026 Helping Families Gala