Shine Gala 2025: Celebrating the Past, Igniting the Future
by Carla Garcia, Partner Engagement Director
On the evening of September 18, Mission Adelante came together to celebrate a truly special milestone: 20 years of ministry, community, and shared journey. The Shine Gala was not just an event; it was a heartfelt gathering of people from many backgrounds, experiences, and stories, all united in honoring two decades of love, growth, and hope.
People arrived smiling, hugging, and greeting each other like long-lost friends. They came from different neighborhoods, different countries, different experiences but they gathered in one place with one shared purpose: to celebrate the community that has been growing and flourishing through Mission Adelante all these years.
From the moment the first guest walked in, the room felt alive with warmth. It felt like family.
Brad Gregory’s jazz quartet filled the venue with rich, soulful music that set the tone for the evening. The sound wrapped around the room, creating a sense of ease and celebration. It invited people to settle in, to slow down, to be fully present with one another.
There was no divide in the space. No separation between those who give and those who receive, between those who teach and those who learn, between those who were born here and those who came seeking refuge and a better future. The Shine Gala created a space where everyone stood on equal ground, where every story mattered and every voice carried weight.
As people found their seats and began to share in the incredible food and drinks prepared by the chefs at Sporting KC, there was a feeling of deep comfort. You could hear the joy at each table, laughter echoing from one side of the room to the other, heartfelt conversations unfolding between people who may not have known each other before that night.
And then the program began.
From the very first moment, it was clear this was not going to be a formal or scripted event. It was something more human than that. Our emcee, Dan Deeble, brought a gentle warmth and natural presence that made everything feel like a conversation among friends. He guided the evening with compassion and humor, weaving together voices and stories that reflected the heartbeat of our mission.
We heard from young emerging leaders who have grown up inside the Mission Adelante community. Some of them first came through the doors as children. Now, they are stepping into leadership with wisdom, courage, and a vision for what comes next. They spoke of identity and growth, of being seen and empowered. They reminded us that this work is not just about providing support but about planting seeds and watching new leaders rise.
Our founder and executive director shared reflections that brought the room back to the beginning, the early days of Mission Adelante, and how far we have come as a community since then. There was gratitude in his words, not just for what has been accomplished, but for the people who have made it possible. It was a moment to pause and reflect on the long road walked together, and the beautiful road still ahead.
We were also honored to hear from Daniel Sallói, a Sporting KC player and friend of Mission Adelante, who shared his own story of coming to the United States from Hungary as a young person. His presence and words added another powerful layer to the night’s theme of welcome, resilience, and hope.
Longtime supporters Marvin Daniels and Bert Clothier shared as well. Their reflections were deeply moving. They spoke not just of giving, but of receiving, of how being part of this community has shaped and transformed their own lives. They reminded us that Mission Adelante is not just about serving, but about being changed by the people we serve alongside.
Every story shared throughout the evening came from the heart. They were not told to impress or entertain. They were offered with sincerity and trust. And in listening, the room responded with quiet awe, with tears, with nods of understanding. It was a collective remembering of why we do what we do. A collective recommitment to loving our neighbors, walking together, and lifting each other up.
As the formal program came to a close, dessert was served and the evening took on a new rhythm. A lively Latin jazz band began to play, and their music brought even more life into the room. Children danced. Friends stood together, swaying to the beat. Conversations continued at a slower, more relaxed pace. People lingered over their desserts, not ready to leave, savoring the music, the warmth, the sense of belonging.
The night did not end with applause or announcements. It ended with community. With people not rushing off but staying close. With a feeling that no one wanted to leave, not because of the event itself, but because of how it felt to be in a room so full of love, dignity, and mutual respect.
One of the most profound reflections came from Rocio Reyes, a dear friend and member of our community. She said, “At this moment in time we always hear and see people who don’t like immigrants and refugees… but this night felt like a celebration for us and a deep sense of love for us too.”
Her words captured the heart of the Shine Gala. It was a night about people. About honoring stories and celebrating the richness that each culture, each family, each neighbor brings. It was a night that reminded us that love is not something we offer from a distance, it is something we live by drawing closer, by sharing meals, by listening well, and by celebrating often.
We are deeply grateful to the Premier team who worked behind the scenes to help bring this beautiful evening together. Their care and excellence helped shape an experience that felt authentic to who we are and what we value most.
As we look to the future, we are preparing for the next 20 years of ministry with the same heart that brought us to this point. So far, we have raised $331,000 of the $700,000 needed by December 31 to carry this mission forward with strength and faithfulness. This vision is bigger than any one person or moment, and we are filled with hope as we take the next steps together.
If you’d like to join hands with us and help reach this goal, please consider giving and being part of this ongoing journey: missionadelante.org/give
We are still carrying the joy of that night in our hearts. We are still thinking about the conversations, the music, the tears, the laughter. And more than anything, we are still deeply grateful for the people who make Mission Adelante what it is: a growing, diverse, grace-filled community where everyone has a place.
If you were with us on September 18, thank you for being part of something truly meaningful. If you missed it, we hope you can feel a little of it in these words. The story continues, and there is always room for more people to join us as we keep loving people from all places.
Check out these pictures from Shine Gala 2025!
Key Dates in 2025
Trimester 3
Come and See nights: November 10-13 - 6:30pm to 8:00pm