Photo from the 2021 Connections of Hope Gala of the audience tables during the live auction.
Connections of Hope Gala This cocktail chic gala includes a memorable program, entertainment, dinner, auctions, and the opportunity to provide hope to Arizona youth. RSVP today!
October 7, 2022 Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, 4949 East Lincoln Drive Scottsdale, Arizona 85253

An Evening to Celebrate Arizona’s Youth

Connections of Hope is the largest fundraiser supporting Teen Lifeline each year, supporting the “connections of hope” found daily by troubled teens on our peer-to-peer hotline. At $300 per ticket, you’ll enjoy a delectable dinner, exceptional youth entertainment, live and silent auctions, and an opportunity to support our life-saving work.

Buy your ticket
  1. Become a Sponsor Becoming a sponsor has benefits for both you and the youth Teen Lifeline serves. Sponsorships range from $3,000 to $100,000, with increasing levels of recognition and backing crucial youth programs. Sponsorship opportunities
  2. Donate Items for Auction The gala’s auctions are an important source of our funds, only possible through supporters’ generosity. Items include getaways, home services, and unique pieces. All proceeds go towards preventing teen suicide. Donate to our auction

Our 2022 Honoree

Mandy Purcell
Founder & Publisher Commercial Real Estate Magazine

Photo of Mandy Purcell, the 2022 Connections of Hope Gala Honoree.
Save a Life, Fund a Cause
$250 Gift Hotline Call This gift will support one hotline call, connecting a teen in crisis to hope. Donate Now
$500 Gift Classroom Prevention Services This gift will fund one classroom presentation for teens to learn how to spot the warning signs in themselves and others. Donate Now
$1,000 Gift Prevention Education for Parents This gift will fund education for parents on youth suicide prevention, communicating with their teens, and building resiliency. Donate Now
$1,500 Gift In-Person Training for School Staff This gift will fund one face-to-face training of 30 school personnel on youth suicide prevention and how to intervene with students at risk for suicide. Donate Now
$2,500 Gift Train a Peer Counselor This gift will train a new teen Peer Counselor to be a superhero providing a connection of hope to 400+ struggling teens on the hotline each year. Donate Now
$5,000 Gift Virtual Training for School Staff This gift will fund one virtual training for 30 school staff on youth suicide prevention and how to intervene with students at risk for suicide. Donate Now
$10,000 Gift Prevention Education for 200 School Staff This gift will support face-to-face training of 200 school personnel on youth suicide prevention and how to intervene with students at risk for suicide. Donate Now
$25,000 Gift eLearning for Schools This gift will support the customization of a best practice eLearning curriculum to help school administrators and promote a culture that restores hope, encourages distressed people to seek help, and builds resilience and connectedness across a community. Donate Now

Alfredo J. Molina Community Lifeline Award

At Connections of Hope, we honor a local philanthropist with the Alfredo J. Molina Community Lifeline Award for their extraordinary contributions to the service of others, particularly to youth. The recipient serves as a community role model, inspiring others with their personal and professional integrity, leadership, and compassion.

Previous award recipients include Alfredo J. Molina (2004), Peter Thomas (2005), Carole and Bob Machiz (2006), Derrick Hall (2007), Linda and Bill Pope (2008), John R. Norton III (2009), Bridget Pettis (2011), Jerry Colangelo (2012), Larry Fitzgerald Jr. (2013), Jordin Sparks (2014), Donald Tapia (2015), Tom Hatten (2016), Erik Olsson (2017), David Alexander (2018), Sissie Roberts Shank (2019), and Lorry Bottrill (2021).

Highlights from 2021’s Event

On the evening of Friday, October 1, 2021, Arizona’s healthcare community came together to support teen suicide prevention at Teen Lifeline’s Connections of Hope Gala, coordinated by Event Chairs Barbara & Hugh Lytle of Equality Health. Read about the event on LinkedIn.

The Community Lifeline Award went to Lorry Bottrill of Mercy Care, and Peer of the Year went to Gregory & Alex. Entertainment included Mistress of Ceremonies Carey Peña, teen band The Joeys, live & silent auctions run by auctioneer Letitia Frye, stories from peer counselors Ria & Emma, and a VIP after-party with guitarist Esteban & violinist Teresa Joy.

This event has both live and silent auctions, with proceeds supporting Teen Lifeline and our life-saving work in teen suicide prevention. The items in our auctions often include one-of-a-kind experiences (such as with sports teams like the Phoenix Suns or the Diamondbacks) and luxury items with high-tier donors such as Black Starr & Frost.

If you would like to donate an auction item, click here for more information.