For guests, the American Dream Awards Gala is an evening of celebration. For The New American Dream Foundation, it helps keep essential community programs operating long after the music ends.

The Foundation has set a $50,000 fundraising goal for its 2026 gala, presented by Ventura Law. The event will take place Friday, October 16, at The Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury.

Individual tickets cost $200. According to the Foundation, $100 covers the cost of the event and the remaining $100 supports its programs. An early-bird package of two tickets for $375 is available through October 1.

The appeal comes as immigrant families face growing fear, financial instability, and fewer places where they can seek help without concern about their immigration status. The Foundation relies primarily on private foundation grants, business sponsorships, and individual donations to operate programs that serve immigrants, regardless of status, while protecting their privacy and safety.

“At a time when immigrant families are facing growing fear and uncertainty, we cannot step back from this work,” said Emanuela Palmares, vice president and program director of The New American Dream Foundation. “Many of the people who come to us are excluded from traditional assistance because of their immigration status. When someone purchases a gala ticket or becomes a sponsor, that support helps us keep our doors open and respond based on need, not status.”

Since the New American Dream Community Resource Center opened in April 2023, it has served more than 1,160 immigrant individuals and families from 33 countries across five continents. Services include healthcare navigation, citizenship assistance, immigration referrals, notarizations, translations, letter writing, and help in understanding documents.

The Center has held more than 220 appointments focused on citizenship eligibility. More than 140 clients have received citizenship tutoring, with a reported 97 percent pass rate.

Private contributions also support the Immigrant Family Emergency Relief Fund, which has distributed $30,000 since 2023. Assistance is available by referral only through community partners, including hospitals, behavioral health clinics, federally qualified health centers, schools, and nonprofit organizations.

One recipient was an elderly Brazilian permanent resident referred by a hospital. Serious health problems had left him unable to work, and his expired Green Card created barriers to proving his status and accessing healthcare assistance. He did not qualify for a USCIS fee waiver and could not afford the filing fee for a replacement card.

The Center helped him organize his documents and connected him with the CIRI legal clinic. The Emergency Fund covered the USCIS filing fee. He has since received his new Green Card and gained access to needed healthcare coverage and assistance.

Gala proceeds also support Mission Health Day. During the past six years, the Foundation has directed more than $137,800 toward healthcare access and has served as one of the event’s underwriters. On average, more than 300 people receive free health screenings and services each year, regardless of immigration status.

The Foundation has also awarded more than $90,000 in scholarships to 38 students representing 11 countries since 2014.

“Each student carries a different immigrant story, but they share the courage to pursue an education and the determination to build a brighter future,” said Angela Barbosa, chair of the scholarship committee.

The gala also benefits the Senior Hot Meal Program, which has delivered 56,795 meals since 2020. Unlike programs centered on immigrants, who may be excluded from public assistance, the meal program has received government funding because it serves eligible seniors, including U.S. citizens.

This year, The Amber Room will be transformed into “Little Portugal” to celebrate the Portuguese Cultural Center’s 25th anniversary. The evening will feature Portuguese cuisine, music by Sonia Bettencourt, and a performance by Rancho Folclórico Filhos de Portugal.

Tickets and sponsorship information are available at www.AmericanDreamGala.com.