Boston, MA City Kids, a nonprofit that provides children across the city’s neighborhoods and beyond with unique experiences and valuable educational resources, hosted its 2025 City Kids Gala at Alibi in the Liberty Hotel. The event drew a strong crowd of business and civic leaders to support City Kids’ mission to meaningfully impact the lives of under-served youth through programs such as educational events, technology access, surf camps, financial literacy lessons, and, most recently, a collaborative art initiative called the City Kids Art Enrichment Program.

City Kids, founded by City Realty Group managing partners Fred Starikov and Stephen Whalen in 2012, has served more than 10,000 children during the past decade and provided $1 million to ensure children, schools, and youth development programs have the educational resources and technology they need. The 2025 City Kids Gala was highlighted by featured speaker Steph Lewis, president and chief executive officer of The BASE, a Roxbury-based youth development organization long supported by City Kids.

“We are proud to partner with and support organizations such as The BASE which share our passion for inspiring children and giving them tangible tools to achieve their goals and fulfil their dreams,” Whalen said. “City Kids is thankful for the wonderful support from the community and this gala exceeded our best hopes and was our most successful and impactful yet.”

The evening also featured recognition and art preview for the new City Kids Art Enrichment Program. Through this collaborative art initiative, City Kids will provide resources and supplies to encourage youth to explore their creativity and identity and engage with their community in the process. The City Kids Art Enrichment Program is a partnership led by City Kids in collaboration with BOLD Teens, Speak for the Trees, Susan Gentile Studio, and Azia Artz. Together, we are working together to empower our youth to express their creativity and deepen their connection to the environment through art. 

City Kids would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to every donor who contributed to the success of the City Kids Gala. The support plays a vital role in helping the organization continue its mission of uplifting underserved community through programs and supplying essential resources.