YLA Christmas Social 2025
Dear YLA Family,
As the year winds down and Christmas lights glow across our community, we want to take you back to one unforgettable night.
Our Annual Christmas Social on December 18, 2025.
This was not just another event. It was a living story of hope, pride, unbreakable family ties, and pure holiday magic that reminded us why we pour every ounce of our hearts into this work.
A Safe Place to Land, Filled with Light
Our Safe Place to Land came alive with lights, laughter, and big hugs that were warm, genuine, and full of life.
Delicious food filled the tables thanks to generous hearts who made sure no one went hungry, especially Corporal Yuen, who had just graduated from OCS.
The night also had the perfect soundtrack. Michael Perry filled the room with soulful, groovy music that had everyone singing, dancing, and lifting each other higher with every note.
What the Night Looked Like
That evening, we did what families do best:
- We hugged
- We laughed
- We danced and sang
- We worked out with the Navy, Marines, and Air Force
- We ate and ate again
- We made Parent Christmas Cards
- We created YLA Christmas tree ornaments
- We filled Gratitude Jars with the good we plan to carry into 2026
- We built 2026 Vision Boards full of dreams and determination
God’s Perfect Timing
Then came one of the most unforgettable moments of the night.
Santa Claus, yes Santa, was driving by in a big red truck with a sleigh on the back when our founder Ms. Marie spotted him. With all the love and boldness in her heart, she ran into the street and called out, “Is that Santa?”
He pulled over.
Santa parked, walked right in, took photos with families and graduates, and even danced with Ms. Marie and some of our students. Joy filled the room in a way only Santa can bring.
He happened to be the well-known FOX5 Santa, driving by YLA at exactly the right moment. God’s timing is always right.
The Moment That Touched Every Heart
But the heart of the night belonged to our graduates.
Our Marines came home.
As Ms. Marie always says,
“They always come back, and we absolutely love it when they do.”
Watching them walk through those doors with strength, pride, and determination filled the room with tears, cheers, and overwhelming emotion.
After four long years, we finally made the announcement we had been waiting to share:
Congratulations to Dezerrion Alexander and Koji Thepthongsene on becoming United States Marines.
We are humbly proud of you and deeply grateful for your service.
Please always be safe.
We cannot wait for you to come back again and inspire our new Starfish.
That single moment captured everything Youth Leadership Authority stands for and reflected our core values:
Honesty, Respect, Peace, Kindness, and Humility.
With Gratitude to Our Sponsors & Partners
None of this would have been possible without our incredible supporters.
We are deeply grateful to our partners and donors:
AC Pro
Gene Haas Foundation
Master Mechanical
Full Throttle Law
KOA Foundation
Henderson Fire Department
U.S. Navy
United States Marine Corps
U.S. Air Force
Navy Warrior Challenge Program
Army National Guard
And every individual donor who gave so generously to support our young leaders.
A very special thank-you to our amazing team:
Marie, Renaye, James, Sam, Santana, Yuen, and Ari Garcia.
Your dedication, energy, and love turned a simple gathering into a memory we will carry forever.
A Community That Shows Up
For 24 years, our community has stood strong with YLA.
We were honored to welcome special guests who continue to believe in our mission:
Linda Williams; The Honorable Lance Hendron and Catherine Wiersch; Holly Nagatoshi; and the Navy Special Warfare Operations Team led by CWO4 ROMAC CHAVIS.
Thank you for your unwavering support.
Help Us Carry This Work Forward
As we close out 2025, we ask for your partnership one more time as we step into 2026 with confidence.
The work continues every day. We mentor, guide, feed, and prepare teenagers to become heroes who will one day care for all of us.
Your support keeps our doors open. It feeds hungry hearts and bodies. It brings mentors, music, movement, and sometimes even Santa when the moment is right.
YLA provides a Safe Place to Land through nine programs in personal, professional, spiritual, and physical development, serving students for one to four years.
Make a Year-End Gift
Please consider making a generous year-end donation before December 31, 2025.
Every dollar goes directly to changing lives, just like it does through:
- Christmas Social
- Community Service Series
- Community Conversations
- The Constitution
- Self Care
- The Retreat Challenge
- Summer Leadership Series
- The FORGE
👉 Make Your Year-End Gift Today
Donate Now — Transform a Teen’s Life
Looking Ahead
In January, we will reveal our 2026 calendar, along with big news about two new programs launching in 2026. Stay tuned.
Get and stay involved:
📧 info@youthleadershipauthority.com
Through giving, volunteering, or simply telling a friend.
Together, we keep writing this story.
A Christmas Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for this community, for the young leaders You have entrusted to us, and for the courage You have placed in their hearts.
We lift up Dezerrion, Koji, and all our graduates who have answered the call to serve. Guard them, guide them, and bring them safely home.
Bless every family gathered this Christmas. May Your love surround us, Your hope fill us, and Your peace be upon us all.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Merry Christmas, YLA Family
We love you. We are proud of you. We cannot wait to see you again soon.
With all our hearts,
Your Youth Leadership Authority Team
P.S. Graduates, come back anytime. The door is always open, the hugs are always waiting, and we are always ready to cheer you on.