Stacey Tinsley, Bossier Press-Tribune
Community members gathered Thursday evening, Feb. 19, for an evening of food, fellowship and inspiration as Young Life Bossier Parish hosted its annual fundraising banquet at BPSTIL.
Held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the dinner welcomed approximately 100 guests interested in learning more about the organization’s outreach to middle and high school students throughout Bossier City. The event highlighted more than a decade of ministry impact in the area and offered attendees an opportunity to support its continued growth.
Young Life and its middle school ministry, WyldLife, focus on building relationships with students by providing safe, welcoming environments where young people can be heard and encouraged. Leaders shared how volunteers and staff spend time with students through weekly gatherings, mentoring and activities designed to communicate faith and purpose in ways students can understand.
Currently, WyldLife is active at Greenacres Middle School, while Young Life serves students at Airline High School. Organizers said the ministry’s presence on those campuses has helped create meaningful connections and lasting relationships with students navigating the challenges of adolescence.
The evening’s featured speaker, Kimberly Root, a 20-year Young Life staff veteran from New Orleans, shared stories from her years of ministry and spoke about the importance of investing in the lives of young people. Her message offered banquet guests a broader look at how the organization operates locally and globally, emphasizing the lasting difference consistent mentorship can make.
Guests enjoyed a catered meal and entertainment while learning how their financial contributions and volunteer efforts directly support outreach efforts in Bossier Parish. Organizers expressed gratitude for the community’s continued support and noted that the banquet plays a vital role in sustaining programming throughout the year.
For more than 10 years, Young Life Bossier Parish has worked to be present in the lives of students, offering encouragement and guidance during critical formative years. Thursday night’s banquet served not only as a fundraiser, but as a celebration of the relationships and impact already made — and a call to continue investing in the next generation.
If you would like to learn more about Young Life, please visit https://bossierparish.younglife.org/