Community & Fundraising

Events

From toy drives and backpack giveaways to galas and karaoke nights, our events bring the BYL community together to support students, families, and the people who care for them. Browse community work we’ve done across Title I neighborhoods, and explore the fundraising events that keep our programs growing.

01 / Community Work

Showing up for our neighborhoods.

Year-round, BYL meets students and families where they are, delivering toys, backpacks, books, and meaningful experiences in Title I communities. Here’s a look at the community work we’ve done and what’s coming next.

BYL Toy Drive distributing toys to children in Title I communities

Annual

Toy Drive

BYL’s annual toy drive collects and distributes toys to children in Title I communities, making sure every kid feels seen and celebrated during the holidays.

Three Kings Day toy giveaway hosted by BYL, Bronx New York

January

Three Kings Day, Toy Giveaway

A celebration honoring the Three Kings tradition, paired with a toy giveaway for kids in the community. A joyful day of cultural pride, generosity, and family time.

BYL Backpack Giveaway with school supplies for students

Back to School

Backpack Giveaway

Every fall, we distribute backpacks filled with school supplies to students starting the new year, helping them walk into the classroom ready, confident, and supported.

BYL students enjoying a Yankees game at Yankee Stadium

Community Outing

BYL Kids at Yankee Stadium

Through its partnership with the New York Yankees, BYL brings holiday joy to the students and families we serve through the annual Yankee Winter Wonderland outing.

Each year, the Yankees generously donate 50 tickets, giving our students the opportunity to visit the iconic Yankee Stadium, experience holiday festivities, meet players, and receive gifts in a day filled with celebration and connection.

This experience reflects our mission in action, creating moments that uplift students, build lasting memories, and remind them they are valued and supported.

Upcoming Donated books collected for an upcoming BYL book giveaway

Coming Soon

Book Collection & Book Giveaway

BYL has been collecting donated books for an upcoming giveaway initiative. We’re building home libraries for kids who deserve to see themselves in the stories they read.

Upcoming · May 30 BYL Mental Health Event focused on youth mental health awareness

May 30

Mental Health Event

A partnership event focused on youth mental health awareness, bringing students, families, and community partners together to talk openly about wellbeing and the resources available to support it.

02 / Fundraising Events

The events that fuel our mission.

Every dollar raised at a BYL event goes back into programs, supplies, and experiences for the students and families we serve. Join us at an upcoming event, or relive the moments that brought our community together.

Karaoke for a Cause fundraiser event flyer, Friday May 15 2026 at Havana Room in the Bronx, hosted by Building Young Leaders

Fundraiser

Karaoke for a Cause

A night of music, laughter, and community, with every mic drop directly supporting BYL’s work with students in Title I neighborhoods.

Sip and Pava Paint fundraiser flyer, Saturday May 23 at Barrio Bronx, hosted by Building Young Leaders

Fundraiser

Sip Pava & Paint

An evening of culture, creativity, and community over pava-inspired sips and paint canvases, all to raise funds for BYL programming.

Networking Fundraiser

A Taste of Dominican Culture

A networking fundraiser celebrating the flavors, music, and warmth of Dominican culture, connecting supporters, partners, and friends of BYL over a shared love of community.

Love to Give Back event honoring school counselors during National School Counseling Week, hosted by Building Young Leaders

National School Counseling Week

Love to Give Back

Our Love to Give Back event was a heartfelt celebration dedicated to honoring the incredible school counselors who make a lasting impact in the lives of students every single day. In recognition of National School Counseling Week, we came together to spotlight the compassion, guidance, and support that counselors provide within our schools and communities.

At BYL, we believe in giving back to those who pour so much into others. This event was our way of showing appreciation for the counselors who help shape futures, uplift students, and create safe spaces for growth and encouragement. We are grateful to everyone who joined us in making this event meaningful and memorable.

Inaugural Gala

BYL Inaugural Gala

Thank you to everyone who attended the BYL Inaugural Gala and helped make the evening so memorable. Your support, encouragement, and belief in our mission continue to inspire us every day. BYL would not be where it is today without our incredible community of supporters, partners, and friends who continue to stand beside us and invest in the future we are building together.

Our inaugural gala was more than a celebration. It was a reflection of the impact we can create as a community. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us, contributed, and helped create such a meaningful night. We invite you to relive the evening by watching our gala recap video below.

Support our work

Whether you give, volunteer, or show up, you make BYL possible. Choose how you want to be part of the next event.