Newcomers Access Center held its fourth annual fundraising gala on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, auction participants, speakers, and guests for making the evening such a success.

This year’s theme, “Welcoming Newcomers,” celebrated the resilience of immigrant and refugee families and the collective power of community support. Proceeds from the event directly benefit NAC programs that provide housing and transportation assistance to the families we serve.

We were honored to welcome Rigoberto Reyes, Director of LA County’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, as our keynote speaker. Director Reyes shared personal reflections on his journey immigrating from Mexico and his continued connection to his childhood home. He also offered concrete examples of how local governments are protecting immigrant families—and how each of us can play a role in supporting newcomers.

Additional distinguished guests included Deputy District Attorney Talha Khan‑Valbuena, Claremont Mayor Jennifer Stark, Huntington Park Mayor Eddie Martinez, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, and regional partners across education, housing, transit, finance, and health and human services. The evening was spiritedly emceed by Greg Bennick, Founder and Executive Director of One Hundred for Haiti, who kept the room energized with magic, humor, and heart.

Pictured: Speakers at the Gala, clockwise from top: Anne Thorward, NAC President Emerita; Jalil Barati, NAC Client; Helen Cherkasov, NAC Client and Volunteer; Emcee Greg Bennick, Founder and Executive Director of One Hundred for Haiti; and Rigoberto Reyes, Director of LA County of Immigration Affairs. Thank you to our speakers for sharing your knowledge and experience with our guests.