2026 Power Forward Gala

Please join us at the annual Power Forward Gala scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2026, which will be held at the Plaza Ballroom, Seaport Hotel Boston.   It will be an important night as we gather to raise awareness and support for those suffering from the disease of substance use disorder in Greater Boston. 

We are happy to announce this year's

Champion Honoree, Thomas S. Gunning

Executive Director of the Building Trades Employers Association (BTEA) Northeast.  

Tom has been a powerful voice for individuals seeking recovery, drawing strength from his own journey.

With your support, Power Forward can continue to end the stigma of addiction and provide recovery resources to MA communities.  Your participation will provide Power Forward Sobriety Scholarships, which will provide the initial cost of up to six weeks of housing in a rigorously vetted sober home.  You will also support the DOER Program (Dog Ownership Enhancing Recovery), which is the first of its kind, integrating companion dogs into sober homes to provide unconditional love, purpose, and responsibility.

We look forward to welcoming you for a great night of friendship, support, and life-changing impact.

HISTORY & MISSION

Founded: 2018 by Kevin Stevens and his sister, Kelli Wilson. 

Nonprofit 501c3 organization (Tax ID #: 82-4404034)

Mission: De-stigmatize addiction through education, empowerment, and innovation. 

Create a recovery community where healing, growth, and connection can thrive.

POWER FORWARD SPONSOR

The Flatley Foundation

SALAH Foundation

RECOVERY SPONSOR

Building Trades Employers' Association

GOAL SPONSORS

Iron Workers District Council of New England LMCT

MTV Solutions

New Balance

Walsh Brothers, Inc. 

PREVENTION SPONSORS

Building Trades Recovery Week

NHL

The Painters/Glass Employers' Associations of New England Labor Management Program

TREATMENT SPONSORS

Boston Bruins Foundation | Bravepath Recovery | CAZ Investments | Danny Leo Martin Hope Foundation

E.M. Duggan | Eastern Bank Foundation | The Geraghty Team at Morgan Stanley | Herlihy Insurance & The Herlihy Family | Mayor Thomas Koch / City of Quincy | National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) Goals & Dreams

New England Laborers | Pipefitters Local 537 | Priority Tax Relief

ROAR (Ride for Opioid Addiction Recovery) | Rockland Recovery

VERTEX | Hon. Martin J. Walsh

ENGAGEMENT

Eversource Energy | Florence Family Charitable Foundation | John Hancock Manulife Investments | Prime Steel Erecting, Inc. | Segal Company

SUPPORT

Antonacci Family Foundation | Atlantic Resiliency Innovation Institute | Boston Diamond Company | Lee Kennedy Company | ML McDonald Sales Company | Jane & Paul Maier | Northeast Regional Council of SMART | Salem Five | Siguler Guff & Company, LP | T.J. McCartney, Inc. | The Willing House

FRIENDSHIP

Addiction Treatment Center of New England | Iron Workers Local #7 | Klein Hornig LLP | Sean McDonough | The Nassoura Family | Patty's Sanctuary Sober Living | Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation | Red Sox Foundation | Rockland Trust Foundation | Roofers Union Local #33 | R.D. Sweeney, Sr. | USA Hockey | Dr. Edward Yerage & Family