Event Details

At Life Learning Center, we serve individuals trapped in cycles of poverty and unemployment, offering a path forward through life skills training, career readiness programming and placement, and personalized care resources. Our work empowers individuals to be the key to change in their own life—and the Gala plays a critical role in making that possible.

The Life Learning Center Gala is more than an evening of celebration—it’s a powerful gathering in support of transformation, resilience, and human potential. All net proceeds from this inspiring event directly fund the life-changing programs that help individuals reclaim stability, dignity, and purpose.

This year’s Gala will feature a live auction, bourbon pull and other exciting surprises that invite our guests to engage in meaningful and memorable ways. Together, we can change the narrative for individuals working to overcome barriers and build a better life. Your support fuels real impact. Your presence helps rewrite stories—one life at a time.

Our Honorees: Mark and Casey Guilfoyle

Casey and Mark Guilfoyle consider themselves fortunate to be able to serve our community in a variety of roles.

Casey currently serves as President of the Northern Kentucky Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.  From 2018 to 2024, she served as a Trustee at her alma mater, Thomas More University.  In the past Casey served as the Chairperson of the Covington Latin School Board of Education and as a Member of the Boone/Gallatin Foster Care Review Board.

Mark currently serves as Chairperson of the Alliance for Catholic Urban Education and as Secretary of the Serra Club for Vocations, Northern Kentucky.  In the past he has served as a Board Member of the Boy Scouts of America, Dan Beard Council; as Chairperson of the Catholic Charities Board in the Diocese of Covington; as a Board Member of the Kentucky Chamber Commerce; and as a member of the Advisory Board of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

Professionally, Mark is a partner at DBL Law where he helps clients navigate state and local government bureaucracies.  Casey also practiced law in the area of family mediation and Elder Law, retiring in 2017 to spend more time with grandchildren.

Casey and Mark are co-recipients of the following recognition:

  • The Marcella Strategier “Angel of Hope” Award from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Covington
  • The Bishop William A. Hughes Award, conferred by Thomas More University
  • The “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross,” awarded by Pope Francis; and
  • The Robert J. Storer Visionary Leadership Award, conferred by the Northern Kentucky Education Council

Mark and Casey are the proud parents of five adult children and three grandchildren.

Wine and Dine

6:00-7:00

VIP Reception honoring Mark and Casey Guilfoyle

VIP event sponsors and invited guests will be welcomed to an exclusive VIP reception, where meaningful connections await—and each guest will receive a special key to unlock a surprise, symbolizing the power we each hold to open doors to change.

6:00-7:00

Cocktail Hour

Guests will be treated to a sophisticated cocktail hour, accompanied by the soulful sounds of Floyd and The Walkman, setting the perfect tone for an unforgettable evening.

7:00-10:00

Dinner and Program

Guided by emcee Evan Millward, discover how Life Learning Center and our distinguished honorees have been a key or catalysts for change in our community—and unlock your own potential to make a lasting impact in the lives of those in need.

Emcee: Evan Millward

Evan Millward is professional storyteller and longtime anchor/reporter based in Cincinnati. Highlights include the Bengals Super Bowl appearance, several Presidential appearances and campaigns, and the 2015 MLB All-Star Game. He was recently awarded Best Anchor in Ohio by the Society of Professional Journalists. When not in the newsroom, Evan is a runner and volleyball player – so he can try all the new restaurants and bars our area has to offer.

INTERESTED IN SPONSORING THIS YEAR’S EVENT OR PURCHASING AN AD? 

PACKAGES ARE STILL AVAILABLE!

Program Overview

Learn Life & Trade Skills

In partnership with the Enzweiler Building Institute, our program goes beyond learning the basics of your selected path and teaches important life skills like managing money and planning for the future. Choose from career paths like Carpentry, Facilities Maintenance/Remodeling, Heritage/Restoration Trades, HVAC, Masonry, Plumbing and Welding, and start your journey to becoming a skilled leader in the field. Classes meet 4 days per week from 3:00-6:00 PM for 13 weeks and is free for all Kenton County residents.

Get Critical Resources

Get help with important resources like food, transportation, work gear, hygiene items, access to our fitness facility and more. We’re here to help with anything that might get in the way of your personal and professional development. Once you complete the program you become a Member of Life Learning Center for life granting access to critical resources when you need them most.

Find a Career

Get connected with employers in the field and trained staff who will help you find a job that will set you up for success on your new career path.

Graduates of the program typically earn between $22 and $28 per hour. Additionally, some employers are now investing in their employees by covering the costs for further education, opening doors to even greater opportunities for career growth and advancement.

Get Started Today

From keeping the lights on to building homes, roads, and schools, skilled tradespeople are the driving force behind every thriving community. These are careers with purpose, where your work directly impacts the world around you. Choose a career path in one of these high demand fields today.

Contact Brittany Walters at 859.488.7433 or bwalters@lifelearningcenter.us to learn more about how you can build a career you are passionate about.

The Enzweiler Building Institute and the Life Learning Center have graduated the second cohort from their collaborative Life Skills Training and Trades Certificate Program. This milestone exemplifies the power of partnership in providing individuals with the essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the trades industry.

The Life Skills Training and Trades Certificate Program, a joint initiative between the Enzweiler Building Institute and the Life Learning Center, combines comprehensive life skills training with specialized instruction in various construction trades. Through this unique program, students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for successful careers in fields such as Carpentry, Facilities Maintenance, Heritage/Restoration Trades, HVAC, Masonry, Plumbing and Welding.

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Innovative life skills program, Foundations for a Better Life, receives $12 million in state funding to bring services to Southern Kentucky

A program that has seen extraordinary success in Northern Kentucky helping at-risk individuals earn, secure and sustain a better way of life through gainful employment will soon plant roots in Somerset and serve the Lake Cumberland region. 

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