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“Defying the Odds”: A HALO Art Auction Benefiting Homeless Youth Feb. 28 and March 14
Kansas City, MO — HALO, a nonprofit that helps homeless and at-risk children around the world, is hosting its 21st Annual Art Auction fundraiser in person on Sat., Feb. 28, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo., AND Sat., March 14 in Jefferson City, Mo., showcasing stories of HALO youth “Defying the Odds.” Guests who are not able to attend the two in-person events are encouraged to watch the Feb. 28 event livestream for FREE on HALO’s YouTube Channel @HALOEmpowersYouth at 7:30 p.m. CST. Anyone can register for free for both events to bid on auction items, make a donation, and/or purchase Instabuys and raffle tickets. The Auction is an action-packed night featuring entertainment, the HALO Documentary Short Film Premiere, and a live and silent auction.
“The HALO Art Auction is filled with so many incredible silent and live auction packages generously donated by supporters of HALO who want their donation to directly impact the 3,000 homeless and at-risk youth HALO serves each year,” said HALO Founder and CEO Rebecca Welsh. “We’re also excited to announce our HALO Star of the Year featuring a special HALO youth and share with you a short documentary of youth breaking the cycle to become contributing members of their communities.”
Since 2005, HALO has provided housing, healing, and education to thousands of homeless and at-risk children around the world. HALO provides the foundation of a family by providing homeless kids a safe place to sleep and fulfilling a spectrum of needs, from simply surviving the night to surviving their first job interview to helping them learn how to make it on their own as successful young adults.
In January 2025, HALO opened its third new location in Missouri, operating the HALO Boys Home, Girls Home, Learning Center, and Headquarters. This multi-phased project is located at I-435 South and Blue Parkway, near the Chiefs and Royals Stadiums in southeast Kansas City, on 37 acres.
The HALO KC Housing program is a Transitional Living Program. The HALO Girls Home provides the foundation of a family to pregnant, parenting, and non-parenting girls ages 16-21 and their children who are homeless or in high-risk situations. The HALO Boys Home serves boys ages 16-21. Ten bedrooms are available, and each home has a shared living room and kitchen. HALO youth graduate from the program within 18 months.
The KC Learning Center currently serves over 700 homeless and at-risk children and partners in the community, offering free services with organizations like reStart Inc., Fairfax Learning Center, Newhouse, Cornerstones of Care, and Hillcrest Transitional Living Program. Since 2010, the Learning Center has provided therapeutic art programs, tutoring, professional development, scholarships, and life skill workshops.
Event Details:
There are several ways to participate. Learn more by registering at https://haloworldwide.org/2026haloaa/.
Saturday, Feb. 28 in Kansas City, Mo.
1. Attend in-person on Feb. 28 from 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. in Kansas City, Mo., at The Midland Theatre. Honorary Co-Chairs are Jeff and Nancy Robinson, and Sarah Ross. A VIP Party is offered for sponsors $10,000 or higher at 5:30 p.m. Get your ticket here: https://haloworldwide.org/2026haloaa/
2. Can’t attend in person? Register for free at https://halokansascity.home.qtego.us/ and bid on silent auction items, donate, and purchase instabuys and golden raffle tickets. Live auction packages are viewable here. If interested, reach out to nicolegerken@haloworldwide.org to place a proxy $ bid, and HALO will bid on your behalf.
3. You can also watch the free live stream on Feb. 28 from the comfort of your home with family and friends to make a big impact. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. CST on YouTube @HALOEmpowersYouth.
Saturday, March 14 in Jefferson City, Mo.
1. Attend in person on March 14 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Jefferson City, Mo., at Capital Bluffs Event Center. Honorary Co-Chairs are Scott & Mindy Hovis and Jim & Kelly Jackson. Get your ticket here: https://haloworldwide.org/event/2026-jefferson-city-art-auction/
2. Can’t attend in person? Register for free at https://halojeffersoncity.home.qtego.us/, bid on silent auction items, donate, and purchase instabuys and golden raffle tickets. Live auction packages are viewable here. If interested, reach out to nicolegerken@haloworldwide.org to place a proxy $ bid, and HALO will bid on your behalf.
“The HALO Art Auction is filled with so many incredible silent and live auction packages generously donated by supporters of HALO who want their donation to directly impact the 3,000 homeless and at-risk youth HALO serves each year,” said HALO Founder and CEO Rebecca Welsh. “We’re also excited to announce our HALO Star of the Year featuring a special HALO youth and share with you a short documentary of youth breaking the cycle to become contributing members of their communities.”
Since 2005, HALO has provided housing, healing, and education to thousands of homeless and at-risk children around the world. HALO provides the foundation of a family by providing homeless kids a safe place to sleep and fulfilling a spectrum of needs, from simply surviving the night to surviving their first job interview to helping them learn how to make it on their own as successful young adults.
In January 2025, HALO opened its third new location in Missouri, operating the HALO Boys Home, Girls Home, Learning Center, and Headquarters. This multi-phased project is located at I-435 South and Blue Parkway, near the Chiefs and Royals Stadiums in southeast Kansas City, on 37 acres.
The HALO KC Housing program is a Transitional Living Program. The HALO Girls Home provides the foundation of a family to pregnant, parenting, and non-parenting girls ages 16-21 and their children who are homeless or in high-risk situations. The HALO Boys Home serves boys ages 16-21. Ten bedrooms are available, and each home has a shared living room and kitchen. HALO youth graduate from the program within 18 months.
The KC Learning Center currently serves over 700 homeless and at-risk children and partners in the community, offering free services with organizations like reStart Inc., Fairfax Learning Center, Newhouse, Cornerstones of Care, and Hillcrest Transitional Living Program. Since 2010, the Learning Center has provided therapeutic art programs, tutoring, professional development, scholarships, and life skill workshops.
Event Details:
There are several ways to participate. Learn more by registering at https://haloworldwide.org/2026haloaa/.
Saturday, Feb. 28 in Kansas City, Mo.
1. Attend in-person on Feb. 28 from 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. in Kansas City, Mo., at The Midland Theatre. Honorary Co-Chairs are Jeff and Nancy Robinson, and Sarah Ross. A VIP Party is offered for sponsors $10,000 or higher at 5:30 p.m. Get your ticket here: https://haloworldwide.org/2026haloaa/
2. Can’t attend in person? Register for free at https://halokansascity.home.qtego.us/ and bid on silent auction items, donate, and purchase instabuys and golden raffle tickets. Live auction packages are viewable here. If interested, reach out to nicolegerken@haloworldwide.org to place a proxy $ bid, and HALO will bid on your behalf.
3. You can also watch the free live stream on Feb. 28 from the comfort of your home with family and friends to make a big impact. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. CST on YouTube @HALOEmpowersYouth.
Saturday, March 14 in Jefferson City, Mo.
1. Attend in person on March 14 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Jefferson City, Mo., at Capital Bluffs Event Center. Honorary Co-Chairs are Scott & Mindy Hovis and Jim & Kelly Jackson. Get your ticket here: https://haloworldwide.org/event/2026-jefferson-city-art-auction/
2. Can’t attend in person? Register for free at https://halojeffersoncity.home.qtego.us/, bid on silent auction items, donate, and purchase instabuys and golden raffle tickets. Live auction packages are viewable here. If interested, reach out to nicolegerken@haloworldwide.org to place a proxy $ bid, and HALO will bid on your behalf.
As featured on The CBS Evening News, the live and silent HALO auction boasts items from HALO youth, professional artists, businesses, and individuals for 21 years. The Executive Producer Presenting Sponsor is Mariner Wealth Advisors.
ABOUT HALO:
HALO believes every child should have the foundation of a family. Since 2005, HALO has provided love in the form of housing, healing, and education to heal homeless and at-risk children. Featured in the Moroccanoil INSPIRED film series, “American Spirit” of CBS Evening News, “Heroes Among Us” and “25 Women Changing the World” of PEOPLE magazine, “The Today Show,” Variety Magazine, and Oprah Daily, HALO serves over 3,000 children and supports 15 programs around the globe each year. It has Learning Centers and Housing programs in Kansas City and Jefferson City, Missouri. HALO also supports orphanages and programs in Uganda, Kenya, and Mexico. Learn how Love Heals at HALO and help one more child spend one less day alone at www.haloworldwide.org.
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HALO Social Media Handles:
Facebook: @HALOFoundation
Instagram: @haloempowersyouth
Linkedin: The HALO Foundation
YouTube: @haloempowersyouth (Event is FREE to watch on Feb. 28)
The HALO Foundation
-
Nicole Gerken COO
- January 30, 2026
- (913) 548-8875
- Send Email
