Celebration for City Kidz

All super heroes have powers that make them unique. But one trait defines them all — being a force for good. 500 real-life super heroes will be honoured this evening at the Big Dream Banquet hosted by City Kidz.

Over one-thousand volunteers and supporters have packed the 3rd floor of the Hamilton Convention Centre this evening for the Night of the Superheroes banquet.

You won’t be seeing any red capes or costumes though.

These are the superheroes that spend countless hours working and building relationships with Hamilton’s youth.

And the night is all about honouring them.

Close to a 100 youth arrived by limousine at 5:30, some riding in one for the very first time.

They were greeted by Hamilton Police Chief Glenn de Caire and MPP Ted McMeekin.

These youth in particular have spent a considerable time enrolled in City Kidz programs and now they have started to give back.

Volunteers from City Kidz work face-to-face with over 2,400 youth every week.

The event will feature a silent auction, a dinner and stories from members of the City Kidz organization.

Susan Morris from City Kidz spoke about investing in youth: “because they are our future and if we don’t invest in them now, we’re going to be paying taxes for these kids in jail. We don’t care what our kids become, we care what they don’t become. And they’re not on the streets and they’re not selling drugs and they’re not doing drugs. They’re wanting to be leaders and building good values.”

City Kidz hopes to end the cycle of poverty in Hamilton’s low income neighbourhoods.

45 percent of the kids that take part in City Kidz programming become volunteers.