Let’s Shine Gala - Neway Works – Youth Mentoring and Development

Annual Let's Shine
Charity Gala 2025

Better Together

Friday November 21, 2025
Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores
Official Media Partner HOUR Detroit

Letter From Our Founder

On behalf of the Board of Neway Works and our staff, welcome to the Annual Let’s Shine Charity Gala!

We are thrilled to celebrate this evening of impact, philanthropy, and people who help advance it in our local community. Whether you are here as a sponsor, awardee, donor, or a special guest, we are honored to have you with us.

This historic family home of Edsel Ford, the only son of Henry Ford, and his wife, Eleanor, is a breathtaking estate situated on the shores of Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Shores.

The estate’s beautiful grounds and gardens provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable evening of our 5-year anniversary, philanthropy, and community impact!

Your presence at this event will not only give you the opportunity to experience this remarkable location but also play a vital role in helping us expand our impact on the lives of student athletes we serve.

I want to personally thank our sponsors and committee members who have made this evening possible through their generosity and continued support.

With your gifts, we will advance our mission to empower student athletes by providing comprehensive support that break barriers, unlock potential, and build brighter futures for the next generation of leaders.

With Gratitude,

Shane Gianino

Founder & Executive Director

About Neway Works

Neway Works, Inc. was established during the COVID-19 pandemic with a purpose of being a light to teens mental health and wellness via safe after-school youth development and mentoring services.

We offer youth enrichment programs designed to help student athletes achieve success both in the classroom and in life. We understand that many young people face significant barriers that can impede their academic progress, personal development, and access to opportunities. These challenges may stem from systemic inequities, mental health struggles, or wellness issues. Our programs are designed to address these obstacles, providing the support and resources necessary for students to overcome them and thrive.

Since 2020, we have improved the overall wellness and mental health of over 225 student athletes through our after-school youth mentoring program, Project Transformation.

Money raised from this fundraiser will be utilized to help with tutoring and mentoring expenses, financial scholarships for student athletes, nutritional meals, sporting camps and showcases, sport apparel needed to compete for college athletic scholarships, and program supplies.

Evening Agenda

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. VIP Cocktail Reception featuring world renowned Sicilian jazz performing artist, Michele Ramo
7:00 p.m. – General Admission
7:30 p.m. – Welcome Address by Celebrity Master of Ceremonies Nick Monacelli
7:40 p.m. – Keynote by TBD
7:45 p.m. – Invocation Dinner is served
8:15 p.m. – Dedicated Giving
8:30 p.m. – Introduction of 2025 Better Together Award Honorees
8:45 p.m – Silent Auction Closes
9:00 p.m. – Closing Remarks

Master Of Ceremonies

Nick Monacelli

Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Nick has a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast News from Grand Valley State University. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.

He’s also traveled the country to cover one of the most impactful stories in that area: whether or not the Sacramento Kings would relocate. And yes, if you’re wondering, he was there when the San Francisco Giants swept the Tigers for the World Series in 2012 (sorry!).

Prior to Sacramento, Nick was a reporter at WZZM 13 in Grand Rapids.

“After less than an hour in the Local 4 Newsroom, I knew I made the right choice to come home,” he said. “The producers, reporters, photojournalists and the rest of the newsroom staff have a unique passion for this city. Many people here got here and never left. It’s the kind of place I wanted to be.”

Monacelli’s career in television began at an early age, when he helped produce a teenage talk show at Shelby TV, the local municipal station in Shelby Township. The show didn’t last long, but his love for TV did.

Less than a year later, Nick started reporting there, learning the journalism ropes from broadcasting legend Philip Nye.

He would later earn a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast News from Grand Valley State University. After graduation, he stayed in Grand Rapids and taught an undergraduate news workshop course at GVSU while reporting at WZZM. In 2009, the company convinced him to move across the country to California.

So, why move from sunny California, to Michigan … in February? Family.

Nick and his wife, Jennifer, have two children and decided it was time to get closer to those they missed most. Plus, free babysitters!

He says he couldn’t ask for a better career, despite the misconceptions.

“When asked about my job, everyone wants to know if it’s anything like ‘Anchorman’. I usually say, ‘Well, there aren’t any newsroom fights (at least not physical ones), we don’t high-five each other (unless no one else is looking), and we don’t purposely sabotage a co-worker’s career (I would hope not). The competitive edge is definitely similar, as is the lackadaisical attitude on set. Plus, you can always hear someone laughing or singing from their desk’.”