2026 American Dream Awards Gala Celebrates Portuguese Heritage and Unity, Raises $46,000 for Community Programs

DANBURY - The New American Dream Foundation (TNADF) hosted its 12th Annual American Dream Awards Gala on Friday, October 16, at The Amber Room Colonnade, transforming the venue into “Little Portugal” for an evening of culture, recognition, and philanthropy.

Presented by Ventura Law, the gala raised $46,000 for TNADF’s programs, awarded $12,000 in scholarships, provided $12,000 for Mission Health Day, and included a $1,000 donation to Rancho Folclórico Filhos de Portugal to support Portuguese cultural traditions.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal joined community leaders, families, and supporters for a celebration of immigrant achievement and shared purpose.

Young volunteer Caio Palmares Leaf opened the evening by inviting immigrants and their descendants to raise their hands. “Every child of an immigrant family deserves the opportunity to stand proudly in the future their family sacrificed to create,” he said.

TNADF President Celia Bacelar Palmares looked across the room as she thanked attendees and honorees. “This is what compassion looks like. This is what humanity looks like,” she said.

Vice President and Program Director Emanuela Palmares guided guests through the evening. Sonia Bettencourt’s moving fado performance brought Portuguese musical traditions to the dinner program, with a dedication honoring the late Americo S. Ventura. Rancho Folclórico Filhos de Portugal engaged guests throughout the celebration, culminating in an interactive finale filled with movement and Portuguese pride.

Marking the Portuguese Cultural Center’s 25th anniversary, TNADF presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to five founding leaders who set aside differences and united organizations around a shared purpose: creating a lasting home for Portuguese culture and community.

Augie Ribeiro, the Center’s first president, helped inspire that unity. Ray Boa, its first vice president, helped bring the vision to life. Jose Boa, Sons of Portugal president and PCC fundraising chairman, mobilized support. Francisco Bahia, Portuguese American Club president, helped bring organizations together. Antonio Fernandes, building committee chairman, was honored posthumously, with his wife, Helen, accepting his award.

As the tribute video expressed, “Sometimes the greatest American dreams, are not the ones we achieve alone, but the ones we achieve together.”

State Senator Julie Kushner received the American Dream Champion Award for her commitment to immigrant and working families. The granddaughter of Ukrainian Jewish immigrants who fled persecution, Kushner has championed workers’ rights, fair wages, Connecticut Paid Leave, and protections for domestic workers.

Her recognition also reflected her leadership in securing state support for TNADF’s Senior Hot Meal Program, helping sustain a vital connection to food and community for older residents. Her inspirational acceptance speech connected the immigrant experience with the responsibility to protect dignity and expand opportunity.

Families Network of Western Connecticut received the Community Hero Award for strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect. Through education, early support, and prevention programs, the organization helps parents, including many immigrants, build safe,

Four students each received a $3,000 scholarship.

Julia Pereira, a Brazilian American student at Western Connecticut State University, dreams of becoming an immigration lawyer, inspired by her parents’ sacrifices.

Gussi Angelina Vera Cajas, from Ecuador, rebuilt her educational journey while working and earning her GED, with plans to study biology and pursue dentistry.

Maksym Pshenainikov, who fled the war in Ukraine with his family, hopes to study computer science or cybersecurity and establish a technology business.

Suyun Han, from China, balances multiple jobs and studies at Western Connecticut State University as she pursues a nursing career.

In addition to presenting sponsor Ventura Law, TNADF recognized Lifetime Achievement Sponsor Union Savings Bank; Community Hero Sponsor Ives Bank; scholarship sponsors Ventura Law, Northwell Health, Newtown Savings Bank, and Union Savings Bank Foundation; and Senior Hot Meal Patrons Mulvaney Mechanical and Linde.

Community partners included Connecticut Health Foundation, City of Danbury, Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, RobyDodd Family Charitable Foundation, and Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. Production partners were FC Event Designs, The Amber Room Colonnade, R Media, Powerstation Events, F5 Images Photography, and Adam Broderick Salon & Spa.

“The work we do and the lives we touch depend on people coming together,” said Emanuela Palmares. “We cannot do it alone. To all our sponsors, community partners, and funders, thank you for making this work possible and helping us turn our mission into meaningful support for the families we serve.”