Our mission goes far beyond providing exceptional managed IT services and technology consulting for businesses. While we’re obsessed with helping your company grow and succeed, we’re equally committed to supporting the health and well-being of our community. This past Friday, October 17, 2025, our team was honored to be an Ultraviolet Sponsor for the annual First Step "You Are the Light" Gala, a powerful event dedicated to ending intimate partner domestic violence and sexual assault.
The night was a resounding success, raising over $309,000 for a critical cause!
We often talk about the importance of investing in robust cybersecurity or seamless cloud solutions for your business, but there’s another vital investment that often gets overlooked: investing in your community. For small and medium-sized businesses, being a good corporate citizen isn’t just about feeling good; it's a fundamental part of sustainable growth and a compelling differentiator.
The "You Are the Light" Gala is the premier fundraiser for First Step, an organization providing comprehensive services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in our local area. From emergency shelter and counseling to legal advocacy, they are a lifeline for those who need it most. They are truly the "first step" on the road to healing and independence.
The evening was filled with inspiring moments, including a silent auction, a wine pull, and a raffle. Our XFER team and their significant others enjoyed a delicious dinner, drinks, and dancing, all in support of this noble cause. The collective effort is a testament to the generosity of the attendees.
The emotional heart of the evening was the powerful keynote address by Jim Schmidt, Gabby Petito's stepfather. Gabby’s disappearance and tragic murder in 2021 by her partner brought national attention to the deadly reality of intimate partner violence. Her story, which was recently brought to millions more through the Netflix documentary American Murder: Gabby Petito (2025), is a devastating reminder that this issue is all too real.
As business owners and decision-makers, we often look at data—sales figures, growth percentages, security breach statistics, but Jim Schmidt’s presence served as a profound reminder that behind every grim statistic on domestic violence is a name, a life, and a family who deserved better. His message was a compelling call to action: to stop intimate partner violence before it ever starts.
To learn more about Gabby and her family’s ongoing efforts to support prevention and raise awareness, visit the Gabby Petito Foundation at gabbypetitofoundation.org. The work they do, alongside organizations like First Step, is invaluable.
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XFER Communications, Inc.
31478 Industrial Road Suite 200
Livonia, Michigan 48150