New Yorkers For Children hosted their Tenth Annual Fall Gala at Cipriani 42 to benefit youth in foster care in New York City. The evening honored Mary J. Blige, who is the founder of Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, Inc. (FFAWN) with the Nicholas Scoppetta Child Welfare Award. Find out how stars like Blige, Selita Ebanks and Joy Bryant are making a difference in the lives of foster care children.
By Qianna Smith
New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) is the nonprofit organization that partners with the Administration for Children’s Services to improve the lives of children in foster care in New York City. Since 1996, NYFC has made a difference in the lives of these youth through college scholarships, tutoring programs, mentoring, job training, and networking opportunities.
There are almost 17,000 children in foster care in New York City, and New Yorker’s for Children is committed to providing them with the essential tools to become successful, self-sufficient adults.
“I was put in foster care at a young age and children organizations helped my mother raise us,” says top model Selita Ebanks, who is very active with New Yorker’s for Children. “We have to remember that children were not asked to be put in these situations.”
Former Executive Vice President of Warner Music Group Kevin Liles and Erika Jones attend the star studded gala.
An estimated 700 friends and supporters of New Yorkers For Children including model/actress Joy Bryant attended the gala.
Guests helped raise $1.5 million to benefit youth in foster care. Pictured here are the New Yorker’s for Children Youth Leaders (left to right) Glenn Coleman, Monique Betton, Shantel Schloss (Spirit Award Winner), Chantel Johnson and Ishmael Kamara.
Model Jessica White looked ready to spend at the live auction, which helped fund educational programs for youth in foster care in NYC.
New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck was on hand for the special event.
Ne-Yo brought the house down singing his hit “Because of You.”
Designer Prabal Gurung and socialite Maggie Betts were seen networking throughout the night.
