NYFC celebrated the 2011 Fall Gala on Tuesday, September 20th at Cipriani 42, raising over $1.7 million to benefit youth in foster care in New York City. Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks was honored with the Nicholas Scoppetta Child Welfare Award for his work with at-risk youth. The evening’s program was hosted by youth in foster care who are leaders in New Yorkers For Children programs.

view our Fall Gala films

• Fall Gala 2011
• Fall Gala 2010
• Fall Gala 2009
• Fall Gala 2008
• Fall Gala 2007
• Fall Gala 2006
• Fall Gala 2005

NYFC Board members with Honoree Carmelo Anthony

The Friends of NYFC hosted the Eighth Annual Spring Dinner Dance - New Year’s in April: A Fool’s Fête on April 12, 2011 at the Mandarin Oriental, raising a record high of over $575,000 to benefit youth in foster care in New York City.  Soigne K served as the Presenting Sponsor of the event, which sold out before the invitations were printed. The Indian themed evening, with decor designed exclusively by David Stark, featured dinner, bollywood dancers, music by DJ Kiss, a silent auction, and a surprise performance by Wyclef Jean.

• A Fool’s Fête 2011
• A Fool’s Fête 2010
• A Fool’s Fête 2009
• A Fool’s Fête 2008
• A Fool’s Fête 2007
• A Fool’s Fête 2006

Friends Committee members with Soigne Kothari

On Tuesday, November 29th, NYFC hosted the Ninth Annual “Wrap to Rap” holiday gift wrapping event. The NYFC Board, Friends Committee, and Youth Advisory Board were joined by 100 teens in foster care to wrap over 1,200 gifts for younger children in care as DJ D-Nice spun hip hop and holiday classics. The wrapped presents will be distributed by the Administration for Children’s Services to children in foster care throughout New York City.

• Wrap to Rap 2011
• Wrap to Rap 2010
• Wrap to Rap 2009
• Wrap to Rap 2008
• Wrap to Rap 2007
• Wrap to Rap 2006
• Wrap to Rap 2005
• Wrap to Rap 2004

NYFC Volunteers at the NYFC 2011 Wrap to Rap

Several times throughout the year, New Yorkers For Children hosts awareness events to reinforce the relationship between NYFC supporters and our corporate sponsors. Recent corporate partners have included Tory Burch, Solange Azagury-Partridge, St. John, CIRCA, Prada, HONOR, and Chloé.

• Tory Burch (December 2011)
• Solange Azagury-Partridge (December 2011)
• St. John (October 2011)
• CIRCA (September 2011)
• Prada (May 2011)
• HONOR (April 2011)
• Chloe (March 2011)
• Soigne K (November 2010)
• Ferragamo (October 2010)

CIRCA Event Hosts

On the morning of November 20, 2009, the 2009 New Yorkers For Children Spirit Award winner and several members of the Youth Advisory Board woke up bright and early to tour the studios of Good Morning America. The youth spent an exciting morning learning about news production, from the news desk to the sound room. They were personally invited by anchor Diane Sawyer, who has shown a deep commitment to youth in foster care through her ABC report, “A Call to Action: Saving Our Children.” Diane and fellow anchors Robin Roberts and Chris Cuomo were on hand to answer the group’s questions and show them around the set. NYFC thanks Good Morning America for providing these young people with such an incredible experience!

• Tour of Good Morning America 2009
• Tour of Good Morning America 2008

Tour of Good Morning America 2009

Twice annually, New Yorkers For Children hosts Network to Success events.  These networking events provide more than 150 young people in foster care, who are high school and college students, with the opportunity to network with a “dream team” of professionals in various industries and learn about exciting career opportunities. Panelists are able to provide invaluable insight and inspiration to the young adults in foster care, who greatly benefit from career exposure and guidance.

• Health Care Network to Success (January 2012)
• Information Technology Network to  Success (March 2011)
• Sports Network to Success (June 2009)
• Entertainment Network to Success (May 2008)
• Foster Care Alumni Network to Success (December 2007)
• Fashion Network to Success (June 2007)
• Hip Hop Network to Success (January 2007)

2009 Sports Network to Success Panel

At the request of Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig, the Broadway smash hit A Steady Rain added one additional performance to benefit New Yorkers For Children and the NYCPBA Widows’ & Children’s Fund. The specially added final performance took place on December 6 at the Schoenfeld Theatre and raised over $115,000 to benefit the youth we serve. This critically acclaimed, record-breaking play was one of the most highly anticipated theatrical events of the season, and had been sold out since the beginning of its limited run. After the performance, Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig took the stage to talk about the charities and host a special auction.

The ad for the final performance of A Steady Rain, which appeared in The New York Times on December 2, 2009.