For the eighth time in as many years, the Children’s Aid family showed its unwavering commitment to the success and futures of kids from every corner of New York City. For the first time ever, we raised more than $2 million, an amazing statement of support from the many leaders of the business and philanthropy world in attendance.

At the Ziegfeld Ballroom, on October 18, we honored Kevin P. Ryan, chairman and founder of Business Insider, GILT, MonogoDB, Zola, Workframe, and Nomad Health for his corporate leadership and commitment to creating opportunities for young people.

Phoebe C. Boyer asked those in attendance a powerful question: “What is our responsibility to children who are not our own?” Given the long track record of Children’s Aid, it’s no surprise that she delivered an affirmative vision around what all children and youth could achieve. “When children are offered high-quality learning opportunities that unlock their potential and are surrounded by a strong community of support, there is no limit to what they can achieve,” said Boyer. “Now more than ever, we at Children’s Aid understand the effects of poverty on children, and we have built a modern organization to respond to the challenges we face today.”

Throughout the evening, Children’s Aid highlighted its continuum of services that support kids and families every step of the way from birth to and through college. The benefit, designed by Rafanelli Events, evoked feelings of nostalgia through the use of an iconic childhood item, swings. The night opened with a dance routine by the Milbank Dancers and featured other Children’s Aid youth who served as the evening’s co-hosts: Shyonna Mack, 16, and a junior at Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics, and Francisco Dominguez, 17, a senior at Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School in the Bronx.

Ryan was honored because of his sustained commitment to causes firmly aligned with the mission of Children’s Aid, including the health and welfare of people living in under-resourced communities, quality education, and human rights issues.

“It’s important for us all to understand the challenges that exist right here where we live,” said Ryan. “When you see Children’s Aid in action, you can’t deny that when the barriers that poverty creates are knocked down, these kids are unstoppable.”

Many thanks to Lauren Razook Roth and John Roth, and Tim Ryan, all of whom served as this year’s Benefit Chairs. Sponsors of the event included, at the Ambassador level, Chase and Stephanie Coleman, Pascaline Servan-Schreiber and Kevin P. Ryan; at the Champion level, Leigh and Charlie Penner; and at the Hero level, Beth and Ira Leventhal, the Melkus Family Foundation, Optimity Advisors, Lauren Razook Roth and John Roth, and Amy and Charlie Scharf.

Photographs from the event are available immediately.