New York, NY — Children’s Aid hosted its ninth annual Benefit to celebrate the organization’s long history of service to New York City’s children, youth, and families, on Thursday, November 7, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. The organization honored Jose T. Tavarez, New York Tri-State Division Executive at Bank of America Private Bank for his philanthropic values and direct investment in the communities we serve. The event raised more than $2 million to ensure that there are no boundaries to the achievements of all New York City children and youth.

Phoebe C. Boyer delivered a resounding message on why the work of Children’s Aid, and the support of the attendees, is so important. “Our kids are our future workforce, taxpayers, and civic leaders. The kids we help now will be the ones keeping us safe in the future,” said Boyer. “There is no Children’s Aid without New York, and there is no New York without Children’s Aid. We are the safety net for our city’s children. And we will continue to be here for them as long as they need us.”

Mr. Tavarez was honored because of his sustained dedication to causes firmly aligned with the mission of Children’s Aid, and his demonstrated commitment to ensure children have access to safe spaces where they are supported and have opportunities to learn and grow.

“Children’s Aid doesn’t leave things to chance. They are making certain that every child in New York City gets their shot at a great life,” said Tavarez. “They also understand that education alone is not enough. They are providing families with direct access to quality care in their neighborhoods, at their schools, from people they trust -- morning, noon and night.”

Throughout the evening, Children’s Aid highlighted its continuum of services that support kids and families every step of the way through childhood. The benefit opened with Children’s Aid alumnus, Tyrese Avery performing “A Song for You” and featured other Children’s Aid youth including co-hosts Glorivel Gonzalez, 17, a senior at Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School, Amir Gooden, 17, a senior at Democracy Prep Harlem High School, and Julio Reyes, 24, served as the keynote. Reyes, 24, who has been involved with Children’s Aid since he was 13 is now a graduate student at Binghamton University and working at Ernst and Young.

“I didn’t do this alone and I don’t want others to have to. Without Children’s Aid, my dreams would have been smaller. We owe it to each other to know each other better. If we did, I think we’d put more value on what it takes to give all kids the opportunity to reach their potential. And a story like mine would be more common,” said Reyes.

Past benefit honorees include Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Unilever North America’s Kees
Kruythoff, SAP’s Bill McDermott, Citi’s Gene McQuaid, PwC’s Tim Ryan and, Chobani’s Hamdi Ulukaya.

Jill Johnson and Tom Reynolds, and Beth and Ira Leventhal, and Pascaline Servan-Schreiber and Kevin P. Ryan served as Benefit Chairs. Sponsors of the event included Bank of America and Chase and Stephanie Coleman at the Ambassador Level; Leslie and Ashish Bhutani, Jill Johnson and Tom Reynolds, Beth and Ira Leventhal, Melkus Family Foundation, Lauren Razook Roth and John Roth, Amy and Charlie Scharf, and Pascaline Servan-Schreiber and Kevin P. Ryan at the Hero Level.

Photographs from the event are available on our website. You can also view the video from the event.

For more information or to support Children’s Aid, please visit our website or follow us on Twitter @ChildrensAidNYC

Children’s Aid is an independent, nonprofit organization established to serve the children of New York City. Our mission is to help children in poverty succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive supports to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Founded in 1853, it is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative non-sectarian agencies, serving New York’s neediest children. Services are provided in community schools, neighborhood centers, health clinics and camps. For additional information, please call Anthony Ramos at 212.949.4938/347.266.9730, email anthonyr@childrensaidnyc.org, or visit www.childrensaidnyc.org.