October 30, 2024
Every child deserves a joyful, carefree childhood in a safe, loving home. But for too many children in government custody, that right is taken away. Each year, 400,000 are placed in foster systems, often unnecessarily. While many, including immigrant children and young people with mental health needs, are placed in dangerous institutions with devastating consequences.
In response to this injustice, Children’s Rights is leading a movement to advocate for the well-being of all children.
Last night’s 2024 Children’s Rights Benefit, held at New York City’s Mandarin Oriental, put the spotlight on the unacceptable practice of child institutionalization. The Children’s Rights community came together to raise essential funds and show support for advocacy and change. The evening was also a celebration, honoring three remarkable advocates and two children’s champions whose dedication to amplifying children’s voices and strengthening families and communities inspires change.
Childhood Is Our First Right
Children’s Rights board members Dan Galpern and Kasseem ‘Swizz Beatz’ Dean emceed the evening. As devoted parents and passionate children’s rights champions, they inspired us throughout the night with moving messages about every child’s right to grow, explore, and simply be a kid—free of fear and instability.
“Every single day Children’s Rights is looking out for the millions of children caught up in the U.S. child welfare, youth justice and immigration systems who are not getting the basic protections owed to them under the law.“
– Dan Galpern
Photo: David Handschuh
“Children’s Rights is eliminating the deep roots of dysfunction and racism inside the very government systems responsible for taking care of children. And they don’t make change one child at a time. They have transformed the lives of 2 million children in over 20 states.“
– Kasseem ‘Swizz Beatz’ Dean
Photo: David Handschuh
Supporting Families Through Strong Communities
Citi and Edward Skyler, Head of Enterprise Services & Public Affairs, received the Children’s Champion Award in recognition of their commitment to building healthier, more resilient communities. Citi’s initiatives are creating a lasting impact on the lives of children and families. Edward Skyler was also honored as a leader dedicated to public service.
“Citi invests in housing, healthcare and mental health because creating economic opportunity isn’t enough. Children need to be in a position to seize those opportunities. We all know there are cracks in society that children can slip through. So, it is a privilege to support Children’s Rights and do our part to help heal them.Edward Skyler“
– Edward Skyler
Photo: Robert Braunfeld
A Voice for Every Child Still Suffering
Paris Hilton accepted the Voice for Justice Award for her tireless efforts to reform the youth residential treatment industry. Sharing her own lived experience with lawmakers, she has raised public awareness about the unspeakable harms of child institutionalization and advocated for transformative policy change.
“I’m accepting this award as a survivor, an advocate, and most importantly, a voice for every child still suffering in silence. I am proud to stand with Children’s Rights and all the advocates in the room tonight.“
– Paris Hilton
Photo: David Handschuh
Healed People Can Heal Others
Michelle Perez and Jonathan DeJesus received the Fostering the Future Award for their leadership in the movement to end the horrors of child institutionalization in New York. Both were instrumental in launching the “Are You Listening?” report, which documents the abuse and neglect experienced by children in New York’s congregate facilities and provides lawmakers with actionable steps to eliminate the practice. By harnessing their own lived experiences, they are amplifying the voices of others to help ensure no child has to experience the same trauma they did.
“One of the many reasons I am a part of ‘Are You Listening?’ is to lift up the voices of the youth who were mistreated at the hands of the system. All the young people I have worked with over the years. People listened to me and that’s why I am who I am today. I’m living proof that healed people can heal others.“
– Michelle Perez
Photo: Robert Braunfeld
“For me and my colleagues this work is very personal. In order to do it we need to continually come face to face with our own experiences. When we were the kids in those places. That’s hard. But we still show up for all the kids out there this should never happen to. We are not giving up on them. And I hope you won’t either.”
– Jonathan DeJesus
Photo: Robert Braunfeld
This Is About Real People
Last night was a reminder of the difference we can make when we unite for a common cause. As our board member and event co-chair Ann E. Robinson put it: “All of this is about real people. About human beings. Children, parents, families.”
None of Children’s Rights work would be possible without our community of supporters, partners, and fellow advocates. Together, we’re building a movement to transform the lives of America’s children and families.