Inside The 10th Annual Children's Rights Benefit

On Tuesday, October 20th, at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, Children's Rights (CR) raised over $1 million at its Tenth Annual Benefit. All proceeds from the evening directly support Children’s Rights’ efforts to use the law to defend and protect children in U.S. foster care. The evening was hosted by CNN News Anchor Michaela Pereira and included cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a seated dinner and program at which CR’s Board Chair, Alan C. Myers, was honored and the Honorable Bryanne Hamill was recognized.

Event Co-Chair and CR Board Member Kasseem ‘Swizz Beatz’ Dean presented Myers with the Champion Award. Myers, a recently retired partner from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, was honored for his dedication and commitment to helping our nation’s most vulnerable children. Under his leadership, the CR staff has ensured that tens of thousands of foster youth in over 15 states are safer, more secure and have brighter futures.

The Honorable Bryanne Hamill, a retired New York Family Court judge, was recognized for her exemplary efforts on behalf of children and families. She is the chair of the New York Board of Correction Adolescent and Young Adult Committee and was pivotal in the effort to end solitary confinement for youth at Rikers. In addition to the honorees, former foster youth Julius Kissinger brought the room to its feet when he told his heroic story of overcoming the physical abuse at the hands of his adoptive parents, his tumultuous and unstable journey in the foster care system and how finding a loving and supporting family is helping him realize his dreams as a young adult. He is now using his voice to help fight for kids that are still are in the foster care system.

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