The New York Center for Children (NYCC) hosted their Annual Spring Celebration at The Peninsula New York in New York City. The NYCC celebrated 28 years of helping New York City’s children heal from abuse. The event was generously hosted by The Peninsula New York, a treasured partner of NYCC since 2009. This year’s Spring Celebration focused on the key role of art in helping children heal and raised over $150,000 for NYCC’s vital services.
Founded in 1995 with the support of the late Broadway producer Marty Richards and philanthropist Georgette Mosbacher as a child-friendly center, NYCC provides comprehensive trauma informed therapy services to victims of child abuse and their families. NYCC also offers professional training on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of child abuse. All the programs and services to children and families at NYCC are completely free of charge.
NYCC is a not-for-profit organization that relies on donations to cover the costs of operations. In addition to treatment, the children at NYCC also benefit from tutoring, mentoring and extracurricular events. NYCC serves children from all five boroughs of New York City. The child-friendly space is located at 333 East 70th Street, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
The benefit helped to raise funds for the Center’s work in healing, prevention and education. This year’s event featured a special guest, the internationally celebrated mezzo soprano, Denyce Graves. The benefit included children’s artwork and a silent auction which featured exciting travel opportunities, fine dining, and fashion accessories amongst others. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were served during the beautiful event at The Peninsula New York and all proceeds of the night benefitted the center.
SPECIAL GUEST
Emmy and Grammy winner, Denyce Graves, has performed at major opera houses and concert halls worldwide for 30+ years. She has recorded with top labels, appeared on national TV, won awards and competitions, and premiered new works. Her signature roles include Carmen and Dalila, and she has been praised for her voice, stage presence, and versatility.
Graves is also a sought-after teacher and advocate for the arts. Cementing her legacy, Denyce’s portrait is in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. With her eye on the future, Graves founded The Denyce Graves Foundation in 2021 to support up and coming singers and honor opera’s legacy.
Some of the notable attendees included NYCC Board members Christine Rales (Chair), Amy Bluestone (Treasurer), Lauren Vernon (Secretary), Nina Doherty, Anton Finucane-Courreges, Nancy Geller, Barbara Harrison, and Gretchen Mathews. Champions for Children attendees included: Meghan Pardi, Linda and Avi Rosen, Vanessa Rosenthal, Lena and Vito Tanzi, Courtney Van Fechtmann, Tara Wilkinson & Craig Filipacchi.
Corporate Event Sponsors at the event included: The Peninsula New York, Latham & Watkins LLP, Red Gate Bakery, AIG, PwC, Tradeweb, Epic Insurance Brokers & Consultants, Ferguson & Shamamian Architects, and Robert Stilin.
For more information on The Denyce Graves Foundation, visit thedenycegravesfoundation.org;
for information on New York Center for Children, visit newyorkcenterforchildren.org