1. family and parenting
2. children

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New Yorkers For Children Staff Additions:
2007 GALA KICK-OFF EVENTS
Saks Fifth Avenue
Ashley McDermott,
Amy McFarland,
Alexandra Lind Rose,
and Coralie Charriol Paul
What better way to “kick-off” the 2007 Annual Fall Gala than
with a celebration at Saks Fifth Avenue’s new shoe floor,
10022-SHOE! Susan Burden, Donya Archer Bommer, Dayssi
Olarte de Kanavos, Ashley McDermott, Coralie Charriol Paul,
Helen Schifter, Kelly Sugarman, Shirin von Wulffen, Renee
Rockefeller, and Zani Gugelmann hosted the event on
September 6th, which also served as the official opening of
Saks’ newly redesigned eighth floor shoe department. The
new space is so large, it has been given it’s own zip code.
New Yorkers For Children supporters, including Lauren Shortt
Pinto, Arden Hess Rowland, Maggie Betts, Stephanie LaCava,
and Susan Shin put their best
foot forward and attended the
Fashion Week event to celebrate
Saks Fifth Avenue’s support of
the 2007 Annual Fall Gala. DJ
Sky Nellor spun music while
attendees browsed the enormous collection of shoes. In
addition to serving as a silver Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos,
Saks CEO Steve Sadove,
sponsor of the Gala, Saks gener- and Susan Burden
ously supported the Back-toSchool Package program to improve the lives of New York
City’s college-enrolled youth in foster care.
Elie Tahari
New Yorkers For Children partnered with Elie Tahari for two
events in East Hampton this summer, both celebrating Tahari’s
generous support of the NYFC Gala and the opening of their
new boutique. On July 14th, Rory and Elie Tahari opened their
home to members of the Board of Directors and Friends
Committee for an evening event overlooking the ocean in
Sagaponack. Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Helen and Tim
Schifter, Susy Korb, B Michael, Coralie Charriol Paul, Ashley
McDermott, and Stephanie LaCava enjoyed cocktails and hors
d’oeuvres, and when the sun went down, Elie Tahari generously provided sweaters to keep guests warm.
Debbie Bancroft and
Donya Archer Bommer
On August 11th, Elie Tahari once again invited NYFC
to East Hampton, this time to the Elie Tahari boutique.
Rory and Elie Tahari were joined by Commissioner
Nicholas Scoppetta, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Kelly Behun
AWA R E N E S S E V E N T S
Links of London
On December 5, 2006 New Yorkers For Children hosted a
holiday shopping and cocktail event at the Links of London store
at 402 West Broadway. This event was a great way for everyone
to start their holiday shopping while raising money and awareness for New York City’s youth in foster care. Thom Filicia,
Tinsley Mortimer, Allison Aston, B Michael, Marisa Brown,
Susan Shin, and Fabiola Beracasa were among the many NYFC
supporters who attended the event.
Marisa Brown and
Claire Bernard
Links of London created specially designed NYFC sterling silver
and hand-woven lanyard bracelets. These bracelets were
featured in the New York Times and twenty percent of the sales
of the bracelets through March 1, 2007 were donated to NYFC.
Oilily
Andrea, Luca, and
Commissioner Nicholas
Scoppetta with an
entertainer
On March 20th, a very unique host committee invited NYFC
supporters to the Oilily Flagship store in SoHo. Parent-child
hosts included Donya and Josie Bea Bommer, Marisa, Ford, and
Luke Brown, Jennifer and Alix Creel, Martin and Will Dessoffy,
Adelina and Tyler Ettelson, Valesca, Lucien, and Cléa GuerrandHermès, Dayssi, Sophia, and Nicholas Kanavos, Ulrica, Nicolas,
Chiara, and Matteo Lanaro, Lauren and Marina Pinto, Andrea
and Luca Scoppetta, and Kelly, Miles, and Arno Sugarman.
New Yorkers
For Children
New Yorkers For Children is pleased to announce the additions of a new
Director of Development, Administrative Assistant, Administrative
Director, Communications Associate, and Program Associate:
Amy McFarland, Director of Development: Having studied child psychology
as her major at Columbia University, Amy has always had an interest in
children’s issues. Her involvement with New Yorkers For Children began in
2003, when she joined the Friends Committee and served as a lead of the
Program Committee. Amy brings her corporate sponsorship and fundraising experience to NYFC from fashion designer Zac Posen, where she was
Director of Marketing and Communications.
Jessica Ortega, Administrative Assistant: Jessica is a New York native who
now resides in New Jersey where she is working on a biology degree.
She developed a love for working with children in foster care through her
volunteer work as a child court advocate with Hudson County CASA. She
has also worked with NY Cares as a mural painter and has volunteered for
Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC.
N E W YO R K E R S F O R C H I L D R E N
F R I E N D S C O M M I TT E E A D D I T I O N S :
New Yorkers For Children warmly welcomes the following
Kelly Sugarman, Rory Tahari, Elie Tahari, Susan Magazine, and Dayssi
Olarte de Kanavos
Sugarman, Euan and Lucy Sykes Rellie, Sophia Bush, Cindi
Leive, Jill Hennessy, Olivia Palermo and other NYFC supporters for shopping and cocktails in the new boutique. In addition
to their sponsorship of the 2007 Fall Gala, Elie Tahari also
contributed a percentage of sales from this event to support
the Back-to-School Package program.
Parents and children celebrated an afternoon of fun, featuring
balloon art, a jelly bean counting contest, jewelry making,
tattoo art, an exclusive Oilily “sewing box” customizing station, and a special musical performance by Paulie Z. The littlest
guests snacked on kid-friendly food while the adults shopped
from the spring collection. 15% of proceeds throughout the
week were donated to NYFC.
new members to the Friends Committee:
12 years as Executive Director of St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in Manhattan.
Previously, she taught religious studies in high schools in both New York and
Chicago. Debra is married with a son who is a college freshman.
Letter from the President and Executive Director
Claire Walsh, Communications Associate: Claire comes to NYFC from the
members, corporate partners and staff, NYFC has successfully transitioned into the fall of 2007. NYFC’s continued efforts to
African Services Committee in West Harlem, where she interned in the
Health Programs department. Prior to her internship, she was a student
at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. She received her B.A. in government and African studies in May 2006.
and Guardian Scholars programs. The collaboration between NYFC and the Administration for Children’s Services continues to
The past year has been one of tremendous growth for New Yorkers For Children. With the addition of Friends Committee
prepare New York City youth in foster care for the future have been underscored by the successes of the Back-to-School Package
provide unparalleled access to the children and families who need support most.
Naomi Weisel, Program Associate: Naomi recently moved back to NY after
finishing her Masters of Public Administration at American University.
While in Washington DC, she had the opportunity to work on issues
related to youth in foster care as a Masters Policy Intern with
Montgomery County Child Welfare Services. Before graduate school,
Naomi was a Case Work Manager with Intercultural Family Services in
Philadelphia, providing home-based services for families who were
involved with the Department of Child Protection.
Allison Aston
Fabiola Beracasa
Margaret Borner
Coralie Charriol Paul
Mary Giuliani
Oliver Hammond
Rory Hermelee
Howard Kuo
Dabney Mercer
Margherita Maccapani
Missoni
Blake Mycoskie
Olivia Palermo
Annelise Peterson
Haley Joel Satnick
Arden Hess Rowland
Rachel Roy
Shirin von Wulffen
Arden Wohl
Michael Young
Commissioner
Nicholas Scoppetta,
President
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Susan L. Magazine,
Executive Director
In addition to their support at the
September 18th Fall Gala,
Burberry donated 15% of sales
on the evening to New Yorkers
For Children in support of programming and initiatives for
young people in foster care in
New York City.
Fabiola Beracasa, Zani Gugelmann,
Allison Aston, and Adelina Wong
Ettelson at Burberry
Nineteen new members of the Friends of NYFC joined veterans to plan New Year’s in April: A Fool’s Fête, which was held
on April 19th at the Mandarin Oriental. This annual spring dinner dance was the Friends Committee’s most successful event
so far. For the first time in the event’s history, tickets sold out
before invitations were mailed. The overwhelming interest in
the event, which benefits the Back-to-School Package program, has been instrumental in helping NYFC achieve its goal
of providing every college-enrolled young person in foster care
in New York City with the tools to help them excel in college.
The 2007 NYFC Fall Gala was one of unprecedented success,
raising more than $1.95 million and setting a record for funds
raised at this annual event. The September 18th Gala was held
at 583 Park Avenue, which was transformed into a glimmering
wonderland by David Stark Design. Co-Chairs Oscar de la
Renta, Dayssi and Paul Kanavos, Ashley and Jeff McDermott,
and LeAnn Rimes were joined by Honorary Chairs
Commissioners Nicholas Scoppetta and John Mattingly. Laura
Baudo Sillerman, president of the Tomorrow Foundation, was
honored with the Nicholas Scoppetta Child Welfare Award.
Ishmael Kamara received the Wachovia New Yorkers For
Children Spirit Award. Ishmael’s moving testimony about his
struggle in his native Sierra Leone, his experiences in foster
care in New York City, and his relationship with NYFC reinforced the Gala’s message that “help starts with you!” NYFC
is grateful to the Wachovia Foundation for their generous
underwriting of the event, as well as to all sponsors for their
support.
The past year also saw the increase in corporate partnerships.
Saks Fifth Avenue’s sponsorship of the Fall Gala was coupled
with the company’s Gala Kick-Off event, held in the new shoe
department — 10022-SHOE — of their flagship store. Fall
Gala sponsor Harry Winston has pledged 10% of sales from
the Diamond de Neige collection through January 31, 2008 to
programs supporting youth in foster care. Links of London,
Oilily, Ungaro, Elie Tahari, Salviati and Burberry also hosted
events to benefit NYFC this year.
As always, thank you for your support of NYFC. Enclosed in
this newsletter, please find a donation card for the 2007 Annual
Appeal. We hope you will complete this card and continue to
support NYFC in our mission to impact the lives of New York
City’s youth in foster care.
Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta
Susan L. Magazine
N E W YO R K E R S F O R C H I L D R E N
2007 Fall Gala
Burberry
On October 14th, Allison Aston, Adelina Wong Ettelson, Fabiola
Beracasa, Marisa Brown, and Zani Gugelmann hosted a private
shopping event with Burberry at the store’s flagship location
on 57th Street. Despite the rain, supporters of New Yorkers
For Children packed the store to listen to DJ Sky Nellor while
shopping the Burberry Prorsum and custom designed handbag
collections.
WWW.NEWYORKERSFORCHILDREN.ORG
Debra Stumpf, Administrative Director: Prior to working at NYFC, Debra spent
Alpine Creative has partially underwritten the design and printing of the Fall/Winter 2007 newsletter.
NEW YORKERS FOR CHILDREN
200 Park Avenue, Suite 4501
New York, NY 10166-4193
Phone: (212) 294-3580
Fax: (212) 294-3575
[email protected]
FALL/WINTER 2007
Bob and Laura Sillerman
More than 700 guests joined New Yorkers For Children on
September 18th for our Eighth Annual Fall Gala, which was
held at 583 Park Avenue. The event’s décor, designed by David
Stark included mirrors and reflective surfaces to reinforce the
Gala’s theme: “Help starts with you!” The 2007 Gala has
raised more than $1.95 million thus far, setting a record for
funds raised at this annual event with a 30% increase and contributions continue to come in!
This year’s Gala was chaired by Oscar de la Renta, Dayssi and
Paul Kanavos, Ashley and Jeff McDermott, and LeAnn Rimes,
along with honorary chairs Commissioners Nicholas Scoppetta
and John B. Mattingly. Following the dinner, chart topping artist
Sean Kingston performed several of his hits, including his
#1 single “Beautiful Girls.”
NYFC supporters and young people in foster care honored Laura
Baudo Sillerman, President of the Tomorrow Foundation, with
the Nicholas Scoppetta Child Welfare Award, for her
dedication to closing the gap between have and have-not
children in our community. This year’s Wachovia New Yorkers For
Spirit Award winner Ishmael Kamara, Susan Burden, Commissioner
Nicholas Scoppetta, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Mayor Michael Bloomberg,
Ashley McDermott, and LeAnn Rimes.
Children Spirit Award, presented to a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, a commitment to community and the determination and ability to overcome the barriers
to academic success, was awarded to Ishmael Kamara, a senior
at SUNY Oneonta. Ishmael plans to use the scholarship he
received from NYFC to pursue his Masters degree in education.
continued on the following page
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T H E F R I E N D S O F N E W YO R K E R S
FOR CHILDREN
New Yorkers For Children
Guardian Scholars Program
New Years In April:
A Fool’s Fête 2007
Annelise Peterson,
Emmy Rossum,
and Doutzen Kroes
New Yorkers For Children hosted an extraordinarily successful
Fool’s Fête on April 19th at the Mandarin Oriental. The Fourth
Annual Spring Dinner Dance was sponsored by Emanuel
Ungaro, raised more than $400,000 and supported the NYFC
Back-to-School Package program. For the first time in the
event’s history, tickets were sold out before invitations were
mailed. This ensured a terrific turnout and a packed dance floor
as 400 fashionable attendees and young people in foster care
celebrated NYFC’s successes.
Chairs Lauren Davis, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Renee
Rockefeller, Susan Shin, Vanessa Weiner von Bismarck, and
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff worked tirelessly to create a spectacular event. Generous supporters and corporate sponsors
included Frédéric Fekkai and Shirin von Wulffen, Hermine and
David Heller Foundation, Carola and Robert Jain, Andres Santo
Domingo, David Wassong and Abigail Klem, Christina Floyd,
Reservoir Capital, Carlos Miele, Costume National, Jenni
Kanye, Pantone, Salviati, Tibi, Rebecca Beeson, and Valentino.
In addition to outstanding advanced ticket sales, the evening’s
silent auction, which featured couture gowns, exquisite handbags, jewelry, sports tickets, spa products, travel packages,
and more, set a record for NYFC and grossed nearly $50,000,
more than doubling funds raised in last year’s auction.
NYFC is grateful for the support and generosity of Valery
Joseph Salon, Zeller Tuxedos, Tibi, Tracey Reese, Nicole Miller,
Nine West, and B Michael, who provided styling and consultation for the young people in attendance.
If you are interested in making a donation to the Back-to-School Package
program, please complete the enclosed donation card or visit our
website: http://www.newyorkersforchildren.org/html/contact.shtml
Basilia Verduzco, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Mary Brown, Loren Robinson,
Sha’Rhone Frost, Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, Jessica Maxwell,
Commissioner John B. Mattingly, Kenya Clarke, Monique Jones, and
Susan Magazine
John Varvatos, Fern Mallis, Elie Tahari, and Stefani Greenfield
A table of young people in foster care networking with Damon Dash.
Friends Committee members and teen volunteers at the Fifth Annual Wrap to Rap
A F O O L’ S F Ê T E 2 0 0 7 K I C K - O F F E V E N T
N Y F C S I G N AT U R E P R O G R A M S A N D E V E N T S
Emanuel Ungaro
Network to Success:
Hip Hop and Fashion
Howard, Conrad Dimanche, and Derrick “D Nice” Jones. They enlightened, inspired and provided insight into careers in the hip hop industry to
all in attendance.
Fifth Annual
Wrap to Rap
On June 13, 2007 NYFC brought together influential designers, merchandisers, fashion writers, stylists, and more for a Fashion Network to
Success panel. Elie Tahari, John Varvatos, Jim Seuss, Stefani Greenfield,
Philip Bloch, Anne Slowey, Fern Mallis, BJ Coleman, Aja Mangum, and
Horacio Silva were among the panelists who provided valuable information
about their experiences in the fashion industry and how they began their
careers.
On November 14, 2007 New Yorkers For Children hosted the Fifth Annual
“Wrap to Rap”, an afternoon of wrapping gifts for youth in foster care in
New York City at SKY360° by Delta. While DJ Sky Nellor spun hip hop classics, LeAnn Rimes, Damon Dash and the NYFC Friends Committee were
joined by 60 teens in
foster care to wrap
toys and gifts for
young children in
foster care. Dylan’s
Candy Bar presented
a dessert decorating
station and biscuits
and hot cocoa by
Godiva Chocolatier
put everyone in the
holiday spirit.
On March 14th , New Yorkers For Children partnered with event
sponsor Emanuel Ungaro to kick-off the Friends of NYFC 2007
Fool’s Fête at the Ungaro boutique on Madison Avenue. NYFC
Friends host committee Marisa
Brown, Martin Gibson Dessoffy,
Lydia Fenet, Oliver Hammond,
Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Tinsley
Mortimer, Renee Rockefeller,
Susan Shin, and Vanessa Weiner
von Bismarck joined supporters
including Susan Fales-Hill, Dennis
Basso, Leven Rambin, and
Lauren Shortt Pinto, Lisa Herbert,
Matthew Modine for an evening and Martin Gibson Dessoffy
of spring shopping and cocktails.
A highlight of the evening included the announcement that as
invitations to A Fool’s Fête were being mailed, dinner tickets
were already sold out.
2 0 0 7 FA L L G A L A
Frédéric Fekkai and
Shirin von Wulffen
The evening also featured a film about six young people who
have been impacted by NYFC. Chantel Johnson, Sha’Rhone
Frost, Rayshawn Pettaway, Nathanial Aviles, Dawnae Silvia,
and Jessica Maxwell each shared their personal stories about
their experiences in foster care, which were both inspirational
and a testimony to the impact NYFC programs can have on
To kick off 2007, NYFC hosted a Network to Success event that focused on
the hip hop industry. The event took place on January 17th at the NYU
Kimmel Center. Over 150 teens in foster care joined members of the Board
and Friends Committee, including Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta,
Susan Burden, Tinsley Mortimer, Dabney Mercer, Fabiola Beracasa, Eva
Anisko and B Michael, to listen to and speak with panelists representing all
aspects of the hip hop industry. Teens in attendance learned hip hop is not
just a culture, but can also be a career.
Panelists ranged from artist managers to public relations executives to
CEOs of record labels and included Russell Simmons, Damon Dash, Chris
Lighty, James Cruz, Danyel Smith, Ebro, Geronimo, Al Branch, Crystal
Members of the
Friends Committee
and
Board
of
Directors were on
hand to show their
support for the
young people in
attendance, as well
as show their gratitude for the panelists who generously donated their
time.
Russell Simmons leading the panel discussion
Network to Success is an excellent way for young people in foster care to discover opportunities that they never
before believed existed for them and receive the guidance to turn those opportunities into realities.
(continued from cover)
The NYFC Back-to-School Package program was a focal point of
the Gala. For the first time, the event featured a live auction of the
packages, which contain essentials including laptops, printers,
Random House dictionaries, Target backpacks and gift cards,
Cole Haan wallets, Saks Fifth Avenue stationery, Tumi card
cases, Pantone notebooks, smartwater, L’Oreal Professionnel
shampoo and conditioner, Sferra bath towels, and more. This
year NYFC is aiming to provide a Back-to-School Package to each
of the 500 college-enrolled young people in foster care in New
York City.The live auction of the $2,500 Back-to-School Packages
raised more than $125,000, providing packages for 50 young
people and putting us well on our way to achieving our goal! We
are excited to announce that FedEx will serve as the exclusive
delivery service of the Back-to-School Packages in 2008.
For the past three years New Yorkers For Children’s Network to Success
events have been providing young people in foster care, who are enrolled
in high school or college, with exposure to potential career paths. As they
begin to formulate plans for their futures, students have been offered the
opportunity to network with professionals from diverse industries and learn
about various occupations in which they have expressed interest.
young people. We are so grateful for their participation!
NYFC was pleased to be joined
by sixteen young people in
foster care to celebrate the
evening. Macy’s Inc. generously
dressed the youth, while Mario
Diab and Dior Beauty provided
hair styling and make-up. We are
grateful to these generous supporters for helping our young
people look so spectacular.
NYFC would like to thank all
of our corporate sponsors,
particularly Wachovia Foundation, Beth Rudin de Woody
and Rusty O’Kelley
Wachovia Securities, Christian
Lacroix, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank Private Wealth
Management, Elie Tahari, Harry Winston, Freddie Mac
Foundation, Cantor Fitzgerald, Macy’s, Inc., Tumi, Reservoir
Capital Group, Cole Haan and Target.
Annual Appeal
New Yorkers For Children has experienced tremendous growth since its
inception in 1999, and recent additions to both the Friends Committee and
the full time staff have allowed us to expand many of our programs,
widening our reach and increasing the number of young people in foster
care in New York City on whom we can have a direct impact. Your continued support of NYFC is vital to improving the lives of so many of these
young people in a number of ways:
provide a Back-to-School Package, including a laptop computer, printer,
software, backpack, bed linens, toiletries, school supplies, and more to a
college-bound young person.
In the past year, NYFC has established an affiliation with John Jay College
and enrollment in the Guardian Scholars program has doubled, increasing
academic opportunities for young people in foster care. A donation of
$1,500 will support a Guardian Scholar for one month. With your help, we
will be able to send many more teens to college next year.
Network to Success provides high school, college, and vocational students the opportunity to meet a “dream team” of professionals from
diverse industries and learn about potential careers. One of the most
recent Network to Success events focused on the fashion industry, and
brought together high-profile industry insiders with a wide variety of professional experiences and responsibilities. Students in attendance learned
about various aspects of the industry, and some have even secured
internships and jobs through the panelists they met. A donation of $5,000
will fund a Network to Success event, increasing the exposure these
young people have to potential careers.
For the 2007-2008 academic year, NYFC has set a milestone goal, aiming
to provide a Back-to-School Package to each of the 500 college-enrolled
young people in foster care in New York City. A contribution of $2,500 will
We urge you to return the enclosed donation card and give generously to
help NYFC continue to create and fund programs that positively impact
many of the 17,000 youth in foster care in New York City.
Attendees were kept
busy wrapping more
than 1,200 holiday
gifts, which will be
distributed by the
Administration
for
Children’s Services to
children in foster care
this holiday season. Damon Dash with raffle winners Crystal McLeod and
Once their hard work Maria Garcia
was done, teens and
Friends showed off
their singing skills with karaoke, hosted by Spotlight Live.
Damon Dash emceed a raffle of just released Microsoft Zune portable digital media players, which went home with two lucky gift wrappers. As a
special thank you for their hard work, each of the teens received a gift bag
including Converse sneakers, Baby Phat sunglasses, Philosophy products,
a copy of Scholastic’s Harry Potter, Random House books, Godiva chocolates, Vitamin Water, and other gifts for the holiday season.
We are also thrilled to announce that SKY360° will continue their support
of New Yorkers For Children through the holiday season. SKY360° will
offer holiday gift wrapping services for a nominal fee of $5 per gift
Thursday through Saturday from 11:00am to 6:00pm until December
22nd. The proceeds will benefit New Yorkers For Children. To have help
with your holiday wrapping, please visit SKY360° at 101 West 57th Street
on the corner of 6th Avenue. Happy holidays!
NYFC wishes to thank everyone who worked so hard to make this event
a smashing success.
The Guardian Scholars Program is a comprehensive program for youth in
foster care who experience significant hardships in their efforts to gain
access to a college education. These young people are often forced to
make difficult transitions into adulthood without traditional family support.
The Guardian Scholars Program provides a unique opportunity for
colleges, universities, companies, and private individuals to join together
to provide significant financial and emotional support to young people
who have no where else to turn and show determination and a desire to
improve their lives.
Building on the successes of our partnership with Hunter College, we are
thrilled to announce our newest partnership with John Jay College.
Through the enthusiastic support of President Jeremy Travis, youth in care
will benefit from every aspect of the Guardian Scholars Program at John
Jay University.
NYFC is also pleased to announce our newest Guardian Scholars, Victoria
Agoglia and Sha’Rhone Frost. Victoria is a freshman at Hunter College,
pursuing a degree in Pre-Medicine. Sha’Rhone, who was the 2006 recipient of the Spirit Award, is the first Guardian Scholar at John Jay College.
Both young women are thrilled to be a part of the newest class of
Guardian Scholars.
We would like welcome back Hunter College students, Jessica Maxwell
and Basilia Verduzco, into their second year of the Guardian Scholars
Program. We know that they will both have successful school years and
look forward to working with them to build the Guardian Scholars Program
to benefit additional young people in care.
As educational attainment is the leading predictor of adult success, NYFC
has developed ways to improve and expand upon this tremendously exciting project. This year, all participants will have the opportunity to receive
guidance from a Guardian Scholar Advisor on a regular basis, participate in
the Guardian Scholars Mentoring Program, and participate in all NYFC
educational initiatives. The Guardian Scholarship provides youth in foster
care with the services and tools that they need to achieve academic excellence and reach their full potential.
We hope you will help NYFC in our efforts to further develop this valuable
program and provide Guardian Scholarships to more students in the coming years. If you would like to make a donation to the Guardian Scholars
program and help a young person in foster care in New York City attend
college, please complete the enclosed donation card.
Wednesday’s Child
Children in foster care have disproportionately high rates of physical,
developmental, and mental health issues. Through the provision of a consistent and nurturing family environment, the resilience of youth in care is
strengthened, improving their developmental outcomes. Wednesday’s
Child, a partnership between the Freddie Mac Foundation, New Yorkers
For Children, and the Administration for Children’s Services, promotes the
adoption of youth for whom it is difficult to find stable homes. These children are often older, in sibling groups, or have special medical issues.
In order to assist this very special population, Wednesday’s Child highlights
children who are available for adoption on WNBC4. Meteorologist Janice
Huff features the youth on the Wednesday newscast between 5:30 and
6:00 pm and on the Sunday newscast between 7:00 and 8:00 am. You can
also subscribe to the Wednesday's Child E-Newsletter by visiting
www.nyc.gov/acs. This Emmy-nominated program is an invaluable resource
to foster care youth who want nothing more than a loving and stable home.