October 9, 2026
Our 2026 Children’s Rights Benefit aptly began with the sound of children singing. For the second year in a row, the Young People’s Chorus of New York City set the tone for the evening, this time with a medley of New York songs. It was a fitting start in a city that has had a year to remember, from the joy that poured through the streets when the Knicks won, to the new friends and community New Yorkers found while hosting the World Cup. The power of people coming together was a thread that ran through the night, as advocates, supporters, and friends united through a common commitment to children and families.
Were you there? Find yourself in the photo gallery ↓ Want to watch Ella’s speech? Click here.
Our emcee, Aimee Littles, bilingual educator, author, and founder of Littles Bilingual Buddies, brought her special brand of sunshine and joy to the night. A mom and the daughter of immigrants, she spoke about belonging, and about how too many families are being separated and too many children harmed. But she reminded us that the Children’s Rights community is making a difference.
“It’s up to you and me and every human in this room who has a child they care about…to make this moment one we will long remember and cherish.”
—Aimee Littles
Photo: David Handschuh
We also had the honor of having families in the room who endured imprisonment in the infamous ICE Dilley facility and are living testimonies to courage, spirit, and abiding love for their children. Executive Director Sandy Santana took a moment to recognize them, the families who have been released, and the parents still bearing the unfathomable burden of caring for and comforting their children while detained. Sandy spoke about the children at the heart of our work, from the children held captive by a federal government that appears to care little for their suffering to the young people we represent in 29 states who are too often mistreated, abused, and pushed to the side.
“They share a common dream—to be safe, to be happy, to be loved, to just be a kid. That is our dream, too. But at Children’s Rights, we know that dreams are not enough. Children have rights. And when governments fail to protect those rights—when systems meant to serve children inflict harm—they must be held accountable.”
—Sandy Santana
Photo: David Handschuh
That is what we do. We go to court. We help change laws. We expose injustice. We stand alongside children, families, and communities. And we stay—sometimes for years—until promises on paper become real change in children’s lives.
Visionary for Justice
The first award of the evening was presented to McDermott, Will & Schulte, and firm partner Christen Douglas. For over ten years, McDermott’s pro bono and financial support has helped fight for justice for children. In Tennessee, Washington, and California, we are banding together to stand up for youth’s rights. McDermott has also been a substantial supporter of our lived expert partners.
Christen, a longtime member of our advisory board, said:
“All of us at McDermott are so proud of our partnership with Children’s Rights. And I challenge everyone here to remember that no matter what your individual skills or background may be, we are all part of this fight.”
—Christen Douglas
Photo: David Handschuh
Children’s Champion
Henry Timms, Global CEO of Brunswick Group and co-founder of #GivingTuesday, was recognized for his dedication to building movements and institutions that bring people together for good. His life’s work reflects a belief in the power of what we can do when we unite behind a common cause.
“Helping an individual child matters enormously. But changing the system that determines the futures of thousands of children can have an extraordinary multiplier effect. That ambition is what makes the work of Children’s Rights so important.”
—Henry Timms
Photo: Robert Braunfeld
Alan C. Myers Fostering the Future
This year, we named this award in memory of Alan C. Myers, a beloved board member who passed away earlier this year. Board member Dan Galpern remembered a mentor, friend, and hero who gave Children’s Rights his money, his time, his wisdom, and most of all, his heart. Georgia Sims presented the first-ever Alan C. Myers Fostering the Future Award to Ella Bat-Ami.
Ella was honored for her advocacy, but she’s never advocated alone. She uses her story to speak up for her sisters still in Tennessee’s foster system, and for every child still waiting on promises that adults in power have yet to keep. Ella aged out of the foster system when she was still in high school, and was abruptly ripped from the supports that many of us take for granted at that age. Her experiences drove her to fight for systemic reform. As Georgia put it, “What’s truly worth celebrating is that she continues to open her heart to others and dares to hope for a better world.”
“In foster care I met my sisters, not by blood, but by everything else that matters. My love for them continues to move me to action. That same love is how I know real change is possible. Foster youth and youth of other marginalized identities have a fierce ally in Children’s Rights, who has fought both for and with us for decades. It is an honor to stand in community with this incredible team tonight.”
—Ella Bat-Ami
Photo: David Handschuh
Every day, the Children’s Rights community shows up to advance and protect the human and civil rights of children and families. Together, we raised $1.3M to continue taking bold action to defend those rights. The movement for children’s rights is growing, born of the recognition of too many broken promises to children, and the fight ahead is real. But as this night showed, when we come together, we are powerful. Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to raise their voice for children.
“You Have a Voice, Speak Up”: Ella Bat-Ami’s Call to Action
