October 16, 2025
On Wednesday, October 15, our annual Children’s Rights Benefit began with the sound of children’s voices. Before a packed crowd at the Mandarin Oriental, the Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC) sang their hearts out. For decades, YPC has given children of diverse backgrounds a safe, joyful space to grow as artists and as individuals—a perfect beginning for a night celebrating the importance of positive childhood experiences and the power of community.
Our Shared Impact
Our emcee, Anne E. Robinson, Children’s Rights Board Member and Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel of IBM, talked about Children’s Rights’ impact and the urgency at stake.
We represent a quarter of all children in state foster systems, and every immigrant child in federal custody. Our advocacy has positively affected the lives of 2.5 million kids in over 20 states.
“Childhood can’t be put on hold—it’s when dreams are hatching. Children’s Rights exists because children can’t wait.”
– Anne E. Robinson
Photo: David Handschuh
Moral Emergency for Children
Executive Director Sandy Santana reminded us that the U.S. has long underinvested in children and the protections and supports that hold families together. Today, that underinvestment is deepening.
Across the country, leaders at every level of government are dismantling the very services that protect children’s health, safety, and well-being. Programs that feed, teach, and protect kids are being stripped away—putting millions at risk. These realities make our mission more critical than ever.
“What we are witnessing right now is an all-out assault on children’s well-being. This is not just a lack of policy or bad policy. This is a moral emergency.”
– Sandy Santanta
Photo: David Handschuh
Celebrating our Champions
We celebrated four remarkable people and one organization whose dedication helps push our mission forward.
Roland Peralta was recognized for his support of Children’s Rights and his deep commitment to using the law to create systemic change. A co-founder of Nutrafol, and passionate social entrepreneur and philanthropist, Roland accepted his award saying:
“Children’s Rights has been an inspiration for me for some time now. What moves me most is how they dig into the root causes that allow harm to persist—and that’s something I relate to very personally.”
– Roland Peralta
Photo: David Handschuh
Charles River Associates (CRA) and Vice Presidents Sean Durkin and Sean Taylor were honored for the significant pro bono support in our class action lawsuit against New York State—on behalf of thousands of children being denied their legal right to community-based mental health care services. The award was presented by Deputy Litigation Director Samantha Bartosz.
“We could not have proven this case without Charles River. Their work made it crystal clear that the state had utterly failed these children—and helped pave the way to a better life for kids and families.”
– Samantha Bartosz
Photo: David Handschuh
Khi’Marria Marshall was celebrated as an inspiring example of lived experience in action. At 12, she became a plaintiff in our Missouri case that ended the practice of giving psychotropic medications to children in the foster system without adequate oversight. Her courage and commitment played a role in this success, and in leading Children’s Rights to file similar lawsuits in other states. Today she is a youth advocate who advises Children’s Rights and is an outspoken voice for children.
“I said I lost my childhood to the foster system, but I will not let this be the end of the story. I will continue fighting so others do not suffer like I did.”
– Khi’Marria Marshall
Photo: David Handschuh
Centering Youth Voices in the Fight for Justice
The central role of lived experts like Khi’Marria in the work of Children’s Rights is the focus of a new video that premiered at the event. Young people who have lived through the failures of government systems are partnering with us in the fight for justice. Their advice and insights are increasingly informing legal and policy strategies, and directly impacting improved outcomes for children and young people.
What’s Possible, Together
Last night was a reminder of what’s possible when people stand together for justice. From the sponsors, partners, and guests who filled the room, to the advocates and supporters across the country who continue to stand up for children—our supporters and partners are the heart of this movement.
We saw that spirit in our honorees—Khi’Marria Marshall, Roland Peralta, and the amazing people at Charles River Associates—who show us how expertise, commitment, and courage can change policies and systems that are failing children. And we saw it in the unwavering support of our community who helped raise $1.5 million to defend children’s rights and strengthen our fight for justice.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to believe in this mission. Together, we’re united in the fight for a better tomorrow for kids.
“Because of you, Children’s Rights will continue to rise to the challenge—to confront injustice, drive systemic reform, and demand a society where every child can thrive.”
– Lewis Tepper, Chair of Children’s Rights Board
Photo: David Handschuh
