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Children’s Rights Hosts 2024 Benefit

Swizz Beatz served as event emcee, Citi, Paris Hilton, lived experts and advocates for children and families were honored

Media Contact

Camilla Jenkins

cjenkins@childrensrights.org

917-971-1784

NEW YORK – Children’s Rights, a national child advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of children living in or impacted by America’s child welfare, juvenile legal, immigration, education, and healthcare systems, hosted its annual benefit at the Mandarin Oriental on Tuesday, October 29 in New York City. 

The event was emceed by Dan Galpern, chairman of Children’s Rights board and Grammy-award winning music producer Kasseem ‘Swizz Beatz’ Dean, who is a Children’s Rights board member. Citi was recognized for its commitment to community, and three civil rights advocates were honored for their work to hold governments accountable for the safety and wellbeing of kids. 

Executive director Sandy Santana thanked the Children’s Rights board, staff, fellow advocates and supporters for their passion and commitment, “Tonight we are one in a movement to transform the lives of America’s children and families. Because of you we will keep making progress to end the abuse and neglect of children in government systems, eliminate child institutionalization, make sure kids have access to critical mental health care services, protect immigrant children, fight the discrimination and mistreatment of LGBTQ+ youth, and continue to dismantle racist systems that are destroying families.”

Paris Hilton was recognized for the impact she has had on building awareness of the unnecessary placement of children in institutions. She has bravely shared her own lived experience in a Utah residential center, including daily abuse, solitary confinement, and being administered numbing medications. Her efforts are helping to shape state and federal policy changes.

“I’m accepting this award as a survivor, an advocate, and most importantly, a voice for every child still suffering in silence,” said Paris Hilton. “I am proud to stand with Children’s Rights and all the advocates in the room tonight.”

Children’s Rights honored Citi for its role as a community problem solver, tackling critical social and environmental issues, including expanding access to essential services and infrastructure like housing, healthcare, and transportation for underserved communities, and helping families access high-quality childcare. The company’s efforts are promoting economic stability for low-income families and communities in New York and around the world. Ed Skyler, Citi’s Head of Enterprise Services & Public Affairs, was recognized for his role in supporting nonprofits working on novel solutions to pressing issues through the Citi Foundation, and as a business and civic leader dedicated to public service. 

“Citi invests in housing, healthcare and mental health because creating economic opportunity isn’t enough. Children need to be in a position to seize those opportunities. We all know there are cracks in society that children can slip through. So, it is a privilege to support Children’s Rights and do our part to help heal them,” said Edward Skyler.

Jonathan DeJesus and Michelle Perez were honored for their work as child and family advocates and for their central role in launching Are You Listening”, an advocacy campaign that documents the abuse and neglect experienced by youth placed in institutions and recommends steps policymakers can take to eliminate the practice in New York. Both of them spent years in these places as children. Their experiences are reflected in the power and impact of the work they do. 

“One of the many reasons I am a part of Are You Listening? is to lift up the voices of the youth who were mistreated at the hands of the system. All the young people I have worked with over the years. People listened to me and that’s why I am who I am today. I’m living proof that healed people can heal others,” said Michelle Perez. 

“For me and my colleagues this work is very personal. In order to do it we need to continually come face to face with our own experiences. When we were the kids in those places. That’s hard. But we still show up for all the kids out there this should never happen to. We are not giving up on them. And I hope you won’t either,” said Jonathan DeJesus

Dan Galpern and Swizz Beatz closed the evening by celebrating the generosity and support of the benefit’s sponsors and 330 attendees.

“There aren’t enough words to express our gratitude to everyone gathered here tonight, but here’s the bottom line: The money you’ve so generously given to Children’s Rights will have a lasting impact, multiplying and magnifying their work for kids and families far into the future.” 

The event featured a powerful video about Children’s Rights that uplifts the stories of Crystal Medina and Jimmy Vaughn, two courageous lived experts who are partnering with Children’s Rights in calling for an end to the harms inflicted on children by government systems.   

Past honorees and presenters at the annual Children’s Rights benefit have included Rosario Dawson, Cyndi Lauper, Padma Lakshmi, Rosie Perez, Nick Cannon, Harvey Fierstein, Natalie Morales, and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels.

For additional information or photos, please visit childrensrights.org/2024ChildrensRightsBenefit or contact Katriel Tolin.

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ABOUT CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

Children’s Rights is a national advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of children living in or impacted by America’s child welfare, juvenile legal, immigration, education, and healthcare systems. We use civil rights impact litigation, advocacy and policy expertise, and public education to hold governments accountable for keeping kids safe and healthy. Our work centers on creating lasting systemic change that will advance the rights of children for generations. For more information, please visit childrensrights.org.

What if the system meant to protect children was putting them in danger instead?

Meet Crystal and Jimmy, who lived through the horrors of the foster system and now have the courage to tell their stories. From experiences of abuse and neglect to the lasting impact of a system that failed them, Crystal and Jimmy reveal why urgent change to our child welfare system is needed. They are part of the movement, with Children’s Rights, speaking truth to power to transform the lives of children and families across America.

Their powerful stories expose the harm too many kids endure—and why we must act now to protect their rights. Hear their voices, learn the truth, and be part of the change. ⚠️ Sensitive Content ⚠️