“Carnaval in Rio” Annual Gala DRAFT FOR DISPLAY
Benefiting Kristi House, the gala raised over $1.3 million for victims of child abuse, sex trafficking and other trauma.
Kristi House, Inc., the Children’s Advocacy Center for all of Miami-Dade County, raised $1,350,000 for specialized services for victims of child abuse, sex trafficking and other trauma its annual gala at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel.
Bomnin Automotive served as the Title Sponsor and Goya as the Presenting Sponsor. Other lead support came from the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Upon arrival, guests adorned feathered headpieces and boas, setting the stage for a vibrant cocktail reception featuring libations graciously provided by Republic National Distributing Company. Energetic samba dancers and a lively Conga Line-style band brought the Carnaval theme to life.
The auction featured planes, yachts, automobiles and VIP sports experiences. A week aboard a luxury yacht for 10 with complete crew and chef, a 2024 Stingray Chevrolet Corvette, private plane charter hours and not-sold-in-stores sporting experiences made for a lively, competitive and lucrative auction.
Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III was named Kristi House’s second “Crusader of the Year” for his ongoing dedication to Miami-Dade County’s children. Kristi House Board President Alan Potamkin presented the award and told guests, “when you think of a Crusader, you think of Chairman Gilbert…he’s out front, carrying the flag for our children and helping us serve our mission.”
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said, “Kristi House gives children and families who are experiencing the hardest times in their lives, like those who have experienced sexual abuse, trafficking, and other trauma, a safe place to go and heal. Chairman Gilbert is a true investor in young people.”
Kristi House’s inaugural honoree, State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said, “I’m very happy for Chairman Gilbert, he so deserves this. He’s so embracing of Kristi House and all children. He recognizes the trauma that they suffer. He recognizes that we need to have trauma-based treatment for children who are sexually abused, for children who grow up in violent homes. He recognizes that and he does more, he invests in that.”
“Our community of donors, partners, and volunteers continues to support Kristi House’s mission with incredible kindness and generosity”, CEO Amanda Altman shared in her visionary address. “Their dedication to our cause speaks volumes about the impact of our work and we are honored by their commitment to children and families healing from the traumas of abuse and trafficking.”
About Kristi House
Founded in 1995 as a private, not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, Kristi House provides an integrated solution for families navigating the complex systems involved in cases by working with seven partner agencies to heal the hurt and hold the perpetrators responsible. The Center is nationally recognized for its evidence-based, therapeutic expertise in treating child trauma. Kristi House is responsible for coordinating child-victims’ legal medical, and social services needs and providing evidence-based interventions to enable children to overcome the trauma of abuse.
Kristi House has provided services for more than 25,890 victims of child abuse and their families to help them recover from the trauma of abuse and exploitation. This approach includes coordinating client families’ involvement with legal, medical and mental health systems, limiting the number of interviews to reduce the trauma associated with each retelling of the story, and ensuring that no child falls through the gaps. Kristi House directly provides a full continuum of wrap-around services and care for victims and their families free of charge, including therapy, which is critical for recovery from the trauma of abuse for most survivors.
Kristi House’s main office is centrally located in the “Health District” area of Miami at 1265 NW 12 Avenue. Three satellite locations in other parts of Miami-Dade County serve clients in surrounding neighborhoods.
For more information or to learn about volunteer and donation opportunities, please visit www.kristihouse.org.
Brett Graff is SocialMiami.com’s managing editor and has been a journalist covering money, people and power for over 20 years. Graff contributes to national media outlets including Reuters, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, Maxim, and the PBS show, Nightly Business Report. A former U.S. government economist, her nationally syndicated column The Home Economist is first published in The Miami Herald and then on the Tribune Content Agency, where it’s available to over 400 publications nationwide. She is broadcast weekly on two iHeartRadio news shows and is the author of “Not Buying It: Stop Overspending & Start Raising Happier, Healthier, More Successful Kids,” a parenting guide for people who might be tempted to buy their children the very obstacles they’re trying to avoid.
