Kristi House supporters and friends marked the organization’s 25-year anniversary at its Silver Lining Gala celebrating healing from trauma to triumph. Co-chaired by Barbara Havenick and Lizzie Schaul, 350 guests from Miami’s philanthropic and business communities raised more than $560,000 for Kristi House programs for child sexual abuse and trafficking victims.

Funds raised support ongoing, high quality, restorative services for child-victims and their families, free of charge, provided in six Miami-Dade locations.

Guests enjoyed a scrumptious gourmet dinner specially created by Four Season’s Chef Aaron Brooks, with spirits and fine wine pairings from Republic National Distributing Company. The excitement was high with an auction of exclusive trips, one-of-a-kind experiences, not-available-in-stores fine wines and select luxury items. Former NBA player, Shane Battier, surprised the guests during the live auction with an exclusive Miami Heat experience.

Miami elected officials and leadership lent their support to the evening including Miami-Dade Commissioners Esteban Bovo and Jean Monestime, State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle, MDCPS Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, and Judges Kristy Nunez and Nushin Sayfie.

Silver Lining Gala sponsors included The Cordish Companies, I Squared Capital, The de Moya Group, Dr. Margaret and Mike Eidson, Barbara & Alex Havenick, The Havenick Family and Magic City Casino, The Jills Zeder Group, PowerPlus Tutoring, Kara & Rick Rosen, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

Kristi House is a not-for-profit organization providing services for sexually abused children and their families. Sadly, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Childhood sexual abuse is not limited by socio-economic status, race, religion or nationality; however most of the children and families Kristi House treats are low income and would have no other place to turn to for help. Silver Lining Gala proceeds will help ensure that services remain free — a Kristi House commitment since founding — so that all child-victims get the help they need.

Since 1995, Kristi House has provided services to more than 22,250 child abuse victims, and has educated and trained more than 128,000 adults, children and professionals. Kristi House serves as the nationally-accredited, State-designated Child Advocacy Center for all of Miami-Dade County, responsible for coordinating a multidisciplinary team of agencies covering all legal, medical and emotional needs of abuse victims and their families. The team of clinicians, case workers and educators at Kristi House make use of evidence-based treatments and best practices in all their work. Kristi House specialists enable children to overcome the trauma of sexual abuse and go on to lead happy, productive lives that are not forever marked by shame, secrecy, and trauma.