Voices for Children Foundation announced another banner fundraising year for its annual gala. Under the theme “Making the Impossible Possible Through the Magic of Partnerships,” the event took place at the Mandarin Oriental, raised over $990,000 and brought together about 500 dedicated community members, echoing a steadfast commitment to VFC’s mission of serving as a beacon of hope for children and youth in foster care in Miami-Dade County.

The Be A Voice Gala is VFC’s largest philanthropic event of the year. Funding from the black-tie event allows VFC to fund basic necessities, dignity items and experience that provide children with a sense of normalcy and stability during this difficult period of their lives; this includes items like uniforms, school supplies, summer camp, college tours and much more. VFC also funds access to advocacy by working to maintain 100% Guardian ad Litem (GAL) representation for children in foster care so that they have a voice in court.

“It fills me with immense pride to lead Voices For Children and drive forward the meaningful work the organization does, upholding its enduring legacy in Miami-Dade County,” said VFC President and CEO Kadie Black, “I was honored to witness the unified efforts from integral members of our community, leaders, board members and volunteers to support the 1,500 children in foster care.”

During the gala, participants heard about the impact VFC makes in the lives of many, in and out of the foster care system, through inspirational stories told by VFC youth, who detailed their experiences with VFC programming, including going on college tours of universities in Florida, participating in the Buffalo Cove Camp and receiving support from VFC to get access to braces. Miami-Dade County Mayor and VFC co-founder Daniella Levine Cava also delivered a moving speech about the integral impact VFC has in the community and the organization’s origin story.

This year’s Honorary Gala Chairs were the Shipley Foundation and Nomi Health, with our gala committee chaired by Jeffrey and Yolanda Berkowitz, Ronald Goncalves and Gabriela Ibarra. Additional sponsors for this year’s gala included Stearns Weaver Miller,  Banesco, Kaufman Rossin, Galleria Farms, Bertha and Paul Pino, Senator Rene Garcia, Ellen and Michael Block, Merril Lynch, Hal and Madalyn Rosenbluth, Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, Amerant Bank, Hotaling Insurance Services, Suzel and John Broe, Greenberg Taurig and Commisioner Anthony Rodriguez.

About Voices For Children Foundation

Voices For Children Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that raises funds to help ensure that abused, abandoned, and neglected children in Miami-Dade County each have a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem and that financial assistance and other resources are available for their health, educational, and social needs. Guardian ad Litem volunteers are trained, court-appointed adults who serve as a child’s representative voice in dependency court proceedings. Currently, 100% of Miami-Dade’s 1,500 children in foster care have representation through a Guardian ad Litem. For more information, please visit www.BeAVoice.org.