Last Tuesday was wonderful. How energizing to see so many old and new friends at our first in-person Benefit since 2019. It’s an important reminder of how critical finding community, purpose and joy are to this work – and to our own health and happiness.

Thank you to our Board members for your commitment to Helping Children Soar, including Joanne Zimolzak, Mike Labson, Allison Alexander, Brian Breheny, Traevena Byrd, Mike McNamara, Chip Magid, Meagan Barkett, Miguel Eaton, Melissa Wiley and Elizabeth Bausch!

Click here to see more photos from the event!

We celebrated all those who make our work possible, including our tenacious sponsors, partners and staff. And we recognized two in particular: our Helping Children Soar awardee The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation and our Pro Bono Champion Crowell & Moring. 

Unlike in previous years, our focus at this Benefit was not on a single child or family. Instead, we told a very different story: The ongoing work of making DC’s complex behavioral health system serve our children better. So many families, advocacy and medical partners, government leaders and supporters have put years of effort into building a better solution for DC kids: 

Click to view our Benefit video.

Children’s Law Center has made measurable progress in improving access to essential mental health care for children. Most recently we ensured there are behavioral health professionals in every public and public charter school in DC. But the road ahead is long, and we need everyone’s help to get there.  

If you were able to join us on Tuesday, you’ve heard me say this – but it bears repeating: we still have a lot of pieces that need to come together for this system to work. We need you.  

And whether you contribute to these efforts through pro bono work, financial support, policy advocacy (or all of the above!), we want to celebrate even more victories with you next year.  

Thank you all for a great evening and for all the work to come. 

With gratitude,

Judith Sandalow

Executive Director

P.S. If you make a gift through this email link by 10/15/22, your gift will be matched dollar for dollar, thanks to generous matching funds provided by Diana and Stephen Goldberg & the Andrew and Julie Klingenstein Family Fund!