To Our Community: Processing This Week’s Trials

To our community:

We see you.

We see you for all that you are—strong, resilient, loving parents and children—and for all of your abundant potential.

As a mother, I know that when our children go out into the world, we want others to see them as we do: beautiful, bright, and full of promise.

And I also recognize the realities of systemic racism. Not everyone’s children are seen as mine are.   Deep-seated bias—expressed in conscious and unconscious ways—carries real consequences, and children of color are criminalized early and all too often.  Recent studies show that Black students in K-12 schools are more likely to be disciplined by school authorities and law enforcement than their peers of other races, even when engaged in identical or similar behaviors.

This, of course, leads to the cycle of racial inequity played out in a justice system that more often protects the privileged. It is difficult to imagine raising children in such an environment, but to do so is a courageous display of hope.  In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

… there will be those moments when the buoyancy of hope will be transformed into the fatigue of despair. But difficult and painful as it is, we must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future… Let us realize that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.

Our audacious faith in the future is expressed through our love of children, our commitment to see their abundant potential, and determination to see them achieve their dreams.

At Children’s Institute, we will continue to empower our community with resources that allow them to achieve emotional wellness, educational success and economic mobility. And we are here to help them navigate personal and collective trauma.

If you or your children need support during this difficult time, we’re here for you.

When you are ready, contact us.

With my warmest regards,

Martine Singer

President & CEO 

CII’s 4th Annual Cape & Gown Gala Raises More Than $765K for Children & Families in Los Angeles

On Saturday, October 23rd, Children’s Institute held it’s 4th Annual Cape & Gown Gala where supporters are invited to join us in celebrating super heroes making a difference in the lives of children and families.

This event is the single largest fundraising opportunity for non-grant or government contracted services for CII families. Donations from this event help to fund initiatives that support connecting and strengthening our two-generation services, from high-quality early learning programs to counseling to workforce development.

Thanks to our supporters, we raised $765,000! It’s not just a number; it’s hope for 30,000 children and families across our city.

This year’s gala, we hosted guests both virtually and in-person, outside under the beautiful, historic fig tree at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica.

We honored two truly heroic women: Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett for her role in developing the COVID-19 vaccine (making our in-person event possible!) and Suzanne Rheinstein for her lifetime dedication to advocating for children in her community.

 

   Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett

Dr. Corbett served as a research fellow at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Vaccine Research Center and team lead for coronavirus research, where she and her team rapidly deployed a COVID-19 vaccine in collaboration with Moderna.

 

   Suzanne Rheinstein 
From opening the door to opera for high schoolers to ensuring students have unparalleled access to education centered in social justice, transformative conversations on race, sexual identity, equity and inclusion, Suzanne is deeply committed to creating opportunities and belonging for young people.

 

Emceed by Emmy Award-winning TV host, actress, author and comedienne, Loni Love, the evening featured inspiring stories from CII staff, community members and supporters.

We finished off the evening with a brilliant performance from the LA Opera’s Young Artist Program, Nicholas Roehler and Anthony Ciaramitaro.

With the shared goal of creating a more just and equitable Los Angeles, we are thrilled to have raised direct support for programs that create community resilience, thriving families, and healthy children.

On behalf of Children’s Institute, thank you to everyone who sponsored, supported and participated in the event.

VIEW DIGITAL TRIBUTE BOOK

VIEW EVENT PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM