On Tuesday, November 5, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Current at Chelsea Piers, Spence-Chapin will host its 2019 Annual Gala to celebrate a second century of service, and to “Welcome Home” adoptive families, friends, and supporters who understand the importance of a safe, permanent, and loving home for all children.

Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children (Spence-Chapin), the renowned New York City not-for-profit organization that has created and supported families through adoption with integrity and compassion for over 100 years envisions a world in which adoption is a celebrated choice, every child belongs, and all families are embraced.

Master of Ceremonies, NBC-4 News, New York’s Dave Price will lead an inspiring evening that will feature a special music performance by Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, a founding member of legendary Hip-Hop Group RUN-DMC and co-founder of The Felix Organization, who made the discovery that he was adopted at the age of 35.

McDaniels said, "As [an] adoptee…I co-founded The Felix Organization in 2006 with Sheila Jaffe to enrich the lives of children who may not have been adopted into a loving home.  We salute Spence-Chapin and [its] 100-year history of providing adoption and adoption services.   Together, we are a force to give children a chance for a bright future. I’m excited about performing at this year’s gala!”

The Spence-Chapin Second Century Humanitarian Award will be given to Siya Madikane, a philanthropist dedicated to helping disadvantaged children, particularly in the fields of education and health. He was born in Soweto, South Africa, and lived in an orphanage there until the age of 10 when his life changed through adoption.

Curtis R. Welling and Mary H. White, M.D. will receive The Spence and Chapin Awards for Excellence. Mr. Welling and Dr. White are both adoptive parents, former chairs of the Spence-Chapin Board of Directors, and honorary directors. Each has had careers distinguished by service and giving. Welling is a former chairperson of the Donaldson Adoption Institute board of directors, former president and Chief Executive Officer of AmeriCares Foundation, and currently on the faculty of the Dartmouth University Tuck School of Business.

Dr. White served as Assistant Attending Physician at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. She helped to establish the Spence-Chapin’s International Humanitarian Aid Program which has become a model program for providing one-on-one care to institutionalized children throughout the world. Dr. White continues to support the needs of children as a pro bono medical evaluator at Mount Sinai’s Human Rights Program, examining persons seeking asylum from torture in their country, and she provides medical expertise on behalf of a school for disabled children in Haiti.

The 2019 Annual Gala also kicks off National Adoption Month in November, a special time to celebrate children and building families through adoption. Spence-Chapin depends on its generous supporters to fulfill its mission driven by the simple belief that every child deserves a family.  Proceeds raised during the Gala will enable Spence-Chapin to continue to provide adoption and family services through the next century. The Spence-Chapin Way is to provide guidance and support to children, women, and families throughout all its program areas.

To purchase tickets or for sponsorship information, go to www.spence-chapin.org/gala or email events@spence-chapin.org. 

###

About Spence-Chapin Services to Families & Children

Spence-Chapin has been offering exceptional adoption and family services for more than 100 years.  Its mission is to help find loving families for children whatever their needs or circumstances and provide counseling and lifelong support for all children and families to whom they have been born or entrusted. Spence-Chapin’s roots date back to the early 1900s with the pioneering work of Ms. Clara Spence and Dr. and Mrs. Henry Chapin, who established nurseries for infants abandoned on the streets of New York City, led humanitarian efforts, and created families through adoption.  Spence-Chapin has since expanded to include other comprehensive support programs. The organization’s award-winning efforts have served more than 25,000 women, children, and families through domestic, international and special needs adoption, post-adoption support, and humanitarian aid programs such as the Granny Program. Find out more at spence-chapin.org.

Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children

Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children

SPENCE-CHAPIN IS AN ACCREDITED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN OFFERING QUALITY ADOPTION SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS. Our mission is to help find loving families for children whatever their needs or circumstances, and provide counseling and support for all children and the families to whom they have been born or entrusted. Our mission is driven by the simple belief that every child deserves a family.

Spence-Chapin focuses on finding adoptive homes for children who need families; promoting the understanding of adoption through counseling and public education; and improving adoption's image and practice. Through our Modern Family Center we are helping each family member navigate their individual adoption stories with clarity and confidence. Spence-Chapin's roots can be traced to the early 1900s and the pioneering work of Clara Spence, and Dr. and Mrs. Henry Chapin, who independently established nurseries out of concern for homeless infants abandoned in hospitals and shelters.

Today, Spence-Chapin is proud of our role as a prominent voice and leading advocate for adoption, and of our commitment to the wellbeing of all members of the adoption triad: birth parents, adoptive parents, and their children.

More from Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children