Tuesday, October 22, Room to Grow held its annual Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City.
This year’s gala theme, “Shaping the Future,” reflected and honored Room to Grow’s vision that strong starts in childhood lead to strong outcomes in life.The star-studded event celebrated Room to Grow’s mission — when we invest in a child, we invest in the future.
The event engaged long-time advocates, new champions of the organization, and celebrity ambassadors to recognize the organization’s impact of partnering with nearly 6,000 families over the last 25 years, as well as raise the critical funds needed to grow programming in Boston, New York, as well as announce the continuation of the organization’s national expansion, with services launching and a family center opening in Chicago in the winter of 2025.
Well-known celebrities and leaders in business turned up and walked the blue carpet to support Room to Grow’s goals of providing families with personalized support, community connections, and essential materials resources from the third trimester of pregnancy to their children’s third birthday.
Notable attendees included Uma Thurman, Nancy Twine (Briogeo CEO), Akilah King (Room to Grow CEO), Alex McGill Johnson (President of Planned Parenthood), Molly Bernard, Deborah Roberts, Tayisha Adams, Tanaye White, Vashtie, Jasmine Ellis Cooper, Giovanni Andrea Zanon and more.
During the evening, guests were treated to a performance by renowned violinist Giovanni Andrea Zanon and heard moving remarks from Room to Grow CEO Akilah King and Room to Board Members Nancy Twine and Eric Sutherland. Room to Grow graduates were spotlighted as a part of the evening’s program.
Two-time World cup Champion, NWSL Champion, Olympian, ESPN Analyst Ali Krieger was honored as a ‘Champion of Change’ for her efforts to champion equity for families and advocacy for social justice.
Additional honorees included the Viking Global Foundation, The Epiphany School, Love to Dream and Central Park West Pediatric Dentistry.
For additional information, click here and visit RoomtoGrow.org to learn more about Room to Grow.
Room to Grow
Founded in 1998 by Julie Burns, Room to Grow has supported thousands of families since its inception. The three-year program provides critical support to families raising babies born into low-income circumstances, providing strategies, and support to promote their children’s development; essential baby and toddler items; and connections to community resources that can meaningfully expand their support network. Room to Grow’s dynamic, wrap-around approach addresses the multitude of needs facing parents raising children in these earliest years and provides the surest opportunity for establishing a strong foundation in life. Learn more here, and listen to families share the impact of their partnership with Room to Grow.
Photo Credit: Dave Alloca / Starpix.
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