New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) is a not-for-profit organization which helps people who have aged out of the foster care system.
NYFC's goal is to help all the youths in the foster care system to succeed academically and with equal opportunity in the workforce.
Nicholas Scoppetta founded NYFC after he was recruited by New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani to run the newly formed children service agency.
Scopetta was credited for facilitating the re-formulation of the system which resulted in improved training, management, pay, and accountability.
The package, valued at $1000, comes with a metro pass, laptop, and Amazon gift card intended to help the student purchase more supplies and eliminate some of their disadvantages.
Once a financial emergency hits, the students are forced to decide between their education and finding a job to raise funds for their basic needs.
[6] The Spirit Award is given to a student from the foster care system that is succeeding in college as well as demonstrating leadership, commitment to the community, determination, and has shown the ability to overcome barriers.
Each of these big named sponsors bring in different crowds of people to the events and increases and diversifies the organizations base of donors.
The event is attended by actors, designers, athletes, journalists, artists, wealthy business entrepreneurs,[15] and singers all willing to spend big money for charity.
[17] More attention is brought to the event due to the attendance of well known people like actress Emma Roberts[18] as well as royalty of a Saudi Prince[19] in 2013.
[20] Past honourees include Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Geoffrey Canada, Russell Simmons, and All-Pro Linebacker for the New York Giants, Keith Bulluck.
Furthermore, the annual fall gala also included Ne-Yo performing his hit songs and Oscar-nominated director Tony Gilroy premiered his short film about eight youth in foster care.