More than 250 friends and supporters of Child & Family gathered together to celebrate 150 years of Child & Family’s history and its future. From its humble beginnings in 1866 as an orphanage providing a home for 5 destitute children in Newport called “The Home for Friendless Children” to now, one of the largest social services agencies in the state serving over 6,000 thousand children, teens, families and elders each year throughout Rhode Island. See photos here.
Rough Point Mansion, the stunning estate of the late Doris Duke, provided majestic views of the sea for guests, who came to the “Enchanted Evening” Gala on August 6, 2016. Upon arrival guests were directed through the neatly trimmed arched hedges to a fine cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception in the lush gardens of the estate followed by an a exquisite seaside surf and turf dinner prepared by Pranzi Catering & Events.
Matthew Petersen, Child & Family’s Manager of Residential Services appealed to the crowd with a compelling story of his journey from college student at Salve Regina University to a group home manager at Child & Family. He captured the audience’s attention as he retold how one child at the home made such an impact on his life that he knew he needed to change his career course and stay at Child & Family and Make a Difference with the youth served by the organization.
The night then featured a special fundraising Make a Difference Auction and a spirited live auction led by the Reverend Canon Anne Marie Richards of Trinity Episcopal Church. Funds generated through both the Live and Make A Difference auctions will support Child & Family’s residential group homes. Guests danced the night away to the musical talents of the highly sought after band, The Sultans of Swing.
The 150th Anniversary Gala committee was chaired by Child & Family board secretary, Ms. Andrea Breyer, Captain Nicholas Brown, former Child & Family board member, Ms. Ann Conner, and Child & Family Vice Chairwoman of the board, Ms. Sara Hiebner.
Photos Courtesy of Kim Fuller Photography and Nicholas Mele Photography
About Child & Family
Established in downtown Newport in 1866, Child & Family is celebrating its 150th anniversary of serving children and families throughout Rhode Island. Child & Family is the largest and most comprehensive social service provider in Newport County, and one of the largest in the State of Rhode Island. With state-of-the-art Community Centers in both Middletown and Providence, Child & Family strengthens the fabric of family by providing important services and programs to thousands of children, teens, families and elders each year through multiple programs and services including: Sandpipers Early Learning Center, Behavioral Health Services, Family Support Services, Residential Programs for Children and Teens, Treatment Foster Care, Elder Care Services and much more.
