April 28, 2025 2025 Step Up Gala: A Sold-Out Celebration of Impact On April 24th, nearly 700 guests gathered at the iconic Cipriani 42nd Street to celebrate the sold-out 2025 Step Up Gala. It was an unforgettable evening filled with energy, heart, and inspiration—all in support of the young people and families we serve through Friends of the Children New York. From the moment the doors opened, the room buzzed with excitement for what would become one of our most memorable galas yet. An Evening of Inspiration and Impact The evening kicked off with a warm welcome from Seth Meyers, who set the tone perfectly with humor and heart. During his opening remarks, he captured the spirit of our mission, saying, "Friends of the Children New York is all about creating real change—one kid at a time, one ‘Friend’ at a time, for 12 years, no matter what." After Seth’s welcome, our Executive Director Ramon Reyes took the stage. Reflecting on his first year leading the organization, Ramon shared how he quickly discovered the heart of Friends of the Children New York: the unwavering dedication of the staff, the powerful relationships our mentors build with Achievers, and the resilience of the families we serve. Ramon spoke about a moment early in his tenure when a caregiver told him, “Without this organization, I don’t know where we would be,” affirming his decision to leave a 25-year career to join Friends New York. He then asked the entire staff to stand, recognizing them as the true heartbeat of the organization. Later, alumna speaker Freddi McCullers took the stage, sharing an emotional and inspiring journey through the Friends program. She shared how her mentors' constant belief in her changed her life’s course, including inspiring her to attend Syracuse University. Now a successful event planner and speaker in Atlanta, Freddi’s story was a powerful reminder of the long-lasting impact of unwavering mentorship. Our Board Co-Presidents, Karn Chopra and Pat McGrath, also addressed the crowd. Karn reflected on the organization’s incredible growth, remembering when the idea of filling a venue like Cipriani was just a dream. Pat spoke candidly about the challenges nonprofits face today, and thanked the corporate partners, foundations, and families who continue to believe in our mission. Their remarks echoed the theme of the night: hope, perseverance, and collective impact. One of the most impactful moments came during the Paddle Raise, led by auctioneer Lydia Fenet. Thanks to incredible energy and generosity, we raised nearly $500,000 during this portion of the evening alone. The night continued with an unforgettable performance from Broadway star Jelani Remy, who had spent weeks mentoring Jenesis leading up to the event. Having performed at last year’s gala, Jenesis returned to the stage with even greater confidence, singing “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid and later joining Jelani for a powerful duet of Alicia Keys’ “No One.” Their performances brought the crowd to its feet—twice. Jelani praised Jenesis as “already a star,” and her growth was a clear and moving testament to what happens when young people are nurtured and believed in. We closed the evening in true Friends of the Children New York fashion—with karaoke. Guests and tables pledged donations to sing their favorite songs with Jelani, choosing hits like Bryan Adams’ "Summer of '69" and Journey’s "Don’t Stop Believin’." It was the perfect way to end the night: the entire room on their feet, singing, laughing, and celebrating the hope and future we are building together—one Achiever at a time. Thank You for Stepping Up We are deeply grateful to all of our event sponsors for making this night possible through their generosity, partnership, and belief in the power of long-term mentorship. Thanks to your investment, our Achievers have the resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to thrive over 12+ years—no matter what.To every attendee, donor, and supporter—Your commitment means more than words can express. By showing up, giving generously, and sharing in our mission, you are directly helping to break cycles of generational poverty and open doors to brighter futures for the youth and families we serve. You are part of their story, and we are so honored to have you as part of our Friends NY community. A heartfelt thank you as well to Seth Meyers for lending his time, humor, and heart to the evening; to our incredible speakers for bravely sharing their journeys; and to our talented performers who lifted the room with their energy and artistry.And a special shoutout and thank you to FRAME Studios (@frame_studios) for the beautiful photography! Thank you for capturing this impactful evening. You made the 2025 Step Up Gala a night to remember—and a night that will have a lasting impact. Because of you, we raised over $2 million to fuel our mission! Want to continue making a difference?➡️ Make a donation hereSee all the photos from the evening!📸 View the Step Up Gala photo gallery