UNLIMITED: A Wickedly Wonderful Evening in Support of The Child Center
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- 4 min read
Last Monday was a wickedly fun celebration filled with entertainment, delicious food and drink, and unwavering support for The Child Center of NY.
The Child Center was beyond excited to present UNLIMITED: A Wickedly Wonderful Evening, our annual fundraiser in partnership with the award-winning team at Fork N’ Film. The immersive dinner-and-cinema experience pairs iconic films with curated prix-fixe menus inspired by key moments on screen.
The film featured at our event was the Academy Award-winning Wicked, screened at the prestigious New York Academy of Medicine. Guests arrived in sparkling shoes and shades of pink and green, ready to experience Oz like never before.
The evening opened with inspiring remarks from Child Center Chief Executive Officer Traci Donnelly, who joked that the event’s innovative format stemmed from her not loving traditional galas and her desire to find new ways for people to learn about The Child Center.
“We picked this place for a reason,” she said. “People have stood here since 1926, but the fight inside them is older still. This is the New York Academy of Medicine, founded in 1847 to defend the health of New Yorkers that the rest of the city decided not to save. We chose this room because The Child Center of NY has carried that same fight since 1953.”
She recognized The Child Center and praised the Child Center team for resisting “the easy story” and choosing “the true one.”
“We’re watching Wicked,” she continued, “and it’s a story about a girl the world decided to misunderstand before it ever knew her. The very thing that made her different was the thing that made her powerful. The world called her wicked. We would have called her gifted, and we would have shown up for her. Every child who walks through our doors arrives with their own singular gifts—curiosity, resilience, creativity, a way of seeing the world that no one else does.”
Traci then welcomed BankUnited Executive Vice President Eric Hibbert, who also serves as iCARE council chair, to accept The Child Center of NY’s Impact Award on behalf of BankUnited, a generous sponsor of our backpack and holiday toy drives. The partnership grew through Child Center Board Member Kris Amato-Aliani, whom Traci affectionately dubbed our “connector-in-chief,” and who received this year’s Distinguished Service Award. In heartfelt remarks, Kris reflected on how The Child Center entered her life during a difficult period when she was struggling to have children of her own—and how meaningful it is to now share that journey with her two beautiful children.
The evening’s final recognition went to Ekemini Abasi-Nwabueze, Assistant Director of the Health Home Program, who received the Russell L. Carson Visionary Award. Named for one of The Child Center’s most steadfast supporters, the award honors employees who exceed expectations, develop creative solutions despite limited resources, and expand opportunities for children and families through innovation and leadership.
In her introduction, Health Home Program Director Nonaghosa Ohikuare described Ekemini as the embodiment of the award’s spirit: “When I think of what it means to be a true team player, one person immediately comes to mind. This person is always the first to volunteer for the toughest projects and the first to celebrate her peers’ successes. She has consistently demonstrated unparalleled dedication, innovative problem-solving, and a collaborative spirit.”
Accepting the award, Ekemini spoke movingly about arriving at The Child Center after being laid off from her previous job just six months postpartum.
“Nothing could have prepared me for that news,” Ekemini said. “What I didn’t realize then was that this challenging period would become a molding season. That molding season directly shaped the heart of my work here at The Child Center. It taught me what it truly means to practice deep empathy and understand the unique, often unseen needs of every family member we serve.”
Then came the screening of Wicked, which took on new meaning in light of everything we had heard about The Child Center and the extraordinary young people it serves. Guests enjoyed Wicked-inspired dishes and drinks, including “Good News Sorbet,” “Green Elixir,” “Lollipopular Martini,” and “Emerald City Medley.”
Midway through the film, the evening paused for an intermission that raised funds and spotlighted some of our young people directly: Shivani, Lizzy, and Elyjah from The Child Center’s Residential Treatment Facility (RTF). Their talents were literally on display: The centerpieces decorating each table had been designed by the youth themselves. Their talents were equally evident in their poise and beautiful words as they spoke from the podium.
Shivani shared that through the RTF, she “realized family doesn't always have to be blood. Family is people who treat you with respect and show unconditional love, no matter the circumstances.”
Lizzy captured the audience’s hearts as she spoke about how the RTF helped her “share and express my feelings and learn new ways to handle pain again,” and thanked staff for helping her write a hopeful new chapter in her life.
Then Elyjah took the podium and immediately won over the room. Leaning into the microphone, he opened with three simple words: “Knicks in five.”
With the audience firmly on his side, he reflected on his journey as a young Black man.
“I had struggled since I was growing up,” he said. “I thought I was bad at school, but when I came to this program, I checked my transcript. I had 34 credits, and I just needed two more for my Regents diploma. I realized that I can have a future for myself. I can do better. I can do many things.”
If you missed the event, we can’t transport you back in time to experience the magic firsthand—but there’s still time to make a difference. Every dollar raised helps The Child Center provide children and families with opportunities to pursue their unlimited potential. Donate today to give New York children and families the chance to fly!
