Press Release Archives - 582 -96 Launches Fund for Children's Services

Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 12 , 1996

Release #582-96

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Kim Serafin (212) 788-2958

MAYOR GIULIANI LAUNCHES THE FUND FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES WITH BENEFIT AT WORLD PREMIERE OF 101 DALMATIANS

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, joined by Administration for Children's Services Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, today announced the formation of the Fund for Children's Services, a public / private effort founded to support children and young adults who are under the care and protection of the City's child welfare system. The initial benefit for the Fund will be at the premiere of Disney's live action film adaptation of 101 Dalmatians, for which tickets are available for both the film and premiere parties.

Newly created by Mayor Giuliani, the Fund is a private-sector effort to support critical initiatives identified by New York City's Administration for Children's Services. The Fund will provide financial aid for young people, giving children in foster care the chance to attend college. It will support educational and mentoring programs so that young people can begin the college preparatory process during their high school years, with tutoring, SAT prep and college guidance counseling.

"The Fund for Children's Services is an excellent example of how the public and private sectors can work together to help New York's most vulnerable population -- our children," said Mayor Giuliani. "The Fund will work closely with the Administration for Children's Services to ensure that young adults in the foster care system are prepared for independent living."

"This is a wonderful event that will benefit children in need by providing scholarships and other educational opportunities," said Commissioner Scoppetta. "Nothing could be more important to help our kids reach their full potential."

Tickets to the film premiere at Radio City Music Hall on Monday, November 18 will be available in two different packages. Tickets for the film and supper at the Rainbow Room are $1,000 each. Tickets for the film and "Junior Party" at the Fashion Cafe are $100 each. All contributions are tax-deductible. Those interested in purchasing tickets can call: (212) 788-1623.

There are approximately 40,000 children in the New York City foster care system. Of those children, 18,000 have goals of adoption and 8,500 of those are legally eligible for adoption. For the second year in a row, final adoptions increased, showing 58% growth over FY 94.

Also attending the press conference today were New York City foster care children and Hooper, the Fire Department Dalmatian.

The Fund for Children's Services is a program of New York City Public/Private Initiatives, Inc.