Photo Flash: Brian Stokes Mitchell, Al Roker and More Attend the Child Mind Institute's Gala

The Child Mind Institute raised over $7 million and honored philanthropists Nancy and Fred Poses and Duke University professor Kenneth A. Dodge, PhD, at its seventh annual Child Advocacy Award Dinner at Cipriani 42nd Street on November 21st. Check out photos from the event below!

"Over the years, I have had the great opportunity to get to know Fred and Nancy," said Ram Sundaram, a Child Mind Institute board member. "I have seen first-hand their extraordinary commitment to ensuring that families, especially those with children who have learning disorders, have access to the support and resources they need to thrive."

Nancy and Fred Poses were honored for their deep commitment to children and families. Through the Poses Family Foundation, they spearheaded the creation of Understood.org, a comprehensive free online resource for parents of children with learning and attention issues along with 14 other founding nonprofit partners, including the Child Mind Institute.

"We are honored to receive this award," said Nancy Poses. "The Child Mind Institute ensures that families who are at sea get to experience a lighter, brighter day."

The event, hosted by Al Roker and Deborah Roberts, raises critical funds that will allow the Child Mind Institute to continue transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.

"We stand here tonight not just as parents, but as soldiers in the fight to recognize and invest in good mental health care for all children," Roberts said.

Kenneth A. Dodge, PhD, the William McDougall Professor of Public Policy and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, was presented with the 2017 Child Mind Institute Distinguished Scientist Award in honor of his work as a leading scholar in the development and prevention of conduct disorder and aggressive and violent behaviors.

The Child Advocacy Award Dinner also spotlighted the stories of families who have worked with the Child Mind Institute to overcome mental health and learning disorders.

"At the Child Mind Institute, we have the privilege and the honor to help children and families who have inspirational courage - to act through the fear and the stigma and the denial," said Child Mind Institute Founding President Harold Koplewicz, MD. "We want every family to have access to the most effective treatment and to the information and understanding that breaks through barriers and brings hope."

The evening concluded with a lively auction led by Lydia Fenet of Christie's, which raised a record breaking amount of funds for the Child Mind Institute's financial aid program. Notable celebrity attendees include actors Kyle MacLachlan and Brian Stokes Mitchell and Dr. Ruth Westheimer.

The Child Mind Institute is an independent nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. Our teams work every day to deliver the highest standards of care, advance the science of the developing brain, and empower parents, professionals and policymakers to support children when and where they need it most. Together with our supporters, we're helping children reach their full potential in school and in life. We share our resources freely and do not accept funding from the pharmaceutical industry. Learn more at childmind.org.

Photo Credits: Child Mind Institute