Children’s Institute honored Netflix’s Channing Dungey and long-time supporters Bridget Gless Keller and Paul Keller on Wednesday night at the 2nd Annual Cape & Gown Gala in Santa Monica.

The event, emceed by actress, activist and philanthropist Holly Robinson Peete, raised $1.2 million for CII’s early education, behavioral health and family strengthening programs.

Channing Dungey, Vice President, Original Series at Netflix, was honored for her commitment to advocating for educational resources and life changing services on behalf of disadvantaged children and families in Los Angeles. Her Children’s Champion Award was presented by Academy Award-Winning Actress Regina King (Watchmen, If Beale Street Could Talk), while friends and family praised Dungey’s commitment to giving back to her community in a moving tribute video.

“It takes an incredibly selfless person to see what is needed and then act upon that need. Channing does everything so quietly without fanfare. She is one of the most powerful women in the industry but she doesn’t use her power for self-promotion. She actively tries to empower those that need precious resources,” King said.

Academy Award-Winning Actress Regina King introducing Channing Dungey

“As an entertainment executive, I am an advocate for the creative process and am fortunate to be able to tell stories that often provide a voice to the underrepresented. Similarly, Children’s Institute and all of us here tonight are advocates for children who lack a voice, children who are exposed to trauma, poverty and adversity,” Dungey said.

Bridget Gless Keller, CII Watts Building Committee Chair, and Paul Keller, Chairman of Mack Real Estate Development, were honored for their longtime support of CII’s mission. Together, they have led charge on CII’s new, Frank Gehry-designed Watts campus, slated to break ground in early 2020.

“My hopes for kids in the Watts community is that the new Children’s Institute campus provides them with a place to dream, and dream big, and this becomes a foundation for them to grow into the next generation of leaders,” Gless Keller said.

The Kellers’ commitment to Los Angeles was praised in a tribute video that included Mayor Eric Garcetti, Carolyn Clark Powers, President, Board of Trustees, MOCA, and Marc Nathanson, Chairman, Mapleton Investments.

“Bridget and Paul Keller are truly angels in this city of Angels…And they’re always asking, ‘what can we do to give back to this city?’ that they’ve given so much to already,” Mayor Garcetti said.

CII Parent Partner Raul Aguirre shared his personal story of growing up in South LA, and how he has devoted the last eight years working to help children and families in the community.

CII Parent Partner Raul Aguirre, Emcee Holly Robinson Peete, and CII President & CEO Martine Singer

“There are a lot of people out there that are lost, some embarrassed to ask for help, and some who just don’t know that there’s help out there,” he said. “There’s an organization down the street that is here to help the community and that gives you something to hope for – that is Children’s Institute.”

The Cape & Gown Gala also included a virtual reality experience of the new Watts Campus, a live auction hosted by Billy Harris and a musical performance by L.A. Inner City Mass Choir.

To view photos from the 2019 Children’s Institute Cape & Gown Gala, please click here.

Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15-October 15, honors Hispanic Americans by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

As a social impact organization based in Los Angeles serving predominantly Latino children and families  and with 70% of our staff identifying as Latino, Children’s Institute is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by shining a spotlight on some recent events:

Volunteer Partnerships for CII Preschools

In late September, a group of volunteers from the UCLA Latino Alumni Association celebrated Hispanic Heritage month by spending their Saturday beautifying a CII Head Start preschool in Watts.

Nayra Gil, a senior studying Sociology at UCLA, grew up in Compton and said the UCLA campus in Westwood can feel like a different world compared to neighborhoods in South LA, so it is important for people to leave the UCLA campus and give back.

“With my own experience growing up in Compton, a fresh coat of paint may feel minor, but it can make a major difference for a young kid who is building confidence to explore a world outside her neighborhood,” Gil said.

David Huizar, a first generation graduate from UCLA in 2010, joined the UCLA Latino Alumni Association earlier this year. Covered in paint like many of his fellow volunteers after a few hours, Huizar said he received a lot of support from older siblings that led to academic success at UCLA. He volunteers to help open doorways for the next generation of students.

“As the youngest, I didn’t have the opportunity to give back, so volunteer opportunities like this are a chance to pay it forward from those who supported me,” Huizar said.

Please visit our volunteer page here to learn more about supporting CII.

Immigrant Rights Presentations

The recent threat of ICE sweeps across the country heightened stress on children and families in Los Angeles. In an effort to equip families with resources and information, CII is holding sessions about immigration rights. Thanks to support from community groups with a background in immigration law that included the Salvadoran American Leadership and Education Fund (SALEF), Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition (LBIRC), Councilman Joe Buscaino, Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), and Little Providence Company of Mary Wellness and Activity, each session features a lawyer or immigrant rights leader who can answer questions about what to do if law enforcement is at your door or if you’ve been stopped while in transit.

For more information on immigrant rights, visit here to read a helpful Q&A provided by Cindy Garcia, Staff Attorney with the Central American Resource Center.

Childhood Trauma Q&A on Univision

In July, CII released a Public Service Announcement and conducted an outreach campaign to educate the public about childhood trauma. The campaign focuses on the risks of childhood trauma, its short- and long-term effects that can last into adulthood, and what parents can do to prevent trauma or support healing within their own families.

On September 27, CII’s Adriana Molina, Director of Project ABC, participated in a Facebook Live Q&A with Univision 34 Los Angeles. Viewers had the opportunity to ask questions about parenting tips and resources to support kids in healing. Click here to watch the full interview in Spanish.

Children’s Institute is holding five specialized workshops on immigration rights for families served by CII. Community leaders and immigration lawyers are educating families on what rights they have when interacting with law enforcement.

As a social impact organization serving more than 26,000 children and families facing adversity across Los Angeles, the ongoing threat of ICE raids can be traumatic for immigrant families. It is our goal to make sure parents are informed and their loved ones are not victims of an unlawful detention. Cindy Garcia, a lawyer with the Central American Resource Center, shared answers to common questions around immigrant rights.

What are my rights if law enforcement asks about my immigration status?
You have the right to remain silent. You should not discuss your immigration status with ANYONE other than your attorney while you are with the police. This includes information about where you were born, how or when you came to the United States, or any criminal history. Say out loud if you wish to remain silent or show your Know Your Rights card. To order a card, click here.

What should I do if I am stopped by police or ICE?
Do not run. Before saying anything (including your name) ask, “Am I free to go?” If yes, walk away slowly. If no, do not walk away. In some states, you must give your name. If you are searched, stay calm and say, “I do not consent to this search.”

What should I do if police or ICE come to my home?
DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR. Ask for ID (look through a window). Officers can enter only with a valid warrant or with your permission. Ask to see a warrant. When examining the warrant, look for your name, your address, and a signature. This can help you decide whether or not the warrant is valid (true). The warrant will be in English. If you have trouble reading it or understanding it, get someone else in your house to help you read it or translate it, if possible. An example of a warrant is on page 4 of this document.

If the warrant is not valid, ask the officers to leave. If officers enter (with or without a valid warrant) say you do not consent. Tell them if there are children, elderly or sick people in the house.

What can I do if I am detained while my immigration case is underway?
Talk to your attorney to determine how this will affect your case. In some situations, immigration may choose not to prioritize someone who already has an immigration case underway, but that is not guaranteed. If you decide to inform immigration about your case instead of remaining silent, they could form probable cause to believe you may not be in lawful status and could be detained. It is best to not discuss you immigration status with anyone other than your attorney.

For more information on immigrant rights, click here for English and here for Spanish. Please visit the Legal Aid Foundation here or MALFEF here if you are in need of an attorney.

Preguntas y Respuestas Sobre Derechos de Inmigración

Children’s Institute estará ofreciendo cinco talleres sobre derechos de inmigración para familias que reciben servicios en CII. Líderes de la comunidad y abogados de inmigración educaran a familias sobre los derechos que tienen cuando deben de interactuar con oficiales de la ley.

Como una organización que ayuda a más de 26,000 niños y familias expuestos a la adversidad a través de los Ángeles, reconocemos que las amenazas de redadas de ICE pueden traer trauma a familias inmigrantes. Es nuestra meta asegurar que padres estén informados y que sus seres queridos no sean víctimas de una detención ilegal. Cindy Garcia, una abogada con el Centro de Recursos de Centro América, compartió respuestas comunes a preguntas sobre los derechos de inmigrantes.

¿Cuáles son mis derechos si oficiales preguntan sobre mi estado de inmigración?
Usted tiene el derecho a permanecer en silencio. No debe de discutir su estado de inmigración con NADIE más que su abogado mientras esta con la policía. Esto incluye información sobre donde nació, como o cuando entro a Los Estados Unidos, o cualquier historial criminal. Dígalo en voz alta si desea permanecer en silencio o ensene su carta de “Conoce Tus Derechos.” Para ordenar una carta visita este sitio: https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards

¿Qué debo de hacer si me detiene la policía o ICE?
No corra. Antes de decir algo, incluyendo su nombre, pregunte, ¿“Estoy libre para retirarme?” Si dicen que sí, retírese lentamente. En algunos estados debe dar su nombre. Si lo revisan, manténgase en calma y diga, “Yo no doy consentimiento para esta revisión.”

¿Qué debo de hacer si la policía o ICE viene a mi casa?
NO HABRA LA PUERTA. Pide una carta de identificación (mira por la ventana). Oficiales solo pueden entrar con una orden o con su permiso. Pide ver la orden oficial. Cuando examine la orden, busque su nombre, su dirección y una firma. Esto le puede ayudar a decidir si la orden es verdadera. La orden estará en inglés. Si se le dificulta leer o comprender la orden, pídale ayuda a alguien en el hogar si es posible. Un ejemplo de una orden está en página 4 de este documento.

Si la orden no es válida, pídale a los oficiales que se retiren. Si los oficiales entran con o sin una orden valida, diga que no consiente su entrada. Dígales que “hay niños, gente mayor o gente enferma en la casa.”

¿Qué hago si me detienen mientras mi caso de inmigración está en proceso?
Hable con su abogado para determinar cómo le afectara su caso. En algunas situaciones, inmigración no le da prioridad a gente que ya tiene un caso en proceso, pero no está garantizado. Si usted decide informar a inmigración sobre su caso en lugar de mantenerse en silencio, pueden constituir una causa probable para creer que no está en el estado legalmente y pueden detenerlo. Es mejor no discutir su caso de inmigración con nadie más que su abogado.

Para más información sobre los derechos de inmigración, oprima aquí para inglés u oprima aquí para español. Por favor visite la Fundación de Ayuda Legal aquí o MALFEF aquí si necesita un abogado.