CARES Advisory Board Hosts Fourth Gala

What began as a grassroots effort to support the CARES (Child Abuse Research Education and Service) Institute at the School of Osteopathic Medicine just a few years ago has evolved into a highly anticipated annual fundraiser.

Thanks to the unyielding support of the CARES Advisory Board, the Institute recently held its fourth "Calling All Angels" gala. The sold out event welcomed more than 430 attendees and raised approximately $90,000—twice as much as the first gala held in 2008.

Steve Kantor, executive vice president of KEH Insurance who serves as gala founder and chair, was introduced to the Institute by fellow Advisory Board member Christine Messina and quickly came to "love what they do there."

"We decided to organize an event to bring attention to the mission and work of CARES, but there was no budget. So we engaged in many one-on-one conversations, asking people to come and see what the Institute does," said Mr. Kantor. "We were fortunate to get others interested and were able to move ahead with three goals in mind: awareness of the problem and how the Institute helps, respect and revenue—in that order."

For nearly 20 years, the CARES Institute has provided interdisciplinary, evidence-based medical and mental health services to children, families and developmentally challenged adults suffering from abuse, neglect or violence. Acknowledged as an international leader in this area, it treats over 2,600 children yearly in New Jersey's lower seven counties, and also trains and educates health care, child protection and law enforcement professionals throughout the country and abroad.

"Child abuse and neglect is very difficult to talk about and bring into the public consciousness. The gala has helped de-stigmatize it," said Martin A. Finkel, DO, co-director of the Institute. "For the Advisory Board to put on this event and raise awareness and funds is remarkable. We really rely on its advocacy."

Co-director Esther Deblinger, PhD, agrees.

"The Calling all Angels gala helps to ensure that we need not turn children away who need our help right here in South Jersey, while also supporting our efforts to enhance the expertise of child abuse professionals who are serving children exposed to abuse and violence around the nation and the world," she said.