Join us for an evening benefiting the Center for the Rights of Abused Children—featuring Screenwriter and Star of the three My Big Fat Greek Wedding movies Nia Vardalos, author of Instant Mom, and mother to a daughter adopted through foster care.
This special evening brings our community together to help give abused children what every child deserves: safety, home, and family. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and heartfelt reflections from those on the front lines of this life-changing work.
Tickets are $150, with $100 directly protecting children in crisis, now—through daily courtroom advocacy and stronger child-protection laws.
Monday, October 20, 2025 | 5:00–8:00 PM | Phoenix Art Museum
Nia Vardalos is an Academy Award–nominated actress, screenwriter, and the star of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Off-screen, she’s a passionate advocate for children and the author of Instant Mom, which chronicles her journey through foster care and adoption. As a mom and storyteller, Nia brings humor, heart, and a deep commitment to helping every child find the family they deserve.
Sandy Leong
Event Chair
Adopted as an infant, Sandy credits her loving parents with giving her the foundation to thrive. Now a mother, entrepreneur, and advocate, she uses her voice to fight for children who still need a family. As founder of Sandy Leong Fine Jewelry and a founding board member of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, her work blends beauty, purpose, and a deep belief in the power of home. Watch her Ted Talk here.
Carey Peña
Community Advocate and Event Emcee
An Emmy Award–winning journalist and storyteller, Carey Peña is known for creating powerful conversations that inspire connection and change. She founded Inspired Media 360 and co-founded Arizona’s Center for Positive Media to amplify voices of hope, healing, and impact. Carey is also a dedicated community advocate and emcee for causes she loves. At An Evening with Nia Vardalos, she’ll bring her warmth and insight to the stage as she interviews Nia about her journey as an adoptive mom and her passion for children.
Darcy Olsen
Center Founder & CEO
Darcy Olsen founded the Center for the Rights of Abused Children to bring people together to do more, be more, and change more for children in crisis. Her powerful storytelling—including a viral appearance on PBS’s Stories from the Stage—has inspired everyday people to become foster parents and changemakers. She regularly advises lawmakers, appears on national media, and is invited to keynote events not just for her expertise, but because she makes people believe they can make a difference too. Olsen has grown the Center into a national powerhouse—driving landmark reforms, reaching over one million children, and earning top honors like the Adoption Excellence Award and Angel in Adoption Award. Darcy has fostered ten children and adopted four (yes, her house is loud; yes, it’s been the ride of a lifetime; yes, you should absolutely consider it).
Event Sponsorship
Support life-changing work for abused children while receiving meaningful recognition. Sponsorship benefits include a private meet-and-greet with Nia Vardalos, exclusive after-hours access to the Phoenix Art Museum’s Florentine Baroque: The Haukohl Collection, on-stage acknowledgment, top-tier logo placement, and more.
Children can’t fight abuse. We can. Your presence helps the Center continue providing what they need most: safety, home, and family. Together, we’ve impacted one million children—and we’re just getting started. Join us for a meaningful evening that celebrates the power of family and the joy of giving back.
The Center for the Rights of Abused Children is a recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and our Tax ID is 82-2604035. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. $50.00 per ticket registration was provided to you by the Center for the Rights of Abused Children in return for your contribution.
This section provides essential information about the fundraising event, ensuring attendees are well-informed. 'An Evening with Nia Vardalos' will take place on October 20, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Phoenix Art Museum. Guests can anticipate an engaging evening filled with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and inspiring discussions focused on advocating for the rights of abused children.
In addition to the delightful culinary offerings, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from passionate advocates who work tirelessly to protect children in crisis. The event aims not only to raise funds but also to foster community involvement and awareness about the challenges faced by abused children and the importance of advocacy.
Impact of Your Contribution
Your participation in this event directly impacts the lives of abused children. Each ticket purchased contributes significantly to ongoing advocacy efforts, with $100 from each ticket going towards daily courtroom advocacy and initiatives aimed at strengthening child protection laws. This financial support is crucial for the Center's mission to provide safety, home, and family for children in need.
Moreover, contributions from sponsorships and donations help fund vital programs that offer legal assistance, counseling, and resources for families. By attending and supporting this event, you play a pivotal role in creating a safer environment for children and ensuring their voices are heard in the legal system.
How to Get Involved
In addition to attending the event, there are numerous ways to get involved with the Center for the Rights of Abused Children. You can become a volunteer, advocate for policy changes, or even consider fostering or adopting children in need. Every effort counts and contributes to a larger movement towards child protection and welfare.
The Center offers various programs and resources for those interested in making a difference. Whether it's through volunteering your time, participating in advocacy campaigns, or spreading awareness about the issues faced by abused children, your involvement can help change lives and build a stronger community.
Event FAQs
To ensure a smooth experience for all attendees, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding the event. Questions may include details about parking, accessibility options at the Phoenix Art Museum, and what to expect during the evening. This section aims to provide clarity and enhance the overall experience for everyone involved.
Additionally, attendees can find information on how to contact event organizers for any further inquiries. We encourage participants to reach out with any questions or concerns to ensure they have the best experience possible at 'An Evening with Nia Vardalos.'
Event Details
This section provides essential information about the fundraising event, ensuring attendees are well-informed. 'An Evening with Nia Vardalos' will take place on October 20, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Phoenix Art Museum. Guests can anticipate an engaging evening filled with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and inspiring discussions focused on advocating for the rights of abused children.
In addition to the delightful culinary offerings, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from passionate advocates who work tirelessly to protect children in crisis. The event aims not only to raise funds but also to foster community involvement and awareness about the challenges faced by abused children and the importance of advocacy.
Impact of Your Contribution
Your participation in this event directly impacts the lives of abused children. Each ticket purchased contributes significantly to ongoing advocacy efforts, with $100 from each ticket going towards daily courtroom advocacy and initiatives aimed at strengthening child protection laws. This financial support is crucial for the Center's mission to provide safety, home, and family for children in need.
Moreover, contributions from sponsorships and donations help fund vital programs that offer legal assistance, counseling, and resources for families. By attending and supporting this event, you play a pivotal role in creating a safer environment for children and ensuring their voices are heard in the legal system.
How to Get Involved
In addition to attending the event, there are numerous ways to get involved with the Center for the Rights of Abused Children. You can become a volunteer, advocate for policy changes, or even consider fostering or adopting children in need. Every effort counts and contributes to a larger movement towards child protection and welfare.
The Center offers various programs and resources for those interested in making a difference. Whether it's through volunteering your time, participating in advocacy campaigns, or spreading awareness about the issues faced by abused children, your involvement can help change lives and build a stronger community.
Event FAQs
To ensure a smooth experience for all attendees, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding the event. Questions may include details about parking, accessibility options at the Phoenix Art Museum, and what to expect during the evening. This section aims to provide clarity and enhance the overall experience for everyone involved.
Additionally, attendees can find information on how to contact event organizers for any further inquiries. We encourage participants to reach out with any questions or concerns to ensure they have the best experience possible at 'An Evening with Nia Vardalos.'
