An Evening of Hope with Nia Vardalos
Join us for an evening benefiting the Center for the Rights of Abused Children—featuring special guest Nia Vardalos, beloved star of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, author of Instant Mom, and mother to a daughter adopted through foster care.
Reserve Your SeatInspiring Change for Children
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 supporting efforts to protect children and secure permanent families.
Monday, October 20, 2025 | 6:00–8:30 PM | Phoenix Art Museum
Event Speakers
Nia Vardalos
Actress & Author
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.
Darcy Olsen
Founder & CEO of The Center for the Rights of Abused Children
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.
Join a community of givers making safety, family, and a brighter future possible for every child. Explore the full list of sponsorship packages and benefits here. For questions, contact Nancy Dominguez at nancy@thecenterforchildren.org.