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Nia Vardalos smiling in a pink dress against a blurred background of lights, promoting the fundraising event for the Center for the Rights of Abused Children.

An Evening with
Nia Vardalos

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.

Reserve Your Seat

Inspiring 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 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

Reserve your seat
Group of five women in elegant black outfits, posing together at a social event, showcasing a stylish evening atmosphere.
Smiling woman with long blonde hair and elegant jewelry, engaged in conversation at a fundraising event for the Center for the Rights of Abused Children.
Donation display board for the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, featuring a heart made of red hearts, showing a current total of $100,575 and recent donors, with a donation goal of $100,000.
Two women embracing warmly, showcasing a moment of connection and support, set against a dimly lit background with subtle red lighting, reflecting themes of community and advocacy for abused children at the event featuring Nia Vardalos.
Child smiling and speaking at a podium, with an adult woman in the background, during an event supporting the Center for the Rights of Abused Children.
Nia Vardalos embracing a young girl, both smiling warmly, in an outdoor setting, highlighting a moment of joy and connection at a fundraising event for the Center for the Rights of Abused Children.
Nia Vardalos speaking at a fundraising event for the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, expressing heartfelt reflections in a supportive atmosphere.
Group of four smiling individuals at a fundraising event for the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, showcasing community support and advocacy for child welfare.

Event Speakers

Nia Vardalos smiling in a pink dress, promoting her advocacy for children and participation in the fundraising event for the Center for the Rights of Abused Children.

Nia Vardalos

Academy Award-nominated Screenwriter and Actress

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.

Sandy Leong, smiling and showcasing her vibrant personality, highlighting her role as an advocate for children in foster care and adoption, with a warm and engaging expression in a supportive environment.
Carey Peña, Emmy Award-winning journalist and community advocate, smiling in a vibrant pink dress, promoting advocacy for children and fostering connections at the Center for the Rights of Abused Children event.

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).

Darcy Olsen, founder and CEO of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, smiling in a denim jacket, embodying her commitment to advocating for children's safety and welfare.

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.

Become a Sponsor

Presenting Sponsor

$50,000

Platinum Sponsor

$25,000

Gold Sponsor

$15,000

Silver Sponsor

$10,000

Bronze Sponsor

$5,000

Host Committee

$2,500

Past Supporting Sponsors

Shamrock Foods Company logo featuring a green shamrock and the text "Shamrock SINCE 1922" and "Foods Company," representing a brand committed to quality and community support.
Haller Group logo featuring gray and orange colors, representing a partnership with the Center for the Rights of Abused Children.
Coign logo, representing a partnership with the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, advocating for child safety and protection.
Colorful logo for Messy Table Games, featuring playful block letters spelling "Messy" and "TABLE GAMES," representing fun and engaging activities for children.
Vizient logo in orange, representing a partnership with the Center for the Rights of Abused Children to advocate for child safety and well-being.

Be the Difference for Abused Children

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.

Reserve Your Seat

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.

Smiling girl in yellow dress with polka dots making a funny face, sitting between parents, highlighting family joy and support for children in need.