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Associates Council

The Associates Council (AC) of The Children's Aid Society (CAS) was founded in 1985 to serve as a “junior board” to help cultivate and prepare dedicated and caring professionals and volunteers to become future leaders and goodwill ambassadors interested in serving the best interest of New York City’s children and families.

The Council is comprised of a diverse group of men and women that devote their time, talents, and resources towards accomplishing the Children’s Aid mission. Whether they are coordinating fundraising efforts to support programs and initiatives, organizing social networking happy hours for volunteers and other supporters, serving as team leaders at special events or just spending a few hours with the kids, Associates Council members are dedicated to giving back to the community while meeting like-minded people, engaging in social activities, and exploring new career areas.

Making A Difference
Over the years, the Associates Council has raised in excess of $500,000 to support various Children’s Aid programs through a wide variety of special events and in-kind donations. AC members have been responsible for creating an assortment of signature events that have been both entertaining and informative to the public. Past events have included:

  • Blue Jean Ball (AC Annual Gala)
  • Annual Holiday Toy Drive Party
  • Social Issues and Advocacy Speaker Series
  • Spring Into Action Day (formerly Derby Day)
  • We Care

Areas of Interest
The Associates Council focuses its efforts in three primary areas—Events & Fundraising, Membership & Outreach, and Social Issues and Advocacy. Each subcommittee develops specific projects guided by its overall purpose and based in large part on the suggestions of its current participants. Members are encouraged to join a specific subcommittee best suited to their specific interest, but have the opportunity to become involved in multiple groups as their time permits.

Leadership
The AC Executive Committee is comprised of a Chairman, President, Secretary-Treasurer and Vice-Presidents who are also co-chairs of our three standing committees: Social Issues and Advocacy, Membership and Outreach, and Events.

2008-09 Associates Council Executive Committee

Chairman Emeritus: Christopher Rugger
President: Hannah Thonet

Vice Presidents:
Membership and Outreach: Amy Kohn and Nildania Perez
Events: Keisha Blake, Meita Harahap, and Beatriz Usuga
Social Issues and Advocacy: Tejal Shah and Nelly Maseda