2025 Step Up & Speak Out is a Record-Breaker!
On Thursday, October 16 nearly 400 gathered at the Mandarin Oriental to raise awareness and critical funds for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County (CAC). Sponsors, partners, and friends came together as a team to advocate on behalf of children and families who are victims of violence, exploitation, and abuse. Guests, along with over 80 generous sponsors committed prior to the event, donated a total of more than $750,000!
Since 2014, the Step Up & Speak Out benefit has brought together members of the business, non-profit, and advocacy communities to fundraise and reduce the stigma around child abuse and sexual exploitation.
Guests in attendance enjoyed a lively cocktail hour, a mobile bid-driven silent auction (that included an autographed Taylor Swift guitar, 3rd row Red Sox tickets, and more!), an inspiring speaking program, a live auction hosted by professional auctioneer Zan Skillman, and lots of time to reconnect with friends, colleagues and community partners.
During the program attendees heard from a 12-year old youth advocate who spoke about the importance of speaking up and believing kids when they come forward. She also thanked attendees for their role in supporting survivors.
“The CAC gives you a team to count on. And if you are here, you are also part of a team, because it means you care about child abuse. . . One of my favorite things about this Gala is how supportive you all are to [survivors]. So, thank you for that.” – Youth Advocate Keynote Speaker
The event also celebrated individuals who have worked tirelessly to raise awareness, move systems, and promote the healing of survivors. This year, the CAC’s Chief Program Officer, Beth Bouchard, presented the "Susan Goldfarb Award" to CAC Board member, Kimberly Henry Quagliaroli and her husband Jim Quagliaroli in recognition of Kim’s work responding to human trafficking and their longtime generous support of the CAC.
In receiving the award, Kim and Jim focused on the dedication and sacrifices of the CAC staff and encouraged attendees to form a relationship with the organization moving forward.
“[The staff] carry others’ pain every day, and they could earn more elsewhere. But they choose THIS— because it matters. If they can do all of this with so little… imagine what they could do with more. – Jim Quagliaroli
“Go ahead and visit the center. Meet the people. Raise your bid paddle. Invest in and become invested in this organization and these people. You will walk away inspired — I promise.” – Kimberly Henry Quagliaroli
After accepting her award, Kim introduced her fellow honoree and former boss, Liam Lowney, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance. Liam spoke to the importance of partnership in this work and shared his appreciation for the CAC’s leadership in the movement to support survivors of child abuse.
“When our voices are empowered, when survivors voices are empowered - we can create change." – Liam Lowney, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance
Chairman Kevin Honan and Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden were in attendance, along with hundreds of community partners, sponsors, and dedicated CAC supporters.
Presenting Sponsors of this year’s event were Dellbrook|JKS, Silversmith Capital Partners, Suffolk Cares Foundation, and Torrington Properties. Ambassador Sponsors were Clarke Distribution, the New England Patriots Foundation, and Kevin Mohan & Anne Williams. A complete list of the CAC’s generous sponsors can be found here.
Stay tuned to our social media platforms for more photos soon! And reach out to Kim Sebastiao, Chief of Development & External Affairs at ksebastiao@suffolkcac.org if you'd like to visit the CAC!