PHILADELPHIA, April 17, 2012—The Support Center for Child Advocates will host its Annual Benefit Reception & Auction tomorrow, April 18, with law firm Duane Morris LLP as a leading sponsor. The event, to be held at the Wanamaker Building's Crystal Tea Room, will celebrate the center's 35 years of providing pro bono legal and social services for abused and neglected children in Philadelphia County. With an expected attendance of more than 1,000 legal, corporate and individual supporters, the event will consist of a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions and awards ceremony. This year's main honoree is Marciene S. Mattleman, president of After School Activities Partnerships and education reporter for KYW Newsradio, who will receive the 2012 Judge Lois G. Forer Child Advocacy Award.
"With recent cases of child abuse currently flooding the headlines, there is now a renewed focus on the care and well-being of children, which is our specialty," said Frank Cervone, Support Center for Child Advocates executive director and a nationally recognized child-welfare legal expert. "The Annual Benefit Reception & Auction is an exciting evening where we honor an exemplary class of community leaders and friends of children as Distinguished Advocates. We also raise critical funds that allow us to advocate for laws that protect the rights of children and work to attain our mission of securing a permanent and nurturing environment for every child."
Duane Morris has sponsored and worked with the Support Center for Child Advocates for many years. Firm Pro Bono Counsel Nicole Friant serves on the Support Center for Child Advocates board and was previously recognized as a Distinguished Child Advocate by the organization. Over the last decade, Friant has represented children through the center in various dependency and criminal matters. In 2011, partner James H. Steigerwald was also named a Support Center for Child Advocates Distinguished Advocate.
About the Support Center for Child Advocates
The Support Center for Child Advocates provides legal assistance and social service advocacy for abused and neglected children in Philadelphia County. It is one of the most successful volunteer models serving children in the United States. Since its founding in 1977, Child Advocates has trained more than 3,500 attorneys who contribute pro bono services valued at more than $3.5 million annually. For additional event information, please contact Muhammida El Muhajir at 267.546.9211 or melmuhajir@advokid.org.
About Duane Morris
Duane Morris LLP, a full-service law firm with more than 700 attorneys in offices across the United States and around the world, offers innovative solutions to the legal and business challenges presented by today's evolving global markets. Duane Morris' Pro Bono Program provides free legal services to organizations and individuals in the communities least able to afford them.