The New England Center for Children Raises Record $1.1 Million at 2021 Children of Promise Gala

SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. - Nov. 19, 2021 - PRLog -- The New England Center for Children^® (NECC^®), a global leader in education and research for children with autism, announced today that its 2021 Children of Promise Gala achieved unprecedented fundraising results, raising more than $1.1 million dollars.

The event, held on November 12 at Boston's InterContinental Hotel, was NECC's first in-person fundraising event in two years due to the pandemic. More than 300 business leaders, philanthropists, and NECC families and friends gathered to enjoy an evening of heartwarming stories of hope and inspiration, a lively auction hosted by NESN's Jenny Johnson, and a special recognition of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders for their tremendous support of Massachusetts approved, private, special education schools during the pandemic.

"From the first day a public health emergency was declared, Governor Baker and Secretary Sudders provided NECC and all the other Chapter 766 schools with access to testing, protective equipment, and additional funds to fight the virus," shared Vinnie Strully, Jr., founder, and CEO of NECC. "Over the last 46 years, there has never been an administration more supportive of children with autism and other special needs than the Baker administration."

Gov. Baker expressed his and Sec. Sudders' appreciation for being recognized, "but mostly tonight what I want to say is how much we appreciate who you are, what you've done, and what you've been through," he shared.

About The New England Center for Children

The New England Center for Children^® (NECC^®) is an award-winning autism education center and research institute. Committed to creating a world where autism is not a barrier to happiness, growth, and independence, our community of teachers, researchers, and clinicians provide comprehensive services including day and residential programs, partner classrooms in public school systems, consulting services, and the ACE^® ABA Software System (www.acenecc.org).

NECC is committed to creating an equitable workplace for our diverse team and providing industry-leading staff professional development opportunities, specifically with our on-campus graduate degree partnership programs. The result is a growing pool of autism educators and researchers that impact the lives of children with autism both at NECC and around the world. The New England Center for Children is based in Southborough, MA, and operates a center in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Learn more at www.necc.org.