NYC Gala Reaches New Heights

On October 26th, the Somaly Mam Foundation's Hearts and Hands gala was held at Capitale on Bowery Street in New York City. The night featured a performance by Somaly's Kampong Cham Center dancers, presentations by Susan Sarandon and Ally Sheedy, and musical numbers by folk singer John Wesley Harding. This year's Honoree was Andy Prozes, Chief Executive Officer of Lexis Nexis Group.

Andy and Lexis Nexis were early key supporters of the SMF. That early support created the environment that allowed the SMF to thrive and grow. In the Foundation’s early days there were weekly meetings and hundreds, if not thousands, of Lexis Nexis man hours in the form of technology, finance, communication and HR people working to help get the Foundation off the ground. The night raised nearly $600,000, doubling the proceeds of the 2009 gala. It was a wonderful evening - an opportunity for the SMF to publicly thank Andy Prozes and Lexis Nexis for their support and raise funds to support programs that empower survivors of human trafficking. The real impact of the gala will be felt for months and years to come.

Photo courtesy of Seventh House PR.