Supermodel, Arlenis Sosa, 21, current face of Lancome made lots of heart’s happy Saturday as she volunteered alongside the New Yorkers For Children’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB) helping to run the face painting booth for children with severe disabilities at the 5th Annual New Alternatives for Children (NAC) Kids Olympics. Over 600 NAC children and family members participated in activities including relay races (with and without wheelchairs), rock-climbing, soccer and gymnastics at Chelsea Piers on Saturday, June 19th, 2010.

“I am so thrilled to have been part of such a great cause, said Arlenis.” “It brought joy to my heart to see the happiness this event brought to the children there.”

The activities planned enable NAC’s special children to overcome physical and mental obstacles, meet new challenges and build self-esteem; as well as experience team spirit and healthy competition, get lots of exercise, and, most importantly, have a memorable and fun day as parents and friends cheer them on. Most of NAC’s children are living in poverty; many have had more surgeries than birthdays; and too many have lived the first years of their life in sterile hospital wards, not out of medical necessity but because their families could not care for them at home.

New Yorkers For Children’s (NYFC) Youth Advisory Board is a group of high school and college students in foster care who serve as advocates for youth in foster care in New York City. The group meets for dinner at NYFC once a month to plan events and programs that positively impact younger children in foster care. The Youth Advisory Board also advises NYFC on the needs and desires of older youth in foster care and provides an opportunity for these youth to meet and socialize with one another.

About New Yorkers For Children:

New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) is the non-profit organization that partners with the Administration for Children’s Services to improve the lives of children in foster care in New York City. Since 1996, NYFC has made a difference in the lives of these youth through college scholarships, tutoring programs, job training, and networking opportunities. There are over 16,000 children in foster care in New York City, and NYFC is committed to providing them with the essential tools to become successful, self-sufficient adults.