The Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut (CGC) brought “Carnivàle” to Connecticut with its annual gala, which raised approximately $260,000. Proceeds from the event, held April 8 at the Riverside Yacht Club, help CGC provide professional mental health services to children and teenagers in Stamford, Greenwich, Darien and New Canaan.

The event’s 300 guests enjoyed a reception, dinner and dancing as well as silent and live auctions, offering items such as fine wines; luxury international and domestic travel packages; tickets for theater, concert, and sporting events; gourmet dining experiences; and jewelry and other luxury items.

Lieutenant Beth Erickson, of the Stamford Police Department’s Youth Services Bureau, spoke about the important partnership between the police and CGC professionals, which was created to help children and adolescents affected by crime, violence and other traumatic events. Funds raised at “Carnivàle” will support the agency’s diverse programs and services, including the Crime Victims Assistance & Community Policing Partnership. This program offers 24-hour outreach and mental health services to child victims and “high-risk” children identified by police, with the goal of mitigating the psychological consequences of violence and other traumatic events and reducing the likelihood that youngsters exposed to violence will become perpetrators of violence.