Catholic Guardian Services Announces 2026 Child of Peace Awards Honorees in New York City
August 15, 2026
Catholic Guardian Services has announced that Mary Pat and Kevin McCarthy will receive its 2026 Child of Peace Award and Anne M. Falvey will receive the 2026 Humanitarian Award. The honorees will be recognized at the 41st Annual Child of Peace Awards Celebration on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City.
Held under the theme Forward with Compassion, the annual celebration recognizes individuals whose lives reflect Catholic Guardian Services' commitment to dignity, compassion, and service. The evening will bring together supporters of the agency's work in foster care and adoption services, mental health care, family support, and services for people with developmental disabilities.
Mary Pat and Kevin McCarthy — 2026 Child of Peace Award
Mary Pat and Kevin McCarthy have built lives grounded in faith, family, education and service. Guided by their shared Catholic and Jesuit values, they have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to helping others thrive and putting faith into action.
Their personal journey as adoptive parents has given them a profound appreciation for the importance of loving homes, family and belonging. That experience makes their connection to Catholic Guardian Services especially meaningful, reflecting a shared belief in the dignity and potential of every child.
Together, the McCarthys have extended their commitment to others through philanthropy, education and personal service. Through the McCarthy Endowed Scholarship, highlighted in Creighton University's February 2025 announcement, they support students pursuing careers in medicine, nursing and pharmacy. Their dedication to Catholic and Jesuit education, service as Eucharistic ministers to hospital patients and generosity toward those in need reflect their belief that faith is most meaningful when expressed through action.
The McCarthys will be honored for their commitment to family, service and creating opportunities for others to build lives filled with hope and possibility.
Anne M. Falvey — 2026 Humanitarian Award
Anne M. Falvey has served on Catholic Guardian Services' Board of Directors since 2014 and became Board Chair in January 2025. Throughout her years of service, she has championed an approach to the agency's mission rooted in compassion, dignity and respect for the strengths and possibilities of every individual.
Through her involvement with Catholic Guardian's programs, Anne has witnessed the importance of listening to families, respecting their experiences and empowering communities to help shape their own futures.
Recently retired as Chief Knowledge Officer at Sidley Austin LLP and a former partner in the firm's New York office, Anne brings extensive leadership experience to her service. Her commitment to Catholic Guardian reflects her belief that meaningful change begins with empathy, humility and meeting people where they are.
Under her leadership as Board Chair, Catholic Guardian Services continues to build on its longstanding mission while looking toward a future of greater hope and opportunity for the New Yorkers it serves.
Join Us in Celebrating Our Honorees
Catholic Guardian Services looks forward to recognizing the McCarthys and Anne Falvey at the November 2 celebration and bringing together a community united by compassion and a commitment to helping others.
To learn more about the celebration, reserve a table or make a gift in honor of this year's honorees, visit the 2026 Child of Peace Awards event page.
About Catholic Guardian Services
Catholic Guardian Services is a nonprofit social service agency serving children and families across the five boroughs of New York City. The agency provides foster care and adoption services, children's mental health care, family support programs, and services for people with developmental disabilities, and serves all who need help regardless of faith, race, or background. Sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, its roots reach back to 1887, and its legal incorporation dates to 1913. Catholic Guardian Services is headquartered at 488 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022. Phone: (212) 371-1000. Learn more at catholicguardian.org.