ET is with Eva Mendes, Elijiah Wood, Melissa Joan Hart, Courtney Cox Arquette, Rosanna Arquette, and Patricia Arquette on the red carpet of The Art of Elysium charity event!

The Art of Elysium 2nd Annual Black Tie charity gala titled Heaven brought together fashion, design, music, art and the voices of the children that the charity serves.

Eva Mendes tells ET why she finds working with children so rewarding.

"What they do for us and how they help us, i''s really interesting to see that they enrich our lives," she says. "They're the strong ones, they make us stronger. It's such a beautiful exchange of spirit through the arts, it's just lovely."

Mendes received the Spirit of Elysium Award at the Gala. The actress has been financially and actively supporting the Art of Elysium that brings the arts to hospitalized children.