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The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County is proud to announce the return of the Champions for Children Award Ceremony, to be held in person on Tuesday, May 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Miami International Airport & Convention Center, located at 711 NW 72nd Ave, Miami, FL 33126.
The event, presented by TD Bank, will be hosted by 2-time Emmy Award-nominated TV news reporter and anchor Constance Jones. The Children’s Trust will honor those whose exemplary support for children and families in Miami-Dade has made a lasting impact in the community.
“At The Children’s Trust, we thrive on community partnerships, and we aim to support those who endlessly work to ensure our children are all met with the same open arms. Their work embodies what it means to be culturally and socially empathetic to the community,” said James R. Haj, president and CEO of The Children’s Trust.
President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, Gale Nelson will be receiving the signature David Lawrence Jr. Champion for Children Award for Lifetime Achievement and Dedication to Children. Francine Andersen, Chief of Education, Outreach and Access for the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs will be receiving the Excellence in Direct Service to Children and Families Award, while State Representative Vance Aloupis will be receiving the Excellence in Public Policy Award.
Overtown Youth Center, Mexican American Council and The Advocacy Network on Disabilities will receive Program of the Year awards at the annual event.
Champions for Children is a landmark event celebrating those whose exceptional service brings joy, hope and sense of security to children and families in Miami-Dade. The Trust is proud to honor those who are supporting these efforts.
The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of multiple sponsors, including presenting sponsor TD Bank. Other sponsors include City National Bank, FIU Center for Children and Families, Miami Dolphins Foundation, PNC Bank, University of Miami, ACentral, Citrus Family Care Network, Community Care Plan, Community Health of South Florida, Inc, GreenbergTraurig, Jessie Trice Community Health System, Key Biscayne Community Foundation, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, WebAuthor.com and WOW MKTG.
About the 2022 honorees:
President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sister of Miami, Gale Nelson, David Lawrence Jr. Champion for Children Award
Gale Nelson is the President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami (BBBS Miami), and since joining the organization in July 2006, he has played a significant role in the growth and development of the agency’s mentoring and fund development programs. In December 2021, BBBS Miami received the Pinnacle Award and the Large Agency of the Year from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Prior to joining BBBS Miami, Mr. Nelson served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at a boarding school for court-adjudicated boys.
Francine Andersen, Excellence in Direct Service to Children and Families Award
Francine Andersen joined the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs in 1993, first as an administrator in support of the Performing Arts Center Trust and later as Chief of Cultural Facilities. Ms. Andersen was named Chief of Arts Education in 2002 and promoted to Chief of Education, Outreach and Access in 2019. She is responsible for the creation and management of several arts education, outreach and access programs including the Youth Arts Miami and Youth Arts Enrichment Programs and the Summer Arts & Science Camps for Kids grant programs. As the Department’s ADA/Access Coordinator, Ms. Andersen is responsible for developing a wide range of model programs for children and youth with and without disabilities.
State Representative Vance Aloupis, Excellence in Public Policy Award
A graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, Rep. Vance Aloupis worked as both a civil litigator and with the Legal Services of Greater Miami’s Homeless Project before joining The Children’s Movement in 2010, where he has served as CEO since 2016. In 2018, Rep. Aloupis was elected to serve in the Florida House of Representatives. And, following his re-election in 2020, he was named chair of the Florida House’s Early Learning and Elementary Education Subcommittee. Rep. Aloupis was integral in the creation of the Division of Early Learning, insisted on classifying early learning teachers as essential workers, fought for them to receive bonuses, and made sure that Pre-K teachers were qualified to shape the minds of our youngest students.
Overtown Youth Center (OYC), Program of the Year Award
The Overtown Youth Center (OYC) is a nonprofit organization established in January 2003 to provide young people and their families with a safe haven and a system of care to nurture transformation. OYC’s mission is to inspire, empower and enrich the lives of young people (ages 5 – 25) and their families (of all ages) residing in urban communities across South Florida by offering a comprehensive approach to bridging social, emotional, educational and economic gaps. OYC’s service delivery model includes in-school support, after-school homework assistance, art & culture enrichment, STEM, summer camp; college, career & vocational services for young adults up to age 25; dinner services, family workshops, employment assistance, health, wellness & housing support services.
Mexican American Council (MAC), Program of the Year Award
The Mexican American Council’s (MAC) College and Career Prep (CCP) program is a comprehensive after-school program in south Miami-Dade County that provides academic support, social emotional learning, job coaching/training, college and career readiness counseling, STEM and arts exposure, SAT/ACT preparation, college tours, and family engagement services for youth in grades 9-12. Summer programming includes a college and career readiness program as well as summer internships and a service-learning project. CCP offers opportunities to secure scholarships and enrollment to college, or technical certification programs, following high school graduation. Families are also guided through completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), high school graduation requirements, and college and scholarship applications.
The Advocacy Network on Disabilities (AND), Program of the Year Award
The Advocacy Network on Disabilities- also known as AND – champions the rights of individuals with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities by promoting inclusion, providing services and advancing systems change. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, AND is a community of individuals, families, providers, advocates and others working together to bring about change. AND works with The Children’s Trust and the organizations it funds to increase our community’s capacity to provide quality opportunities where all children come together to learn, play and grow.
AND has helped thousands of people with disabilities and their families find needed support and services and helped to teach important parenting skills.
Visit www.TheChildrensTrust.org/
