The Center for Children's Advocacy, a Connecticut nonprofit that protects the legal rights of abused and neglected children, announced the recipients of the 2013 Champion of Children awards on Tuesday.
Award recipients are recognized for their ongoing commitment to improving the lives of the state’s most vulnerable children and youth. This year’s recipients are L. Philip Guzman, PhD and Irma Camacho from Bridgeport’s Child and Family Guidance Center; and Michael Meyer and Kevin Durkin from the Stamford Public School System’s alternative education program.
"The supports our partners provide to children and youth are critical," said Martha Stone, Executive Director of the Center for Children’s Advocacy. "We partner with community organizations to serve children in the poorest communities, those whose problems are overwhelming. Together, we help those who are suffering from abuse or neglect, from lack of support and without a safe place to live. The Center’s Champion of Children Award recipients have worked tirelessly to give children and youth the opportunity they deserve to be safe, be healthy, and look forward to a secure future."
L. Philip Guzman, Ph.D, is President and CEO of Bridgeport’s Child and Family Guidance Center. Dr. Guzman’s leadership is integral to efforts that address the mental health needs of youth who fall through the cracks of the systems that are supposed to provide support. His vision has directed the Guidance Center’s growth as it provides outpatient mental health and counseling services for youth and their families.
Dr. Guzman was one of the original founding Board Members of the Center for Children’s Advocacy and remains on the Center’s Advisory Board.
Irma Camacho is Director of the Child and Family Guidance Center’s Family Support Unit. Her day-to-day oversight guides the delivery of mental and behavioral health support services that help youth stay in school and prevent juvenile justice involvement. The Strategic Interventions for High-Risk Youth Program (SIHRY) provides comprehensive services to prevent drug abuse and delinquency among high-risk youth.
Stamford’s alternative education director Michael Meyer and assistant director Kevin Durkin have worked tirelessly to improve Stamford Public Schools Alternative Routes to Success (ARTS) program. Their collaboration with the Center for Children’s Advocacy ensures that Stamford youth are offered a quality educational program that assures that Stamford youth in alternative education get the support needed to improve their chances of attaining a high school diploma.
“We are privileged to once again be associated with the Center for Children’s Advocacy and its annual Champion of Children Awards gala,” said Bill Sanford, President of Fairway Market. The Center’s commitment to helping abused and neglected children, improving children’s health and fighting to resolve overwhelming issues that get in the way of academic success, is of particular interest to Fairway. We are proud to be part of this important work.”
The Center for Children’s Advocacy “Sunshine in February” Champion of Children awards presentation will be held on February 28 at Trump Parc in Stamford and is open to the public. The event is now in its third year, and will once again be generously catered by Stamford’s Fairway Market. Trump Parc has provided the space for this event.
To purchase tickets, email jrodriguez@kidscounsel.org or call Johany Rodriguez at 860-570-5327.
