NOMINATE A CHAMPION
Organizations doing excellent work for children can be honored with the Children's Champion Award. The award is given annually by Voices for Illinois Children and National City Bank to an organization whose work contributes in an exemplary way to improving the safety, health care, education and nurturing of Illinois children.
Sixteen finalists are selected for consideration for the statewide Children's Champion award. Each finalist receives $1,000, and the Children's Champion receives a $10,000 grant. Nominate a deserving organization.
The 2008 winner will be honored at Voices for Illinois Children's Kids Count Awards Dinner on Nov. 6.
For more than 140 years, the Children’s Home Association of Illinois has been an invaluable resource to the state as an organization dedicated to helping children and families through critical times. Its work and support services enable children to have a safe childhood and a bright outlook for the future, and we are privileged to recognize the Children’s Home Association of Illinois’ with National City as the 2007 Children’s Champion Award winner.
In addition to its $10,000 contribution to the statewide winner, National City also donated $1,000 to each of the 16 finalist organizations. They include:
- A Safe Place, Zion
- Baby Talk, Decatur
- Breaking Free, Inc., West Chicago
- CASA – 15th Judicial Circuit, Rockford
- Children's Home + Aid Children's Foundation, Bloomington
- Children's Home Association of Illinois, Peoria
- Cunningham Children’s Home, Urbana
- Hephzibah Children’s Association, Oak Park
- Kankakee Community Resource Center, Kankakee
- Rock for Kids, Chicago
- Shelter, Inc., Chicago
- St. Clare's Health Clinic, Springfield
- Success by 6-Give Kids a Smile Day, Quad Cities
- Teen Parent Connection, Glen Ellyn
- The Poshard Foundation for Abused Children, Southern Illinois
- Woodridge Community Pantry, Woodridge
Previous winners
2006 - Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery, Springfield
Joe Gregoire of National City Bank presents the 2006 Award to Kathleen Heyworth of Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery
2005 - Children's Advocacy Center of North & Northwest Cook County, Hoffman Estates
Mike Shehorn of National City Bank (right) presents the 2005 Award to Mark Parr of the Children's Advocacy Center of North & Northwest Cook County
2004 - Joliet Township High School Infant Childcare Center, Joliet
Debrah Clark of the Joliet Township High School Infant Childcare Center with Joe Gregoire of National City Bank (left) and Jerry Stermer of Voices for Illinois Children (right)
