2013 CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN:

The Dannon Company
The Dannon Company has made a commitment to promote childhood nutrition education programs and healthy eating habits among children in the communities where a Dannon facility is located. The company’s foundation, the Dannon Institute, is committed to improving health and well-being by developing and providing funding for nutrition programs. Next Generation Grants have benefitted children and families in our community. The Open Door Family Medical Centers in Westchester have been recipients of this company’s generosity for the past three years having met the foundation’s criteria of being creative in their approach, involving community partners, including professional nutrition staff and designed to impact children’s eating habits now and in the future.

The Dannon Institute has two programs that promote healthy eating habits for children ages birth through age five. Growing Leaps and Bounds® and Celebrate Healthy Eating® programs. Both programs include nutrition education and physical activity tips that can empower parents to create a healthy environment for their children by making smart food choices and physical activity a normal part of their day-to-day lives. Growing Leaps and Bounds is an educational program to support pediatricians' efforts to guide parents ages one month to five years of age on nutrition, feeding and physical activity. Celebrate Healthy Eating materials are available in both English and Spanish, and include recipes, games and activities, nutrition tips and more.

The Dannon Company has joined the battle to improve our national health. Join us in thanking them for supporting so many important health initiatives.

NYS Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Since the beginning of her tenure in government, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins has advocated for the underserved and championed the needs of working families. Senator Stewart-Cousins was elected to the New York State Senate in 2006 and currently represents Greenburgh, parts of White Plains and New Rochelle, Yonkers and Scarsdale. She was elected by her colleagues to serve as Leader of the Senate Democratic Conference in December, 2012, becoming the first female leader of a legislative conference in New York State history.

During her tenure as a Westchester County Legislator (from 1996-2006) she was elected Majority Whip and Vice-Chair, and she authored and passed landmark legislation, including: Westchester’s first human rights laws; living wage laws, smoke-free workplace laws; tougher gun laws; and laws that have provided tax cuts for senior and veterans.

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins has fought for children, youth, women, education and a stronger Westchester for all. She sponsored and passed the Child Health Plus and School Meal Enrollment Coordination Law, which was signed into law in 2010. This law allows families to use their proof of eligibility for Free or Reduced Price School Meal Programs as proof of income to enroll their child in Medicaid and Child Health Plus.

For her extensive legislative work and community service, Senator Stewart-Cousins has been honored with numerous citations and awards from organizations, and was also named, "Woman of the Year" by the Business and Professional Women’s Club; "Legislator of the Year" by the Community Health Association of New York State; "Leader in Social Justice" by Pace Law School; "Champion of Choice" by NYS Family Planning Advocates.

The Senator earned her BS from Pace University and her teaching credentials in Business Education from Lehman College. In 2008 she earned her Masters of Public Administration from Pace University.

Senator Stewart-Cousins has argued for thoughtful policies in early learning, education, affordable housing and so many other issues critical to Westchester.

The Editorial Board of the Journal News (accepting Publisher Janet Hasson, Publisher)
The Journal News Media Group is the region's most trusted source for local news and features. In a changing world where information is relayed rapidly through digital media, the Journal News has adapted and kept the community informed through its adaptation of new media, including digital and mobile platforms, providing easy access to the news and information that matters most. It provides the most news and information to the largest audience in the area.

For more than 150 years, The Journal News readers have expected their newspaper to provide the most thorough and uncompromising coverage in the region and that is what is delivered. The Editorial Board of the Journal News has frequently written frankly on child care, children’s causes, and family issues affecting all residents of the lower Hudson Valley.

The Journal News has consistently reported on the need for quality child care in the region, children’s causes and the controversial county budget that resulted in higher parent co-pays despite the hardships imposed on many families. Public forums, meeting times and dates are well publicized particularly when the public is allowed to voice their opinions. Because of the Journal News, our views are made known and acknowledged through fair reporting.

The Editorial Board of the Journal News has argued for thoughtful policies in early learning, education, affordable housing and so many other issues critical family issues to Westchester. Join us in thanking them for bringing light and reason to complex public problems.

2013 JOEY AWARD HONOREES:

Lauren Angarano, Harrison Children’s Center
Following college graduation, Lauren Angarano was hired as an Assistant Teacher at the Harrison Children’s Center six years ago. She was hired despite having very little “professional” experience because of her enthusiasm, her desire to teach in a group setting, and an infectious smile. It was quickly apparent that she herself loved to learn, absorbing everything any training had to offer which quickly transferred to her classroom and her work with children.

While bringing new structure into the classroom, she tried new methods and techniques, and ultimately created a classroom environment where children thrived, learning, laughing and growing together. With her notable leadership skills, Lauren quickly moved into the position of Head Teacher.

Not only has Lauren grown as a classroom teacher, but is a wonderful mentor and advocate for her colleagues. She is not shy in advocating for “the team” of teachers at the center regarding everything from planning time, training and compensation. Her colleagues look up to her and count on her for her ability to keep things running safely and smoothly.

She is a talented Early Childhood Educator, a resource for parents, a mentor for her colleagues and a leader within our organization.

Lauren graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from SUNY College at Oneonta.


Sara Frontera, Virginia Marx Children’s Center at Westchester Community College
Sara has been a leader in the field of Early Childhood Education for many years in various capacities. She has earned a Certificate in Program Administration specializing in Early Childhood Education and holds a Master’s Degree in Education. Sara possesses a solid knowledge of best practices in early childhood and has an extraordinary work ethic and commitment to children and families. Her passions, dedication and drive are unsurpassed and since 2003, she has played a pivotal role in the Virginia Marx Children’s Center at Westchester Community College.

In her role as Assistant Director/Education Coordinator, Sara supports staff development by leading workshops and training seminars. Sara supervises a staff of 30 teachers, assistant teachers and teacher aides. She inspires trust and respect from the staff by her quiet confidence and unassuming manner. Sara has provided leadership and successfully achieved NAEYC accreditation.

Her expertise is felt in so many ways, both on campus and in the community. Sara is the force behind the annual Children’s Center Art Exhibition and the Virginia Marx Children’s Center Library. She has lectured on the topics of Room Design and Implementation; and Quality Artwork for Infants & Toddlers. She is currently conducting various workshops both in English and Spanish for the Child Care Council of Westchester.

As a dedicated and highly regarded professional in the field of early care and education, Sara always puts program, children and families first.

Ruth Goodman, Mount Kisco Child Care Center
Ruth Goodman, LCSW, is the social worker for the Mount Kisco Child Care Center, a NAEYC accredited child care center serving 148 children, infant to school age. Prior to Ruth’s serving at MKCCC, she was Clinical Coordinator for Social Work for the Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery at Beth Israel Medical Center.

Throughout her career, Ruth has been an advocate for disadvantaged families, helping them obtain Medicaid, NYS Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, and all the other services that were challenging to obtain for non-English speaking immigrants and low-income people. Ruth’s understanding of subsidy rules and regulations has been invaluable. Ruth goes out of her way to assist every parent that comes to her program to obtain financial assistance. She helps them fill out applications for subsidy, gathers required documents and follows the application through its completion.

Ruth creates a supportive environment for each parent who comes before her seeking financial assistance and works diligently with the parent. If child care subsidy denies the parent’s application, Ruth explores the reasons for denial and tries in every way possible to resolve the issue.

Ruth’s determination to have every child experience quality child care has led her to be a vocal advocate at meetings held with Department of Social Services personnel. Ruth tries very hard to assist the immigrant day laborer population in her area with tireless advocacy for change in the regulations to allow the children of this population to enroll in our program.

Rachel Miller, New Little Branches/Lanza Learning Center
Rachel Miller is the Head Teacher of the Early Toddler classroom at Lanza Learning Center. Throughout her 10 years of experience in the child care field, Ms. Miller has been an outstanding and very conscientious educator. Her teaching techniques and management strategies have been so effective that she has earned the opportunity to provide training and technical assistance to her co-workers in this area as Teacher Trainer. Ms. Miller was the most influential participant in effecting a major change in our toddler program. She helped teachers at the center establish a routine with a flexible structure and gain better classroom management while providing a variety of learning experiences to support the healthy growth and development of the children in our care.

Rachel’s techniques were so innovative that she caught the attention of our Executive Director, Raymond Thomas. As a result he charged her with leading our School-Age Program, Xposure. She has contributed enormously to the development and implementation of an enrichment program for our school age youth that includes character development, technology and finance.

First and foremost, Rachel loves working with children. She goes above and beyond the call of duty in satisfying her various roles and responsibilities here at the Lanza Learning Center. She spends countless hours on lesson planning, and classroom support with the teachers; she is always warm and engaging with the children.

She graduated from Monroe College and is currently completing her CDA in infants and toddlers.


Hope Pierce, Little Explorers Daycare
A life-long learner, Hope Pierce graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and was a fashion designer for 25 years. More recent experience included work at the Fred S. Keller School for children with Autism and special needs. She knew her real passion was for nurturing and creating a safe and happy environment for children. In 2009 she opened her doors to the WJCS Child Care Home Program and launched the “Lil Explorers Day Care” in her home. In this capacity, she is an early childhood educator, a parent educator, an employer, a community builder, a resource dispenser and an advocate for children, parents and families. Professionally she has challenged herself and in 2012 she completed her CDA.

Hope has spent a lifetime of loving, caring and giving. She recognizes that parents are a child’s first and most important teacher and works to support that parent/child/provider partnership. Her ability to communicate with parents is unparalleled and she does this with warmth, enthusiasm, and dedication. Parents are especially appreciative of the texts or calls she makes to hem during the day or in the evening to update them on their child’s progress or achievements.

In a period of extreme personal challenges when her son was hospitalized for a bone marrow transplant, Hope’s communication skills, team building skills, and focus on health precautions allowed her to keep Lil Explorers Daycare open.

Frank Williams, White Plains Youth Bureau
Frank Williams has had a long and distinguished career in human services, beginning as the Director of the Yerwood Senior Center in Stamford and Director of Youth Employment for Grand Street Settlement in NYC.

As the Executive Director of the White Plains Youth Bureau, serving more than 2,000 each day and more than 7,000 youth each year, he works tirelessly to ensure that White Plains youth reach their potential and have caring adults to serve as role models. Under his watch, the Youth Bureau has become a premier youth service agency nationally recognized for providing pathways and options for youth. In addition, the White Plains Youth Bureau has been recognized as a Model Youth Development Agency by the United States Conference of Mayors.

Mr. Williams also serves as a deacon at the Bethel Baptist Church in White Plains and has led the church to adopt a health and fitness strategy to combat obesity, diabetes and hypertension. One of his proudest achievements has been leading the church to mentor and adopt the young boys who live at Fisher Court. Additional involvement in the community includes his service on numerous boards, always advocating for children and families. He has received countless awards for his community work including the Volunteer Service Award from President Barrack Obama; the Westchester Community Foundation Circle of Giving Award; the Family Service Westchester Champion of Youth Award; the City of White Plains Human Rights Commission Distinguished Service Award among others.

Mr. Williams holds a degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Tougaloo College. He has a MS in Social Work from Fordham University.

His motto is, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.”

The Council is pleased to honor Frank for his service, advocacy and commitment to youth in our community that have benefitted thousands of youth and their families.