Each year the GPCAPC hosts a four month search and nomination period to find those people in our community who are exceptional in their contribution to child abuse prevention efforts. Nomination Forms
Cherish the Children Awards honor efforts in the following categories:
Individual: The recipient of this award has made a significant contribution to the prevention of child abuse in the Phoenix area and has demonstrated long-term commitment concerning children’s issues.
This person works in the “trenches” with clients or the public on a regular basis. She/he may be a volunteer, child advocate, staff in an agency, foster parent, judge, attorney, medical staff, etc.
Definition: a person whose life’s work has made a significant contribution to child abuse prevention; and, a person whose personal passion to better the lives of children is evident above and beyond the person’s professional life.
Program or Organization: The recipient of this award is a whole organization or a program within an organization that has demonstrated excellence in the prevention of child abuse.
Definition: an evidence-based program that reduces child abuse and/or the circumstances that make it possible.
Public Policy/Media: The recipient of this award has promoted child abuse awareness and prevention efforts through any form of media or public policy: articles, documentaries, public service announcements, books, DVD’s, web programs, etc., or the creation or dissemination of any public policy that positively contributes. Eligible nominees are journalists, authors, radio and television personalities, advertising agencies, agency communications officers, publishers, etc., or public officials, organizations that seek to create and change public policy, individuals who work within those organizations, etc.
Definition: a person or organization that uses media to educate and motivate the public on issues of child abuse; or, a person or organization that significantly works to positively create/alter public policy on issues of child abuse.
Past Recipients of these Awards:
April 2015
Individual – Thelma Ross, CEO – NCADD
Program – Birth to Five Helpline – SWHD
April 2014: No Conference
April 2013
Individual – Mary Warren, PhD
Media – Arizona Republic’s “Saving Arizona’s Children” Series
Program: The New Song Center for Grieving Children
April 2012
Media/Public Policy – Republic Media (Phil Boas accepted the reward)
Individual – Karen Kline
April 2011
Individual: Stephanie Zimmerman, M.D. (Director, Phx Children’s Hospital)
Program/Organization: HELPS Project (Missy Gryder)
Media/Public Policy: Chili Pepper Productions (Amy McSheffrey)
April 2010
Individual: Carol Hensell (sexual abuse counseling on military bases)
Program/Organization: DIGNITY Program: Immersion Experience
Media/Public Policy: 8 Educational Outreach-ASSET
April 2009
Individual: Marcia Stanton (Director Child Abuse Prevention, Phx Children’s Hospital)
Program/Organization: Project Grandcare (Billye Wilda)
Media/Public Policy: David Lujan (training attorneys in pro bono work with children)
April 2008
Individual: Ruth Rimmer, MD
Program/Organization: Gabriel’s Angels
Media/Public Policy: 8 KAET PBS
April 2007
Individual: Kay Ekstrom
Program/Organization: AZ Assoc. of Play Therapy
Media/Public Policy: Wednesday’s Child (Channel 12, AZ Republic & Aid to Adoption of Special Kids)
April 2006
Individual: Stephanie McBride
Program/Organization: Justice for Children (Defenders of Children)
Media/Public Policy: Mike Watkiss (AZ City polygamous report)
April 2005
Individual: Josie Van Fleet
Program/Organization: na
Media/Public Policy: Jana Bommersback (New Times on domestic violence led to new protective laws)
April 2004
Individual: Theresa Price (Child Advocate for Native Americans)
Program/Organization: SW Human Development: Healthy Families
Media/Public Policy: John Dougherty (New Times)
April 2003
Individual: Diane Post, Esq. (Child Advocate)
Program/Organization: Marley House Family Resource Center
Media/Public Policy: Amy Silverman (New Times reporter)
April 2002
Individual: Jim & Leslie Cole (adoptive parents)
Program/Organization: Phx Crisis Nursery: FACES Program
Media/Public Policy: Kathy Coffman, MD (St. Joseph Hospital Child Abuse Assessment Center)
April 2001
Individual: Dr. Arlene Schlindler (International Community Volunteer)
Program/Organization: Karie Montague
Media/Public Policy: Beverly Medlyn (AZ Republic reporter)
April 2000
Individual: Naomi Haines Griffin
Program/Organization: CASA family (Dateline feature, adopted many children)
Media/Public Policy: Karina Bland (AZ Republic reporter)
April 1999
Individual: Michele Keal Brown (Parents Anonymous)
Program/Organization: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
Media/Public Policy: N/A