2001 Child Advocacy Awards
Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt Award
The Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt Award is presented to Jacqueline Thompson and June and Larry Slick.
Jacqueline Thompson (far left), a member of Hartzell Memorial United Methodist Church, devotes her time to reaching and helping children who reside in public housing. Since July 1981, her home has been a virtual
"kids station." Jacqueline ministers to more than 50 children weekly through the use of arts and crafts, dramatic presentations, trips and outings.
Jacqueline also established an on-going Saturday Children's ministry at her church. This program offers creative arts, drama, values orientation, music and most important: an alternative to the despair, frustration and negative environment of public housing.
(Dorothy Yeoman, UVC board member, presented the award to Jacqueline at UVC's breakfast during Northern Illinois Annual Conference in June.)
June and Larry Slick, members of Milledgeville United Methodist Church, have a unique ministry. Since 1994, June and Larry have provided Disaster Child Care to families across the nation. While parents are filling out the necessary FEMA forms, the Slicks take care of their children and help them through the grieving process.
Whenever there is a need for their special services, the Slicks will travel to offer assistance. They provided child-care services in Louisiana, Florida, Minnesota and North Carolina after floods, hurricanes and tornadoes. Their ministry supports children and parents during a traumatic, often vulnerable, time in their lives.
(Dorothy Yeoman, UVC board member, presented the award to Jacqueline at UVC's breakfast during Northern Illinois Annual Conference in June.)
Katherine B. Greene Award
The Katherine B. Greene Award is presented to Irma Clark.
Irma Clark (far right in the photo), member of Fellowship United Methodist Church in Chicago, has faithfully assisted children for more than 15 years, both nationally and internationally. For two weeks in September 2000, she visited Russia and worked with children in an orphanage. Irma also has visited Senegal in 1999 to work with children with AIDS. In addition, Irma devotes a portion of her summer each year to work with youths at the Pembroke Institute.
Irma is a voice for children who are often ignored or unheard: the abused and neglected. As a court-appointed special advocate (CASA), Irma volunteers her time to attend court procedures and to speak on behalf of children. Irma also mentored young teen mothers and helped them access health-care services. She believes that health care is a right for all children — it is not a privilege. Irma is a member of the Bishops' Initiative for Children in Poverty, Methodist Youth Services Board of Directors and United Methodist Women.
(Louise Lowe, UVC board member, presented the award to Irma at UVC's breakfast during Northern Illinois Annual Conference in June.)