2005 Children’s Alliance Awards celebration honors four outstanding advocates for kids

Gov. John Lynch and his wife, Dr. Susan Lynch, presented the inaugural 2005 Children's Alliance Awards April 12

April 12, 2005

More than 200 community leaders, child advocates, and policymakers gathered in the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord tonight to celebrate the inaugural Children’s Alliance Awards.

The Awards honor exemplary advocates who have raised their voices to ensure healthier kids, stronger families, and a brighter future for New Hampshire.

Former New Hampshire Gov. Walter Peterson set the tone for the festive evening when he said, “Children should not be the ‘issue’ of a party or a candidate. Children should be the priority of our state.”

Governor John Lynch and Dr. Susan Lynch presented the awards, together with business and community leaders.

The 2005 Children's Alliance awards were presented to:

• Atty. Jack Lightfoot of Child and Family Services, a resident of Goffstown, received the Strong Families award. For more than 30 years, Attorney Lightfoot has advocated tirelessly for New Hampshire’s most vulnerable children -- those who have been abused and neglected. He has also worked to bring together child care providers, parents, advocates and legislators to support quality early care and education.
• Dr. Wendy Gladstone of Exeter Pediatrics Associates received the Healthy Children award. Dr. Gladstone has been a vital voice in raising awareness about child abuse detection, prevention and treatment. She also spearheaded efforts to develop SeaCare Health Services, a non-profit dedicated to improving access to medical care for low income families.
• Karen Turner of Newmarket received the Educational Opportunities award. Ms. Turner raises her voice for equal opportunity for children with disabilities. Her advocacy began with work on behalf of autistic children in schools and has expanded to address inclusion of all children in community and education settings.
• Silas Paul Archambault of Seacoast Outright, a resident of Newmarket, received the Youth Advocate award. As a high school junior, Mr. Archambault became involved with Seacoast Outright, a support and advocacy organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth. He has become an advocate and peer facilitator for Seacoast Outright, working to increase tolerance and understanding for the youth he works with.

In their remarks at the ceremony, each of the award winners echoed Jack Lightfoot's comment that: “In this line of work, no one can accomplish anything alone.”

Dr. Suzanne Boulter, who accepted the Healthy Children award on behalf of Dr. Gladstone, stressed the importance of the work ahead of us: “The power of dedicated people coming together to work on societal problems, like you here tonight who are members and associates of the Children’s Alliance, holds the promise for our future.”

Turner, the mother of an autistic child, reminded the audience that  “creating openings for children with disabilities to be full participants in educational and community settings is, in the end, a gift to all children. When children with these differences are among their peers, it liberates all children to be more fully themselves.”

Archambault spoke passionately of the importance of tolerance, and used the ban on gay marriage as an example of how current laws discriminate. “Without same sex marriage, children are and will continue to be denied security,” he said.

In addition to trophies, the winners received gubernatorial proclamations in their honor, along with letters of recognition from U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley.

Thirty-second videos honoring their work were premiered at the event and will be aired throughout 2005 on WMUR- TV.

The Children’s Alliance believes that the work of these four advocates will inspire and engage others, helping to raise a more powerful voice for children.

Thank you to the Children's Alliance Awards corporate sponsors: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Bank of America, Northeast Delta Dental, Providian National Bank, PSNH, and Stonyfield Farms.

We also thank the 2005 Selection Committee for its hard work and leadership. Finally, in the words of Karen Turner, we say: “Most of all, thank you to you beautiful children who give us meaning and hope, enriching our lives and our communities. I know you want to join me as I raise my voice to say: Children, you are wonderful just the way you are."