Thanks to the 129 people who attended our First for Kids Awards event on Wednesday evening!  A special thanks to the awardees for their leadership and valuable work on behalf of Connecticut's children and families:

• State Senator Martin Looney received the Legislative Leadership Award for his advocacy on behalf a state Earned Income Tax Credit, raising the age of juvenile court jurisdiction, and many other policies supporting children and families.
• The late Merva Jackson, who was recognized posthumously, and African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities (AFCAMP) received the Citizen Advocacy Award.  Ms. Jackson was recognized for founding and operating AFCAMP, and the organization will be honored for their training of parents on how to advocate for their children with disabilities, and for services designed to divert children from inappropriate involvement in the juvenile justice system.
• Peter Arakas received Connecticut Voices for Children Founders’ Award for his service as a member and Chair of the CT Voices Board of Directors, and as a community volunteer working on behalf of youth at risk.
• Barbara Edinberg, Director of Research at the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition, received the Community Advocacy Award for her years of research, coalition-building and advocacy on a wide array of children’s and community issues.
• The Connecticut Mirror received the Media Award for their high quality and thoughtful public policy journalism.

Read more about the awardees in our program guide for the event, which includes our profiles of each recipient.  And check out photos from the event on Flickr!

P.S.  Thanks also to everyone who contributed to CT Voices this week through The Great Give 2012 challenge, sponsored by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.