Westchester Children's Association Awards Gala Celebrates 110 Years

WHITE PLAINS, NY — The difference that the Westchester Children's Association makes in the lives of the kids in our community doesn't often get the attention it deserves, but the organization recently had the chance to celebrate more than a century of essential work while raising money to help keep that progress going.

Over 170 people celebrated the 110-year legacy of The Westchester Children's Association at its annual gala earlier this month. The organization not only recognized outstanding child advocates, but also raised more money than at any other gala in its 110 years, a total of $200,000.

Since being found in 1914, the WCA has focused on educating, connecting, and acting on behalf of the community to ensure that the needs of children and youth are recognized and met with effective solutions.

Proceeds from the gala will go towards the WCA's ongoing efforts to shape policies and programs that meet the needs of Westchester’s youth and keep their well-being at the forefront of the public agenda.

Executive Director Allison Lake, who is celebrating her 25th year with the WCA, welcomed guests with the story of the pioneering women who saw the need for child social workers in Westchester in 1914. Their early campaign, which resulted in the hiring of four social workers, created the field of social workers and guidance counselors who are in every school today.

"It is that early trailblazing spirit that has anchored me here all these years. That, and the opportunity to continue to learn as we tackle new issues. I am so proud, so honored, to be part of this transformative work. While WCA is not a direct service provider, our efforts pave the way for our partners in direct service to offer important programs for children and youth across Westchester. Advocacy is below the radar, the long-game, head-down strategic work. But advocacy is a powerful engine for moving the needle on issues and initiatives that matter most. WCA’s advocacy work gets laws passed and funding allocated so that all children can lead lives with dignity, access and equity," Lake told the audience in her opening remarks.

"Today WCA has a seat on the Governor’s Task Force to Reduce Child Poverty statewide and has been instrumental in supporting numerous laws that support children, but despite the advances there is more work to do and we will be here to do it supporting WCA’s mission to ensure that every child is healthy, safe, and prepared for life's challenges, irrespective of race or zip code," she added.

At the gala, the WCA honored:

• White Plains Hospital with the Edith C. Macy Award for Distinguished Service for their youth-focused outreach and programs. "We share WCA’s mission to build a healthy, thriving and vibrant community and are so honored to accept the Edith C. Macy Award," Dawn French, Senior VP, Community Relations & Marketing for White Plains Hospital, said.
• Robin White, AT&T Director of External Affairs for Westchester and New York City, received the Corporate Children’s Champion Award for her commitment to bridging the digital divide in under-resourced communities. "We are all united in the larger vision of providing innovative solutions to today’s problems affecting children and I am truly honored to receive this award," White said.
• Barbara J. Holland, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work as a devoted humanitarian, child advocate, and former WCA Board Member. "We must ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to succeed," Holland said. "I dedicated my efforts to advocating for children's needs and I have been honored to sit on the board of the WCA and move their mission forward."

Westchester Children’s Association (WCA) is a multi-issue, child advocacy nonprofit that works to ensure that every child in Westchester is healthy, safe, and prepared for life’s challenges, regardless of race or zip code. Since 1914, WCA has been the leading independent voice for Westchester’s children by identifying their needs, making those needs known to the public, and ensuring those needs are met through advocacy and mobilization efforts. For more information about Westchester Children’s Association, visit their website.