Thank you to everyone who came together to make our 2024 A View from All Sides conference a wonderful experience. Over 800 individuals joined us in person or online, experiencing two days filled with engaging and thought-provoking presentations, meaningful connections, and a renewed energy that will power our work forward.

Congratulations to this year's Award Recipients!

Frances Litman Leadership Award: Tanji L. Donald, MEd

Tanji Levita Donald, MEd, has over 30 years of experience supporting families and systematizing parenting education on behalf of Massachusetts. Tanji is a Program Coordinator for the Traumatic Stress Institute of Klingberg Family Centers, New Britain, CT, and the former Associate Director of Parent Education with the Children’s Trust of Massachusetts. 

Her contributions over the years have included program start-up for several substance use recovery treatment modalities, and serving as an international trainer, national consultant, and advocate. While representing federal and national community-based family support organizations, Tanji has implemented program development and program start-ups that offer group-based parenting education. From developing and implementing specialized family-support training, to writing speeches and coaching high-profile national and international speakers, Tanji’s impact is wide reaching and has touched families and family support professionals across the country.

Tanji is an author of over twenty family support articles, and a co-author of curricula focused on substance use recovery, and parenting. She is nationally recognized for using a strength-based, family-centered approach toward prevention, family support, and parenting education systems.   

About the Frances Litman Award: The Frances Litman Award recognizes an individual who has been in family support and parent education for at least 20 years. The awardee exemplifies the qualities of a strong leader and has made a significant contribution to families across the state. The Frances Litman awardee is thoughtful, hands-on, and has made an impact beyond their job responsibilities and their organization’s mission. The awardee demonstrates their commitment to families and children and guides, directs, and inspires others.

Community Partnership Award: Anne Bailey Berman

“It is my distinct honor to present this year’s Community Partnership Award to someone who has been a champion of the Children’s Trust for more than 15 years—Anne Bailey Berman. Anne’s dedication has significantly contributed to our efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect, strengthening families and communities across the state.” Remarked Jennifer Valenzuela, Executive Director of the Children’s Trust. 

Anne Bailey Berman is the co-founder and former Chair/CEO of Chadwick Martin Bailey (CMB). Anne built a market information consulting firm into one of the “Top 50” market research firms in the United States. Starting in 1984, her focus was on both CMB’s market growth and development of a team-oriented internal learning culture. 

Under Anne’s leadership, CMB was named for 14 years on the Top 100 Women-Led companies in Massachusetts, receiving the Pinnacle Award for Entrepreneurship by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and the Third Lantern Award by the Old North Foundation. Anne presently serves on the Madison Park Foundation, Technology Goes Home, the Cape Cod Speakers Series and the LSU National Board. 

Until recently, Anne served as a member of the Massachusetts Children’s Trust Board. During her time as a board member, Anne demonstrated an exceptional dedication to supporting the prevention of child abuse and neglect in the Commonwealth, exhibiting a firm commitment to the mission of the Children’s Trust. 

About the Community Partnership Award: The Community Partnership Award recognizes an organization that has demonstrated a commitment to the mission of the Children’s Trust. The Community Partnership awardee has developed strong and long-lasting relationships, understands our shared responsibility to support families and children, and has directly impacted the goals of the Children’s Trust.

Community Visionary Award: Vuthy Chhum & Demetra Balis 

Vuthy and Demetra both work for the Hampshire Sheriff’s Office, where they served as pioneers in expanding the Nurturing Fathers program to support formerly incarcerated dads in the community. Vuthy and Demetra’s work has impacted the lives of many formerly incarcerated fathers and their children, connecting and supporting families across Hampshire County. 

For over 15 years, Vuthy Chhum has provided mental health treatment, group sessions, and aftercare for inmates at the Hampshire County Jail. Certified as a Domestic Violence and Nurturing Fathers facilitator, Vuthy has co-facilitated the Nurturing Fathers program since 2016, helping incarcerated men learn skills to become nurturing fathers. In 2020, he and Demetra Balis expanded the program to support formerly incarcerated dads in the community. Now, as the Director of Clinical and Re-Entry Services at the Hampshire Sheriff’s Office in Northampton, Vuthy has enhanced services for justice-involved individuals at local Recovery Centers. Vuthy’s focus on continuity of care emphasizes community-based support for returning fathers and their families.

Demetra Balis is currently employed as a Case Manager for incarcerated individuals who are awaiting trial at the Hampshire Sheriff’s Office. She works directly with the District Attorney’s Office, Defense Attorney’s, District/Superior and Probate Courts, Department of Children and Families, Social Workers and many other community-based programs to assist in diversion away from incarceration. Demetra was co-contributor of the Hampshire County Jail’s Connecting with Your Child (CWYC) program, which introduces fathers to their children by having monthly family visits focusing on the development of the father and child bond. Demetra is the longest serving facilitator in the Nurturing Fathers group dating back to 2016. She has helped over 200 fathers graduate from the program. 

“By building a truly community-based initiative, Demetra and Vuthy have fostered an environment where fathers feel supported and empowered to create lasting change for their families. They are nurturing the fathers of Hampshire County each and every week, while simultaneously planting seeds for future growth, ensuring that this program will continue to uplift families for years to come.” Shared Christopher White, Fatherhood Initiative Coordinator at the Children’s Trust while presenting the Community Visionary Award.  

About the Community Visionary Award: This Award recognizes the outstanding work of individuals and organizations that improve the quality of services in their communities through their passion, hard work, leadership, and dedication to helping families and children. A Community Visionary improves and promotes the well-being of their community members by advocating for and implementing services to improve the lives of all families and children.

Emerging Leader Award: Bethany Prince-Malloy

Bethany Prince-Malloy is the Program Director of the Northern Berkshire Family Center, a program of Child Care of the Berkshires. She has been with the Family Center since 2012. Bethany began as a Family Support Worker, connecting and strengthening families for eight years. She was then promoted to Program Coordinator and has continued to lead the Family Center team in her current role.   

“From the beginning, Bethany jumped into this work with both feet, not only supporting families but also cultivating relationships with community partners. She quickly became known as a go-to resource for families in the community.” Shared Kate Bullock, Children’s Trust Family Support Coordinator while presenting the Emerging Leader Award. 

As the Program Director, Bethany led efforts to ensure American Rescue Plan Act funds were distributed to families in an equitable and respectful manner.  Under Bethany’s leadership, nearly $50,000 in supplies and support were provided to families with young kids in one year alone. 

Before her time at the Family Center, Bethany worked in the domestic violence field. She has specialized training in crisis hotline work and emergency response. Bethany has a BS in Social Work from Plymouth State University and is a licensed social worker. She also holds a certificate in Management and Supervision in Human Services from Boston College.  

About the Emerging Leader Award: This award recognizes an individual who has worked in parenting education or family support for at least five years. An Emerging Leader excels in their role, goes above and beyond their work responsibilities, and has the potential to make a significant impact in the lives of children and families in the future.

Media Coverage 

• Bethany Prince-Malloy earns Emerging Leader Award from The Children's Trust