Celebration Day: Honoring the Heart of Family Support

Earlier this summer, the Children’s Trust brought together staff, partners, and community members for our annual Celebration Day. This event honors the incredible work of family support professionals, like home visitors, case workers, and program coordinators, and celebrates our program partners across Massachusetts who are making a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.

“Our program partners are at the heart of the Children’s Trust’s mission to prevent child abuse and neglect,” – Jennifer Valenzuela, Children’s Trust Executive Director

The day was filled with joy, learning, and connection. From hands-on activities like tie-dye and bracelet making to powerful stories from program participants, inspiration from our guest speaker, and recognition of this year’s outstanding award recipients, Celebration Day honors the heart of family support work.

Moments of Inspiration and Learning

We were thrilled to welcome Marlene Boyette, a trauma-informed wellness practitioner, yoga and meditation teacher, sound healer, and community leader with nearly 20 years of experience across education, wellness, and holistic healing.

Marlene offered attendees tools to stay grounded, present, and connected in their work.

Moments of Reflection

Attendees had the opportunity to hear from program participants whose stories exemplified the positive impact of family support.

Dorys Lemus, Healthy Families MA Greater Fall River program participant, spoke with pride about her parenting journey alongside her son, Izan. She shared how her home visitor, Sasha, gave her the tools and resources she needed to take care of her family, while also pursuing her own dreams.

“She [Sasha] gave me the hope to keep going and keep fighting for my family’s future. Today, I look at my son and I see the love, I see the hope, and I see the possibilities for a better life.”

Later, Vanessa Grey, participant and leader at the Valuing Our Children Family Center, a Children’s Trust funded family support site, reflected on the transformative power of community support. She shared how the program not only provided parenting support, but also helped to build lasting connections with other families. She described how those relationships became her village, helping her meet other parents where they are and connect them with resources, like fuel assistance, clothing, or parenting classes.

“I really feel that the [Family Center] programs that I went to helped educate me not just as a parent but as a parent leader.”

Celebration Day Awards

Each year, the Children’s Trust is proud to recognize the dedication and accomplishments of our program partners. Congratulations to this year’s recipients, and thank you for your continued support and partnership!

“The successes of our partners exemplify what is possible when we invest in the family support workforce and a family-centered approach. Their work not only strengthens the well-being of individual families, but also helps to shift systems so that all families can thrive in Massachusetts.” – Jennifer Valenzuela, Children’s Trust Executive Director

Healthy Families Massachusetts Awards

The Children’s Trust partners with local organizations across the state to implement Healthy Families Massachusetts.

• All-Star Award: Healthy Families New Bedford
• Home Visiting Award: Greater Fall River Healthy Families Collaborative
• Documentation Award: South Shore Healthy Families
• Drop the Mic Award: Natalie McCann, Greater Attleboro Taunton Healthy Families, Severiana Rodriguez, Healthy Families Hampshire County
• Fatherhood & Co-Parenting Award: Healthy Families Hampshire County & Healthy Families Franklin County
• Family Recognition Award: Coco Black, Healthy Families New Bedford
• Legislative Advocacy Award: MSPCC Programs: Healthy Families of Greater Worcester, Healthy Families Holyoke, Healthy Families Lawrence, Healthy Families Lowell, Healthy Families New Bedford
• Public Relations Award: North Worcester County Healthy Families
• Reflective Supervision Award: Boston Area Healthy Families
• Community Engagement Award: Healthy Families Lowell
• Focus on Quality Award: Greater Brockton Healthy Families Program
• Vanguard Award: Susan d’Hemecourt, Healthy Families North Shore
• Groups Award: Healthy Families Framingham/Milford

Family Support Site Awards:

• Drop the Mic Award: Lucy Hernandez, Cambridge Center for Families
• Family Recognition Award: Daniana Bisono, Community Action Family Center