Celebrating Leadership, Vision, and Partnership: A View from All Sides Awards Ceremony

Each year, A View from All Sides brings together hundreds of family support staff from across Massachusetts to celebrate the people who dedicate their lives to helping families thrive. It’s a day filled with learning, connection, and inspiration. But for many, the most meaningful moment is the Awards Ceremony, when we pause to celebrate those whose work and partnership exemplifies the heart of our mission: strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect. 

“Our awardees remind us that when we lift each other up, everyone rises,” said Jazz Dautruche, Supervision Training Specialist at the Children’s Trust, who hosted the ceremony. “Thank you for showing up every day for Massachusetts families.” 

Jazz Dautruche

Without further ado, please join us in congratulating this year’s recipients: 

Emerging Leader Award: April Igneri, Hampshire County Child Advocacy Center 

We began by recognizing the next generation of leadership in family support. The Emerging Leader Award honors someone who, within just a few years, has already made a lasting mark through creativity, compassion, and impact. 

This year’s honoree, April Igneri, Director of Prevention and Outreach at the Hampshire County Child Advocacy Center, embodies that spirit. Drawing on her background in education, April has built partnerships and programs that bring vital information about child sexual abuse prevention, online awareness, and healthy relationships to communities across Hampshire County. In the past year alone, she and her team trained nearly 4,000 adults and children – an extraordinary accomplishment that speaks to both her leadership and vision for prevention.  

Beyond her professional achievements, April is also a mother of three and a passionate advocate for families of children with special needs. Her energy, empathy, and dedication are helping create safer communities where every child can grow up healthy and supported. 

Community Visionary Award: Cambridge Center for Families 

The Community Visionary Award celebrates organizations that dream big for their communities and work hard to make those dreams a reality. This year’s recipient, the Cambridge Center for Families, has long been a shining example of what it looks like to meet families where they are and build communities where everyone can thrive. 

Under the leadership of Michelle Godfrey, the Center has created a model of inclusive, multilingual, and culturally responsive family support. Offering resources and programs in 13 languages, the Center connects families to parenting groups, early childhood services, and community events that strengthen relationships and reduce isolation. 

Their approach is deeply rooted in listening to parents, to caregivers, and to the evolving needs of their community. From supporting fathers to reaching families who might otherwise fall through the cracks, the Cambridge Center for Families has built a network of trust and belonging that truly reflects the spirit of prevention. 

Community Partnership Award: Global Partners and the Global for Good Fund 

Collaboration is at the heart of our work. We know that no single organization can prevent child abuse and neglect alone; it takes partnerships rooted in shared purpose and trust. The Community Partnership Award honors those who exemplify that commitment, and this year’s recipients, Global Partners and the Global for Good Fund, are powerful examples of what that collaboration can achieve. 

For many years, Global Partners has supported the Children’s Trust through financial contributions, volunteer opportunities, and coin canisters at their local gas stations, helping raise awareness around child abuse and neglect prevention and the importance of family support. But in recent years, their engagement has deepened even further. As the Children’s Trust has expanded its focus to changing the systems that support families, Global Partners has stepped forward to learn alongside us, investing not just in programs but in the long-term wellbeing of families. 

Represented by Phil Segaloff, Senior Associate General Counsel, and Rachel Segaloff, President and Founder of Beantown Baby Diaper Bank Corp, Global Partners has demonstrated what it means to be a true partner. Their dedication reminds us that every sector has a role to play in creating communities where children and families can thrive. 

Frances J. Litman Leadership Award: Richard Claytor 

The ceremony concluded with one of the Children’s Trust’s highest honors: the Frances J. Litman Leadership Award, named for a pioneer in family support whose legacy continues to inspire our work today. The award recognizes an individual who has spent decades leading with compassion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to families. 

This year, that distinction went to Richard Claytor, who recently retired as Director of Programs at the Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts. Over his remarkable 35-year career, Richard has been a national and local leader, advancing fatherhood initiatives, community engagement, and early education through roles at Head Start, the U.S. Department of Labor, and numerous Massachusetts-based organizations. 

Throughout his career, Richard has modeled what it means to lead with humility and heart. He has mentored countless professionals, advocated fiercely for fathers, and kept his focus always on what matters most: helping families build the foundations to thrive. 

Recognizing our colleagues for their hard work and dedication is a reminder that every training session, every home visit, and every moment spent listening to a parent adds up to create powerful change. We are grateful to each and every one of our partners and colleagues for the work they do e very day to support families in Massachusetts.