Mayor Rosalynn Bliss | Mayor Rosalynn Bliss Official Website
Mayor Rosalynn Bliss | Mayor Rosalynn Bliss Official Website
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – The Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) Network has honored seven individuals and organizations committed to ensuring youth have access to quality out-of-school time programs. The recipients – ranging from community-based organizations to those serving in leadership roles in government and education – were recognized June 22 for their steadfast commitment and advocacy for out-of-school time programming.
The Annual ELO Awards Ceremony: Be Extraordinary took place at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (an ELO member location). The awards underscore the work that out-of-school time advocates are doing to push for State investments of $50 million to ensure that afterschool programs can meet the needs of more than 751,000 Michigan youth (Michigan Afterschool Partnership). A new honor centering on young people – The Extraordinary Youth Award – was also bestowed to an individual for demonstrating fearlessness, hopefulness, courageousness and brilliance. It stresses the importance of staying connected and committed -- no matter what level of success is achieved -- to ensure youth have what they need to succeed.
The 2023 ELO Award recipients include:
2023 George K Heartwell Champion for Children Award
Lisa Knight
2023 Advocate Leader Award - Co-Recipients
Erin Skene-Pratt, Executive Director, Michigan Afterschool Partnership andDr. Nate Clason, Michigan State University
2023 Business Leader Award
Dondrea Brown, CEO, Young Money Finances
2023 Champion for Quality Award
Ginger Rohwer, Regional Director, MiSTEM Network- Greater West MI Region
2022 Rising Star Award
Lydia Cole, Bridge Street Ministries
2023 Showcase Site Award
New City Kids
2023 OCC Executive Director’s Extraordinary Youth Award
Jaylynne Calderone-Monterroso, 2023 Grand Rapids Public Schools Graduate
“We celebrate those who have time and time again demonstrated what it really means to support and prepare youth for a successful future,” said Shannon L. Harris, executive director of Our Community’s Children. “This isn’t a popularity contest. Instead, we are making it popular to honor those who put children and youth before themselves.”
Original source can be found here.
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