The Les Wright Award for Youth Advocacy was established in 2001 as
a
lasting tribute to SAVE’s Founder, Les F. Wright and her tireless
efforts and
many achievements in creating a safer, supportive and empowering world
for
youth and families.
Children and families has always been Les’s passion. In addition to founding SAVE
she has advocated for children and families through her work as chair of
the
Columbus City Council’s Health and Human Services Committee, as United
Way
Board member, founder of the Alliance of Black Women, co-chair of the
National
League of Cities task force on Youth Education and Families and worked
with
Columbus Police to establish the city’s first Truancy Intervention
Canter.
Recipients of the Les Wright
Award for Youth Advocacy include:
Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman 2001
Robert Weiler 2002
Franklin County Commissioner Dewey Stokes 2003
Lawrence Funderburk 2007
Valarie Stills 2007
Deanna Wilkinson 2009
Doris Calloway Moore 2010
Lynette Sowell 2011
The 2011 Les Wright Award for Youth Advocacy goes to Lynette Sowell. Lynettel was first inspired to work with young people when she was involved with her own children and nieces and nephews. Showing support and encouragement was something that she held dear to her heart and she was concerned about the many children dealing with very hard and serious challenges. Lynette believes that “It takes a village to raise a child” and she gratefully accepts the responsibility she has for her community.
Over the past 10 years she has worked with children from the ages of 6-17, coordinating camps, treatment, workshops, arts, crafts and field trips. She mentors children, increasing their self-confidence and teaching them how to be positive thinkers and display positive behavior. Lynette is also a spiritual leader, she’s given of her time, talents and creativity to develop several youth and adult ministries at her church. Lynette co- founded “Elite Ballers.” The team was established in efforts to provide an opportunity for young men to play basketball at a highly competitive level, while incorporating character development and a sense of “brotherhood” amongst the team.
Lynette’s late father instilled in her to “Accomplish at least one act of kindness every day, no matter how small." Reflecting on his words and his character, of imparting wisdom without judgment, she now holds strongly to that goal herself. Her colleague and friend says about Lynette, “She is an extraordinary woman who has a loving spirit for helping children and making sure they always have safe and positive opportunities. She is a mother and provider for all, with her winning smile and positive thinking she helps children believe in themselves.”
The 2010 Les Wright Award for Youth Advocacy goes to Doris Calloway Moore.
Ms.
Calloway Moore has worked for more than 30 years in the area of adoption
recruitment and child advocacy. After
graduating from Boston University, Doris
began her career as an adoption recruiter, then became the Director of
Recruitment at Franklin County Children Services where during her time
over
1,000 children found loving adopted homes.
Doris
is a dynamic speaker, trainer and lecturer on child and family issues
and has spoken extensively on the local, state and
national level. She organized and
implemented the recruitment campaign entitled “All Kids Count” from 1991
– 2008, which
resulted in the tripling of foster care and adoption inquiries. Her
volunteerism
extends to being a mentor since 1991, which includes 15 years at St.
Stephens
Community House, she has tutored elementary students, been a volunteer
fundraiser for youth causes and Board member for 8 different
nonprofits.
Doris
says this about her work, “ I love
being able to positively impact the future of our youth. I love that
kids who are adopted, find loving foster families, or mentors, have a
much
greater chance of having their dreams realized. I am always amazed at
the
resiliency of our youth - and that
keeps me working hard for them. If they still believe in love and
permanency, after all they have been through and had to endure, then the
least
I can do is give them my best to make their dreams realized.”
Currently as Communications Director for
Franklin County Children Services, Doris
oversees all media relations as well as community outreach and
development
initiatives. Her department is recognized statewide and nationally for
innovative and effective public relations and marketing programs.
The 2009 Les
Wright Award for Youth Advocacy was presented to another woman whose passion
and
commitment for making the world a safer place for youth is unparalleled.
Deanna L. Wilkinson
Ph.D. has done extensive, in-depth research into why youth violence
occurs and what works to prevent violence.
In additional to the many published articles, funding awards
and research awards she has received Deanna works tirelessly to keep the
issue
of youth violence prevention in the fore front of policy makers minds
and works
hand in hand with community members to implement collaborations,
partnerships
and programs that make a difference in our community.
Deanna
is a board member of SAVE, an advisor to the Africentric Personal Development Shop's Collective Action for Youth and Neighborhood Development ambassadors’
program, and a member of Mayor Coleman’s Neighborhood Safety Working Group. Deanna also has spearheaded the OSU Youth
Violence Prevention Advisory Board, started as a forum for working
with the community, government and non-profit agencies to translate
research
findings into effective prevention practices.
Lawrence Funderburk 2007
Former NBA player and founder of the Lawrence Funderburk Youth Foundation
Valarie Stills 2007
Former WNBA Player and founder of the Valarie Stills Foundation
Robert Weiler 2002
Chairman of the Board, Robert Weiler Company (Right) Missy Weiler (Left) Les Wright (Middle)
The Les Wright Award for Youth Advocacy was established in 2001 as
a
lasting tribute to SAVE’s Founder, Les F. Wright and her tireless
efforts and
many achievements in creating a safer, supportive and empowering world
for
youth and families.
Children and families has always been Les’s passion. In addition to founding SAVE
she has advocated for children and families through her work as chair of
the
Columbus City Council’s Health and Human Services Committee, as United
Way
Board member, founder of the Alliance of Black Women, co-chair of the
National
League of Cities task force on Youth Education and Families and worked
with
Columbus Police to establish the city’s first Truancy Intervention
Canter.
Recipients of the Les Wright
Award for Youth Advocacy include: 
The 2011 Les Wright Award for Youth Advocacy goes to Lynette Sowell. Lynettel was first inspired to work with young people when she was involved with her own children and nieces and nephews. Showing support and encouragement was something that she held dear to her heart and she was concerned about the many children dealing with very hard and serious challenges. Lynette believes that “It takes a village to raise a child” and she gratefully accepts the responsibility she has for her community.
Over the past 10 years she has worked with children from the ages of 6-17, coordinating camps, treatment, workshops, arts, crafts and field trips. She mentors children, increasing their self-confidence and teaching them how to be positive thinkers and display positive behavior. Lynette is also a spiritual leader, she’s given of her time, talents and creativity to develop several youth and adult ministries at her church. Lynette co- founded “Elite Ballers.” The team was established in efforts to provide an opportunity for young men to play basketball at a highly competitive level, while incorporating character development and a sense of “brotherhood” amongst the team.
Lynette’s late father instilled in her to “Accomplish at least one act of kindness every day, no matter how small." Reflecting on his words and his character, of imparting wisdom without judgment, she now holds strongly to that goal herself. Her colleague and friend says about Lynette, “She is an extraordinary woman who has a loving spirit for helping children and making sure they always have safe and positive opportunities. She is a mother and provider for all, with her winning smile and positive thinking she helps children believe in themselves.”
The 2010 Les Wright Award for Youth Advocacy goes to Doris Calloway Moore.
Ms.
Calloway Moore has worked for more than 30 years in the area of adoption
recruitment and child advocacy. After
graduating from Boston University, Doris
began her career as an adoption recruiter, then became the Director of
Recruitment at Franklin County Children Services where during her time
over
1,000 children found loving adopted homes.
Doris
is a dynamic speaker, trainer and lecturer on child and family issues
and has spoken extensively on the local, state and
national level. She organized and
implemented the recruitment campaign entitled “All Kids Count” from 1991
– 2008, which
resulted in the tripling of foster care and adoption inquiries. Her
volunteerism
extends to being a mentor since 1991, which includes 15 years at St.
Stephens
Community House, she has tutored elementary students, been a volunteer
fundraiser for youth causes and Board member for 8 different
nonprofits.
Doris
says this about her work, “ I love
being able to positively impact the future of our youth. I love that
kids who are adopted, find loving foster families, or mentors, have a
much
greater chance of having their dreams realized. I am always amazed at
the
resiliency of our youth - and that
keeps me working hard for them. If they still believe in love and
permanency, after all they have been through and had to endure, then the
least
I can do is give them my best to make their dreams realized.”
Currently as Communications Director for
Franklin County Children Services, Doris
oversees all media relations as well as community outreach and
development
initiatives. Her department is recognized statewide and nationally for
innovative and effective public relations and marketing programs.
The 2009 Les
Wright Award for Youth Advocacy was presented to another woman whose passion
and
commitment for making the world a safer place for youth is unparalleled.
