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Triad Advocate of the Year & Volunteer of the Year Awards
Triad Advocates of the Year Award
Nominations are Invited for 2021 Triad Advocate of the Year
Adoption Network Cleveland is proud to honor individuals each year who have influenced the wider community through advocacy and outreach efforts in child welfare, improved the lives of children and teens waiting for adoption, and enhanced the experiences of members of the adoption triad. This award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the adoption and child welfare field in Ohio as demonstrated by a specific accomplishment, project, program or milestone.
Nominations for 2021 are due to Adoption Network Cleveland by Friday, September 10, 2021.
Winners over the years include – April Dinwoodie, adoptee, Donaldson Adoption Institute; Rita Price, The Columbus Dispatch; Jean Strauss, filmmaker; Nickie Antonio, State Representative; Dominique Moceanu, Olympian and author; Danita Harris, NewsChannel 5; Jim Ewinger, The Plain Dealer.
The Triad Advocate of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the adoption field in Ohio as demonstrated by a specific accomplishment, project, program or milestone, meeting one or more of the following criteria:
- Contributed through exceptional volunteer efforts.
- Influenced the wider community through their advocacy and outreach efforts.
- Improved the lives of individual children and teens waiting for adoption.
- Enhanced the experiences adoption triad members by providing information, advocacy, or other support.
Previous Triad Advocate of the Year Winners
2020
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Holly Spencer-Trueman, Foster Parent & Child-Welfare Professional
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2019
Janine Boyd, Ohio Representative
Amber Donovan, Community of Hope
Christie Manning, Saint Luke’s Foundation -
2018
Dr. Elaine Schulte, Adoptive Parent
Lori Scobee, Social Worker and Birthparent
Dr. Elizabeth Swenson, Adoptive Parent -
2017
Linda Bellini, search volunteer
Andrea Ginter, Cuyahoga County Dept. of Children and Family Services
Amanda Reno, DNAFindingU -
2016
April Dinwoodie, Donaldson Adoption Institute and adoptee
Becky Drinnen, adoptee and advocate
The George Fund Foundation
Tara Shook, Ohio Dept. of Job and Family Services -
2015
Danielle Gadomski, Littleton Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
Jeanne Hood, birthparent and advocate
Rita Price, Columbus Dispatch -
2014
Susan Anthony, birthparent and advocate
Jean Strauss, filmmaker
Dave Burke, State Senator
Bill Beagle, State Senator
Dorothy Pelanda, State Representative
Nickie Antonio, State Representative -
2013
Diahanna Robertson, Bellefaire
John Adams, Adoption Equity Ohio
Mike Martindale, Adoption Equity Ohio -
2012
Dominique Moceanu, Olympian and author
David Crampton, Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences -
2011
Kate Livingston, Ohio Birthparent Group
Terrell Howard, Foster Alumnus and Advocate
Danita Harris, WEWS NewsChannel 5 -
2010
Lisa Dickson, Foster Care Alumni of America
Zelma Brown, Cuyahoga County Dept. of Children and Family Services -
2009
Jim McCafferty, Cuyahoga County Dept. of Children and Family Services
Jim Ewinger, The Cleveland Plain Dealer -
2008
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2007
Speaker Jon Husted, Ohio House of Representatives
Hon. Peter Sikora, Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court -
2006
Bill Gruber, Concern for Children
Michael Lehan, Cleveland Browns
Regina Brett, The Cleveland Plain Dealer -
2005
Deborah & Clinton Wilson, Foster Parent Support Association
Kirstin McNamara, birthmother and advocate -
2004
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2003
Dr. Anna Mandalakas, Adoption Health Center, University Hospitals
Quo Vadis Ellison, foster parent and advocate -
2002
Kim Wheeler, WKYC-TV
Regina Kupecky, author, trainer and therapist
Barbara Irvin, Family Adoption Consultants
Jerry Blake, Cuyahoga County Dept. of Children and Family Services -
2001
Denise Goodman, trainer and consultant
Maureen Heffernan, trainer and consultant
Pat Burns, Concern for Children -
2000
Elaine Thompson, Clinical Social Worker
Mandel School of Applied Sciences Graduate School of Social Work
Betsy Keefer, Institute for Human Services -
1999
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1998
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1997
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1996
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1995
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1994
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1993
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1992
Volunteer of the Year Award
The Volunteer of the Year Award (formerly the Founder’s Award) recognizes outstanding volunteer service, the spirit by which this organization was founded in 1988 and remains critical today. Those of you who know Adoption Network Cleveland’s history know that Executive Director Betsie Norris was a volunteer for seven years building the organization before she came on staff in 1995.
Previous Volunteer Award Winners
2020
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Maureen Heffernan, Professional
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2019
Dan Smith, Adoptee
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2018
Dottie Klemm, Retired Social Worker
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2017
Sherri Appleton
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2016
Kay Williams
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2015
Jim and Pam Deskins
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2014
Joan Soucie
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2013
Rita Simpson-Vlach
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2012
Lisa Buescher
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2011
Estes Turner
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2010
Sarah Hastings
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2009
Beth Szule
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2008
Marty Kosmin
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2007
Alfonso Russell
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2006
Ellen Hunt
Rick Santich -
2005
Holly Kowalski
Moira McGreer -
2004
Linda Katz
Niki Hauk -
2003
Kim Donato
Kirsten McNamara -
2002
Chris Esmurdoc
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2001
Jeanne Hood
Susan Burlage -
2000
Pat Kosovich
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1999
Joyce Senger
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1988-1998
Ten individuals were honored for their dedication and service during Adoption Network Cleveland's first 10 years:
Beth Brindo
Susan Kacerek Burlage
Jodi Sandler Cowgill
Kim Ducatman
Lucia Hill
Dottie Klemm
Betsie Norris
Susan Saltzman
Linda Schellentrager
Estes Turner
