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Triad Advocate and Volunteer Awards

Nominations are Invited for 2019 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 as demonstrated by a specific accomplishment, project, program or milestone. Nominations for 2019 are due to Adoption Network Cleveland by Thursday, September 12, 2019.

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.

Triad Advocate of the Year Award

The Triad Advocate of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the adoption field 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
  • Dr. Elaine Schulte, Adoptive Parent
    Dr. Elaine Schulte, Adoptive Parent

    2018 TAYA

  • Lori Scobee, Social Worker and Birthparent
    Lori Scobee, Social Worker and Birthparent

    2018 TAYA

  • Dr. Elizabeth Swenson, Adoptive Parent
    Dr. Elizabeth Swenson, Adoptive Parent

    2018 TAYA

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Volunteer Award

The Volunteer 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
  • Dottie Klemm, Retired Social Worker
    Dottie Klemm, Retired Social Worker

    2018 Founder's Award

  • 2018

    Dottie Klemm, Retired Social Worker

  • 2017

    Sherri Appleton

  • 2016

    Kay Williams

  • 2015

    Jim and Pam Deskins

  • 2014

    Joan Soucie

  • 2013

    Rita Simpson-Vlach

  • 2012

    Lisa Buescher

  • 2011

    Estes Turner

  • 2010

    Sarah Hastings

  • 2009

    Beth Szule

  • 2008

    Marty Kosmin

  • 2007

    Alfonso Russell

  • 2006

    Ellen Hunt
    Rick Santich

  • 2005

    Holly Kowalski
    Moira McGreer

  • 2004

    Linda Katz
    Niki Hauk

  • 2003

    Kim Donato
    Kirsten McNamara

  • 2002

    Chris Esmurdoc

  • 2001

    Jeanne Hood
    Susan Burlage

  • 2000

    Pat Kosovich

  • 1999

    Joyce Senger

Our Impact FY2019 (Oct. 2018-Sept. 2019)

  • People Served

    2239

  • Helpline Inquiries

    540

  • Volunteer Hours

    2,545

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