Children’s Trust: Celebrate Local Heroes at the 19th Annual Champions for Children Awards!
Nearly 900 community leaders, advocates, and dignitaries filled Jungle Island’s Bloom Ballroom on April 30, 2025, for The Children’s Trust’s 19th Annual Champions for Children Awards Ceremony. The sold-out event, presented by TD Bank, celebrated exceptional individuals and programs making transformative impacts across Miami-Dade County.
The evening honored the extraordinary contributions of this year’s honorees, whose dedication and tireless efforts have transformed the community. This premier gathering also brought together everyone from longtime advocates to rising youth leaders, all united in their commitment to advancing child welfare. With heartfelt acceptance speeches and special recognitions, it was an unforgettable afternoon of recognition and inspiration.
“We are thrilled to come together to celebrate the remarkable individuals and organizations who are transforming the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade,” said James R. Haj, president & CEO of The Children’s Trust. “This event provides an opportunity to honor their achievements and to inspire others to continue making a difference in the lives of children in our community.”
The event’s highest honor, the David Lawrence Jr. Champion for Children Award, was presented to Constance Collins, President and Executive Director of the National Women’s Shelter Network and Lotus House Women’s Shelter, for her lifelong dedication to ending homelessness and empowering women and children.
Other honorees included Linda Hudson, a senior classroom assistant at UM’s Linda Ray Intervention Center, recognized for Excellence in Direct Service to children and families, and Maurits Acosta, a senior at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School, who received the Excellence in Youth Leadership Award. Jorge A. Plasencia, an entrepreneur and civic leader, whose professional and philanthropic contributions, including co-founding Amigos for Kids, have had a profound impact on our community, was also honored with the Excellence in Advocacy Award.
In addition to individual recognitions, three Trust-funded programs were honored with the Program of the Year Award: Summer Youth Internship Program (a partnership between Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami-Dade County, The Children’s Trust, EdFed, the Foundation for New Education Initiatives, and Career Source South Florida Lotus House Children Services Parenting Program, and Ten North Group’s Keeping Our Promise Program.
The event’s success was made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including Presenting sponsor TD Bank, Platinum sponsors City National Bank and PNC Bank, Gold Sponsors Florida International University’s Center for Children and Families, Community Health of South Florida, INC., Key Biscayne Community Foundation, Miami Herald/ El Nuevo Herald, Senator Rene Garcia, University of Miami, Wels System, WOW MKTG, and Silver Sponsors ACentral, Baptist Health, Barry University, Corcoran Partners, Early Learning Corps, EdFed, Office of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Greenberg Traurig, Miami Dolphins Foundations, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Q-Q Research, Commissioner Raquel Regalado, Uber, and United Way Miami.
