Annual Child Advocate Awards

Every year United Voices for Children gives awards to honor remarkable ministry volunteer service or advocacy efforts on behalf of children, youth, and/or families throughout the Northern Illinois Conference.

These awards are:

  • Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt Child Advocate Award
    Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt (1980-1988) led by example as he participated, represented, and spoke out for children, youth, and families who did not have a voice. One of his greatest passions was speaking out to educate and inform local churches about legislation and issues impacting the lives of children.
  • Katherine B Greene Child Worker Award
    Katherine B Greene was a past president and founding representative of United Voices for Children who put forth tremendous efforts in promoting child advocacy, working faithfully against child abuse advancing and supporting children with unmet needs across the Northern Illinois Conference. She reminded and challenged us to step up, step forth and speak out for children.
  • Rev. Margaret Ann Williams Service Award
    Rev. Margaret Ann Williams, former Associate Executive of Church Relations at Marcy Newberry, served on the United Voices for Children Board of Directors for 33 years, including a term as president. Rev. Williams’ dedicated service has influenced the lives of children, the church, and the community for nearly 50 years. Award recipients model her “Joy of Serving” within the Northern Illinois Conference Community.

Any United Methodist member, congregation, or friend of UVC in Northern Illinois and the Chicagoland area can submit a nomination to receive one of these awards. Please reach out to Nik at nik@unitedvoicesforchildren.org for questions. Be sure to complete the form below. Nominations are accepted from June to August.

For award information and how to make a nomination, click here
Nominations are accepted from June to August.

2026 Child Advocate Awards

On Thursday, September 24, at 11 am at Grace United Methodist Church, 3555 McFarland Road, Rockford, IL, United Voices for Children hosted our 2026 Raising Our Voices Annual Advocacy & Awards Event, centered on the theme “Every Child. Every Voice. Every Future.” The event focused on advocating for youth mental health and anti-bullying, featuring a presentation from Melissa Lee, M.A., LCPC, Youth Community Supervisor with Rosecrance Health Network. We also presented the annual Child Advocacy Awards and heard legislative and advocacy updates from Children’s Advocates for Change. The event brought together advocates, church leaders, and community members to raise our voices on behalf of children and youth.

View photos from our recent Raising Our Voices event below and check out our 2026 award winners!

2026 Advocate Award Winners

Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt Child Advocate Award

Rev. Timothy Biel, Jr., has faithfully served as Lead Pastor of Central UMC in Skokie for eight years, demonstrating a deep commitment to caring for children, youth, families, and those in need. His advocacy extends beyond the local church through his leadership as President of United Voices for Children, where he served an additional year beyond his term, contributed to policy statements, and encouraged others to become actively involved in UVC’s work for children and families.

At Central UMC, Pastor Tim has supported younger generations through youth leadership, confirmation, children’s ministries, and community outreach. He has helped address food insecurity through the church’s 24/7 Mini Food Pantry and responded personally to families in need. His care and advocacy also reach into the wider community through his direct engagement with young people as a substitute teacher. Through his faithful and dedicated pastoral leadership, Pastor Tim continues to inspire others to care for and support children, youth, and families both within the church and beyond.

Katherine B Greene Child Worker Award

Pastor Leslie Stanford
For many years, Pastor Leslie and her husband have welcomed foster children into their home, offering them stability, compassion, and hope during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. More recently, they embraced the lifelong commitment of adoption, opening their family permanently to three children who needed not only a home but a place where they would be deeply loved and fully accepted. They offer remarkable love and care in nurturing their expanded family.

Pastor Leslie serves a small-town congregation where she has become much more than a pastor. She is a trusted mentor, a faithful teacher, and a loving presence in the lives of children in the community. She has cultivated a vibrant Kids Club that gives children a place to belong, to grow in faith, and to discover God’s love. She also teaches cooking classes for children, where skills are learned, confidence is built, and relationships are formed. She has an extraordinary ability to make every child feel seen, valued, and welcomed.

Her congregation has affection and respect for her. They speak not only of her gifts as a preacher and pastor but also of her genuine kindness, compassion, and strong commitment to serving children, youth, and adults. Her leadership has shaped a congregation that reflects Christ’s welcome to all. She is faithful and beloved.

Rev. Margaret Ann Williams Service Award

Jon and Beth Boettner
Mr. and Mrs. Jon and Beth Boettner have been active members of Aldersgate UMC for over 50 years and have been involved in many of its ministries. Reverend Doug Williams initiated the toy car ministry during his appointment and trained others. The Boettners continued to carry it forward engaging many volunteers in making the cars. The first 95 cars were distributed to three child-serving agencies in Rockford on Father’s Day of 2012.

Every year since then the ministry has grown in terms of the number of toy cars made and the places the cars have been distributed, even as far away as Kenya. Both Jon and Beth are in their 80’s now and over the years as Jon’s health declined, Beth took on more leadership responsibility.

The Toy Ministry anticipates that approximately 1,800 hand-crafted wooden toys will be distributed to 16 organizations across Northern Illinois to children for Christmas 2026 due to the dedication and inspiration of Jon and Beth Boettner.

Past Award Winners

Bishop Jesse DeWitt Child Advocate Award winners

Katherine B Greene Child Worker Award winners

Margaret Ann Williams Service Award winners