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.
2025 Child Advocate Awards
On Thursday, September 18, at 10 am at Community United Methodist Church, 20 Center Street, Naperville, IL. Our 2025 Raising Our Voices event focused on Youth Mental Health and highlighted a special performance of Life Out Loud from Chicago’s award-winning About Face Theatre. We also presented the annual Child Advocate Awards, and heard Federal and State Legislation Updates from Children’s Advocate for Change. Rev. Wendy Hardin Hermann, Prairie Central District Superintendent, presented the Child Advocate Awards this year.
View photos from our recent Raising Our Voices event below and check out our 2025 award winners!
2025 Advocate Award Winners
Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt Child Advocate Award
Congresswoman Delia Catalina Ramirez, a lifelong United Methodist, is the first Latina United Methodist elected to Congress and the first Latina from the Midwest elected to Congress. She is a dedicated advocate for children, youth, and families facing social and economic challenges. Her leadership has focused on addressing housing insecurity, child welfare, and championing policies that support vulnerable children, including those from immigrant and impoverished communities. Her work as a nonprofit leader, state legislator, and Congress member has significantly affected child advocacy and public service.
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez embodies the very heart of this award’s legacy. Her work not only changes laws—it changes lives.
Lisa Rogers has been the Youth Director at First UMC Elmhurst for over 18 years. What stands out most about Lisa is the way she leads—with a missional heart rooted in equity and inclusion. She doesn’t just talk about change; she lives it. She has influenced policies around youth mental health and has been a relentless advocate for creating communities where every child and every family feels seen, safe, and supported. Through her leadership with the Conference Commission on Race and Religion, Lisa has been a bold and faithful voice, raising awareness of the very real harm caused by current racial and immigration policies. Whether she is organizing community forums, accompanying families through crisis, or rallying people to meet with local officials, she does it with courage, humility, and a deep sense of God’s justice and love.
Katherine B. Greene Child Worker Award
Dr. Maricruz Ramos, stands as a compassionate and unwavering advocate for the well-being of children and families, dedicating her life’s work to healing, empowerment, and hope. Dr. Ramos is a member of Our Redeemer UMC in Schaumburg where she is an essential part of the spiritual life of the church. As a licensed therapist, for Kids Above All – 1989 to 2008 and 2020 to 2025, Dr. Ramos has provided individual and family therapy to children and adolescents facing a wide range of behavioral health challenges including trauma and complex emotional needs. Her clinical expertise is complemented by a deep cultural sensitivity, allowing her to counsel families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds with dignity, empathy, and respect helping to bridge the gap between English-speaking children and Spanish-speaking parents.
Jennifer Crick, is a member of Cary UMC and a former school board member in Cary where she advocated for children who learned differently as well as for the teachers and administrators who taught and cared for them. She is a developmental therapist and through Early Intervention (EI) she worked with children aged birth to three. She lent support to children and their parents by providing resources, home visits and genuine care. She is president of the Illinois Developmental and Therapy Association guiding other developmental therapists in their work and advocacy especially helping babies and toddlers to meet their milestones. She works with other Early Intervention groups and organizations throughout the state of Illinois to help ensure equity and access for these families.
Rev. Margaret Ann Williams Service Award
Michelle Curiel is a member at Wesley UMC in Aurora. As the former Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry for six years, she recruited older adults to cook dinner for the Wednesday Night Gatherings (WNG) and Summer Art & Soul Camp. She created intentional space that encouraged families with children to find places to eat with adults with no children by placing conversational cards on the tables at each meal. Michelle provided activities at the park on Thursdays when the Northern Illinois Food Bank handed out free lunches. Currently, Michelle is a school social worker in Oswego, IL having discerned her call to serve in this way.
Joanne Rae, is a member of United Methodist Church of Antioch. She is a true example of someone who lives in service for others, especially children. For nearly a decade, she worked with kids at the Allendale Association, an agency in Lake Villa, IL that provides residential treatment for youth who have experienced severe trauma. Joanne promotes opportunities for youth at UMC of Antioch to participate in mission trips and engage with other churches, such as Grace UMC in Naperville. These commitments provide engaging experiences and foster allyship with LGBTQUIA+ people. Joanne, a Registered Nurse since 1995 in Scotland and the USA, works with people with developmental disabilities and is a champion for children and service.
Past Award Winners
Bishop Jesse DeWitt Child Advocate Award winners
Katherine B. Greene Child Worker Award winners
Margaret Ann Williams Service Award winners
