Check out photos from the Friendraiser that kicked off our 20th Anniversary Celebration Year
on Thursday, September 28, 2017!
Photographs by James Blanken of James Blanken Photography
Hello everyone!
We wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all of you who made the Children’s HealthWatch 20th Anniversary Celebration the success that it was on Saturday, September 29. Words cannot fully convey the depth of our gratitude and appreciation—and we write papers and briefs for a living—but we are going to try:
Our Event Sponsors: You have provided us with the resources needed to accomplish our goal of modernizing our systems to more readily and effectively share real-time data and research that help to inform policies that impact the lives of so many. Thank you so much for believing in our mission:
To our individual event sponsors and donors: Thank you so, so much for your generosity! Your kindness is immeasurable and invaluable. Some of you are longtime supporters and others are new to us, but you all are wonderful.
To the Boston Medical Center Development, Government Affairs and Communications Departments: Your expertise and guidance made a world of difference in the execution and promotion of the celebration. Thank you for making the road to the event less bumpy!
The Children’s HealthWatch Advisory Board: Last year when we brought the idea of a celebration to you, we weren’t sure ourselves we could even do it. However, you set to work right away, going above and beyond, and made believers out of us. We are particularly grateful to Shelly Chigier, our outgoing Chairperson; Karen Sweet, our incoming Advancement Chair; Marydale DeBor; and Karen Charles Peterson. Thank you for opening up your homes, reaching out to your networks and giving your considerable time and efforts.
Clappazzola Partners: Marjorie and Chris, you are our guardian angels (or some other unworldly beings)! You made us feel like your only priority even with your burgeoning schedules and client list, and you gave us not only a night none of us will soon forget, but a year of memorable events leading to it. To say ‘thank you’ feels like so little, but please know what you did means so much.
Our Event Partners: You made our event much more special with your participation. Because of you, we ended up with more than a celebration, but an epic feast for the eyes, ears and mouth. Thank you so much. We are truly humbled by your generosity:
The Chefs: Event goers will definitely remember the food and drinks. Thank you so much for providing a culinary utopia that no one wanted to leave:
Congressman Jim McGovern: Thank you for your presence, moving speech, thoughtful insight, and the many, many conversations with guests throughout the evening. You are a true champion for this work. You have put our research along with the calls from people struggling to afford enough food into action. Caitlin Hodgkins, Kathleen Polanowicz, and Kelly Brissette, thank you for all you do in Congressman McGovern’s office. We know that it is dedicated staff like you that make this work possible.
Our guest organizations: Over the years, you have fought the good fight alongside us, sharing research and insight, and partnering with us to better the lives of children and families. The work that we all do is at turns gratifying, frustrating and at times, heartbreaking, but whatever it is, you’ve been with us every step of the way. Thank you for being our guests and such wonderful partners-in-arms.
We want to specifically thank the families who courageously share their stories with us, policy makers, and the public. To the members of Witnesses to Hunger, Juell Frazier, Bonita Cuff, Quanda Burrell, Jessica Frazier, Diane Sullivan, Tashia Ezell-Cuff, Mona Ezell, and Sherita Mouzon, thank you for your tireless commitment to speaking up and fighting for policies that will make our country a more just and equitable place to live. To the families in Housing Prescriptions as Health Care, thank you for your ongoing work and feedback as we pilot an intervention for improving housing stability for families with children. And to the One Family Scholars, thank you for generously sharing with us your perspectives and working alongside us to improve policies across our state. We were honored that all of you were there to celebrate this occasion with us.
Thank you all for coming out and celebrating with us. We’ve already said this a few times, but we truly would not be where we are if not for you. As Drs. Frank, Casey and Meyers mentioned in their speeches, in the early days of Children’s HealthWatch, we didn’t know if we would survive past the first year, but we have—because of you. So, thank you for giving us the best 20 years. We look forward to working with you in the next 20.
Sincerely,
The Children’s HealthWatch Team
Saturday, September 29, 2018, 5:00 pm-9:00 pm.
Friday, May 18, 2018
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Thursday, September 28, 2017
To donate by check, please make checks payable to Children’s HealthWatch and send to:
Boston Medical Center
Children’s HealthWatch
Joe Eugenio
One Boston Medical Center Place
Vose Hall, 4th floor, Room 421
Boston, MA 02118
Dr. Deborah Frank and colleagues launched the Children’s Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C-SNAP) in 6 cities
Dr. Deborah A. Frank testifies before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry on expanding the Food Stamps program.
Paper on food insecurity in infants and toddlers by John Cook, PhD, Boston PI, published in Nutrition in Clinical Care
Dr. Deborah A. Frank testifies before the Subcommittee on Human Resources on Welfare Reform Reauthorization.
Philadelphia site opens with Dr. Mariana Chilton at the helm
“Heat or Eat” paper published
Dr. Deborah A. Frank testifies before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Budget during the Farm Bill Reauthorization Hearing.
“Fuel for Our Future” report published in collaboration with former U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy II & Congressman Michael Capuano
C-SNAP changes its name to Children’s HealthWatch
Launch of Witnesses to Hunger, founded by Dr. Mariana Chilton, in Philadelphia
Dr. Frank named “the woman who saved SNAP” due to her key testimony before the House on the Farm Bill
Boston Witnesses to Hunger is launched
Baltimore Witnesses to Hunger launched, along with Camden, NJ; Hartford, CT & Providence, RI
Publication of 2 item food insecurity screener paper by Erin R. Hager, PhD, in Pediatrics
Hunger Vital Sign™ tool created, leading to innovation & development of implementation of best practices nationally
Housing insecurity paper by Dr. Diana Cutts, Minneapolis PI, published in American Journal of Public Health
Arkansas General Assembly allocates $500K to Housing Trust Fund while advocates build Permanent Source campaign
CHW research helps to preserve “heat or eat” provision in Farm Bill
Dr. Megan Sandel testifies before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Revenue in support of increasing the Massachusetts Earned Income Tax Credit.
MA EITC increased from 15% to 23% through efforts by CHW led Healthy Families EITC Coalition
Arkansas PI, Eduardo Ochoa, Jr., MD, FAAP, testifies before the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Committee on Agriculture, US House of Representatives
Housing Rx as Health Care project, funded by The Boston Foundation, begins
Allison Bovell-Ammon testifies before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Revenue on bills that would fund Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Sites and expand access to the state Earned Income Tax Credit.
Healthy Families EITC Coalition successfully advocates for an expansion of EITC eligibility in the state budget enabling Massachusetts to became first state in the nation to ensure survivors of domestic violence are able to access EITC benefits.
Housing instability paper by Dr. Megan Sandel, Boston site PI, published in Pediatrics
