Four years since our last Cherishing Childhood event, we are pleased to announce that the 2023 Cherishing Childhood Awards Reception will take place on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
We are honoring two bold and big-hearted changemakers who take action to make children’s lives safer and brighter: philanthropist Charles “Sandy” Wilkes, Chair of the Washington Children’s Foundation, Safe Shores’ largest and longest-standing private funder, and anti-violence advocate Naomi Wadler, nationally known anti-violence advocate since she was 11-years-old – just five years ago. We’re also recognizing our dedicated and remarkable executive director, Michele Booth Cole, for her 20 years of servant leadership.
Countdown to the Reception
Attire: Business to Comfortable Cocktail
COVID Precautions: We will encourage all guests to take a rapid test the day of the event and to stay home if they test positive, or simply if they are feeling unwell. Masks are encouraged, but not required. We will provide high-quality masks at the registration table for anyone who would like one.
Cherishing Childhood Honorees
An organizer against gun violence at her elementary school and the youngest speaker at age 11 at the March for Our Lives in 2018, Naomi Wadler’s advocacy has taken her to the Women in the World Annual Summit, Teen Vogue Summit, Davos Economic Forum, Tribeca Film Festival, and a New York Magazine cover with Barbra Streisand.
For using her power and voice to inspire change for a safer world and being a Safe Shores supporter, Naomi is a 2023 Cherishing Childhood Awardee!
As Board Chair of The Washington Children’s Foundation, Sandy Wilkes initiated and has led 15 consecutive years of philanthropic partnership with Safe Shores, making it possible to do even more for more child victims of abuse.
For bringing hope and healing to the lives of tens of thousands of children and families in DC, Sandy is a 2023 Cherishing Childhood Awardee!
Since Michele Booth Cole became executive director in 2003, she secured the much-needed additional space that is Safe Shores’ current home, sustained funding, and recognition that, as the Child Advocacy Center for the District of Columbia, Safe Shores provides a vital service in the District of Columbia.
For leading with integrity, humility, equity, and innovation for 20 years; ensuring bigger (and better!) space and fiscal stability; and, earning Safe Shores recognition as a top nonprofit and one of the best CACs in the United States, Michele is a 2023 Cherishing Childhood Awardee!
Cherishing Childhood 2023 Sponsors
An award-winning nonprofit, Safe Shores relies on private and public support to ensure that our trauma-informed, survivor-centered services remain available to all who need them – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are grateful for the generous support of our Cherishing Childhood Award Reception sponsors.
Protectors
Partners
Advocates
The Wilkes Foundation in Honor of Sandy Wilkes
Supporters
Friends
Rachel Kronowitz
Wayfinding Partners
In Kind Sponsors
Epiphany Productions
Many Thanks to Our Cherishing Childhood 2023 Host Committee
Tabitha Almquist*
Cheryl Anne Boyce
Diana and Henry Cashen
Corina Cortez*
Jenny DiJames
Desyree Dixon*
Oladele Dosunmu
Lynn English
John Gilmore*
Shana Glickfield*
Justin Harrison*
Dian Holton*
Mark Johannessen
Rosiland Jordan
Deborah Jospin*
Walter Kim*
Rachel Kronowitz
Susan Molinari
Maegan Scott*
Selena Mendy Singleton
Taylor Sphon*
Poet Taylor*
Tatiana Torres*
Julie Wadler*
B. Michael Young
* Current Safe Shores Board Member
Become a Sponsor
Interested in sponsoring the event? Review our event sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $2,500 to $40,000 here. Please reach out to Liberty Bliss, Associate Director of Development, at lbliss@safeshores.org or by calling or texting 202-645-3211, by October 20th.
Cherishing Childhood Protector – $40,000
- 15 tickets to the event
- Top recognition in remarks from the stage
- Opportunity to submit a video (up to 90 seconds long) to be played at the event
- Premium logo placement on digital invitation with hot link
- Premium logo placement on all event collateral: signage, program & PowerPoints
- Opportunity to host two private, in-person Stewards of Children® child sexual abuse prevention trainings facilitated by Safe Shores’ Executive Director
- Six framed limited edition Risograph prints by award-winning graphic design firm GRAPHEK
- Acknowledgment in Washington Business Journal “Thank You” Ad
Cherishing Childhood Partner – $25,000
- 10 tickets to the event
- Acknowledgement in recognition remarks from the stage
- Logo placement on all event materials: electronic invitation, signage, event program, social media & event website
- Opportunity to host a private, on-site award-winning Stewards of Children® child sexual abuse prevention training for up to 20 guests
- Four framed limited edition Risograph prints by award-winning graphic design firm GRAPHEK
- Acknowledgment in Washington Business Journal “Thank You” Ad
Cherishing Childhood Advocate – $10,000
- Eight tickets to the event
- Inclusion in acknowledgment remarks from the stage
- Logo placement on event materials: event signage, event website & social media
- Opportunity to host a private Stewards of Children® child sexual abuse prevention training for 10 guests
- Four framed limited edition Risograph prints by award-winning graphic design firm GRAPHEK
- Acknowledgment in Washington Business Journal “Thank You” Ad
Cherishing Childhood Supporter – $5,000
- Four tickets to the event
- Inclusion in recognition remarks from the stage
- Logo placement on event materials: event signage, event website & social media
- Two limited edition Risograph prints by award-winning graphic design firm GRAPHEK
- Acknowledgment in Washington Business Journal “Thank You” Ad
Friend of Safe Shores – $2,500
- Two tickets to the event
- Listing in event materials: event signage & event website
- One limited edition Risograph print by GRAPHEK
- Acknowledgment in Washington Business Journal “Thank You” Ad
