World of Children® Award Announces 2016 Honorees

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- World of Children®, an organization dedicated to setting the gold standard in child advocacy, announced today its 2016 Honorees, an extraordinary group of real-life heroes working to dramatically improve the lives of children. This year's recipients, whose work spans a wide range of issues from supporting  children living with debilitating and chronic diseases, to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and survivors of sexual abuse.  World of Children Award will present these individuals with their Awards at its 2016 Awards Ceremony in New York City at 583 Park Avenue on Thursday, October 27. 

The first ever World of Children Protection Award will be presented at this year's Awards Ceremony.

"Nobody really knows the full extent of abuse suffered by children around the world. It happens 'in the dark' and often goes unreported," explains Harry Leibowitz, Co-Founder of the organization. "So many children never receive the support and care they need to heal after experiencing these traumas. It is time for this to stop. We are committed to bringing these terrible issues into the light and supporting those who work to help children who have suffered so long in silence." 

Recognized as the "Nobel Prize for Child Advocates," honorees will receive a grant to help their program grow and ultimately impact the lives of even more children. This year's honorees include: 

2016 World of Children Protection Award: Dušica Popadić

Co-Founder and Director of Incest Trauma Center (ITC) which provides psychological assistance to child sexual assault survivors and their supporting networks, while also providing child sexual abuse prevention programs.

Read more: http://www.worldofchildren.org/honoree/dusica-popadic/

2016 World Of Children Youth Award: Claire Wineland

Founder of Claire's Place Foundation, an organization that provides support to children and families affected by Cystic Fibrosis.

Read more: http://www.worldofchildren.org/honoree/claire-wineland/

2016 World of Children Health Award: Jimmy Drekore

Founder of Simbu Children Foundation, an organization that provides education and medical treatment to the sick and disadvantaged children of the Simbu province of Papua New Guinea.

Read more: http://www.worldofchildren.org/honoree/jimmy-drekore/

2016 World of Children Humanitarian Award: Iyyappan Subramaniyan

Founder of Sri Arunodayam Charitable Trust, an organization that cares for, protects and educates abandoned mentally challenged children.

Read more: http://www.worldofchildren.org/honoree/iyyappan-subramaniyan/ 

2016 World of Children Education Award: Ponheary Ly

Founder of Ponheary Ly Foundation, an organization that promotes access to quality education for children and youth in Cambodia.

Read more: http://www.worldofchildren.org/honoree/pohnheary-ly/

In addition, Lily Aldridge Followill will be honored at the Awards Ceremony with the 2016 Advocacy Award and Stephanie March will be honored with the 2016 Board of Governors' Award.  Caryl Stern, President of US Fund for UNICEF, will speak at the Ceremony, along with Brooke Burke-Charvet and Alina Cho.

The 2016 World of Children Award Honorary Chairs include Cindi Leive, Editor in Chief of Glamour; Zanna Roberts Rassi, Senior Fashion Editor at Marie Claire and E!News Fashion Correspondent; and Sheryl WuDunn, recipient of the 2009 World of Children Advocacy Award, a Pulitzer Prize Winner and New York Times Best Selling Author. World of Children Award is led by Co-Founders Harry Leibowitz and Kay Isaacson-Leibowitz, retired senior executives from Procter & Gamble and Victoria's Secret respectively.

World of Children Award receives thousands of nominations from almost 100 countries annually and uses a uniquely rigorous vetting process to select honorees, including an on-site investigation and independent audit of each finalist.

ABOUT WORLD OF CHILDREN AWARD:

World of Children® Award improves the lives of vulnerable children by funding and elevating the most effective changemakers for children worldwide.

Since 1998, World of Children Award has granted more than $8 million in cash grants and program support to more than 100 individuals leading programs serving children worldwide.

CONTACT:
Sunshine Sachs, 212-691-2800
Shira Mahler, [email protected] 
Emily Eidemiller, [email protected]

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SOURCE World of Children Award