RECAP: Voices for Children Luncheon
Our annual Voices for Children Luncheon on December 5th brought together community members, advocates, and supporters in a shared commitment to the well-being of young children in Cabarrus County. The event was also a special celebration for the Cabarrus County Partnership for Children's 25th anniversary, highlighting our organization's beginning and the impact we've made over the last two and a half decades.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Voices for Children Luncheon and to all our supporters who make our impact possible. If you were unable to attend or would like to share what we presented during our luncheon, please continue reading for a full recap from the event, including the Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award recipient, our 25th anniversary video, and 2022-2023 Annual Report.
Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award
April Samples | Investigator, District Attorney's Office
We are thrilled to recognize April Samples as the 2023 Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award recipient! She was nominated for the award by District Attorney Ashlie Shanley.
April started with the Cabarrus County's Sheriff's Department in 1998 and moved her way through various divisions. When she was appointed to the Detective Division, that is when her skill set really began to shine. Although she prosecuted and investigated all kinds of cases, it was the child cases that really touched her heart. She became lieutenant of her division and not only handled these cases, she mentored others coming after her so that the work could be passed on.
After retiring as lieutenant last year, April went on to work as an Investigator for the Cabarrus County District Attorney's office and is part of their Safe Haven team, which prosecutes all cases against women and children in human trafficking. She has also taken over the human trafficking task force in Cabarrus County along with helping with homicide cases.
Thank you April for the impact you are making in the lives of children and families in our community.
During the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the Cabarrus County Partnership for Children provided free, high-quality preschool experiences to 351 young children inside 29 classrooms located throughout our community. An additional 201 children received child care subsidies while 15,306 total children received developmental and early intervention services through our ABCD program.
Take a look at our annual report to see how many coats and books were distributed to children last year, and the number of child care providers and early educators who received support and resources to improve the quality of child care in Cabarrus County.
WATCH OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY VIDEO
We invite you to enjoy our new 25th anniversary video that we shared during our Voices for Children Luncheon. The video captures "why and how" our organization was started, the needs in our community, and the impact we are making on young children and their families.
ways to get involved
- 17th Annual Cuddle Up Coat Drive
- Donate a new or gently used coat for a child in need. Last winter, your donations enabled us to distribute 243 coats to children throughout the county. The most needed sizes are 5-6 for boys/girls.
- Duffle Bags of Hope
- Collect items to fill 30 bags with supplies and personal care items for children entering foster care in our county. Drop off the items you've collected when you see us at the luncheon!
- Monetary Donations: