COVINGTON, La (press release) – Children’s Advocacy Center – Hope House, an independent nonprofit dedicated to ending the cycle of child abuse on the Northshore, will honor seven local “Champions” at the third annual Champions for Children Breakfast, presented by the In Jesus’ Name Foundation and Gulf Coast Bank on Wednesday, April 17, from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at Fleur De Lis Event Center in Mandeville. Nominated by members of the community, these seven award winners are everyday heroes making an impact in the lives of children and families on the Northshore. This year’s Champions for Children award winners include:
• Matt Bauer, Detective, Slidell Police Department
• Phoenix Bigler, Saint Paul’s School Student (Youth Champion)
• Chad Cassard, Detective, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office
• Andy Frisard & Krewe of Dionysus
• Judge Scott Gardner, 22nd Judicial District Court
• Kellie Senseney, Child Welfare Manager, Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services
• Jacqueline “Jinx” Vidrine, Founder, World of Wonder Foundation
Each year, Hope House also selects and honors “Legacy Champions” who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the local fight against child abuse in particular, and who have been instrumental in advancing the mission of the organization. This year’s Legacy Champions are longtime Hope House supporters and community leaders State Senator Patrick McMath and State Representative Mark Wright.
“Our children deserve to be surrounded by a community of leaders who will stand up for them and look out for their best interests. Here on the Northshore, we are blessed with so many dedicated and passionate individuals who are making an impact in the lives of children and families, and we are grateful for the opportunity to honor them through our Champions for Children Awards,” says Thomas Mitchell, Executive Director of Hope House.
The keynote speaker at this year’s breakfast is Michael Johnson (“Detective Mike”), an internationally recognized expert on all aspects of child abuse and exploitation, specializing in abuse investigation, detection, and prevention efforts for organizations serving youth. Many know him from his role in the Netflix documentary “Scout’s Honor.” Johnson was the Youth Protection Advisor/Director for the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) from July 2010 to December 2020, where he advised on efforts to improve youth protection policies, training, and procedures to ensure the safest possible environment for BSA youth. Johnson’s nearly 40-year professional career has been solely dedicated to the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and response to all forms of child abuse. He has been instrumental in shaping federal and state laws, policies, protocols, procedures, and training for protecting children from abuse.
Tickets to the Champions for Children Breakfast on April 17 are $30 per person or $300 per reserved table of eight, and include a buffet breakfast. Tickets can be purchased at www.cachopehouse.org/events.
