Meet the 2010 Children's Champions!

Smart Start of New Hanover County honored this year’s Children’s Champions on Tuesday, April 27 at the 9^th Annual Breakfast for Children’s Champions held at the Burney Center at UNCW.  Detective Lisa Savitts with the Sheriff’s Department accepted her award, and Elsie Clark accepted an award on behalf of her brother, Warren Wilson, owner of Family Affair Childcare Enrichment.  Congratulations to the winners and to the nominees honored for their dedication in working to ensure that all children receive the services they need in their earliest years to be successful in school and in life.

Lisa Savitts (L), Elsie Clark (R)

Lisa Savitts

            Nominated by District Attorney Ben David

            Lisa Savitts is a detective in the Crimes Against Children Division of the Sheriff’s Office and has been in her current position for 4 years.  In this role, Detective Savitts works with children in North Carolina’s Fifth Prosecutorial District who are the victims of the most serious offenses.  Mr. David, the nominator, says Detective Savitt’s goal is to “gather every shred of evidence that corroborates a child so that the child feels vindicated and safe, and the perpetrator of the crime is held responsible…I know that the children in our community are much safer due to the work of Detective Savitts.  This is not just a job for her.  She takes a part of these children home with her on a daily basis, and she gives everything that she can to their cases.”

            Stating that the work she does is truly a team effort, Ms. Savitts points to the group of people with whom she works and their dedication and commitment which makes her challenging and complex work possible.  Her recognition is due to the tremendous impact she has on children and families, and the prevention of future abuse which is possible because of her work, and the unique and critical nature of her work.  Her success may deter others from committing abuse against innocent children.  As Detective Savitts says, “I cannot take the pain away, but I can help stop the abuse.”

 

 

Family Affair Childcare Enrichment – Warren Wilson, Owner

            Nominated by Ida R. Smith

            Working in the field of child care for 11 years, Warren Wilson is the owner of Family Affair Childcare Enrichment, also known as F.A.C.E.  In addition to providing preschool and child care services, he also offers after school services, free tutoring, and a supportive environment to the children and students entrusted to their care.  Mr. Wilson says, “I came from a large family, was born and raised in New Hanover County.  I worked as a social worker and saw a need for services for families and children.  I wanted to provide services that would help improve the lives of the families in this community.” 

One of Mr. Wilson’s goals is to provide positive role-models for children, so he often invites guest speakers who can model and mentor children about the importance of being a good citizen.  He also arranges field trips that broaden children’s awareness of the resources in their communities on a regular basis.  Mr. Wilson and his center create a large impact not only on the children who they serve, but on the community in which it is located.  They cooperate with other centers in the area and accommodate unique situations for families in need.  They fill a tremendous need by serving a large number of more disadvantaged children with unique challenges.

Ms. Ida Smith, the nominator, highlights the center’s “fondness for children.”  She says that each child’s family, background, interest, and desires are respected.  This affects how children feel about themselves, and also shows children how to treat each other.

 

 

 

Other 2010 nominees incuded:

 

Channing Creveling

Children First Preschool Teachers - Martha Register, Director

Elizabeth Irvin

James Jones

Jennifer Varella

Joyce Williams