SPEAKING UP FOR CHILDREN 

From left: WCA Board of Directors Harry Waizer, Lutonya Russell-Humes, Jody Greenbaum and Dr. Adrienne Weiss-Harrison and Honorees Dr. Katherine Lobach, Tim Foley, Nicole Sheindlin, Allison Moore-Lake, Margie Orell, Ann Umemoto, Ellen Adnopoz, Alice Tenney, Stephen Godin and Dominick Petramale. Photo by Aviva Maller Photography.

Westchester Children”™s Association (WCA) recently held its annual spring benefit “Imagine A Child” at the Surf Club on the Sound in New Rochelle to honor Nicole Sheindlin and Judge Judy Sheindlin of “Her Honor Mentoring,” The Building & Realty Institute (BRI) of Westchester and Dr. Katherine Lobach, past president of the WCA Board of Directors.

“”¦As advocates, we speak up for children and youth in Westchester County ages 0 to 25 who often cannot speak for themselves,” said Allison Lake, WCA executive director. “Lending your support to our advocacy can change the trajectory for thousands of children by changing policies, increasing investments and finding solutions to large societal problems.” 

Nicole Sheindlin and Judge Judy Sheindlin, co-founders of Her Honor Mentoring, were awarded the 2022 WCA Edith C. Macy Award for Distinguished Service in recognition of their role in shaping the lives of hundreds of young women in Westchester through mentorships with community leaders. The Building and Reality Institute of Westchester was honored with the WCA 2022 Corporate Children”™s Champion Award in recognition of its effort to address the lack of affordable housing and child and youth homelessness through their Welcome Home Westchester initiative. CEO Tim Foley of the BRI accepted the award. 

Lobach was recognized for her long-term commitment and leadership efforts for early childhood development, adolescent health and maternal supports. When she addressed the guests, she called attention to the gun violence epidemic, which has become the No. 1 cause of death for children in the U.S. 

The event was emceed by former WCA staff member Erica L. Ayala, who currently leads Brown Rosie Media in sportscasting. 

For more information about the organization and opportunities to support its mission, visit wca4kids.org/imagine/ or contact Onya West at 914-946-7676, ext. 304, or email owest@wca4kids.org.