Six Northern Illinois United Methodists received awards for their outstanding ministry with children and youth. They were recognized by United Voices for Children at their 2025 Focus: Youth Mental Health, on Sept. 18.

Child-serving agencies that are affiliated with UVC (and the Northern Illinois Conference are Kids Above All, which serves families in need; MYSI, which provides shelter care, temporary housing, and community-based case management support for at-risk youth, adults, and families; and Rosecrance, which provides behavioral health assistance to adolescents and adults.

Rev. Wendy Hardin Hermann presented the awards.

The Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt Child Advocate Award Recipients

U.S. Congresswoman Delia Catalina Ramirez, the first Latina United Methodist and first Latina from the Midwest elected to Congress. She is a dedicated advocate for children, youth, and families facing social and economic challenges. Rep. Ramirez provided a videotaped expression of gratitude for her receiving the award.

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Lisa Rogers, First United Methodist Church in Elmhurst's youth director for over 18 years. Through her leadership with the Northern Illinois Conference Commission on Race and Religion, Lisa has been a bold and faithful voice, raising awareness of the very real harm caused by current racial and immigration policies.

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The Katherine B. Greene Child Worker Award Recipients

Dr. Maricruz Ramos, previously a therapist at Kids Above All. Shedicates her life’s work to healing, empowerment, and hope. She has provided individual and family therapy to children and adolescents facing a wide range of behavioral health challenges, including trauma and complex emotional needs, modeling respect in helping to bridge the gap between English-speaking children and Spanish-speaking parents. Dr. Ramos is a member of Our Redeemer’s United Methodist Church, Schaumburg

Jennifer Crick, a developmental therapist. Through Early Intervention she worked with children from birth to age three. She is the president of the Illinois Developmental Therapy Association, guiding other developmental therapists in their work and advocacy, especially helping babies and toddlers to meet their milestones. She works with other Early Intervention groups and organizations throughout the state of Illinois to help ensure equity and access for these families.

The Rev. Margaret Ann Williams Service Award Recipients

Michelle Curiel,  a school social worker in Oswego and a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora. At Wesley, she recruited older adults to cook dinner for the Wednesday Night Gatherings and Summer Art and Soul Camps for six years. Michelle provided activities at the park on Thursdays when the Northern Illinois Food Bank handed out free lunches. 

Joanne Rae, who has worked for nearly a decade with kids at the Allendale Association. This agency in Lake Villa provides residential treatment for youth who have experienced severe trauma. As a registered nurse since 1995 in Scotland and the USA, she works with people with developmental disabilities. Her involvement in youth ministry and LGBTQUI ministries at Antioch United Methodist Church has been called outstanding.

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