On Wednesday, April 3, 2024, Centro para Familias Hispanas received accolades from Wake County Child Welfare during the 9th Annual Pastries and Prevention Tea. This event served as a platform to celebrate the commendable efforts of nonprofits across Wake County dedicated to fostering nurturing home environments where children can flourish, shielded from abuse.
Gathering nonprofits under one roof, the event spotlighted organizations engaged in “upstream” work, addressing protective factors pivotal in averting child abuse. Centro para Familias Hispanas stood out prominently, receiving the award for Parental Resilience, in recognition of their unwavering commitment to assisting parents in rebounding from adversities.
The award, presented by Kelli McNeil-Wilhelm, Administrative Coordinator of Family Support & Prevention Services at Wake County Child Welfare, underscored the crucial role played by Centro para Familias Hispanas in empowering families to weather storms and maintain positivity amid challenges.
Representing Centro para Familias Hispanas, Maty Ferrer Hoppmann, Program Director; Berta Rice, Family Case Manager; and Marlene Obregon Montsinger, Intake Specialist, graciously accepted the award. Ferrer Hoppmann expressed gratitude for the recognition, highlighting the organization’s pivotal role in establishing healthy home environments critical in preventing child abuse.
“We are honored to receive this recognition. I am very proud of this work and our team who make it possible.” shared Hoppmann.
Other awardees at the event included Village of C.A.R.E. for supporting Social & Emotional Competence of Children, Hope Community Church for supporting Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development, Raleigh Dream Center for supporting Social Connections, and Urban Ministries for providing Concrete Support in Times of Need.
Concluding the event, Jason Mahoney, Prevention & Family Support Services Program Manager for Wake County Health & Human Services, issued a rallying call to action. He highlighted April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and urged attendees to engage in ongoing efforts to safeguard children, encouraging them to reach out to friends and families with children and sharing words of support and assistance.