EAST PEORIA – Nearly 200 supporters attended the inaugural Children’s Home Leaders of Tomorrow Awards Luncheon on June 18 at Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino. St. Paul Baptist Church Family Life Director Kristie Hubbard provided an invocation which called for action for the sake of our children. World-renowned keynote speaker Jim Conway of Search Institute (picture attached) delivered an inspiring presentation.

During Conway’s high-energy keynote address entitled “The Power of Relationships”, attendees learned about the building blocks of healthy development for young people and how communities can be transformed through the power of simple acts. Conway stated,“Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” He encouraged those gathered to make connections with youth in the community. Merely noticing and acknowledging young people can go a long way.

Master of Ceremonies Edward Sutkowski presented the Leaders of Tomorrow Awards to Caterpillar Foundation, Dr. John Erwin and Heartland Community Health Clinic for their dedicated and thoughtful work in the areas of protecting, teaching and healing our local community.

Clete Winkelmann, President and CEO of Children’s Home Association of Illinois, stated, “I hope Conway’s message excites and motivates the attendees to boost community action. It’s very simple to make a difference in the life of a child. It’s all about positive relationships. Take time and engage youth in our community which in turn will give children a childhood and a future.”

For more information on the Leaders of Tomorrow Luncheon and Search Institute’s Developmental Assets, please contact:
Jody Smith-Brown at 309-687-7423 or jbrown@chail.org