Book Signing and Luncheon with Isabelle Hau
We invite you to join us on September 17 for a special book signing and luncheon with Isabelle Hau, author of Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education, in conversation with APCO’s Paul Johnson.
Love to Learn paints a vision of learning rooted in connection—where empathy, creativity, and care are at the heart of unlocking every child’s potential. It’s a powerful reminder of why we do this work and why children’s mental health and well-being matter so deeply.
This intimate gathering is the perfect lead-in to our September 30 Champions for Children Celebration—an evening when we will honor leaders, lift up our grantees, and spotlight the many ways we can champion children together.
COUNTDOWN TO WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2025
Join Us in Celebrating
Every day, Chris sat alone during recess, her thoughts a whirlwind of fear and sadness that no one else could see. At night, she cried quietly under her blanket, consumed by worries far too heavy for her small shoulders. Though her smile fooled most, inside she silently pleaded for someone to notice and help her.
Recent government cuts, totaling tens of billions – yes, BILLIONS – are dismantling school-based mental health programs, suicide prevention initiatives, and eliminating thousands of vital jobs at HHS that serve children and families. This is happening just as demand for mental health support has skyrocketed in the wake of the pandemic. Chris’s story is but one of many in our DMV neighborhoods.
These reductions are sure to silence voices already struggling to be heard.
To uphold our vision of a world where every child has access to the resources they need to learn, grow, and thrive, we are hosting an evening dedicated to grant-making and recognizing those on the front lines of fulfilling our purpose.
We know you care about our precious children’s future, and we encourage you to show your support by standing with us, for them, on September 30.
As we celebrate World Mental Health Day on September 30, our invited guests include members of Congress, State elected officials, organizations Champions for Children are funding, and individuals whose relentless efforts have made better lives for children in our communities.
Champions for Children won’t stand by. We hope you won’t either.
How can you support strong mental health in our kids?
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How can you support strong mental health in our kids? 〰️
Meet the 2025 Grantees
YOUR 2024 CONTRIBUTIONS MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE
Nurturing Minds: Parents as Pillars of Children’s Mental Health
On July 17, 2025, Champions for Children hosted Nurturing Minds: Parents as Pillars of Children’s Mental Health at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm in Potomac, MD. This engaging discussion brought together three inspiring voices in the field of children’s mental health to explore the powerful role parents and caregivers play in fostering resilience and emotional well-being in children.
Panelists included:
Dr. Emily Aron, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and Associate Professor at Georgetown University Medical Center, who leads the Early Childhood Mental Health Program at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and focuses on early intervention and parent-child relationships.
Dr. Abigail Romirowsky, a clinical psychologist and founder of Perspective Health DC, specializing in child, teen, and family therapy with a developmental and nature-informed approach.
Claire Noakes, a practicing attorney and the President of the Arlington County Council of PTAs, the umbrella organization that supports 35 local PTAs. In 2025, she received the APS Honored Citizen Award for her years of advocacy and public campaigns on behalf of Arlington youth, and she serves on numerous Arlington County advisory commissions.
Following the panel, guests enjoyed networking and refreshments while connecting with community members and advocates.
Event Highlights
Digital Childhoods: Social Media and the Mental Health of the Next Generation
Join us to for panel presentations and audience discussion; you’ll gain practical tools for addressing this relevant topic from leading experts in the fields of children and adolescent’s mental health and education.
Galentine's Day at Tuckernuck
NEW DATE
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NEW DATE !
Shopping, sipping, and supporting mental health services for our children – now that’s what we call Galentine’s Day! Join us – we’ve found the fun!
On February 15, 2025 - 10% of all in-store and phone sales go to Champions for Children
February 15 from 3-5pm at the Tuckernuck store in Georgetown
Private CFC members-only event – members bring a guest!
Refreshments and a fun time provided
The newly renovated Tuckernuck store is holding a special and super FUN event for Champions for Children’s members and their guest. Shop any time during the day in store or call to place your order. Together we are supporting our vision of a world where every child has access to the resources they need to grow, learn and thrive.
Be a Champion Event on World Mental Health Day
Champions for Children cordially invites you to attend our Be a Champion on World Mental Health Day event on October 10, 2024, 6:00pm – 8:30pm at The Mansion at Strathmore, Rockville, MD.
The need for continued commitment to providing mental health services to children in our DC, Maryland and Virginia communities is abundantly clear. Join us for an exciting evening to recognize thought leaders, advocate for programs, and support children's mental health efforts!
Donations go to the Following Organizations
BECOME A CHAMPION ON WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
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BECOME A CHAMPION ON WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 〰️
For more information, submit the form below:
Spring Walk: Stepping Up for Children’s Mental Health
Stepping up for Children’s Mental Health Walk and Education Series Event
We are thrilled to share the success of our Spring Walk event! A special shoutout to Jenna Borrelli for her invaluable insights into prioritizing children's mental health within schools. It's inspiring to see our community come together to elevate the conversation around holistic student well-being. Let's continue championing initiatives that support both academic growth and emotional resilience in our schools.
Many thanks to our generous sponsor, Women in Healthcare - Maryland Chapter - for supporting the Spring Walk! You can learn more about Women in Healthcare via their website, https://maryland.womeninhealthcare.org/
Membership Networking Happy Hour
The New Year got off to a great start with our successful membership drive. One of the benefits of membership in Champions for Children, is the opportunity to network in different settings with wonderful women to build relationships and make connections for friendship and mutual support. We already have examples of how our connections are supporting members professionally.
Join us on Wednesday, February 21 for our first member networking event. If you were with us at our fall education event, you know that this is an organization of women who are a great resource, supporters and friends. We will be gathering to network from 4:30pm - 6:30pm for a happy hour at Cooper's Hawk in Rockville. Feel free to bring a friend since every gathering as an opportunity to build our base.
The Champions for Children will sponsor this networking event so there is no fee. However, we do need a total count of guests, so please RSVP to lcarbone@lynnecarbone.com to let us know if you are coming and if you will bring a guest or guests.
Fall Educational Event: Social Wellness for the Social Media Generation: Helping Kids Thrive in a Hyper-Connected World
Champions for Children hosted an educational event on November 30th focusing on “Social Wellness for the Social Media Generation: Helping Kids Thrive in a Hyper-Connected World.” Guest speakers included Dr. Claire Boogaard (Children’s National/HSCSN), Dr. Marissa Leslie (Compass Health), Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-8), and was generously sponsored by M&T Bank. Through their support of the Lourie Center for Children's Social and Emotional Wellbeing, 40 individual clinical sessions for children and families will be provided .
Giving Tuesday
Champions for Children participated in Giving Tuesday 2023, officially exceeding our goal of $10,000 to support our partners in 2024!
Champions for Children holds a variety of education events and programming for our members and the wider community throughout the year.
Our education series aim to increase knowledge and understanding of child and youth mental health problems and solutions. Discussion with policy makers, physicians, and experts in the field inform, inspire, and connect us. Together, we can raise awareness to de-stigmatize mental health.
Event Highlight.
Digital Childhoods:
Social Media and the Mental Health of the Next Generation.
Practical tools for addressing this relevant topic from leading experts in the fields of children and adolescent’s mental health and education.
Event Highlight.
Be a Champion on World Mental Health Day
October 10, 2024
6:00 – 8:30 pm
The Mansion at Strathmore
Thanks to the generosity of 21 sponsors, state and federal dignitaries, a pediatrician and NIMH researcher, and a beautiful mansion filled with passionate people, we are thrilled to provide $60K in grants to three worthy organizations providing mental health resources and services to our area youth! Our grants to Generation Hope, The Lourie Center for Children’s Social & Emotion Wellness and Morgan’s Message expand our support to 4 year olds at risk for serious mental health trauma, teen mothers working their way through the challenges of completing a degree program, and high school and college athletes navigating the mental health pressures of performance. We are so excited to watch our grantees have a positive impact so kids can learn, grow and thrive.
Honoring Lee Beers, M.D. and Shelli Avenevoli, PhD as presented by Congressman Jamie Raskin made the night especially thrilling as well as Senator Chris Van Hollen's office presentation of a citation. Oh what a night!
