Rev. Gregory Gross

United Voices for Children (UVC) has announced the recipients of its 2020 annual awards for outstanding advocacy and service for children and youth throughout Northern Illinois. 

The Bishop Jesse R. Dewitt Award will be given to Rev. Gregory Gross for his dedicated work with the Night Ministry and other advocacy and service with at-risk youth. 

The Katherine B. Greene Child Worker Award goes to two recipients: Michelle Barton of Trinity UMC in Mt. Prospect for her compassionate support of refugee families seeking asylum in the U.S. through the “6,000 Moms” group; and the Rev. Dr. Barb Javore for her outstanding leadership in children’s and family ministries at North Shore UMC in Glencoe. 

Michelle Barton

These persons were honored during the UVC’s Raising Our Voices special online event via Zoom on Tuesday, June 9. Typically these awards are given out during the UVC's breakfast during the Northern Illinois Annual Conference, which was postponed this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Zoom awards program's featured speaker was Toleda Hart, executive director of MYSI, Inc.  Bishop Sally Dyck presented the 2020 UVC Annual Awards to the honorees listed above. Tasha Green Cruzat, president of Illinois Voices for Children and other community leaders challenged us to “raise our voices” on behalf of children, youth and families in need. UVC is proud to be partnering with Voices for IL Children starting in 2020. For more information, visit unitedvoicesforchildren.org

Rev. Barbara Javore