BURON-CAMPBELL INNOVATION AWARD
Buron-Campbell Innovation Award
Each year, we honor individuals and organizations that help young people faced with adversity build resiliency so they can grow up to be healthy, successful adults. The award was created to honor Lou Buron and Mary Campbell of Omni Broadcasting for their long and outstanding commitment to the prevention of child abuse in Minnesota.
Lou and Mary’s commitment to our organization is unprecedented in our history, and they are very special people to us. They have been involved with Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota since its inception in 1979 and Lou served on our board of directors. For the last 26 years, Mary and Lou have galvanized volunteers, businesses, non-profit organizations, and thousands of Minnesotans to support the Radiothon To End Child Abuse in Bemidji, Brainerd, Wadena, and Alexandria. We are honored to have been a recipient of the funds raised by the Radiothon since it began in 1988. In addition to raising funds, this event has significantly raised awareness and brought communities together to act on behalf of children and families in deep and substantial ways.
Our Buron-Campbell Innovation Award recipients are below:
Our 2020 Buron-Campbell Innovation Award recipient
The REACH Drop-In Center -- Mankato, MN
The mission of The REACH is to create a safe, nonjudgmental place for young people that will empower and enhance their sense of self-reliance and community connection.
The REACH is a place where youth ages 16-24 can acquire the knowledge they need to be healthy, independent and successful adults. At The REACH, young people can look beyond their past and begin to plan for hopeful futures.
The REACH provides youth with a variety of services we center on each individual’s needs. Whether they need support meeting basic needs, securing an apartment, or finding medical care or mental health counseling, The REACH is there to listen and provide support.
Our 2019 Buron-Campbell Innovation Award recipient
Barb Houg, Peacemaker Resources
Peacemaker Resources is a non-profit organization based in Bemidji, MN. For the last 20 years, they have supported community health and wellbeing by fostering environments where children and adults thrive. Their programs and services empower individuals with the knowledge and skills to create healthy, authentic, and meaningful relationships with themselves and others.
Find out more at https://www.peacemakerresources.org/
Our 2018 Buron-Campbell Innovation Award recipient
Chris Matter, Blue Cross Blue Shield
The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota delivers on Blue Cross’ long-term commitment to improve the health of all Minnesotans by tackling the leading root causes of preventable disease to increase health equity, transform communities, and create a healthier Minnesota. As a funder of the Tribal NEAR* Science and Community Wisdom Project, they are ensuring that Native Americans throughout Minnesota can raise awareness about the lasting impacts of early childhood trauma and create community-driven plans for healthy child development practices and build community resilience on reservations.
*Neurobiology, Epigenetics, ACEs & Resiliency
Our 2017 Buron-Campbell Innovation Award recipient
Patty and Jerry Wetterling became advocates for protecting children from abuse in 1989 when their son Jacob was abducted. In 1990, “Friends for Jacob,” later named “Jacob Wetterling Foundation,” and now named “Jacob Wetterling Resource Center,” was formed by the Wetterlings along with many committed members in the community. Their mission was to educate the public about who takes children, how they do it and what each of us can do to stop it. They have inspired communities across the nation by turning their pain into action to help others.
In recent years Patty Wetterling has become one of the most vocal critics of current sex offender registry laws and her advocacy led to the passage of the federal Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act. Today Patty says her goal is to continue to advocate for prevention and fight for the world Jacob knew and believed in.
Find out more at http://www.gundersenhealth.org/ncptc/jacob-wetterling-resource-center/
Our 2016 Buron-Campbell Innovation Award recipient
Home Free Shelter has been partnering with Minnesota Communities Caring for Children to facilitate shelter based Circle of Parents groups for mothers and children for over seventeen years – one of our longest partnerships for this program. In the chaos caused by domestic violence the adult problems sometimes take precedent over what is happening with the children. We salute Home Free Shelter for its long commitment to support the relationships between mothers and children in the midst of traumatic events.
The Home Free Shelter, a program of Missions Inc., has provided emergency shelter to over 15,000 battered women and their children since it opened in 1980. The shelter also operates a 24-hour crisis line that responds to nearly 3,000 calls per year.
Find out more at www.missionsinc.org/programs/home-free
Our 2015 Buron-Campbell Innovation Award recipient
The Youth Music Education Foundation (YMEF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit led, run, and founded by college students to fund music education for children. Since 2010, YMEF has helped over 700 children in grades K-12 receive music education via scholarships and music program support.
Through their efforts, YMEF student leaders gain valuable professional skills to prepare them for the working world beyond college.
“None of our success would be possible without the support of organizations like Fender and the Salesforce Foundation along with recognition from groups like MCCC/Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota. Thank you!”
Find out more at www.ymefusa.org and @ymefusa on Twitter.