Champions of Change Honors Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Ed. Note: Champions of Change is a weekly initiative to highlight Americans who are making an impact in their communities and helping our country rise to meet the many challenges of the 21st century.

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Valerie Jarrett joined me at a Champions of Change event to honor 14 individuals and organizations from across the country who are focused on ending domestic violence in their communities. At the event, the Champions from every walk of life shared their personal stories and discussed lessons they have learned while working to end domestic violence on a local level.

The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different issue is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community activists, are recognized for the work they are doing to better their communities.

Recipients of the White House’s “Champions of Change” honors are:

• David R. Thomas M.S., Domestic Violence Education Program, Johns Hopkins University
• William Kellibrew, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
• New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP)
• Lena Alhusseini- Arab-American Family Support Center
• Johanna Orozco- Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center of Greater Cleveland
• Nicole DeSario- Teen Advocate
• Suzanne Dubus, Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center
• Becca Stevens, Magdalene/Thistle Farms
• Vincent Mazzara- Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Meg Schnabel, Redevelopment Opportunities for Women (ROW)
• Amelia Cobb, The Wright Group (TWG)
• People’s Place
• New Beginnings House (Otakahe Teca Tipi)
• Kabzuag Vaj, Freedom Inc.

 For more information about each of these Champions of Change, please visit WhiteHouse.gov/champions