The HANCOCK COUNTY CHILDREN’S COUNCIL is seeking nominations for the 2008 Nancy Gentile Award. Nominees for the award should exhibit exceptional interest and vitality in the defense of human rights and the recognition of self-worth, through their activities in the Hancock County area. Individuals, as well as members of organizations will qualify as candidates.
Nancy Gentile was a strong human rights advocate whose life tragically ended in an automobile accident at the age of 36. In March of 1987, the HANCOCK COUNTY CHILDREN’S COUNCIL established the Nancy Gentile Award to perpetuate her name and encourage and recognize individuals who are symbolic of the qualities she shared with others. Nancy was the Council’s first president and was a pioneer in the movement to help battered women in Maine.
In the late 1970’s, she was instrumental in organizing the Maine Coalition for Family Crisis Services, which during her lifetime became a network of domestic violence projects throughout the state. Her organizing efforts helped secure legislative funding for women and children in crisis. She served as a Maine representative to the National “Coalition Against Domestic Violence”, beginning and maintaining an important link to national resources. Nancy also worked to prevent Child Abuse and Neglect, to promote Peace Activism and in mobilizing communities to confront the issues that plague our lives today.
The Children’s Council honored the late, great Jerry Kaufman with the 2007 Nancy Gentile Award. To receive a nomination form, please contact: Candy Eaton at the Hancock County Children’s Council, PO Box 1087, Ellsworth, ME 04605 or call 667-5304, ext. 261. Completed nomination forms must be received by May 26, 2008, and the award will be presented at the Council’s Annual Meeting in June. In order to compile a retrospective that includes Nancy Gentile herself, and the many recipients of this annual award, the Children’s Council is also seeking your memories and copies of any photographs of Nancy or awardees. They will be gently copied and returned promptly.
The Hancock County Children’s Council is a community effort dedicated to the PREVENTION of child abuse and neglect by strengthening families in our local area and is a member of the Maine Association of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Councils. Financial support for our educational activities have been provided through the Department of Health and Human Services, United Way of Eastern Maine, Maine Children’s Trust, Hancock County Commissioners, private foundations and several individual and corporate contributors.
The Hancock County Children’s Council collaborates annually with many area schools to provide the “Baby Think it Over®” program to students in middle school or high school classes. This program allows students to participate in a hands-on realistic parenting experience that replicates the 24 hour/day care required by infants throughout a weekend or week-long period of time.
The Hancock County Children’s Council has an extensive collection of books and videotapes on subjects designed to help children and families live healthier lives. The Family Resource Center Library is available to all residents in Hancock County and is located in the Downeast Health Services building at 52 Christian Ridge Road, Ellsworth, ME. Please call 667-5304 ext. 261, email children@downeasthealth.org or visit our website at www.downeasthealth.org for additional information on parenting classes, child development and family resources available in Hancock County.
