Presented by: Don Kramer, Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads
1st Place: Alice Devoe, Woods Services. Our history dates back to 1913, when Mollie Woods, a Philadelphia schoolteacher with great foresight and compassion, sought to establish a new type of educational and residential center, specifically to support children with exceptional needs. Mollie’s vision was to provide care for the exceptional child in a home-like environment that would foster the ability “to meet the problems of everyday life, to make normal adjustments, to acquire sources of satisfaction for the present as well as for later years, and to know the joy of achievement.” Alice shares her wisdom with us, stating, “Ideas are borne out of necessity. Innovation is birthed from hard work.”
Alice contributes “Ideas are borne out of necessity. Innovation is birthed from hard work”.
2nd Place: Grant Rawdin, Esq., Urban Affairs Coalition. The Urban Affairs Coalition unites government, business, neighborhoods, and individual initiative to improve the quality of life in the region, build wealth in urban communities, and solve emerging issues. The UA Coalition is a group of 55+ partner organizations, large and small, working on diverse issues that immediately affect communities. UAC strengthens nonprofit organizations through fiscal sponsorship, capacity building, and program evaluation; improve life chances for youth and young adults; and provide economic opportunity to low-income households, working families, and disadvantaged businesses.
Mr. Rawdin states, “The Social Innovations Award puts an important focus on the area’s critical needs and the impactful work of these individuals and organizations. Innovations, be they incremental or transformative, are capital for solving constantly evolving complex issues.”
3rd Place: Judith Torres-Lynch, Esperanza. Esperanza strengthens Hispanic communities through a variety of programs and services that are all designed to empower people through education, economic development, and advocacy.