Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466; Katie Groves, Child Safe Michigan; kgroves@childsafemichigan.org; 248.554.6435
Royal Oak, Mich. — September 9, 2021 — Child Safe Michigan, an affiliate of multi-county social service agency Judson Center providing foster care, adoption and mentoring services to neglected and abused children in Southeast Michigan, is again rolling out the red carpet at its annual Legends of Tomorrow gala on Friday, September 17. This year’s event will be a one-of-a-kind street party held inside and outside of the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham.
Along with celebrating Child Safe Michigan’s notable accomplishments from the past year, the evening will honor Elizabeth Brazilian with the 2021 Angel Award, which recognizes individuals whose caring, compassion, and dedication to the children of Child Safe Michigan elevates them to ‘Angel’ status. Brazilian, a long-time child welfare advocate, is the founder of Child Safe Michigan and its current director of development; she will be retiring at the end of 2021.
“This year’s Child Safe Michigan gala will be especially memorable as we celebrate the work of Elizabeth Brazilian, a woman who has tirelessly devoted her professional life to child advocacy,” Lenora Hardy-Foster, CEO and President of Judson Center, said.
Brazilian has a deep history in helping children in unstable family situations. In 1998, after meeting the founders of Childhelp USA, a national nonprofit organization devoted to helping abused and neglected children, she was inspired to help alleviate the plight of abused and neglected children in her own community of Southeast Michigan. She founded the Greater Detroit Auxiliary for Childhelp USA and served as its president for four terms. In 2012, Brazilian branched off from Childhelp to establish Child Safe Michigan. She has served as Child Safe Michigan’s Director of Development since its founding.
“The work I have done with Child Safe Michigan has been an impactful capstone for both my career and my passion for serving children facing neglect and abuse,” Brazilian shared. “I am thankful that we were able to establish our affiliation with Judson Center in 2015 to secure a forever home for Child Safe Michigan. I know the work I started will continue to thrive in their good hands.”
In addition to celebrating Brazilian’s invaluable contributions to Child Safe, the evening will feature music by Sean Blackman – In Transit and the “America’s Got Talent” finalist, Detroit Youth Choir. Tickets can be purchased online here with a variety of package options available.
About Child Safe Michigan
Child Safe Michigan, an affiliate of Judson Center, provides foster care, adoption, and mentoring services to neglected and abused children in Southeast Michigan. More than just meeting the basic requirements, Child Safe provides safety and stability allowing children to grow and thrive in our care. Visit https://www.childsafemichigan.org/ to learn more.
About Judson Center
Judson Center, trusted by Michigan families for more than 97 years, is a non-profit human service agency that provides comprehensive services that strengthen children, adults and families impacted by abuse and neglect, autism, developmental, behavioral, and physical health challenges so they can achieve whole health, well-being, and maximum potential. Judson Center also offers integrated primary healthcare for all through Judson Center Family Health in Warren and is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). Since opening its doors in 1924, Judson Center has grown to change the lives of over 12,000 children, adults, and families each year. Judson Center has offices in Genesee, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. Headquarters are located at 30301 Northwestern Highway, Suite 100, Farmington Hills, MI 48334-3277. Learn more at https://www.judsoncenter.org/.
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