Senator Boucher Honored with Children’s Champion Award

July 29, 2014
Senator Toni Boucher meets with a group of children during the award ceremony at the Bethel YMCA. They presented her with a gift showing their gratitude for her work on behalf of children.

Senator Toni Boucher meets with a group of children during the award ceremony at the Bethel YMCA. They presented her with a gift showing their gratitude for her work on behalf of children.

Bethel – State Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) received the “Children’s Champion” award today from the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance. At a ceremony at the YMCA Children’s Center in Bethel on Monday morning, the senator was presented with her 4th “Children’s Champion” award recognizing her efforts to improve life in Connecticut for all children.

“I was truly honored to be recognized at today’s wonderful event,” said Senator Boucher. “Children are our future, and early childhood education and support programs are key to helping individuals reach their true potential throughout life. Over the years I have committed myself to initiating and supporting legislation that advances early childhood development, protects the health and wellbeing of young people, and promotes education at a young age. I thank the Early Childhood Alliance for all their work in support of our common goals and appreciate so deeply the award they have shared with me today.”

Back row left to right:  Jennifer Pane, YMCA Branch Director; Jill Crimi, YMCA Pre-School Director; Michele Burbage, YMCA School Age Director; Marie Miszewski, President/CEO Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut Front Row: Senator Toni Boucher; Samantha Dynowski, Director of Advocacy and Outreach for the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance.
Back row left to right: Jennifer Pane, YMCA Branch Director; Jill Crimi, YMCA Pre-School Director; Michele Burbage, YMCA School Age Director; Marie Miszewski, President/CEO Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut
Front Row: Senator Toni Boucher; Samantha Dynowski, Director of Advocacy and Outreach for the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance.

The Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance is a statewide membership and advocacy organization committed to improving outcomes in the areas of learning, health, safety and economic security, for children ages birth to eight. The organization’s main goal is to ensure that all children in Connecticut will enter kindergarten healthy, eager to learn, and ready for school success.

Also present at the award ceremony today was Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker; Larry Craybas, Bethel Board of Education Chairman; Samantha Dynowski, Director of Advocacy and Outreach for the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance.

“Senator Boucher’s understanding of the importance of a strong start, her support of the establishment of the Office of Early Childhood, her engagement and interaction with advocates for early childhood at the Capitol, and her outspoken leadership on this issue in the Education Committee and on the Senate floor, has earned Sen. Boucher this recognition. We are very grateful for her leadership. On behalf of the members of the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance, we present Senator Boucher with this award,” said Samantha Dynowski, Director of Outreach and Advocacy at the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance.

Multiple representatives from the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut were also present including Marie Miszewski, President and CEO.

“It is an honor to host today’s event recognizing our local champion for children’s rights. Senator Boucher is an important member of the Bethel community and has always fought for the needs of children across Connecticut,” said Miszewski.

“The YMCA program is a great example of the best public private partnership that invests taxpayers’ money in an effective way. The return on investment in preschool programs for the most needy goes a long way in closing Connecticut’s widest in the nation achievement gap,” said Boucher. “We now know that the greatest growth in learning and brain development occurs from birth to age 5. It is critical that we focus on early childhood and work toward the goal of having all our children enter our school on equal footing. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with advocates, the Children’s Alliance, our private providers such as the YMCAs, town officials, and my fellow legislators on both sides of the aisle on such vital policy initiatives.”

Speaking to the preschoolers and parents from the Danbury YMCA preschool program in attendance, Senator Boucher remarked, “These youngsters are our most precious resource and the future of an increasingly complex and technologically advanced society. An investment in them is an investment in our future.”

Sen. Boucher received the Children’s Champion award from the Alliance in 2013, 2012 and 2009. She is currently the Senate Ranking Member of the state legislature’s Education Committee and Higher Education Committee.