The Healthy Communities Healthy Youth Council (HCHY) is looking for nominees that are local heroes who have inspired youth in the community this year.
“A local hero could be a neighbor, a friend, a colleague or an organization,” stated a release.
HCHY is an initiative that was stated in Prince William back in 2006, and is partnered with the public schools, local government staff, area business, the health care industry, students, and faith based leaders.
The council meets bi-monthly and works to provide opportunities for young people in Prince William County to engage with their community and do well in school, according to a release.
More on nominating, from a release:
Nominations should include the name and contact information of the individual or organization being nominated along with a written description, in fewer than 500 words, setting out specific examples of how the nominee met any or all of the four qualities of communicating, empowering, educating and serving the community to nurture competent, caring and responsible youth.
Some of the things people have done to earn the award in the past include working to prevent child abuse, leading youth in assembling lunches for the homeless, speaking to youth about making good choices, leading gang intervention efforts and helping to grant wishes to seriously ill children.
Tracy Hannigan, co-chair of the council and Recreation Division Chief for the Prince William County Parks and Recreation Department, said a committee of high school students along with past winners read and rate the nomination essays. “We try to have youth participate in the scoring so that they can see what adults are doing out there for children. It’s very heartwarming to read these stories because a lot of it never gets out to the public, so we’re happy to help highlight the efforts that go toward the best interest of children.”
For more information about PWC HCHY, please contact Hannigan at 703-792-5786 or Carolyn Custard, council co-chair and Prince William County School System Director of Student Services, at 703-791-7259.
