Youth Alternatives' Lucky Hollander Receives National Award for Child Abuse Prevention Work

Lucky Hollander, one of Maine's most experienced and effective child abuse prevention advocates, has received the national 2003 Donna J. Stone Award for her work in protecting children across the state.

Hollander of Portland serves as vice president for advocacy and prevention services at Youth Alternatives and as the director of the Cumberland County Child Abuse & Neglect Council. She was nominated for the award by the Maine Children's Trust, which oversees the program Prevent Child Abuse Maine.

Donna J. Stone conceived and founded the national Prevent Child Abuse America program in 1972, serving as a volunteer board member until her death in 1985. The national award was established in 1985 in her memory and is given to only one person each year.

"Like Donna, Lucky Hollander has a keen understanding of the issues facing families today and has worked tirelessly over the past two decades to prevent the abuse and neglect of Maine's children," said Michael J. Tarpinian, president of Youth Alternatives. "Because of her persistence and vision, the child abuse councils in each of Maine's 16 counties remain strong."

Hollander led a statewide initiative that resulted in legislation creating a task force to study and implement home visiting through-out Maine. From that, a grassroots coalition called "Start ME Right" was created to advocate for funding for early childcare initiatives, which resulted in the most money ever allocated to prevention in Maine.

Hollander also has helped bring child abuse prevention and community building to other corners of the globe, working with the Jordan River Foundation in Amman, Jordan, for three weeks in 1999 and six weeks in 2001.

"The list of Lucky's contributions to the field of child abuse prevention could go on and on. She provides a voice for the children of Maine who would otherwise go silent," Tarpinian said.

"Lucky serves as a true champion for children and families in Maine," said Jan Clarkin of the Maine Children's Trust. "We congratulate her for being named the recipient of the 2003 Donna J. Stone Award."

Founded in 1972, Youth Alternatives provides a full range of services, from prevention of child abuse and neglect to intensive intervention and safe-haven homes for youth. Through its programs, Youth Alternatives serves more than 7,000 children, youth and family members throughout Maine each year.

Youth Alternatives relies on federal, state and local grants, foundations, United Way organizations, corporate support and individual donations. For more information, visit online at www.youthalternatives.org, call (207) 874-1175 or e-mail info@youthalternatives.org.

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