Spring for Kids! 2026 Triumphs for CT Children

On June 3rd, a powerful network of nearly 250 advocates, sponsors, foster families, and community partners united for Spring for Kids! 2026. A celebration of the community that shows up for Connecticut’s children every day, the heart of the evening was the stories shared throughout the program: stories of foster families opening their homes, immigrant youth rebuilding their futures, young advocates speaking directly to policymakers, and community leaders working to create lasting change.  

In addition to our vital sponsorship and ticket income, the room’s incredible generosity pushed us well past our auction and donation goal before the night even ended! Our goals were championed and exceeded thanks to the leadership roles of our three Presenting Sponsors: Dalio Education, Options Employment and Educational Services, and Shipman & Goodwin. 

Funding Our Core Mission 

These vital funds go directly to supporting the Center for Children’s Advocacy (CCA) in our three critical areas of impact: 

• Direct Funding: Powering daily operations and immediate resources for children. 

• Safety Net Role: Protecting Connecticut’s low-income children as one of the state’s remaining safety nets. 

• Systemic Advocacy: Driving legal reforms to ensure children can access the education, healthcare, and safety they are legally entitled to.  

Together, we honored our 2026 Champions of Children, Beth Bye and Judy McBride, alongside Sustainability Award honoree Preston Tisdale. Throughout the evening, we heard powerful stories from youth and recognized the tireless work of foster parents, advocates, and community leaders. 

Looking around the room, it was clear just how strong our village is. Thank you to our CCA community for standing up for Connecticut’s children! 

Celebrating Our Village 

Throughout the evening, one message surfaced again and again: it takes a village. Whether through foster care, legal advocacy, youth leadership, philanthropy, or community partnership, every person in the room had a role to play in helping children access the safety, support, and opportunities they deserve. 

A Room Filled with Hope, Advocacy, and Community 

The evening opened with a moving performance by the Hartford Youth Chorus, setting the tone for a night centered on youth voice, resilience, and the power of community.

CCA Executive Director Sarah Eagan welcomed guests by reflecting on the extraordinary group gathered in the room: “Tonight, this room is a powerhouse of families, young people, advocates, policymakers, state agency folks, philanthropists, corporate pillars. We are the team, YOU are the team, that helps make change possible for children.” 

Sarah highlighted the breadth of CCA’s work, noting that the organization provided legal consultation or representation to nearly 1,000 children and families last year, including children facing barriers to education, healthcare, housing, safety, and stability. 

But her message was ultimately one of hope. She reminded attendees that while no one person can solve every challenge facing children alone, meaningful change happens when people come together. 

“Together, we accomplish so much more than any one of us could individually do.” 

Closing with a reflection on a favorite saying — “Don’t quit until the miracle happens” — Sarah challenged the room to recognize the difference they make every day, and the power of a community committed to showing up for children. 

Celebrating Connecticut’s Foster Families 

Attorney Nieka Thompson, Director of CCA’s Racial Justice Project, introduced a special tribute to Connecticut’s foster families, recognizing the love, stability, and care they provide for children: “By witnessing firsthand all that foster parents do and give, we can’t say enough for how grateful we are to the many individuals around the state who raise their hands to say, ‘Yes, count me in, I’ll help!’” 

Guests heard directly from foster parents who opened their homes to children in need of care, safety, and connection. One family shared the joy of recently adopting two boys after more than two years as their foster parents, describing a journey marked by love, hope, and commitment. Another foster parent spoke about keeping two siblings connected to their community, school, and family as they prepare to reunify with their mother. 

Their stories were a powerful reminder of what it means to provide stability when children need it most. 

Honoring Judy McBride, 2026 Champion of Children 

CCA Founder and Special Counsel Martha Stone presented the first 2026 Champion of Children Award to Judy McBride, Director of Strategic Partnership Investments at Greater Hartford Gives Foundation. 

Martha reflected on Judy’s decades long partnership with CCA and her deep commitment to youth, families, and community-centered solutions. She shared, “You made our programs a lot better. Your influence goes far beyond what you can imagine, and most importantly, everyone I talk to recognizes that you’ve done it with such humility and such grace.” 

In her remarks, Judy called on the room to continue building public-private partnerships, recognize the connections across issues, and ensure that youth and families with lived experience have a voice in shaping reform. 

She reminded us, “We all need a big dose of perseverance, resilience, faith, and courage to do the right thing.” 

Powerful Stories from CCA’s Immigrant Children’s Justice Project 

Attorney Stacey Violante Cote, CCA’s Deputy Director, spoke about the urgent challenges facing immigrant children and families across Connecticut and the critical role legal advocacy plays in protecting their rights. 

She highlighted CCA’s work advocating for children who have been separated from their families, detained in federal custody, or forced to navigate complex immigration systems alone. Stacey also recognized the organization’s partnership with Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, including CCA Board Member Chris Mattei, and other pro bono partners, whose collaboration with CCA attorneys has helped secure the release and reunification of detained children with their families. 

Guests then watched a powerful video featuring four firsthand stories from youth and parents impacted by CCA’s immigration advocacy. The stories reflected a range of experiences from seeking safety and opportunity in a new country to navigating detention, family separation, and uncertainty about the future. 

Together, they illustrated the profound difference that legal representation, community support, and perseverance can make in a child’s life, while reminding attendees that every child deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive.

Honoring Beth Bye, 2026 Champion of Children 

Sarah Eagan presented the second 2026 Champion of Children Award to Beth Bye, former Commissioner of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. Sarah honored Beth’s long career in public service and her leadership in creating and strengthening systems that support young children and families across Connecticut. 

In her remarks, Beth reflected on CCA’s impact, including the Center’s leading role in expanding access to high-quality education through the Sheff v. O’Neill case: “We are here because the Center for Children’s Advocacy—talk about punching above your weight—the impact of the Center for Children’s Advocacy. 12,000 children getting a high quality education because of this one nonprofit.” 

Beth also reminded guests that “one finger can’t lift a pebble,” calling on the room to act together in support CCA’s work. 

Honoring Preston Tisdale, 2026 Sustainability Award Recipient 

CCA Board Director Attorney Chris Mattei presented the 2026 Sustainability Award to Preston Tisdale, civil rights champion, attorney at Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, former CCA Board Director, and longtime Advisory Board member. 

Chris honored Preston’s decades of civil rights leadership, his public defense work, his deep commitment to CCA, and his role as a mentor and advocate. 

In his remarks, Preston reflected on the importance of both individual advocacy and systemic change: “The first thing I saw with Center for Children’s Advocacy— not only are all those lawyers and staff working on individual cases, but they’re working on systemic problems, the root causes. They’re doing both, and we have to always continue to do both.” 

Preston also returned to one of the evening’s central themes: it takes a village. “I would say that the Center for Children’s Advocacy, with the resources that they provide, the expertise that they provide, is a pillar of the Connecticut village which raises so many children.” 

Youth Voices and the Speak Up! project 

The evening concluded with another reminder that those closest to challenges often have the clearest understanding of how to solve them. 

CCA’s Speak Up! youth members Nazir King and Selena Champion-Shirley introduced a video highlighting CCA’s Speak Up! project and their participation in this year’s Youth Day at the Connecticut Legislature’s Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee (JJPOC). The Speak Up! project helps youth learn about juvenile justice issues affecting their peers and communities while building the skills and tools to advocate for themselves and others. 

Nazir and Selena shared that one of the biggest highlights of the year was speaking directly to state leaders on the JJPOC, sharing the barriers youth face and identifying the supports needed to succeed, which include transportation, employment opportunities, community resources, mentorship, and adults willing to listen. 

“We appreciate having a platform to share our stories and thoughts because this is our community too… We believe young people deserve to be part of conversations and decisions that affect our lives.” 

The video underscored the importance of centering youth voice in policy conversations and ensuring that young people are not only impacted by systems but helping to change them. 

Thank You to Our Sponsors 

The evening’s success would not have been possible without the generosity of sponsors, donors, auction participants, and supporters. 

Presenting Sponsors

Dalio Education
Options Employment and Educational Services LLC & CARE of Connecticut
Shipman & Goodwin, LLP

Champion Sponsor

The Village for Families & Children

Lead Sponsors

Hartford HealthCare Corporation
Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder, PC
Perkins Coie
Pullman & Comley, LLC
Wiggin & Dana, LLC

Sustaining Sponsors

Capitol Region Education Council
Day Pitney, LLP
De Castro Foden LLC
Founders Technology Group, LLC
Goff Law Group LLC
The Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Memorial Charitable Trust
Goodwin University
McCarter & English, LLP
Robinson + Cole, LLP
Silver Golub & Teitell LLP

Guardian Sponsors

ABC Language Services
Ashcroft Inc.
Cheryl Chase and Stuart Bear Foundation
Connecticut State Department of Education
Empire Industries, Inc.
Chang and Ginny Kim
Martha Ritter
Terex Corporation
Tremont Public Advisors
Universal Health Care Foundation
Yale New Haven Health

Thank you to our CCA community for standing up for Connecticut’s children!