COLUMBUS, OH — The Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio (CDF-OH), a prominent local affiliate of the national child advocacy organization, is preparing to host its highly anticipated annual gathering, “A Celebration of Joy.” Scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2026, the event aims to recognize extraordinary Ohio changemakers, uplift local communities, and foster a collective spirit of hope, resilience, and actionable support for the state’s children and young adults.
The gathering, playfully themed “A Hole in One for Hope,” will take place at the Scene75 Columbus entertainment center, located at 5033 Tuttle Crossing Blvd. During the evening festivities, CDF-OH will present its prestigious Advocate for Joy awards and the Samuel Halperin Youth Public Service award to three dedicated Ohio residents. These individuals have spent years championing the rights, health, education, and overall well-being of the Buckeye State’s youth.
Celebrating Leadership and Advocacy for Ohio’s Youth
This year, the Advocate for Joy award will be jointly presented to Ohio State Representative Dontavius L. Jarrells and Vanessa J. Butler, JD, Senior Director of Community Relations and Special Projects at Groundwork Ohio. Both honorees have built extensive portfolios centered on systemic reform, community empowerment, and defending the vulnerable populations of Ohio.
Representative Jarrells, who is currently serving his third term in the Ohio House of Representatives, represents House District 1. His district encompasses Bexley and several diverse neighborhoods throughout the city of Columbus. Throughout his tenure at the statehouse, Jarrells has established himself as a fierce legislative champion for children, notably co-sponsoring the bipartisan Fostering School Success Act. The landmark legislation, which recently passed the Ohio House, is specifically designed to enhance educational stability, dismantle bureaucratic silos, and secure vital support systems for children and youth navigating the foster care system.
Beyond his work in foster care reform, Jarrells has drawn deeply from his own personal history to effect statewide change. He successfully helped alter Ohio law to address the exorbitant costs associated with replacing lead-contaminated water service lines. His legislative efforts aim to ensure that children and young families across the state do not fall victim to lead poisoning—a hazard he personally faced during his own youth.
Co-recipient Vanessa J. Butler brings a robust background in early childhood advocacy and community leadership to the table. In her current role at Groundwork Ohio, Butler helps drive the organization’s core mission: championing high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies tailored for children from the prenatal stage up to age five. Prior to joining Groundwork Ohio, Butler served as the president and CEO of The Center for Healthy Families. In that leadership capacity, she guided major community-building initiatives, including the annual Day of the Girl event. This signature gathering successfully convenes nearly 500 girls, young women, and gender-expansive youth from across Central Ohio, providing them with a celebratory space to engage in critical, empowering dialogues surrounding mental health, justice, and educational equity.
Empowering the Next Generation of Public Servants
In addition to recognizing established legislative and community leaders, CDF-OH will turn its spotlight toward the emerging generation of advocates. The Samuel Halperin Youth Public Service Award will be presented to 22-year-old Nezerae Hunt, a dedicated student at Cuyahoga Community College residing in Cleveland.
Hunt serves as the inaugural president of The Cleveland Freedom Project, a dynamic, youth-led nonprofit organization explicitly formed to cultivate disruptors, dreamers, and drivers of social and economic justice. Under her visionary leadership, the organization has consistently centered youth voices in critical public conversations regarding equity, mental health awareness, and comprehensive leadership development. By creating safe, empowering spaces, Hunt has encouraged young people throughout her community not merely to participate in civic life, but to step up and lead.
A Evening of Reflection, Remarks, and Performances
The program for “A Celebration of Joy” is designed to blend formal recognition with artistic expression and community solidarity. The evening will feature formal remarks delivered by Dr. John Stanford, the State Director of CDF-OH, who will address the assembled community members, advocates, and civic leaders. Additionally, the event will showcase live performances by talented young people hailing from Central Ohio, ensuring that youth voices remain at the very heart of the celebration.
“Countless Ohioans dedicate themselves to advancing the well-being of all children and young people in our state,” Dr. Stanford said, reflecting on the significance of the upcoming awards. “We take this time to recognize a select group of these champions to highlight the importance of their work and renew our shared commitment to ensuring every young person in Ohio thrives.”
The event is scheduled to run from 5:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Through this gathering, the Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio continues its long-standing tradition of shining a light on those who fight tirelessly for a brighter, more equitable future for the state’s younger generations.
