The national celebration was established by the Children’s Defense Fund to honor dedicated changemakers, youth advocates, and community leaders while celebrating the vital partnerships that drive the organization’s ongoing work on behalf of children across the United States. The event at the historic Howard Theatre will bring together national leaders, advocates, and philanthropists to spotlight individuals and institutions that successfully champion policies, build grassroots community power, and strengthen programs designed to dramatically improve the lives of children and youth.
A central highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Marian Wright Edelman Advocate for Joy Award, an accolade named directly in honor of CDF Founder and President Emerita Marian Wright Edelman. The award serves as the organization’s highest tribute, reserved specifically for servant leaders and organizations whose advocacy, dedication, and strategic partnerships have created a demonstrable, lasting difference in the day-to-day lives of children, young people, and vulnerable families.
Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, President and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund, emphasized the profound significance of the award and the rationale behind honoring Casey Family Programs during this milestone year.
"The Marian Wright Edelman Advocate for Joy Award is CDF’s highest honor, recognizing servant leaders whose advocacy and partnership have made a demonstrable difference in the lives of children, young people, and families," said Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson. "This year, the award has been renamed in honor of our Founder and President Emerita, Marian Wright Edelman."
For the 2026 celebration, the Children’s Defense Fund is proud to announce Casey Family Programs as one of the distinguished award recipients. Casey Family Programs stands as a nationwide organization and currently operates as America’s largest operating foundation focused entirely on safely reducing the need for foster care while simultaneously improving the overall safety, permanence, and well-being of children throughout the country.
The Seattle-based organization has a long and storied history, having been originally established in 1966 by United Parcel Service founder Jim Casey. Over the decades, the foundation has evolved into a leading voice and operational powerhouse in the child welfare sector. Today, Casey Family Programs is led by President and CEO William C. Bell, Ph.D. In his leadership role, Dr. Bell provides the foundation with critical strategic direction across its nine field offices nationwide, while actively leading a dedicated staff that collaborates directly with vulnerable youth, families, and professionals operating within the public child welfare system.
The official event details for the upcoming gala underscore the national scale of the gathering:
What: National Celebration of Joy
When: Thursday, November 5, 2026 | Dinner and Program at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Historic Howard Theatre, located at 620 T Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Reflecting on the selection, Dr. Wilson praised Casey Family Programs not only for its overarching vision for child well-being, but also for its decades-long, historic partnership with the Children’s Defense Fund, which he noted makes the foundation a remarkably fitting recipient of the newly renamed institutional award.
"It is our privilege to honor Casey Family Programs as the first institutional recipient of the Marian Wright Edelman Award," Dr. Wilson said. "For 60 years, Casey Family Programs has been building Communities of Hope to ensure more children grow up safely at home. Working in all fifty states, their mission is to provide and improve — and ultimately prevent the need for — foster care. Casey Family Programs is one of CDF’s most enduring institutional partners in advocacy, thought leadership, investment, and a shared commitment."
The gala in November is expected to draw substantial attention from national child welfare advocates, policymakers, and community organizers. As the Children’s Defense Fund continues its decades-long mission to ensure every child has a healthy, safe, fair, and hopeful start in life, partnerships with organizations like Casey Family Programs remain central to achieving systemic, long-lasting progress for the nation’s youth.
For more information regarding A National Celebration of Joy, media inquiries, or interview requests with representatives from the Children’s Defense Fund, individuals may contact John Henry, CDF Media Relations Manager, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 708-646-7679. Additional details regarding the event and ticket availability can also be found directly on the official Children’s Defense Fund website.
