COLUMBUS, OH — The Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio (CDF-OH), a prominent local affiliate of the national child advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and empowerment of young people, is preparing to host its highly anticipated annual event. Titled “A Celebration of Joy,” the gathering is designed to honor extraordinary Ohio changemakers, uplift the local community, and reflect a shared spirit of hope, resilience, and collective action aimed at securing a brighter future for the state’s youth.
Scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2026, the event carries the playful yet purposeful theme “A Hole in One for Hope.” Set against the energetic backdrop of the Scene75 Columbus entertainment center, the evening will serve as a platform for CDF-OH to present its prestigious Advocate for Joy and Samuel Halperin Youth Public Service awards. These accolades will be bestowed upon three dedicated Ohio residents who have poured their time, energy, and professional lives into advancing the health, education, and overall well-being of young people across the Buckeye State.
The decision to honor these specific individuals comes at a time when community advocates, policymakers, and youth leaders are navigating complex challenges related to child welfare, educational equity, public health, and economic justice. By bringing together community members, youth advocates, and leaders from various sectors, CDF-OH aims to reinforce the foundation of a support network that ensures every child in Ohio is given the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Among this year’s honorees are individuals whose legislative, community, and grassroots efforts have left an indelible mark on the landscape of youth advocacy in Ohio.
Ohio State Representative Dontavius L. Jarrells and Vanessa J. Butler, JD, Senior Director of Community Relations and Special Projects at Groundwork Ohio, have both been named as recipients of the CDF-OH Advocate for Joy award. This honor recognizes their tireless dedication to creating systemic improvements in the lives of children and families throughout the state.
Representative Jarrells has established a strong record of public service during his tenure in the Ohio House of Representatives. Representing House District 1, which encompasses Bexley as well as multiple diverse neighborhoods throughout Columbus, Jarrells has consistently used his platform to champion policies that protect vulnerable populations.
During his time at the statehouse, Jarrells co-sponsored the bipartisan Fostering School Success Act. This crucial piece of legislation, which recently passed the Ohio House, is specifically designed to strengthen educational stability for children and youth navigating the foster care system. By breaking down bureaucratic silos and enhancing support mechanisms, the act seeks to ensure that foster youth experience fewer disruptions in their academic journeys and are better equipped for lifelong success.
In addition to his work on educational stability in the foster care system, Jarrells has demonstrated a deep personal and professional commitment to public health and safety. Drawing from his own lived experiences during his youth, he played a pivotal role in helping to change Ohio law to address the exorbitant costs associated with replacing lead-contaminated water service lines. His advocacy ensures that children and young families across the state do not fall victim to lead poisoning, a preventable hazard that has historically plagued vulnerable communities.
Sharing the Advocate for Joy award with Representative Jarrells is Vanessa J. Butler, a passionate advocate for early childhood education and maternal-child health. In her role at Groundwork Ohio, Butler works diligently to advance the organization’s mission of championing high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies. Her focus spans the critical developmental window from the prenatal period to age five, a time widely recognized by developmental experts as foundational for a child’s long-term cognitive, emotional, and social well-being.
Butler’s impact on the Central Ohio community extends far beyond her current duties. In her previous professional endeavors, including her service as president and CEO of The Center for Healthy Families, she helped guide and nurture major community initiatives. Notably, she played a central role in organizing the annual Day of the Girl event. This empowering gathering convenes nearly 500 girls, young women, and gender-expansive youth from across Central Ohio, providing them with a celebratory space to engage in critical, honest dialogue surrounding mental health, social justice, and educational equity.
In addition to celebrating established leaders in policy and community development, CDF-OH is placing a strong emphasis on recognizing the next generation of changemakers. The Samuel Halperin Youth Public Service Award will be presented to 22-year-old Nezerae Hunt, a dedicated student at Cuyahoga Community College hailing from Cleveland.
Hunt serves as the inaugural president of The Cleveland Freedom Project, a dynamic, youth-led nonprofit organization. The group is explicitly focused on cultivating a new wave of social and economic justice disruptors, dreamers, and drivers. Under Hunt’s visionary leadership, the organization has successfully centered youth voices in critical community conversations concerning equity, mental health support, and leadership development.
Through her work with The Cleveland Freedom Project, Hunt has helped create empowering spaces where young people are not merely invited to participate in discussions about their future, but are actively encouraged and equipped to take the lead. Her recognition underscores CDF-OH’s ongoing commitment to elevating youth leadership and ensuring that young people are active partners in shaping the policies and programs that affect their lives.
The upcoming celebration will feature formal remarks from the leadership of the organizing body, led by CDF-OH State Director Dr. John Stanford. His address is expected to touch upon the collective responsibility of communities to safeguard the rights and potential of every child.
In anticipation of the event, Dr. Stanford reflected on the immense dedication displayed by individuals across the state. "Countless Ohioans dedicate themselves to advancing the well-being of all children and young people in our state," Dr. Stanford stated. "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."
In addition to the awards presentation and speeches, the program will showcase artistic and cultural performances by talented young people from Central Ohio. These performances are designed to highlight the creativity, resilience, and unique perspectives of the state’s youth, aligning with the overarching theme of joy and hope that defines the evening.
The event details have been finalized by the organization. "A Celebration of Joy – A Hole in One for Hope!" is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 10, 2026, running from 5:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The gathering will be hosted at Scene75 Columbus, located at 5033 Tuttle Crossing Blvd in Columbus, Ohio.
As community members, advocates, and leaders gather for the evening, the focus remains steadfastly fixed on the horizon—looking toward a future where Ohio’s children are supported by robust systems, guided by compassionate leaders, and inspired by peers who dare to dream of a more just and equitable society. Through recognition events like this, CDF-OH continues to foster an environment where hope is not just a sentiment, but an actionable blueprint for change.
