The Arlington Partnership is pleased to announce the following Connect With Kids Champions. Connect with Kids Champions are ordinary people in our community who, in the daily-ness of their lives, make an extra-ordinary effort to connect, spend time and build relationships with children and teens. Champions come from all walks of life - a champion could be a neighbor, a friend, a business, a parent or a professional working with young people. What sets a Connect with Kids Champion apart is their intentional and deliberate attentiveness to the needs of young people. In recognizing community Connect with Kids Champions, the Partnership wants to celebrate those adults who do make the time to build relationships with children and teens. We also hope the example of these champions will inspire more adults to connect with kids.

Bill Cochran - Nominated by the president of the Kiwanis Club of Arlington, Bill Cochran connects with kids by sponsoring the Terrific Parent Award. Working through the Teen Parent Program, Bill invites a teen mom to the monthly Kiwanis meetings to meet the members and to be recognized as the Terrific Parent of the Month. In addition, Bill, a retired teacher, has sponsored the K-kids Club at Arlington Traditional Elementary School. His long term commitment to children and teens sends a strong message of community care and concern for all young people.

John Eklund - Nominated by one of his high school age employees, John Eklund, owner of Preston's Pharmacy, goes out of his way to hire teens to work in his business after school, on weekends and during the summer. John treats his young employees with caring and respect. Providing this valuable opportunity for teens gives them a chance to learn about the business world, earn their own income, and become better prepared for the world beyond high school.

Marcia Gardner - Nominated by a member of the school system, Marcia connects with kids through her work as education director at Signature Theater. For the past ten years, Marcia has been the driving force behind the Signature in the School s Program. Thanks to Marcia, over 750 young people have had an opportunity to broaden their horizons and develop a real appreciation for all aspects of theater from script writing, to acting, to back stage support. But Marcia emphasizes that this is more than a theater program. Through this creative opportunity young people are encouraged to approach the world in a new and more empathetic way.

Mary Ann Jackson - Nominated by an Extended Day parent, Mary Ann Jackson has been connecting with kids for 25 years, through the Arlington Extended Day Program. For the past 14 years she has built a safe, supportive and caring after-school environment for the children at Long Branch Elementary School. With careful planning, Mary Ann ensures that there is a variety of age-appropriate activities, along with wonderful special events. All this is done in a way that celebrates and nurtures the uniqueness of each child.

Martha Smith - Nominated by one of her students, Martha connects with kids through her work as a piano and music teacher here in Arlington since 1977. To quote the student who nominated her, Martha has "brightened all her students' lives. Thanks to her, lots of kids know more about music and joy than if she hadn't taught them. She'll always let you come by for more practice. No matter what, she is there with a smile."

The Arlington Partnership designed the Connect With Kids campaign to emphasize a simple, but very powerful idea: Children and teens need adults in their lives - adults beyond their parents. We hope these champions will inspire more Arlington adults to connect with kids. Click here for a Connect with Kids Champion nomination form.