Princeton NJ Family Feature Press Releases

Nominations Now Being Accepted for 6th Annual Platinum Dads Awards June 18, 2011 Event at Hilton Garden Inn in Hamilton Will Honor Exemplary Fathers

Trenton, NJ—The 6^th Annual Platinum Dads Celebration, sponsored by UIH Family Partners, Trenton Housing Authority and Horizon NJ Health (Platinum Sponsor) will be held Saturday, June 18, 2011 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Hamilton, NJ.  This very special event honors Mercer County men who demonstrate the qualities of exemplary fatherhood and recognizes the vital contributions they make to both their family and the community.  Nominations are now being accepted for the Class of 2011.

Criteria for nomination as a “Platinum Dad” include:

1).  Mercer County residency; 2). May or may not be residing with his child(ren); 3). May or may not be married; 4). Must be a positive role model; 5). Exhibits the qualities of Responsible Fatherhood, including but not limited to: being a good listener; works in partnership with the mother of his child(ren); loving; a motivator/encourager; shares appropriate activities with children; protects child’s welfare; trustworthy; values education; 6). No age limit and the individual does not have to be the biological father. Candidates may not be incarcerated or have any outstanding criminal warrants.

An independent panel of judges will select this year’s winners from all nominations received by 4:00 pm on Friday, May 13, 2011.  The names of the honorees will be announced at a press conference at Trenton City Hall on Thursday, June 2, 2011.  Applications are available at www.uihfamilypartners.org or by calling 609-695-3663.  Nomination forms may also be obtained at the following locations:

Ø     UIH Family Partners, 4 North Broad St., Suite 2R, Trenton

Ø     Trenton Housing Authority, 875 Willow St., Trenton

Ø     Bromley Neighborhood Civic Center, 1801 East State St., Trenton

Ø     El Centro de Recursos Para Familias/Catholic Charities, 327 South Broad St., Trenton

Ø     Mercer Street Friends/Children’s Futures Parent-Child Center West,

 222 Hermitage Ave., Trenton

Ø     South Ward Parent/Child Family Success Center at The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, 635 South Clinton Ave., Trenton

Ø     North Ward Parent/Child Family Success Center at The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey,1554 Princeton Ave., Trenton

Ø     Child Care Connection, 101 Spruce St., Suite 210, Trenton

Ø     Angel’s Wings, Crean Hall, 601 Hamilton Ave., 7^th Floor, Trenton

Ø     YMCA of Trenton, 431 Pennington Ave., Trenton

Ø     Millhill Child and Family Development Center, 101 Oakland St., Trenton

The awards brunch held from 8:30 am – 12 pm and will feature an inspirational keynote by nationally-acclaimed educator, best-selling author and motivational speaker, Baruti Kafele.  A highlight of the day will be the announcement of the winner of the 5^th annual “Legacy of Fatherhood” award.  This unique honor recognizes the contributions of a senior gentleman with ties to Mercer County who has set the bar high for future generations. Everyone is invited to attend; tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for children under 12, and may be purchased by contacting Tonya Coy at 609-695-1492 x 114 or tscoy@uih.org. Please note that no tickets will be sold at the door.  Sponsorship opportunities are also available. 

Contact Claire Walton at 609-695-3663 x 217 or cwalton@uih.org.

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About us:  Based in Trenton, NJ and established in 1859, UIH Family Partners (formerly Union Industrial Home for Children) is the oldest nonprofit in the state dedicated to child welfare.  The mission of the agency is to “build effective families through innovative programs for parents and children.”  UIH Family Partners’ family-strengthening and workforce development programs are headquartered at 4 North Broad Street, Suite 2R.  For more information, please contact 609-695-3663 or email cwalton@uih.org.  www.uihfamilypartners.org, www.facebook.com/uihfamilypartners, twitter@uihfamily