Fuentes received the 2011 Child Advocate of the Year Award
(TRENTON) – Today, Assemblyman Angel Fuentes, of New Jersey’s Fifth Legislative District, received the 2011 Child Advocate of the Year Award by the New Jersey Alliance for Children, Youth and Families. The award is given each year to one member of the New Jersey Legislature that has shown exemplary leadership and support in the advocacy of children, youth and their families.
“It is such an honor to be this year’s recipient of the Child Advocate Award,” said Assemblyman Angel Fuentes. “I have spent much of my adult life fighting to protect children and families in need – whether it was working as a youth advocate for troubled teenagers, a therapist for children at the Center for Family Services, or even now, as a New Jersey State Assemblyman. I am proud to be a passionate voice for those that desperately need one.”
The New Jersey Alliance for Children, Youth and Families released the following statement regarding their choice to award Assemblyman Fuentes with this year’s honor:
“Assemblyman Fuentes is a leader for the not-for-profit and community service provider community, and more importantly, for the children, youth and families of New Jersey. He has worked diligently to promote education, awareness, and prevention of many difficult issues impacting the youth and families of our state. These issues include educating youth on the dangers of alcohol use, prevention of suicide by youth, prevention of domestic violence and assistance for victims, and protecting the safety of youth with developmental disabilities. We are pleased to present the Child Advocate of the Year award to Assemblyman Fuentes in honor of his remarkable service to our community and the children, youth and families of New Jersey.”
“It is wonderful that we have leaders within the community who can step up to the challenge and make a difference in the lives of children,” said Camden County Freeholder Carmen G. Rodriguez, liaison to the county’s Board of Social Services and the Departments of Children’s Services. “Angel has always been very active in the community, especially with children. It is very nice to see that he is being recognized for his efforts.”
Assemblyman Fuentes received the award at the organization’s Community Awards Breakfast at the Marriott in Trenton today. Last year, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, of the state’s 37th Legislative District, was the award recipient. For more information on the New Jersey Alliance for Children, Youth and Families, please visit http://www.njacyf.org/.