An Aurora woman is among Northern Illinois United Methodists honored for their outstanding ministry with children and youth. They were recognized by United Voices for Children, a coalition of UMC churches, agencies, and individuals within the Northern Illinois Conference that advocates for and supports at-risk children, youth, and their families, at UVC’s 2025 Focus: Youth Mental Health September 18.
Michelle Curiel of Aurora, an Oswego school social worker and a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora, received the Rev. Margaret Ann Williams Service Award.
At Wesley, she recruited older adults to cook dinner for the Wednesday Night Gatherings and summer Art and Soul Camps for six years. Curiel also provided activities at Blackhawk Park on Thursdays when the Northern Illinois Food Bank handed out free lunches.
Another Williams award winner was Joanne Rae, RN, who works with kids at the Lake Villa-based Allendale Association. The agency provides residential treatment for youth who have experienced severe trauma.
Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt Child Advocate Award winners were:
U.S. Congresswoman Delia Catalina Ramirez, the first Latina United Methodist and first Latina from the Midwest elected to Congress.
Lisa Rogers, Elmhurst First UMC youth director for over 18 years, has been a bold and faithful voice, raising awareness of the very real harm caused by current racial and immigration policies.
The Katherine B. Greene Child Worker Award Recipients were:
Dr. Maricruz Ramos, a former therapist at Kids Above All and member, Our Redeemer’s UMC, Schaumburg, has provided individual and family therapy to children and adolescents facing a wide range of behavioral health challenges, including trauma and complex emotional needs.
Jennifer Crick, a developmental therapist, is president of the Illinois Developmental Therapy Association. She works with other early Intervention groups and organizations throughout the state of Illinois to help ensure equity and access for these families.
—Al Benson