The Children’s Home Society of West Virginia (CHS) hosted its Annual Board Meeting/Dinner on November 11, 2021 at the Four Points by Sheridan Hotel in Charleston, WV. During the meeting, Janet Richmond was named the winner of the 4th Annual Nancy Stuart-Tonkin Advocacy Award.
Janet Richmond began her career with CHS in 1993. She was hired as a case manager at the Lewisburg shelter and later became the shelter Director. In 1995, Janet became the Director of Community Based Services and from there she became the Reginal Director, overseeing multiple CHS locations. Janet is currently the Director of Facilities Management, where she manages 27 CHS facilitates statewide. Children’s Home Society Chief Executive Officer, Steve Tuck, noted “Janet has a well-rounded toolkit developed over years of advocacy for individual children as well as system changes. She knows how to support the staff and community to create the most impact and does so with deep compassion and determination.”
Previous winners of the Nancy Stuart-Tonkin Award are: Carna Metheney-White (2018), Beth Cook (2019) and Julia Kesler and Marilyn Pearce (2020).
About the Nancy Stuart-Tonkin Advocacy Award
The Children’s Home Society of West Virginia Board of Directors established the Nancy Stuart Tonkin Advocacy Award beginning in 2018 to annually honor an outstanding advocate(s) who: through leadership, determination and passion, has positively advanced the well-being of children and families in West Virginia. The recipient(s) will exemplify the qualities Nancy Tonkin demonstrated in her life-long professional and personal efforts as an advocate for the well-being of children in West Virginia. Advocacy, for purposes of this award, encompasses all of the means by which the child welfare system may be improved.
Nancy Stuart Tonkin exemplified advocacy in her work with Children’s Home Society and others. Nancy was successful in all her roles at Children’s Home Society. She was an employee and used research to improve casework protocols. She was a Board Member, Board Chairperson, and Board Member Emeritus.
Nancy was an effective recruiter of board members, supporters and volunteers. She was tireless in communicating the mission of CHS to the community and interpreting the community’s reaction. Nancy Chaired the Board of Directors during the 100-anniversary year. Nancy was responsible for linking Children’s Home Society with the Oil Marketers and Grocers Association and other organizations which resulted in millions of dollars of support for programs. Nancy lobbied for Children’s Home Society and other child welfare agencies and was successful in improving foster care payments allowing the Society to significantly expand their foster care program. She was trusted and effective advisor to the Children’s Home Society in all public policy matters. She was a strong advocate for permanency, child well-being and family support services.