At the annual Strengthening Families Summit held at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord on October 29 with a crowd of over 300, the New Hampshire Children's Trust honored Chesterfield resident Dr. Leo Sandy as the winner of our 2024 Lucy Fowlkes Breed Award. This recognition is made annually for an outstanding volunteer who has provided direct service to families at a New Hampshire organization.
Dr. Sandy was selected from an impressive group of candidates for his commitment to volunteering his time to bring valuable education to the incarcerated parents being served at the NH State Prison. Since 1998, the Family Connections Center (FCC) at the New Hampshire Department of Corrections has played a vital role in supporting incarcerated parents, helping them maintain meaningful relationships with their children. Not long after its establishment, in 2003, Dr. Leo Sandy began volunteering his time, bringing invaluable education and support to the parents served by the FCC.
Initially, Dr. Sandy visited the Laconia prison monthly, providing in-person seminars focused on parenting and relationships. Over the years, he has consistently visited all three New Hampshire prisons, offering guidance and education to incarcerated parents. Even after retiring, Dr. Sandy’s dedication never wavered. He has embraced virtual platforms like Zoom to continue providing regular seminars, ensuring his message reaches parents, regardless of location.
Dr. Sandy’s presentations focus on essential parenting skills, healthy relationships, and the importance of peacemakers in the world. Both FCC staff and the parents he serves deeply appreciate his commitment to recognizing incarcerated parents' roles in their children’s lives. His belief in the power of education as a tool for change resonates strongly, as he helps these parents strengthen their bonds with their children and prepare for their futures.
Dr. Sandy’s ongoing contributions highlight the impact of one individual’s passion and dedication to making a difference in the lives of incarcerated parents and their families. His work continues to embody the FCC’s mission to strengthen family connections and support parents, no matter their circumstances.
Every year, New Hampshire Children’s Trust awards the Lucy Fowlkes Breed Volunteer Award. Candidates will have volunteered in direct service to families at a New Hampshire organization that serves children or families. Volunteer work must have been done within the past two years.
Lucy Fowlkes Breed served as a founding trustee on the Board of NH Children's Trust, dedicating fourteen years as a board member, eight of those years as board chair. Knowing there was a need in the community, Lucy also founded and was the volunteer facilitator of the “New Moms” group at the Children’s Place and Parent Education Center—a Family Resource Center in Concord. Lucy, who passed away in 2017, was represented by her sons Allen Breed of Dover, MA and Taylor Breed of New York City at the Awards celebration.
New Hampshire Children’s Trust is the Governor’s designated statewide community-based child abuse prevention agency, the New Hampshire chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, and a member of the Children’s Trust Fund Alliance.
Learn more at https://www.nhchildrenstrust.org
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