Honoring:

Vaughan Family

Changemaker Award:

Tracie Killar,

Executive Director,

South End Children's Cafe

2019 Gala Honorees

Vaughan Family Changemaker Award: Tracie Killar, Executive Director, South End Children's Cafe

At the South End Children’s Café, Tracie Killar provides a safe space where students receive sustenance, learn about personal and civic responsibility, engage with mentors, and break bread with their friends and families. Tracie and her team have worked tirelessly to uplift students of the City School District of Albany and have helped raise awareness of how food insecurity impacts our community. The South End Children's Cafe allows children and families to access healthy food and academic support in a dignified, caring environment.

Organization Award: 4th Family

4th Family teaches STEM through sports - and much much more. Through afterschool and mentoring programs, 4th Family has worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for youth to recognize their potential and to embrace skills they may not be aware of. Their model has been emulated in cities around the country. The name 4th Family is based on an African proverb that described the ties that bound communities together. The first family is the nuclear family, the second family is the immediate extended family, the third family is extended family. The 4th Family is the community that provides a support network to all of its members.

Business Partner Award: Turner Construction

Turner Construction has been a longtime supporter of the Albany Fund for Education and their ongoing philanthropy has encouraged others to step up to the plate as well. But Turner’s commitment to Albany goes beyond financial support. Their career development and mentoring programs have helped to open opportunities in the construction field to Albany’s students. Their work with the City School District of Albany builds more than buildings – it constructs paths to success for our students!