Gift of Life Celebrates the Achievements of a Record 150+ Graduates

MONTGOMERY, AL- Earlier today, the Gift of Life Foundation celebrated the achievements of a record 156 program graduates during its 2024 Virtual Graduation Ceremony. The annual event highlights moms and dads who have completed their 18-month Gift of Life programs, which include Nurse-Family Partnership, Parents As Teachers, Mobile Family Coaching, Parenting Forward for Teens, and Fathers in Action.

The virtual live event, hosted by GOL Executive Director Regina Traylor, on YouTube and Facebook, featured Prattville mom Kacy Cripple and her compelling story of grief and resilience. Cripple served as this year's graduation speaker and is enrolled in our Nurse-Family Partnership Program.

The program also featured the presentation of GOL's highest distinction -- the Martha Jinright Resilience Award-- to five outstanding graduates. Named after Gift of Life’s first executive director, Martha Jinright, the Resilience Award recognizes graduating program participants who have overcome a significant challenge to achieve personal success as defined by meeting or exceeding the goals they have set with their nurse home visitor, parent educator or family coach.

Award nominees must have demonstrated progress in their program over the past 18 months by implementing the knowledge provided through lessons and program materials. They also must have gained a level of self-sufficiency that positively reflects the goals set by themselves and have demonstrated the resilience that epitomizes the values promoted through Gift of Life’s mission. Winners will receive a certificate and a monetary award for their achievement. They will also be featured in a commercial airing on local stations and in a digital campaign.

Our 2024 recipients of The Martha Jinright Resilience Award are:

Tawanna Nevels, First Place

Mobile Family Coach Kathy Lightsey

Nobie Ford, Second Place

Mobile Family Coach Lawanda May

Victoria Wilson- Third Place

Nurse Home Visitor Shea President

Rosie Washington - Fourth Place

Nurse Home Visitor Kawana Jackson-Tarbert

Nickifia Jackson- Fifth Place

Parent Educator Laura Collins

For more information about Gift of Life programs, visit our website at https://golfound.org/

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