Patrick Losinski Named 2012 Champion of Children; 

Patrick Losinski, Executive Director of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, has been named the 2012 Champion of Children. Losinski joins a distinguished group of local leaders who have been recognized as Champions of Children and have made a deep, far-reaching impact on the lives of children in central Ohio.

         “Pat has made developing young minds a top priority at the Columbus Metropolitan Library,” said Elfi Di Bella, president and CEO of YWCA Columbus, and chair of the Champion of Children Selection Committee. “Through his leadership he has inspired innovation in his team and broad support in our community.  He truly understands the crucial mission of the library to promote early learning and help children succeed, and proves every day that he is a Champion of Children."

         Under Losinski's visionary leadership, the Columbus Metropolitan Library has launched and expanded initiatives focused on helping children learn and succeed, including:

• Ready to Read Corps  which helps young learners from birth to age 5 build skills that prepare them for kindergarten.  Workshops are conducted throughout Columbus and  show caregivers how to incorporate literacy activities into a family's everyday life.
• Raising Readers which visits the homes of child care providers and engages children in learning activities.
• Homework Help Centers, and Story Time at the library, including "Baby Lap Time" for infants.
• The largest Summer Reading Club in the United States with more than 97,000 participants.

         Losinski's emphasis on developing young minds and the innovative ways his team has pursued this goal has earned the Columbus Metropolitan Library well-deserved praise from within our community and across the country -- winning numerous awards and being named the number one library in the United States.    

Action for Children Named First Ever 2012 Champion of Children Nonprofit Organization

         This year Champion of Children also named the first ever Champion of Children Nonprofit Organization.  The award went to Action for Children, central Ohio's resource and referral agency for child care and early learning programs and services, for the leadership role the organization and its long-time CEO Diane Bennett  have played over its 40-year history in promoting high-quality early education.  Each year, more than 9,000 parents turn to Action for Children when they need child care and early learning programs for their children, and more than 11,000 professional caregivers and educators use its resources for training or technical assistance that supports continuous quality improvement.

         "Action for Children embodies every quality we sought in our first Champion of Children Nonprofit Organization," said Linda Kass, Champion of Children founder and chair of the Advisory Committee.  "The organization has pioneered innovative ways to help children learn, and caregivers and educators teach effectively.  Generations of students in central Ohio have benefited tremendously from the work of Action for Children and we are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of professionals as champions for all of our children."

         The Champion of Children Nonprofit Organization recognition includes a $5,000 award generously donated by Chase that will help Action for Children further its mission.

         Losinski and Action for Children will be honored at the 19th Annual Champion of Children Signature Event to be held at 5:30 p.m. on February 7, 2012 at COSI.  The event will include an award ceremony and a televised panel dialogue moderated by former WOSU “Open Line” host Fred Andrle.  This panel will discuss a new report to the community on the state of education in central Ohio.

         Support for the Signature Event and Champion of Children's year round activities is provided by our Champion Partners.