KITM Announces 2022 Champion of Kids Award Recipient
ST. LOUIS (August 22, 2022) Kids In The Middle (KITM), a non-profit counseling agency, has announced that William (Bill) Clarke will receive the 2022 Champion of Kids Award for his decades-long devotion to helping children and families heal from the trauma of divorce and separation. Bill will be recognized at the Kids In The Middle’s 45th Anniversary Gala: A Celebration of Childhood at Third Degree Glass Factory on October 13, 2022.
Clarke originally joined the KITM Board of Directors in 2004 and served eight years. He then joined The KITM Advisory Council, serving as Chairman from 2014-2015. Bill was then re-elected to the KITM Board of Directors in 2016, where he served as President, twice as Vice President, and as Secretary. Bill also has chaired the Strategic Planning, Fund Development, Board & Volunteer Development, and Gala committees during his 18 years of service. He was selected to receive this award because of his continued support, dedication, and generosity to ensuring that children and families receive these much-needed mental health services.
“For nearly two decades, Bill has gone above and beyond for KITM with his passion for our mission through his various roles and we couldn’t be more grateful,” says KITM CEO Katy Walter. “We feel there is no better time or place to honor and recognize Bill for his undeniable support than at the Gala celebrating our 45th year!”
Bill retired as President of Horner & Shifrin, Inc, an engineering, architectural, and planning firm, in December of 2011 after being with the company for over 32 years. Since the early 1980s, Bill has taken an active role in several technical, professional, and non-profit organizations, one being the Missouri Water Environment Association (MWEA), where he has been on many committees, was in the position of Vice President, and served as President from 2017-2018.
Over 35 years ago, Bill and his three children went through the difficult and emotional process of divorce. He has since dedicated his time with KITM to helping kids find the best way to deal with the pain and turmoil of these life-changing family transitions. “I want to see the kids caught in the middle of divorce have a safe place to talk and get help to deal with the emotions they are feeling, something my children never had the opportunity to do during the most upsetting time in their life,” says Bill Clarke. “I will continue to work for the kids in the years to come, and I look forward to helping Kids In The Middle achieve their goal of helping 45,000 kids in the next 10 years.”
The Champion of Kids Award will be presented at A Celebration of Childhood Gala on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at Third Degree Glass Factory. To show your support for Bill, you can give a gift at www.kidsinthemiddle.org/donations/. For more information about the gala, including sponsorships, call (314) 909-9922 or visit www.kidsinthemiddle.org/gala/.
About Kids In The Middle
Kids In The Middle (KITM) helps children and families transition to a new way of life before, during and after separation and divorce, for the sake of creating healthier futures for all involved. Founded in 1977, KITM is a nationally accredited nonprofit agency that provides comprehensive and confidential counseling, education and support services focused on the entire family. KITM is a proud member of the United Way of Greater St. Louis and receives funds from the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund. KITM is located at 2650 S. Hanley Rd. in St. Louis, Mo. For more information, visit www.kidsinthemiddle.org.
# # #
