National Award Guidelines
The National Open Hearts Awards Program offers two types of awards to faith communities outside of Cook, Lake, Will and DuPage counties in Illinois. The two awards programs, one for children and one for adults, recognize congregations that use best practices to make it possible for people of all abilities to participate.
The National Junior Open Hearts Awards invite children to enter a computer presentation, video or series of photos showing how their place of worship welcomes members of all abilities. Children's entries are accepted for the following age categories:
- Children - ages 5-8
- Youth - ages 9-13
- Young Adult - ages 14-18
Parents, principals, teachers or religious leaders may facilitate the National Junior Open Hearts Awards, or the children may create entries on their own. Our lesson plans, "Different Gifts, But the Same Spirit" teach children about the importance of inclusion and can prepare children to enter the National Junior Open Hearts Awards.
Awards of up to $1,000 will be granted to winning congregations to recognize their achievements and to allow them to expand their inclusion efforts.
Nomination Process and Requirements
Nominations for both the National Open Hearts Awards and the National Junior Open Hearts Awards must demonstrate the following:
- How people with disabilities are valued, welcomed and affirmed by the faith community
- How accommodations are provided so that meaningful participation is available to all
- How inclusion benefits individuals and the congregation as a whole
- How access and welcome are communicated to all
- How if chosen a winner, the award will help the congregation expand inclusion efforts
- Nominations must use people first language. People-first language dignifies rather than demeans. When using people-first language, make reference to the person first, then the disability. Say "a person with a disability" rather than a "disabled person." For more information about people-first language, consult The Power of Words in our Inclusive Congregation Toolkit
Nominations must include the following information:
- Name, address, telephone, and fax of applicant's place of worship
- Name and signature of faith community's religious leader
- Applicant's name, address, telephone and title (if applicable)
- Junior Open Hearts Awards entrants must include their age
National Junior Open Hearts Nomination Form
The submission of photos or video tape that illustrates how the congregation welcomes people of all abilities is required. Electronic submission of photos is preferred; the photos submitted by entrants may be used on the Pathways Awareness Foundation website or in its publications.
National Award nominations should be mailed to the following address:
Pathways Awareness Foundation
150 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601
E-mail entries to: friends@pathwaysawareness.org
Fax entries to: 312-893-6621
Deadline for nominations is August 1 each year.
Award recipients may reapply, provided they show how the congregation has expanded its inclusion efforts.
Pathways Awareness Foundation reserves the right to determine criteria for evaluating entries and selecting award recipients. The program is administered subject to official rules. For official rules, send a self addressed, stamped envelope to Pathways Awareness Foundation.
List of Previous National Junior Open Hearts Award Recipients
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