Rainbow Days Awards

AWARDS

Effective Programs

“Rainbow Days' Family Connection Program Selected as 2009 Honorable Mention Winner for the Mutual of America Community Partnership Award”

The Mutual of America Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good.

Each year, from hundreds of submissions, ten applicants are selected for these awards. There is the national award recipient, two honorable mention awards and seven merit finalists. Family Connection was named as one of the two honorable mention award winners.

This award recognizes that the Family Connection program makes a significant positive impact on those it serves (14,000 children and 4,000 parents in the Dallas community to date); fosters partnerships among government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses; displays creativity in addressing a real-life problem; and is effective in leveraging resources.

“Excellence in Mission Achievement Award for the Family Connection Program”

The Family Connection program for homeless children and families was awarded the "Excellence in Mission Achievement Award" by The Center for Nonprofit Management. Chosen from 30 applicants, this award recognizes organizations that exemplify distinctive achievement in nonprofit management. A beautifully engraved Tiffany's plate, a check for $5,000, and consultation from Association Work were presented to Rainbow Days at A Night of Light, an awards dinner benefiting the Center.

“HUD Best Practices Award”

Selected from over 3,000 nominations, Rainbow Days’ Family Connection program for homeless children and families was recognized as a “Top 100 Best Practices” program in the nation by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1999. Secretary Andrew M. Cuomo presented the award and called the recipients the “Best of the Best.”

Outstanding Leadership

	"Caring Institute Names Inductees to the Caring Hall of Fame " - 2010 Cathey Brown was awarded the *Caring Institute’s 2010 National Caring Award* from the Founder of the Caring Institute, Val Halamandaris, at the Gaylord Texan during the 23rd annual Caring Awards Ceremony. Cathey received the award along with 4 other outstanding adult recipients, 5 remarkable youth, and a few noteworthy honorees – Senator Bob Dole, Peter Thomas, Lance Armstrong, and a special Mother Teresa Memorial Caring Award for the late Hon. Ted Kennedy. All the individuals were recognized for their caring spirit and meaningful contributions to making our world a better place. Caring Magazine
	Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas "Nonprofit Executive Award"- 2010 Cathey Brown was honored to receive the 2010 “Nonprofit Executive Award” from the Legal Aid of Northwest Texas. Each year, the Legal Aid of Northwest Texas recognizes three individuals who have provided extraordinary service benefiting women through their sustained service and leadership and have made a positive and lasting impact on the lives of women living in poverty. In April of 2010, Cathey was honored alongside fellow outstanding honorees: J. McDonald Williams, Dallas Business Leader: Business Leadership Award and Diane Sumoski, Partner, Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, L.L.P.: Louise Raggio Women's Legal Advocate; for their extraordinary service and advocacy on behalf of women in Dallas, especially those living in poverty.
	"Center for Social Innovation (CSI) Fellows: Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders" - Stanford University - 2002 Cathey Brown, Rainbow Days' founder and Chief Execuitve Officer, was selected by Stanford University as a "2002 CSI Fellow", which included a $10,000 scholarship to attend the two-week "Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders" at the University; an honor extended to only 50 nonprofit leaders nationwide each year.
	"Frances Hesselbein Community Innovation Fellows Program" - Drucker Foundation - 2001-2002 Cathey Brown was selected as one of five social sector leaders in the nation to participate in the "2001-2002 Frances Hesselbein Community Innovation Fellows Program," which recognizes the accomplishments and supports the professional development of social sector leaders with a demonstrated record of leadership and entrepreneurial performance and who are engaged in programs that demonstrate community innovation.
	"Distinguished Human Service Professional Award" - 2001 The Community Council of Greater Dallas awarded Cathey Brown the "2001 Distinguished Human Service Professional Award" in the individual category. The Awards are given every other year to honor full-time staff of Community Council member agencies for outstanding performance in the field of human service.
	"Visionary Award" - 2000 Cathey Brown was a recipient of the inaugural "Visionary Award" presented by the Betty Ford Center on behalf of its Metroplex Children's Program. The national award was created to honor those who have distinguished themselves as visionaries in the field of substance abuse education, research, prevention and philanthropy. Mrs. Betty Ford presented the award to Cathey on November 8, 2000.
	"Children's Champion Award for Leadership" - 1999 Cathey Brown, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rainbow Days, was selected by the Dallas for Children organization to receive its "2000 Children's Champion Award for Leadership." Ms. Brown, a former teacher and counselor, developed Rainbow Day's award-winning "Curriculum-Based Support Group" model of life skills education and has directed Rainbow Days since its inception in 1982.