042126..R RISING UP 1...Warren...04-21-26...Rising Up & Moving On award winner Demitria McNally of zChampion, right, with her daughter Emberly (correct) Henderson, 2, share a moment together during the annual awards luncheon...Demitria McNally and Craig Henderson were award winners and were at the event with their children, daughters Emberly Henderson, 2, Esmae Henderson, 3, and son Elijah Henerson, 6...by R. Michael Semple

WARREN — With its theme of “Rooted in Resilience,” Trumbull County Children Services’ annual “Rising Up and Moving On” awards honored those in four categories who showed fortitude in their commitment to themselves and the children of this community.

The four awards presented Tuesday at DiVieste’s Banquet Centre were Rising Up and Moving On, Sister Jean Orsuto Service to Children, First Responders in Excellence and Executive Director Award.

Marilyn Pape, executive director of TCCS, selects the recipient of the award named for her position. This year’s winner was Trumbull County Family Court Magistrate Alex Savakis.

“He would say that he does not deserve this award for just doing his job,” Pape said.

Savakis could not attend the luncheon to receive his award because he was visiting with his new grandchild out of state.

According to Pape, he has his priorities straight as he always did during the 38-plus years she worked with him. She described him as “not only supportive but very skilled with helping reunite families.”

He creates a case plan for parents who are involved with TCCS.

Introducing the next award, Pape said, “I asked myself what does it mean to rise up and move on? Often referred to as the process of overcoming adversity, heartbreak or loss by accepting a new reality, leaving the past behind and building a new fulfilling life.”

The Rising Up & Moving On Award recognized the creation of a family from a situation that started with neglect and abuse, and ended in a loving home for a child living in a Trumbull County Children Services residence home.

The next two families epitomized this idea.

Ed and Tayana Smith helped young Joel, 11, through his journey of moving forward while Demitria (Demi) McNally and Craig Henderson had their own journey to overcome adversity.

In his opening remarks, Harlan Williams, Trumbull County Children Services board president and pastor of Champion Baptist Church, said, “The best place for a child is with their parents.”

Henderson and McNally worked extremely hard through attendance at treatment court, his arrest, their separation and her parenting alone while also working. They both completed their programs and eventually united their families. Their three children attended the luncheon.

Henderson thanked all of the people at the agency who helped them reach their goals of sobriety and family unification. The couple even returned to treatment court, but this time as a success story and shared their experience with a graduating couple.

Kevin Gavitt received the Sister Jean Orsuto Service to Children Award. It is presented to community members who work with the agency to advocate and bring awareness to children and families in Trumbull County.

Gavitt and his wife, Stacy, have four children. One child was adopted internationally and three through Trumbull County Children Services.

Prior to adopting, Gavitt and his wife were foster parents. As a former child in foster care, he is also aware of the program.

Former TCCS Executive Director Tim Schaffner asked him, as an adoptive parent and former foster parent, to be on the board of directors. Gavitt viewed it as a natural progression. However, he resigned last year in order to focus on his family and his faith.

“I don’t feel worthy of receiving any award. How can I come up here and accept something after the previous two families were up here? That is what this day is all about. To see the love and joy in the hearts of all those children, that’s all you need,” Gavitt said.

Meeting a Trumbull County Children Services staff member at his insurance agency set him on the path to local adoption.

“We went from no kids in 10 years to four kids in less than five years. We realized we were maxed out and let our foster care license expire,” Gavitt said.

He thanked the agency for the big part they have played in his life and for his “beautiful family that God weaved together for us.”

The inaugural First Responders in Excellence Award was presented to six men from the Howland and Girard police departments. The recipients displayed outstanding service, courage and commitment as first responders who go above and beyond to serve the community.

Detective Sgt. Jon Coleman and Detective Nicholas Brancaccio of the Howland Police Department received the award for their expertise in a March 6, 2024, Internet Crimes Against Children cybertip investigation.

Sgt. Jonathon Silverman of the Girard Police Department gave CPR to a toddler who was found unresponsive in a pool on May 23, 2024. His efforts helped stabilize the child until EMS arrived.

Howland police Chief Nick Roberts recognized the efforts of officers Sgt. Jordan Wert, Daniel Ebert and Brandon Littell in response to a juvenile in crisis at the bridge on Route 82 and East Market Street. They displayed compassion to a child having a mental health issue.

Lamar King, a former foster care child, was the keynote speaker. He discussed his mother’s resilience to overcome her trials and the relationship they have today as well as the accomplishments he has achieved with the assistance of many people in his life who have cared about him that ranges from a police officer to his foster mom and dad.

“We all can play a role in helping a child,” King said.