Congratulations to our state representative Nick Collins for winning the 2015 Legislator of the Year award from the Children’s Legue of MA. See press release below:
BOSTON—Last week, State Representative Nick Collins (D-Boston) accepted the 2015 Legislator of the Year award from the Children’s League of Massachusetts (CLM), a statewide non-profit association of over 80 private and public organizations and individuals that collectively advocate for public policies and quality services that are in the best interest of the Commonwealth’s children, youth and families. The ceremony was held at Nurses Hall at the Massachusetts State House during CLM’s annual Advocacy Day event.
“We would like to thank Representative Collins for all his efforts on behalf of the children and families of the Commonwealth, stated Erin G. Bradley, Executive Director of CLM. “From his work on countless budget items that would improve the lives of children and families in the Commonwealth to supporting services for low-income families and substance abuse treatment programs, Representative Collins believes that all children in our state should have equal opportunities. We were proud to work with him on Children in Need of Services (CHINS) reform legislation to keep our youth out of the juvenile justice system and are honored to have him as a lead sponsor of our highest priority bill this session. We know we can continue to call him a friend and supporter.”
“Receiving the CLM Legislator of the Year award means a great deal to me,” stated Collins. “I take my role as a State Representative very seriously. Our supreme obligation as a Commonwealth is to look after our most vulnerable citizens and children, especially those who might be unable to represent themselves. If we can provide all children with safety and the proper tools, they can grow to become successful, contributing members of society. I will continue to work to with my colleagues and the Children’s League to help us fulfill that obligation.”
Representative Collins is the House sponsor of the Foster Care Omnibus bill, CLM’s top priority bill for the current session. The bill focuses on four main areas: increasing protections against child abuse and neglect; providing youth in foster care with educational stability; better preparing foster care youth for when they ‘age out’ of care; and promoting normalcy and permanency for children in the care of the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
As CLM’s Advocacy Day 2015 event also marked the beginning of its ‘Superheroes 4 Kids’ campaign, designed to educate members of the public on simple things they can do to advocate for increased safety and services for children in care, Representative Collins was hailed as a Superhero 4 Kids as well as Legislator of the Year.
Raise your glass! Representative Nick Collins is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party at Lincoln Tavern on Tuesday March 17th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. There will be live Irish music from Bobby Fowkes and plenty of great company. The back room is reserved and direct entry will be granted at the door if there is line. Tickets start at $25 and may be purchased here https://secure.actblue.com/page/nickcollins
