Nominations are set to close this week for the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards for Child Advocacy, an annual recognition programme organised by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy to honour individuals and organisations working to improve the lives of young people across Oklahoma.
The nomination window will officially close at 5 p.m. CDT on Friday, May 15, ahead of the awards presentation later this summer during the organisation’s annual Heroes Ball gala in Oklahoma City.
The awards programme, which invites direct public participation in both the nomination and voting stages, is regarded as one of the few child advocacy recognition initiatives in the state to be driven entirely by community involvement.
“The Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards are given annually to an Oklahoma individual and an organization the public feels deserve special acknowledgment,” said Joe Dorman, CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA). “The process begins with nominations made by the Oklahomans and culminates with voting for the winners.”
According to OICA, the awards are intended to recognise individuals, charities, programmes, and organisations whose primary mission is focused on serving children and young people, whether through professional employment or volunteer work.
The organisation said it is seeking nominations for people and initiatives that have demonstrated measurable impact and long-term commitment to improving opportunities and outcomes for Oklahoma’s youth population.
Public voting process to determine final winners
Following the close of nominations, a committee made up of OICA board members will review submissions and determine a shortlist of finalists in both the individual and organisational categories.
“From the nominations, the finalists are narrowed down by a committee of OICA board members,” Dorman said. “Then, the people will be able to vote to choose the winners in both the individual and organization categories.”
Finalists selected for the awards will later provide videos and biographical information for publication through OICA’s online platforms and social media channels. Members of the public will then be invited to vote online before a final round of voting takes place during the Heroes Ball event itself.
Attendees at the gala will also receive ballots, allowing votes to be cast in both award categories during the evening programme.
The Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards have become a recognised part of Oklahoma’s wider child advocacy sector, highlighting both grassroots and institutional efforts aimed at supporting vulnerable children, expanding educational opportunities, improving health outcomes, and strengthening family services.
Over recent years, the awards have recognised a wide range of community advocates, educators, youth workers, charities, and support organisations operating across the state.
Past individual winners include Brenda Lene’ in 2017, Cody Inman in 2018, Judy Payne in 2019, Ryan Abernathy in 2020, Melissa Ahlgrim in 2021, Amber Cuyler in 2022, Alethea Satterwhite in 2023, Mary Beth Talley in 2024, and Sarah Soell in 2025.
Previous organisational recipients include Whiz Kids Oklahoma, Peppers Ranch, Oklahoma United Methodist Circle of Care, Diabetes Solutions of Oklahoma, SoonerStart, Fostering Connections, Sara’s Project, The Anna’s House Foundation, and M&R Doyle Holdings, Inc.
Heroes Ball to support ongoing advocacy work
The awards ceremony will take place during OICA’s annual Heroes Ball on Saturday, July 25. The gala serves both as a recognition event for child advocates and as a fundraising initiative supporting the organisation’s ongoing policy and advocacy work on behalf of children and families across Oklahoma.
OICA has said sponsorship packages, event tables, and tickets for the Heroes Ball remain available ahead of the event.
The organisation continues to focus its wider advocacy efforts on issues affecting children and young people throughout the state, including education, child welfare, healthcare access, mental health support, and family services.
With the nomination deadline approaching, OICA is encouraging members of the public to submit final nominations for individuals and organisations they believe have made a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing and development of Oklahoma’s youth communities.
