The Maine Children’s Alliance is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Giraffe Awards, which honor community heroes who “stick out their necks” for Maine children, youth, and families. Giraffe Award winners are individuals, organizations, and businesses who go above and beyond, demonstrating leadership in making Maine a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
“We are so pleased to honor this year’s inspiring award winners, each of whom plays a unique role in improving the lives of children and families in our state,” says MCA Executive Director Ashleigh Barker.
The winners of the 2024 Giraffe Awards:
Allagash Brewing Company, Business Award. As a Certified B Corporation, Allagash Brewing Company has made a commitment to their employees, the environment, and their community. Some of their most meaningful community partnerships have focused on the health of Maine's youngest. Over the last ten years, they have given over $250k to help end childhood hunger here in Maine, by supporting organizations like Full Plates Full Potential, the Locker Project, Maine Foodscapes, Falmouth Food Pantry, and many more. They have also sponsored a Pediatric Nursing Scholarship at Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital since 2012—and they have given well over $500k in that time. They are honored and humbled to be recognized among this wonderful group of likeminded Mainers.
Chris McLaughlin, Individual Award. Chris McLaughlin, MSW, LCSW (he/him/his) is the Executive Director of the Maine Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and owner and lead consultant of Inspired Consulting Group, LLC. A lifelong resident of Maine, he obtained both his BA in Psychology (1996) and his MSW (2001) from the University of Maine. Chris has spent more than 25 years as a provider and a leader in behavioral health services for youth and families across a variety of clinical settings. Chris has a passion for teaching and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maine and Husson University in Bangor. Chris is the developer and instructor of the “Inspired Allies” certificate program, which is designed to support professionals across different industries to increase their confidence in providing affirming services to members of the LGBTQIA+ community. He is also co-host of the “Inspired Insights” podcast, dedicated to reducing stigma in talking about wellness and mental health and the lived queer experience. Chris and his husband live in Hermon, Maine with their three dogs, Anna, Becky, and Sawyer.
Deb Hagler, Lifetime Achievement Award. Deborah Hagler, MD, MPH, FAAP has practiced pediatrics in Brunswick, Maine for the last 27 years. She attended Cornell Medical College and obtained her pediatric training at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In 2021 she was awarded the degree of Master of Public Health from the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University where she focused her studies on child and adolescent mental health and substance use. Dr. Hagler has been an active member of her community since medical school. She is a past president and a current board member of the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP] and a board member of the Midcoast Youth Center.
She has been assisting a dedicated team at the Midcoast Youth Center to implement Strengthening Families Ages 10-14, an evidence-based program that decreases family conflict and adolescent substance misuse. She has played an active role in the Sagadahoc Working Community Challenge Team, funded by the Boston Federal Reserve Bank, which is developing and implementing systems change at a community level to address youth depression as a barrier to achieving full potential and employment. Dr. Hagler has enjoyed raising, with her husband of 34 years, a family in Maine and been delighted to watch so many wonderful young people grow up, including her two wonderful, and now young adult sons.
Maine Access Immigrant Network (MAIN), Organization Award. MAIN was originally founded in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) by Mohamud Barre and the resettled Somali community. The organization was initially named Somali Culture and Development Association. Its mission was to embrace the vision of a free-standing community center with staffing to support all Somalis for access to information, resources and services. It was formally renamed to Maine Access Immigrant Network in spring 2014. MAIN has since expanded to serve other African groups, including South Sudanese, Rwandan, Burundian, and Congolese, and continues to expand with services to Middle Eastern and other refugee groups. Maine Access Immigrant Network (MAIN) bridges access to health and social services for immigrants and refugees in Portland Maine. The organization works to build a stronger multicultural community in Portland, and to address refugee health literacy, health care enrollment, and coordination of health care benefits and non-clinical care. MAIN provides resource and referral information that is culturally and linguistically appropriate in English, Arabic, Somali, and French to ensure equal access to programs and services for new Mainers from Africa and Middle East.
Matteo Hardy, Youth Award. Matteo Hardy is an accomplished and passionate youth leader and advocate. He began his journey with the Kennebec County Youth Advisory Board (KCYAB) and later interned with Flavors Hook Kids Maine, where he championed substance use prevention. Matteo also served as a youth specialist on the Maine Recovery Council Prevention Work Group, contributing valuable perspective to substance use prevention efforts. Recently inducted into the National Honor Society, Matteo is a dedicated member of his school and community. He actively participates in his school’s Key Club and is an engaged member of his church community. His love for music is evident in his exceptional achievements: he has sung in the District 3 and All-State Choirs and is a proud member of the Cony Madrigals, the premier vocal ensemble at Cony High School, where he is currently a student.
In addition to excelling in high school, Matteo is enrolled in Maine’s Early College program, demonstrating his commitment to academic and personal growth. He is deeply thankful for the recognition he has received and is excited to continue sticking his neck out for kids.
Rebecca Millett, Legislator Award. Rep. Rebecca Millett served 12 years in the Maine Legislature - eight as State Senator and four as State Representative. She served as a member of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee during her full legislative service including four as chair. Rep. Millett grew up in Maine and attended Portland Public Schools. After graduating from college, serving in the Peace Corps and working in finance in New York, Rep. Millett moved home to Maine in 2000. Upon returning, she served on the Cape Elizabeth School Board from 2004 to 2010 and co-founded a citizens’ advocacy group to support advancements in local education. Rep. Millett is the founder and co-chair of the Maine Legislature's Children’s Caucus. She is grateful to have been chosen to participate in the National Council of State Legislatures’ Early Learning Fellow program and the Early Childhood Policy Academy offered by the Harvard Center for the Developing Child and the Hunt Institute. Rep. Millett served on the New England Board of Higher Education, co-chairing its Legislative Advisory Committee, and Children's Cabinet Early Childhood Advisory Committee and many task forces and commissions.
The awards will be presented at MCA’s annual Champions for Children event, at Maple Hill Farm in Hallowell, on Tuesday, December 10 th , 2024.