This is the first in a series of profiles on the 2020 Giraffe Award winners. Each week leading up to the Champions for Children virtual celebration on November 17th, we will feature a profile of a 2020 Giraffe Award Winner and showcase how they “stick out their neck” for Maine children, youth, and families. This week, we are pleased to introduce you to Camelia Babson-Haley.
Camelia Babson-Haley has been with Youth and Family Outreach since March 2000 and Executive Director since 2009. YFO is a high-quality early care and education center with a mission to serve diverse families in downtown Portland. For two decades, Camelia has led with heart, always putting the needs of children and their families in the center. She is also known for mentoring her staff, many of whom are new immigrants to Maine.
Camelia has been in the field of early childhood education since 1989. During that time she has seen more than 500 children head off to public school with the tools they need to succeed on their educational journey. From a lab school in Nevada, to a Head Start in Maine, to a parent cooperative in Georgia; Camelia has experienced a diversity of programming that set the stage for her work at YFO.
In 2009, Camelia skillfully brought YFO quickly out of a recession and now successfully manages the annual budget and endowment. She is an active part of the community both as a business and an industry leader. Each year Camelia actively seeks the resources necessary to meet the needs of staff, families, and children that YFO serves. She does this through the acquisition of both public and private funds, as well as by maintaining a partnership with the United Way of Greater Portland.
Camelia is known in the community as a collaborator and actively seeks out beneficial partnerships, such as the University of Southern Maine, Portland Public Schools, and The Opportunity Alliance. She has maintained national accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children for Youth and Family Outreach since 2003.
In particular, Camelia was able to quickly and thoughtfully respond when the pandemic hit in early March. When it was clear YFO would need to close, she went above and beyond to support her families and staff with diaper deliveries, informal food banks, and connections to resources. Since reopening in June, Camelia has navigated health and safety protocols, while also ensuring the high quality care children and families of YFO depend on now more than ever.
Camelia Babson-Haley will be awarded the 2020 Individual Award for her many years of service to providing high quality child care and support for the early care workforce on November 17th at our Champions for Children celebration.
Don’t forget to join us for the 2020 Champions for Children and Giraffe Awards event ! And keep an eye out for upcoming profiles featuring the rest of our 2020 Giraffe Award winners.