Ralph Adams named the 1st Kenneth W. Watson Education Fund Award Winner

Earlier this fiscal year, CCCS established the Kenneth W. Watson Education Fund through a charitable donation from Dr. Kenneth Shine. Each year, monies from the fund will be awarded to one (or more) teen father(s) participating in our Next Step College Readiness Program. Funds will be used to supplement the student's college education expenses, including include books, fees and other direct costs associated with enrollment and attendance.

We are proud to announce the first recipient of this prestigious award is Ralph Adams, the first teenage father to participate in the Chicago Child Care Society's (CCCS) Next Step College Readiness Program. (See News Release here for more information)

In the early 1960's Kenneth W. Watson joined the CCCS family as the Director of Foster Care, the agency's anchor and largest program at that time. He worked for CCCS for more than 30 years. In 1967 he published a monograph entitled, "Adoption, Philosophy and Practice", which focused on the needs of the child. He retired in 1994 as the Assistant Executive Director.

When Kenneth Watson passed away he left us a rich legacy of serving our most vulnerable children. With a generous contribution to the agency, Dr. Kenneth Shine has founded the Kenneth W. Watson Education Fund in tribute to his dear friend's life and his commitment to the rights and needs of children. Please help to continue to meet the needs of our children and youth we serve by giving to the Kenneth W. Watson Education Fund. You CAN make a difference!