Kia Butler (middle) standing with her parents following being presented with the award at West Chester University last month.
WEST CHESTER — “Change begins with us,” Kia Butler said after receiving the 2016 Drum Major for the Justice Award at the Martin Luther King Celebration brunch at West Chester University’s Sykes Student Union on Thursday, January 21, 2016.
The Drum Major for the Justice Award is a prestigious honor that is awarded to individuals who follow in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., by dedicating their life’s work to social justice issues.
Tiffany Lane, the President of the Frederick Douglas Society Members and Assistant Professor of Social Work at West Chester University explained, “West Chester University Drum Major’s for Justice are West Chester University Alumni who, through their personal and or professional efforts have exemplified themselves as pillars of the community. They are men and women who are role models, leaders in their field and actively involved in improving the world around them. The Frederick Douglass Society Committee voted and selected Ms. Butler out of three nominees.”
As a person who has always been very passionate about helping children, Kia Butler earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from West Chester University. While in school, she volunteered at West Chester’s Kindred House for homeless families. As a member, she was also deeply involved in community service projects with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In 2010, Ms. Butler received her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Phoenix.
Ms. Butler began her career at Progressions, a behavioral health agency, working with children between the ages of 5 and 15. Her commitment to children led her to Northern Children’s Services in 2003, where she worked as a school-based case manager. In 2008, Kia became the Director of Community-Based programs, where she managed programs that served children and youth throughout the Philadelphia and surrounding counties, including truancy prevention, community change initiative, juvenile justice prevention and the After School Beacon program. Currently, Ms. Butler is the Director of Foster Care at Northern Children’s Services.
Her enthusiasm and drive has kept her focused on the needs of children, who are too often overlooked.
“If you change the life of one child, you have changed the world,” Ms. Butler.
Her dedication and love for her job is a great testament to that statement. During her speech, she made it clear that this award was not about her. It was about the many children and youth who are currently in need of a foster home. She challenged the audience to reach out to their local agencies to assist, whether it is with foster care or mentoring youth.
For more information about Northern Children’s Services foster care program and services, please visit www.northernchildren.org.
