TEXARKANA, Texas -- Texarkana Children's Advocacy Center recently recognized four Heroes of Hope at its second annual Multidisciplinary Team Awards Banquet and Appreciation Event.
The banquet, sponsored in part by The Patterson Troike Foundation, was Sept. 9 at Texarkana Convention Center on Cowhorn Creek Road.
"Heroes of Hope honors our local multidisciplinary teams in Texas and Arkansas who are front-line professionals that respond to reports of child abuse and neglect," according to a news release.
The teams consist of local law enforcement, district attorney offices, Child Protective Services, juvenile probation, medical and mental health professionals, the Children's Advocacy Center staff and other professionals. Members "work every day to ensure hope, healing and justice for child abuse victims and their families," the release states.
The winners were --
Arkansas Hero of Hope: Elizabeth Hernandez, Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division
Texas Hero of Hope: Whitney Walker, Department of Family and Protective Services
Heroes of Hope Community Partner: Eternal Beauty Medical Aesthetics & Day Spa
Heroes of Hope Board Member of the Year: Liz Flippo, board president
Elizabeth Hernandez, Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division, poses with her Arkansas Hero of Hope Award at the second annual Multidisciplinary Team Awards Banquet and Appreciation Event on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Texarkana Convention Center in Texarkana, Texas. Hernandez is seen with Jessica Kelley and Bianca Jones. (Photo courtesy of Texarkana Children's Advocacy Center)
Whitney Walker, Department of Family and Protective Services, poses with her Texas Hero of Hope Award at the second annual Multidisciplinary Team Awards Banquet and Appreciation Event on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Texarkana Convention Center in Texarkana, Texas. Walker is seen with Hallie Thompson and Savannah Quinn. (Photo courtesy of Texarkana Children's Advocacy Center)
Eternal Beauty Medical Aesthetics & Day Spa was named the Heroes of Hope Community Partner at the second annual Multidisciplinary Team Awards Banquet and Appreciation Event on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Texarkana Convention Center in Texarkana, Texas. (Photo courtesy of Texarkana Children's Advocacy Center)
Liz Flippo, not pictured, was named the Heroes of Hope Board Member of the Year at the second annual Multidisciplinary Team Awards Banquet and Appreciation Event on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Texarkana Convention Center in Texarkana, Texas. Flippo is president of CASA of Northeast Texas' board of directors. Pictured are Dr. Lori George, Misty Honea, Missy Davison and Sgt. Brad Thacker of Texarkana Texas Police Department. (Photo courtesy of Texarkana Children's Advocacy Center)