Advocates at every level and age play an important role in Children’s Week Florida™ mission of improving the lives of our state’s children, youth, and families. A significant number of these individuals are under the age of 18. These young Floridians embody vision, demonstrate integrity, and continuously encourage advocacy efforts for the issues most important to them. We look to these influential youth as tomorrow’s leaders.

The Youth Advocate Award highlights youth who have initiated or diligently worked on behalf of positive change in support of programs or policies that benefit young children, their peers, and/or families in their school, community, or statewide. Youth nominees should have a record of service that demonstrates significant commitment to advocacy efforts and exemplifies creativity, leadership, and collaboration.

Congratulations to our inaugural Youth Advocate Award recipient, Maurits Acosta.