2026 Amplify Award Honorees
Celebrating people whose advocacy, leadership, and commitment are creating meaningful change for children, youth, and families across Virginia.
MAKING SPACE FOR WHAT’S POSSIBLE
This year’s Amplify Awards are rooted in a simple idea: meaningful change begins when we make space for what is possible. Across different communities, systems, and experiences, our 2026 honorees are creating room for young people and families to be heard, challenging what has been accepted as inevitable, and imagining something better. Their work looks different, but the thread is the same: showing up, listening deeply, and turning possibility into action.
2026 Amplify Awards
Four Stories. One Shared Purpose.
Hear directly from each recipient as they reflect on the work, experiences, and impact that shape their story.
Enduring Impact Award Honoree
Dr. Andrea Sobel
Making space for children to thrive.
For decades, Andrea Sobel has worked to strengthen the systems, programs, and people that surround young children. Her career has spanned research, teaching, consulting, mentoring, and professional development, all rooted in a commitment to equity, inclusion, and creating stronger environments for children to thrive.
Today, she continues that work as Chair of the Board at ACCA Child Development Center, investing her experience in the educators and early childhood programs that support children and families every day.
Why This Work Matters
Andrea’s enduring impact is reflected not only in what she has built, but in the people and systems she has strengthened along the way. She believes meaningful change starts with valuing children, supporting the people who care for them, and keeping equity at the center. Her hope is that the work at ACCA can help shape stronger early childhood support far beyond one program.
Youth-Led Change Award Honoree
1Brotherhood Empowered
Making space for young people to build what they need.
1Brotherhood Empowered is a teen-led leadership program creating space for Black and Brown boys and young men to build resilience, strengthen their leadership, and connect with one another in a supportive community.
As the recipient of the Youth-Led Change Award, 1Brotherhood is being recognized for creating opportunities for young people to lead, advocate, and help shape the kind of support and community they need. Through leadership opportunities, college and career exposure, mental health support, communication development, advocacy, and peer support, the program helps participants grow their confidence, relationships, and sense of possibility.
Why This Work Matters
1Brotherhood’s impact comes from creating the kind of space young people recognized was missing. By centering peer connection, leadership, advocacy, and support, the program shows what becomes possible when young people are trusted to help shape the communities they want to be part of and build what they need for what comes next.
RISING VOICE Award Honoree
Jack George
Making space for young people to lead.
Jack George is a youth advocate, public speaker, and political organizer from Henrico County whose work is rooted in a simple belief: young people should have a meaningful role in shaping the decisions that affect their lives.
His advocacy spans mental health, gun violence prevention, public education, civic participation, and expanding student representation in government. Jack serves as National Vice Chairman of the High School Democrats of America and has worked with local, state, and federal leaders while helping advance youth perspectives in public policy. He is also the founder and host of The Student Seat Podcast, where he creates space for students to engage directly with elected officials, community leaders, and other changemakers.
Why This Work Matters
Jack’s work challenges the idea that young people should have to wait until adulthood to lead. Through organizing, advocacy, public speaking, and creating new platforms for youth participation, he is helping turn youth voice into real influence. His story shows what becomes possible when young people are not simply invited into the conversation, but trusted to help shape it.
Healing in Action Award Honoree
SafeSpot Children’s Advocacy Center
Making space for children to heal.
SafeSpot Children’s Advocacy Center of Fairfax County provides a safe, child-centered environment for children and families navigating the investigation and aftermath of abuse. Through forensic interviews, family advocacy, trauma-focused therapy, case management, and coordinated support, SafeSpot works to reduce trauma while helping children and caregivers move toward safety, stability, and healing.
Their collaborative approach brings together law enforcement, child protective services, prosecutors, medical professionals, and advocates so children and families do not have to navigate complex systems alone. At every step, SafeSpot centers the needs and safety of the child.
Why This Work Matters
The Healing in Action Award recognizes what SafeSpot makes possible in some of the most difficult moments a child and family can face: a place to be heard, supported, and given a path forward. Their work shows that healing is active work, requiring care, coordination, advocacy, and people committed to creating safety when it is needed most.
The Stories Continue
Different paths. A shared commitment to what comes next.
These honorees show us that change can take many forms: strengthening systems, creating safety, making room for young people to lead, and building something new when what is needed does not yet exist. Together, their stories remind us that possibility grows when people choose to act, listen, build, and keep going.
Thank you for helping us celebrate the people creating that possibility every day.
Continue the Work
Keep making space for what’s possible.
Voices for Virginia’s Children works year-round to advance policies, elevate young people and families, and connect advocates with the tools and relationships needed to create lasting change.
If these stories moved you, your support helps make more of this work possible across Virginia.