The National Children's Alliance has honored the LDS Church's advocacy for protection of — and supportive care for — victims of child abuse.
The alliance presented its National Philanthropy Leadership Award to Joy D. Jones, general president of the church's Primary organization, during a Sunday reception in Washington, D.C.
The group praised the Utah-based faith for its "compassionate, committed leadership among communities of faith as a national philanthropic partner of the National Children's Alliance and the Children's Advocacy Center movement, in addition to its long-standing support for Utah Children's Justice Centers."
Jones stressed that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Primary organization, which represents about 1 million children worldwide, works with other faith groups and social service agencies to make a difference in addressing child abuse issues.
"[The award] is a delightful honor for the church to receive," Jones said in a news release, " ... but our commitment continues. We have much work to do, and this is really only the beginning."
In April, Jones and leaders from the church's adult women's Relief Society, Young Women and Primary organizations toured the South Valley Children's Justice Center in West Jordan and presented a check for $120,000. The money went toward medical supplies for child abuse victims at eight justice centers throughout Utah.
Alliance Executive Director Teresa Huizar said in the release that people of faith play a critical role by partnering in her organization's mission.
"Faith communities have a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of protecting children," she said, "because families and communities really listen to them and turn to them for support and guidance."
Susanne Mitchell, director of the Salt Lake County Children's Justice Center, was also honored by the alliance. She received the Horowitz-Barker Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of leadership and service to children.
Utah opened its first Children's Justice Center in Salt Lake County more than 25 years ago. There are new more than 20 locations statewide, serving approximately 5,500 young victims annually.
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| Courtesy LDS church Sister Joy D. Jones receives the National Philanthropy Leadership Award on behalf of the Church from Teresa Huizar, executive director of National ChildrenÕs Alliance, in Washington, D.C., Sunday, June 4, 2017.
| Courtesy LDS church Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary general president, speaks after accepting the National Philanthropy Leadership Award on behalf of the Church from the National ChildrenÕs Alliance in Washington, D.C., Sunday, June 4, 2017.
| Courtesy LDS church "It is an honor to join you this wonderful evening to celebrate the incredible work that you do each and every day to serve children and families across the nation affected by abuse," said Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary general president, in Washington, D.C., Sunday, June 4, 2017.
| Courtesy LDS church Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary general president, speaks after accepting the National Philanthropy Leadership Award on behalf of the Church from the National ChildrenÕs Alliance in Washington, D.C., Sunday, June 4, 2017.
| Courtesy LDS church "I'm so grateful, and I represent the Church in expressing gratitude for this award. But with that, giving commitment Ñ ongoing, continuous commitment Ñ to this work moving forward and recognizing that there is so much to be done, that this is just a beginning,Ó said Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary general president, in Washington, D.C., Sunday, June 4, 2017.
| Courtesy LDS church Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary general president, speaks with guests participating in the National Children's Alliance award ceremony in Washington, D.C., Sunday, June 4, 2017.
| Courtesy LDS church Susanne Mitchell, director of the Salt Lake County ChildrenÕs Justice Center, was honored at the National ChildrenÕs Alliance reception with the Horowitz-Barker Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of leadership and service within the CJC movement in Washington, D.C., Sunday, June 4, 2017.
| Courtesy LDS church Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary general president, hugs Tracey Tabet, administrator of the Utah Children's Justice Center program, after receiving the National Philanthropy Leadership Award on behalf of the Church from the National ChildrenÕs Alliance in Washington, D.C., Sunday, June 4, 2017.
| Courtesy LDS church Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary general president, and her husband, Robert Jones, attend the award ceremony for the National Children's Alliance in Washington, D.C., Sunday, June 4, 2017.
| Courtesy LDS church Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary general president, talks with Primary children in Washington, D.C., Sunday, June 4, 2017.
| Courtesy LDS church Sister Joy D. Jones visits with Primary children in Washington, D.C., Sunday, June 4, 2017.
| Courtesy LDS church A family feeds the ducks at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., Sunday, June 4, 2017.
| Courtesy LDS church Sister Joy D. Jones visited Primary children in two different Washington, D.C., congregations on Sunday, June 4, 2017.
| Courtesy LDS church The Church receives the National Philanthropy Leadership Award from the National ChildrenÕs Alliance at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C., Sunday, June 4, 2017.
| Courtesy LDS church Headquarters of the National ChildrenÕs Alliance, Washington, D.C., June 4, 2017.