A Night of Recognition: Celebrating Smile Forward, Dr. Angela Oliver-Burgess, and Youth Advocate Katie Matthews.

A Moment of Recognition for Work Done With Heart

Smile Forward and Katie Matthews honored at the 2026 Florida’s Children First awards.

Some work is rarely done for applause. It happens in quiet conversations, in showing up consistently, and in believing in a young person before they believe in themselves. That’s why moments of recognition can mean so much.

At the 2026 Florida’s Children First awards ceremony, Smile Forward and its founder, Dr. Angela Oliver-Burgess, received the Outstanding Nonprofit Champion for Children Award.

What This Means for Dr. Angela

For Dr. Angela Oliver-Burgess, this work has never been about recognition. It has always been about young people, especially those with lived experience in foster care, and about helping them feel valued, supported, and empowered to shape their futures. To have that commitment seen and honored across the state is a meaningful affirmation of the years of care she has poured into this mission.

Dr. Angela Oliver-Burgess couldn’t be there to accept it in person. She is in Ukraine, taking part in faith-based trauma-healing work and serving others halfway around the world.

For her, caring for people doesn’t stop at any border. Faith Hartsock, Youth Program Coordinator, Smile Forward and John Watson, Senior Advisor, Smile Forward/Brevard Youth Leadership Council accepted the award on her behalf, carrying the heart of the mission with them.

This honor belongs to everyone who has walked alongside her: the youth, the mentors, the partners, and the supporters who make this work possible.

A Young Leader Celebrated

The evening held another special moment. Katie Matthews, a member of Smile Forward’s Brevard Youth Leadership Council (BYLC), received the Outstanding Youth Advocate Award.

Katie’s recognition is a reminder of why this work matters. Young people deserve the chance to speak up, share their perspectives, and help shape the decisions that affect their lives. When a young person is heard and trusted to lead, the whole community is stronger for it. Congratulations, Katie. We are so proud of you.

A Community That Shows Up

Faith, John, and Katie were joined by Naomi from the BYLC, along with representatives from WAYS for Life, HOKU Design, and Family Partnership of Central Florida. Their presence was a beautiful reminder that supporting children and youth is a shared effort.

The ceremony also honored Representative Anna Eskamani with the Outstanding Legislative Champion for Children Award, reflecting the many ways advocacy shows up for Florida’s children.

With Gratitude

Awards offer a lovely pause to look back, but the heart of this work will always be the young people it serves. Thank you to Florida’s Children First and Florida Youth Shine for this honor, and to everyone who celebrated with us and believes that every young person deserves to be seen, supported, and heard.