Awards & Media

Rainbow Days’ Family Connection Program Selected as 2009 Honorable Mention Winner for the Mutual of America Community Partnership Award

The Mutual of America Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good. Each year, from hundreds of submissions, 10 applicants are selected for these awards. There is the national award recipient, two honorable mention awards and seven merit finalists. Family Connection was named as one of the two honorable mention award winners. This award recognizes that the Family Connection program makes a significant positive impact on those it serves (14,000 children and 4,000 parents in the Dallas community at the time of selection); fosters partnerships among government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses; displays creativity in addressing a real-life problem; and is effective in leveraging resources.

Excellence in Mission Achievement Award for the Family Connection Program

The Family Connection program for homeless children and families was awarded the “Excellence in Mission Achievement Award” by The Center for Nonprofit Management. Chosen from 30 applicants, this award recognizes organizations that exemplify distinctive achievement in nonprofit management. A beautifully engraved Tiffany’s plate, a check for $5,000 and consultation from Association Work were presented to Rainbow Days at A Night of Light, an awards dinner benefiting the Center.

Caring Institute Names Inductees to the Caring Hall of Fame  – 2010 

Cathey Brown was awarded the Caring Institute’s 2010 National Caring Award from the Founder of the Caring Institute, Val Halamandaris, at the Gaylord Texan during the 23rd annual Caring Awards Ceremony. Cathey received the award along with four other outstanding adult recipients, five remarkable youth and a few noteworthy honorees: Sen. Bob Dole, Peter Thomas, Lance Armstrong and a special Mother Teresa Memorial Caring Award for the late Hon. Ted Kennedy. All the individuals were recognized for their caring spirit and meaningful contributions to making our world a better place.

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas “Nonprofit Executive Award”- 2010

Cathey Brown was honored to receive the 2010 “Nonprofit Executive Award” from the Legal Aid of Northwest Texas. Each year, the Legal Aid of Northwest Texas recognizes three individuals who have provided extraordinary service benefiting women through their sustained service and leadership and have made a positive and lasting impact on the lives of women living in poverty. In April 2010, Cathey was honored alongside fellow outstanding honorees: J. McDonald Williams, Dallas Business Leader: Business Leadership Award; and Diane Sumoski, Partner, Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, L.L.P.: Louise Raggio Women’s Legal Advocate. They were recognized for their extraordinary service and advocacy on behalf of women in Dallas, especially those living in poverty.

HUD Best Practices Award

Selected from over 3,000 nominations, Rainbow Days’ Family Connection program for homeless children and families was recognized as a “Top 100 Best Practices” program in the nation by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1999. Secretary Andrew M. Cuomo presented the award and called the recipients the “Best of the Best.”

“Center for Social Innovation (CSI) Fellows: Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders”

Rainbow Days Founder Cathey Brown was selected by Stanford University as a “2002 CSI Fellow”, which included a $10,000 scholarship to attend the two-week “Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders” at the University. This is an honor extended to only 50 nonprofit leaders nationwide each year.

“Frances Hesselbein Community Innovation Fellows Program”

Cathey Brown was selected as one of five social sector leaders in the nation to participate in the “2001-2002 Frances Hesselbein Community Innovation Fellows Program,” which recognizes the accomplishments and supports the professional development of social sector leaders with a demonstrated record of leadership and entrepreneurial performance and who are engaged in programs that demonstrate community innovation.

“Visionary Award”

Cathey Brown was a recipient of the inaugural “Visionary Award” presented by the Betty Ford Center on behalf of its Metroplex Children’s Program. The national award was created to honor those who have distinguished themselves as visionaries in the field of substance abuse education, research, prevention and philanthropy. Mrs. Betty Ford presented the award to Cathey on Nov. 8, 2000.

“Children’s Champion Award for Leadership”

Rainbow Days Founder Cathey Brown was selected by the Dallas for Children organization to receive its “2000 Children’s Champion Award for Leadership.” Ms. Brown, a former teacher and counselor, developed Rainbow Day’s award-winning “Curriculum-Based Support Group” model of life skills education.

“Distinguished Human Service Professional Award”

The Community Council of Greater Dallas awarded Cathey Brown the “2001 Distinguished Human Service Professional Award” in the individual category. The Awards are given every other year to honor full-time staff of Community Council member agencies for outstanding performance in the field of human service.