KidsMatter to honor NCTV17’s Elizabeth Braham Spencer with Kids’ Champion Award
KidsMatter will be honoring the recipient of this year’s Kids’ Champion Award on Saturday, Nov. 15. during the 2025 “Empower Gala — Dream. Believe. Become.”
Elizabeth Braham Spencer, executive director of Naperville Community Television 17, will receive the award during the Gala for her commitment to the Naperville community, her support of KidsMatter and her dedication to empowering youth.
Spencer joined NCTV17 in 2002 and became executive director two years later. During her 23 years with the station, Spencer has transformed NCTV17 into a dynamic community television outlet and trusted voice, with a wide range of hyperfocal programming including news, sports and election coverage.
Under Spencer’s guidance, NCTV17 launched its website — nctv17.org — and built a strong presence across five social media sites, keeping Naperville news free and accessible to all — without a paywall.
Spencer, a champion for youth, launched a robust internship program for high school and college students, providing hands-on mentorship and guidance to help young journalists build skills and confidence.
From the beginning of her work at NCTV17, Spencer shared advice and highlighted efforts by KidsMatter and community partners to build resilient kids who say “NO” to destructive choices and “YES” to endless possibilities.
Her leadership of NCTV17 has helped the community learn of KidsMatter’s mission to help youth realize their purpose, know their value and discover their pathway. Her work similarly has shared the missions of many other nonprofits and schools in the community.
Honoring Spencer with the Kids’ Champion Award is only one highlight of this year’s “Empower Gala.”
The evening of celebration will kick off KidsMatter’s 25th anniversary year and also will include a special guest appearance by actress, author and mental health advocate Mariel Hemingway.
The event begins with a welcoming reception featuring inspiring student performances, then continues with a live auction, dinner and paddle-raise during the main program.
Attendees will hear powerful, firsthand stories from students whose lives have been transformed through KidsMatter. Alan Krashesky, retired ABC 7 Chicago anchor and Naperville resident, will serve as emcee.
A limited number of individual $175 tickets, tables of 10 and sponsorships for the EMPOWER Gala are still available. For details, to become a Gala sponsor or to purchase tickets, visit kidsmatter2us.org/empower/.
Recognized as Naperville’s proactive, youth oriented human service organization, KidsMatter’s mission is to build resilient kids who say “no” to destructive choices and “yes” to endless possibilities.
Established in 2001, KidsMatter has received several awards for its work helping young people build developmental assets including positive values, healthy relationships, and self-esteem. With programming focused on preventing problems in the lives of youth before they start, KidsMatter equips youth and families with essential tools to manage the societal pressures and stress of everyday life through dynamic school and community programs, practical education, resources, and youth recognition. A community leader among nonprofits, KidsMatter harnesses the power of partnership with parents, educators, and an extensive network of community resources to help kids and families thrive.