Groundbreaking Television Journalist Honored
for Examining the Impact of Addiction on the Family
Pioneering children’s advocate also receives award

Washington, DC— The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) presented Emerald Yeh, an Emmy award-winning television journalist, with its prestigious Margaret Cork Award for her ground breaking documentary Lost Childhood: Growing Up in an Alcoholic Home, on September 22, 2005 at its Children’s Council Reception held from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Washington Club in Washington, D.C. This documentary, first aired on the NBC affiliate KRON in San Francisco, is now being aired on PBS stations across the country as part of a public awareness campaign started by Ms. Yeh. Her campaign has an accompanying website, www.lostchildhood.org.

Ms. Yeh is the recipient of nine Emmys in broadcast journalism and numerous other awards including three from the Radio and Television News Directors Association, the Associated Press Television and Radio Association and the United Press International. She has also received many community awards mostly for her work addressing the needs of children, women and Asian Americans.

“Alcoholism is tragic enough but when there are children in the family the toll is magnified. My hope with Lost Childhood: Growing Up in an Alcoholic Home is that people become more aware of these children in their midst. One in four children grows up with alcoholism in his/her family. What makes this problem difficult is that, even though it is widespread, it is so hidden. My hope for these children is that they are able to get the help and attention they need early enough to make a difference,” said Ms Yeh.

In addition, NACoA thanked Jerry Moe, National Director of the Betty Ford Center Children’s Programs, for his three decades of work with children and families affected by addiction and whose efforts are recognized in Ms. Yeh’s documentary. Mr. Moe has consulted, trained or spoken on family treatment and recovery all across the United States, Puerto Rico and five continents, and is recognized as a leader in the field. His work forms the basis for many of the most effective programs that serve children of alcohol or drug dependent parents. He has written six books of games and activities targeted to children and youth living in families where addiction exists. He has received a number of awards including the Johnson Institute’s “America Honors Recovery” Award which was bestowed on him today.

“I am so fortunate to be doing the work I love, helping children learn skills they need to grow and thrive, said Jerry Moe. Being recognized by my peers for doing this labor of love is indeed a very special honor. I am truly grateful to NACoA for its support for the past twenty-three years and for the opportunity to work with the leaders in this field.”

The Margaret Cork Award was created to honor one of the pioneer researchers in the field of children of alcoholics. Her seminal book, The Forgotten Children, published in the 1960s by Toronto’s Addiction Research Foundation, helped to catapult the plight of children of alcoholics into the public eye.

“NACoA is proud to honor Emerald Yeh and Jerry Moe for their exceptional work for children of alcohol and drug dependent parents,” said Sis Wenger, NACoA’s President and CEO. Emerald’s awarding winning documentary, Lost Childhood: Growing Up in an Alcoholic Home, provides a glimpse of the pain and confusion children experience when their parents suffer from alcohol and drug dependence. But more importantly, it shows how specially designed programs, such as those created by Jerry Moe, can help these children build resilience and lead productive lives. Jerry has dedicated his life to helping these children, and NACoA is delighted to recognize him for his three decades of service to this field.”

Charles Curie, Administrator of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration added, “the award winners are shining examples of what individuals can do to build a healthier and more hopeful nation. As a result of their work countless children of alcoholic and drug dependent parents are being helped to build on their strengths and develop resilience to overcome their difficulties.”

Julie and Peter Cummings of Detroit and Palm Beach, Kathy Lowe Petersen, of the DC-based Lowe Family Foundation, and PBS This is America! host Dennis Wholey were the hosts of NACoA’s Children’s Council event.

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) is a non-profit membership and affiliate organization advocating for all children and families affected by alcoholism and other drug dependencies. NACoA is the leading organization advocating for the one in four children and their families affected by alcoholism and other drug dependencies. NACoA’s efforts are centered around public awareness, providing public policy leadership at the national, state and local levels and informing professionals and the public about the impact of addiction on children and families. NACoA also develops tools and materials to help educate professionals including doctors, clergy, educators, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. In addition, NACoA works through its affiliate organizations nationwide and in Great Britain and Germany to foster the development of education and prevention services for children impacted by parental addiction.

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