Alexandra Abell (front row 3rd from the right) was one of the 19 award winners honored at the Harford County Champions for Children and Youth Event.

Alexandra Abell (front row 3rd from the right) was one of the 19 award winners honored at the Harford County Champions for Children and Youth Event.

(l-r) Kevin Keegan, Director of Family Services; Catholic Charities' staff member and award winner, Alexandra Abell; and Harford County Director of Community Services, Amber Shrodes.

(l-r) Kevin Keegan, Director of Family Services; Catholic Charities’ staff member and award winner, Alexandra Abell; and Harford County Director of Community Services, Amber Shrodes.

Alexandra Abell, a Harford County Villa Maria therapist, was one of 19 individuals honored at the annual Champions for Children and Youth event which is sponsored by the County’s Local Management Board.

The award celebrates Abell’s accomplishments as a school-based therapist at Riverside Elementary.  According to Karen Kleeman-Jones, LCSW-C, program supervisor of Villa Maria in Harford County, Abell creates a fun and relaxed atmosphere that enables the children to manage their anxiety and mood disorders which may be the result from trauma, poverty, or violence in the home or community.