“I couldn’t believe it; I was in shock,” said Summers, who, as a specialist in Communities’ Connected for Kids’ Road to Success program, helps teens and young adults transition out of foster care. “I was looking around for someone to tell – I was so excited, but it was so late.”

Summers was honored July 9 during the 2019 Florida Coalition for Children Conference in Orlando. Her supervisor, Chris Martinez, accepted the award on her behalf, describing her as “truly exceptional.”

“Her passion and dedication to families is inspiring,” he said. “It really is an honor to have her on our team.”

Summers joined that team earlier this year after serving nearly five years as a dependency case manager in St. Lucie County. Prior to that, she served as a traveling career coach, specializing in the Spanish-speaking community.

“To know that you did something right, and that people noticed – that the extra hours you put in made a difference in somebody’s life – that’s a very special feeling,” said Summers, who still gets calls from former clients.

“I always pick of the phone,” she said. “I just might be the one voice that makes a difference.”

She really does change lives, said Margie Dotson, a Road to Success colleague who nominated Summers for the award.

“Litty is the epitome of a social worker,” Dotson said. “She’s able to be professional, yet personal with our families and provide them with what they need – she advocates, teaches, empowers and strengthens every family on her caseload.”