CAC NEWSLETTER

2022 | June

Message from Sherry, President/CEO

Happy June! This month, we recognize the children and families of the LGBTQI+ community as we celebrate Pride Month. At the CAC, we witness the obstacles and injustices that impact the children and families within the LGBTQI+ community on a daily basis. We believe individuals should have the right to be their authentic selves and we believe the CAC to be a safe and supportive space for the children and families we serve to do so.

On Monday, June 20th the CAC office will be closed in observation of Juneteenth. We hope you all have take time this weekend to celebrate 157 years of freedom in the United States!

This past month has been filled with building connections and creating new ways to make big impacts on families within our community. We have received encouraging feedback from families about the resources and services they have been provided through the Center!

While our spring event season comes to an end, we are thinking ahead to our annual Fall fundraiser, Gainesville Gone New Orleans! Save the date for October 27th, 2022 from 6:30-9:30pm at Valley View at Santa Fe River Ranch for an evening filled with food, drink, live music, and New Orleans fun!

Sherry Kitchens, President/CEO

Small Victories as Told By Alex's Aunt

This month Victim Advocate, Brandon Dulom spent a little bit of time that made a big impact on Alex's* Aunt! Read what she said about her experience at the CAC:

"My husband and I were contacted by DCF out of the blue to see if we would take in our then 14 year old nephew. We had no idea what was going on but decided we would take him in. We have never dealt with anything like this before so we were really lost. Thank God Brandon contacted me quickly and helped walk us through the process and has been there every step of the way. We are now 10 months in and he is still right by my side. Not only does he ask about Alex but he checks on me every time as well. He truly cares about us and I feel comfortable talking to him about the dynamics of our family. I was pleasantly surprised at how helpful the CAC has been and how much they care. Not only has Brandon been amazing, Partnership and the Guardian Ad Litem have been great to work with as well!"

*Alex is a pseudonym to protect a vulnerable child's identity

Pride Month

LGBTQ+ youth face unique challenges related to systemic and singular threats to emotional, physical, and mental well-being. Research on LGBTQ+ youth and children in the child welfare system is difficult to obtain because many children are not comfortable with disclosing their gender identity or sexual orientation. Across the nation more than 70% of LGBTQ+ children and youth report feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. If you consider the trauma caused by rejection by family members this statistic not surprising. At the Child Advocacy Center, we seek to make all feel welcome and safe – supporting LGBTQ+ children and their families is one way we’re happy to do that!

Learn more here!

Fill-A-Bag Friday

Fill-A-Bag Friday is a day where we invite our clients and foster families to come "shop" the CAC donations and fill a bag with any items needed for free, including clothing, books, toys, school supplies, and hygiene products.

Over the past several months, we have been so grateful to have received so many donations, but our clothing closet started to burst at its seams! Our wonderful weekly volunteers worked to process and organize these generous donations and we started to set up for a Fill-A-Bag Friday! Last Friday, families stopped by Center and filled bags with many needed items thanks to donations from YOU!

We are gearing up for a night of fun at our 14th Annual Signature Fundraiser Gainesville Gone New Orleans at Valley View in Alachua, FL. You can expect amazing food, drinks, and entertainment as well as a live auction, silent auction, wine pull, and fabulous raffle prizes! If you're interested in learning more click the image above to visit the website!

Meet the Staff

We are excited to welcome Maria Echeverry as the newest member of the Case Management Team as an Advocate/Case Manager!

Maria Echeverry graduated from the University of Florida in 2022 with a double major in Criminology and Anthropology and a certificate in Spanish for the Professions. She began her journey at the CAC on September of 2021 as a volunteer, and she then became an intern. Her passion and love for the organization led her to become an advocate.

How to Help

Interested in being a part of our mission to #breakthecycle? There are several ways you can contribute!

Child Life Volunteers help out at the center and spend time with children in the waiting area before or after therapy sessions. This weekly commitment is a great way to see the impact CAC services has on children and families.
Special Events Volunteers help with CAC events through out the year. You can help in advance or day of!

Visit our Website to Sign Up Today

Your financial support helps us continue to provide services to children who have experienced abuse or neglect!

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