Women's History Month:

Honoring the Women Who Hold Our Children's Futures

By Melanie Pignotti, LCPC, CAC Chief Executive Officer

Women’s History Month invites us to honor the women whose courage, leadership and insistence on justice have shaped the world we live in. In child advocacy, this reflection carries a special weight. Our work exists because too many girls and women have endured violence and silencing, yet our work thrives because women continue to rise, lead and heal.

At our Child Advocacy Center, this truth is visible every day. We are a 100% women‑led organization, guided by a Board of Directors that is 58% women and serving a community in which more than half of our clients are girls and young women. Women are not just part of our mission; they are the leadership, the labor and the heart of the healing we provide.

Across the professions that anchor our CAC—social work, mental health counseling, forensic interviewing, medical care and victim advocacy—women form the overwhelming majority. National workforce analyses show that 83.9% of licensed social workers are women, and women make up most of the mental health counseling and therapy workforce...

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CAC's Work Matters: Read the FY25 Impact Report

Because of the dedication of our board, staff, MDT partners, donors, funders and volunteers, CAC was able to make meaningful progress during the last fiscal year in supporting children and families in crisis. Together, we are helping create a community where every child can thrive in safety and well-being.

Read the digital flipbook version of the FY25 Impact Report here.

The report also highlights CAC's FY26-FY28 Strategic Plan. Read more about the vision guiding this work in the strategic plan overview on page 5 of the Impact Report.

February Community Engagement

Symposium

Supporting the supporters! On February 20, CAC staff gathered with 150+ colleagues for a powerful day of learning, connection and collective care — building resiliency and nurturing personal and professional well-being in helping professions. Our friends from Partners for Our Communities are pictured above. They brought a group of 11!

Rotary Club of Palatine Grant Awards

On February 27, Director of Development Taylor and Marketing and Communications Manager Rachel accepted a generous $1,500 donation supporting mental health assessment forms used by CAC's Forensic and Advocacy Services and Mental Health Services teams. Also pictured is Rotary Club of Palatine President Joe Mazzocchi.

Mayor's Breakfast

At Hoffman Estates Mayor McCleod's annual breakfast, local leaders shared positive updates highlighting growth, collaboration and a continuous commitment to the community. CAC CEO Melanie Pignotti is pictured with Windy City Bulls President Brad Seymour , Windy City Bulls Executive Director Joe Landa and Connor Brandon of Edward Jones (Rolling Meadows).

CACI Conference Recap

CAC Forensic Interviewers, Family Advocates and Trauma Therapists spent three days with colleagues learning from experts at the Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois annual conference March 3-5. In addition, Development Director Taylor Kanara and Marketing and Communications Manager Rachel Gilmore (pictured right) presented Money From Nothing/#NonProfitLife at the conference.

Coming Soon: #Cones4Kids, CAC Open House & More

In April, we'll join other child advocacy centers and related organizations to raise awareness of our work during Child Abuse Prevention Month. Plans include:

#Cones4Kids which partners with six ice cream shops across our service area
CACI's Legislative Day in Springfield
Make with a Mission on April 21 at Barrington Area Library (program supplies funded by a grant from the Barrington Area Community Foundation)
Community Open House at the Hoffman Estates house on April 30

Watch our website and your email for more details. There are many easy ways that you can join us this April to empower kids' voices and inspire hope in them and their families. We are stronger together!

WONDER

You're invited to join CAC friends on May 7 at a magical evening designed to delight your inner child while raising critical funds for CAC.

Purchase your tickets on our event site, $150 each. Includes open bar, passed appetizers and delicious food stations.

Raffle tickets are also available for purchase on our event site for an incredible Ed Sheeran concert package. See below.

We're counting down to ONE PERFECT NIGHT - are you?

CAC's WONDER raffle features an unforgettable experience: premium seats to see Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour at Soldier Field on June 27, plus a downtown hotel stay, a $100 gift card for Il Culaccino and a rideshare voucher to make the night seamless from start to finish.

Every raffle ticket purchased directly supports CAC's work with young survivors or violence in our community.

Buy now online at our event site. (Winner will be drawn at WONDER on May 7, 2026. Winner need not be present.)

WONDER Raffle Info

Root Beer Float Run Registration

Join us on June 13 for a scenic run through Busse Woods! After crossing the finish line, celebrate with a classic root beer float in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

All proceeds support the CAC, helping us continue to provide hope, healing and critical services to children in our community.

April 1-30	Child Abuse Prev. Month	Multiple events/locations
May 7	WONDER	Metropolis, Arlington Hts.
June 13	Root Beer Float Run	Busse Woods, Elk Grove Vlg.

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Volume 47 | March 2026