Beacuse of you.......

There are moments in this work that stop you in your tracks — not because of the weight of what we carry, but because of the people standing beside you when you carry it.

May is a month I look forward to every year, because it gives me a chance to say out loud what I feel every single day: we could not do this without you.

This spring, Kindred Kids Child Advocacy Center completed our re-accreditation site review — and I am proud to share that we passed. Accreditation is not a checkbox. It is a rigorous, comprehensive evaluation of every facet of how we serve children and families, and meeting that standard is a testament to the dedication of an entire community of people who have chosen to show up for the most vulnerable among us.

To our Multidisciplinary Team partners — law enforcement, prosecutors, child protection, mental health providers, medical professionals, and advocates — thank you. The collaborative model at the heart of child advocacy work only functions when every partner brings their full expertise and commitment to the table. You do that, every time, for every child who walks through our doors. This accreditation belongs to you as much as it does to us.

To our Board of Directors — your volunteer leadership, your strategic guidance, and your unwavering belief in this mission make everything possible. You give your time, your expertise, and your hearts to an organization that exists to protect children. That is not a small thing. That is everything.

And to our Advocates — I want to take a moment and say this as clearly as I possibly can: you are the heartbeat of this work.

You are the ones who sit with children and families in their most frightening moments. You are the steady voice, the compassionate presence, the person who makes sure no one navigates this process alone. You translate chaos into clarity, fear into trust, and uncertainty into hope. The re-accreditation reviewers see the systems and the structure — but you are what fills those systems with meaning. Every child who has walked through our doors has been better because of you, and every family who has left feeling seen and supported carries a piece of your dedication with them.

Thank you. From the bottom of my heart — thank you.

As we turn the page from Child Abuse Prevention Month into May, I want to carry that energy forward — because awareness without action leaves children behind. The work doesn't stop when April ends, and neither should our community's engagement.

Here's how you can be part of what we're building:

If you feel called to serve in a deeper way, we are actively seeking board members who share our passion for child advocacy and want to help guide Kindred Kids into its next chapter. Board service is one of the most meaningful ways to invest in a community you love.

If your schedule doesn't allow for that level of commitment right now, consider volunteering — your time and presence make a real difference in how we serve families across the 11th Judicial District.

And if you're looking for a simple, powerful way to sustain this work month after month, a small recurring monthly gift goes further than you might imagine. Every dollar supports the forensic interviews, the victim advocacy, the VRA services, and the countless hours our team dedicates to making sure no child faces this alone.



The children and families of the 11th Judicial District deserve a community that shows up — and because of partners like you, that is exactly what Kindred Kids does every day.

With deep gratitude and purpose,

Lori Jenkins, MPA

Executive Director/Forensic Interviewer