Latest news with #Children'sAdvocacyCenter
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GIVE donates $20,000 to Children's Advocacy Center of Smith County
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Girls Invested In Volunteer Efforts, also known as GIVE, celebrated their tenth anniversary on Sunday by awarding their largest grant ever to the Children's Advocacy Center of Smith County. East Texas Better Business Bureau shreds over 30,000 pounds of documents at Shred Day event GIVE, a group of high school girls modeled off of the Women's Fund of Smith County, raised money for the $20,000 grant by selling handmade bracelets. The grant will help fund a new play therapist at the Children's Advocacy Center of Smith County. 'The Children's Advocacy Center is going to use the $20,000 to fund a play therapist for their initiatives that they do in Smith County,' GIVE chair Christi Khalaf said. 'So it's going to mean a lot to get someone that can work with the younger age group and to impact and children in that area.' The CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System even chipped into the grant by matching the funds raised by GIVE. To learn more, visit GIVE online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man booked in Polk County jail for kidnapping, sodomy at residential facility
BOLIVAR, Mo. — A green card holder from Sudan has been booked in the Polk County Jail for felony charges stemming from alleged sex crimes in a Bolivar residential facility last year. According to online court dockets, Mohamed Bade Ali, 19, was booked in the Polk County Jail on Monday, April 21, for charges of first-degree kidnapping and two counts of first-degree sodomy. The probable cause statement says a Bolivar Police Department officer attended a Children's Advocacy Center interview with the juvenile victim in October of 2024, where the victim reported that when he arrived at a Polk County residential facility in September of 2024, Ali and another juvenile would give him candy and soda, and would also 'hang out' with the victim. The victim said on a weekend night in September, he walked into Ali and the juvenile's room on the premise of a party taking place, but nobody else was there and they closed the door behind the victim. Ali allegedly held the victim down as the juvenile sexually assaulted the victim. Later, Ali allegedly sexually assaulted the victim, as well, according to the statement. The sexual abuse went on for a week, the statement says. The statement notes that while Ali is a Sudanese refugee, he does have a green card to be in the United States indefinitely and has been here for several years. Ali's case worker says Ali is not in danger of being deported. He was moved to another facility in St. Louis last year around the time that the probable cause statement was filed. Ali is currently booked in the Polk County Jail with a $50,000 bond. His case review is scheduled for May 23. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County Hosts Luminaria
FLORENCE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County is hosting a series of events this month to mark Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. Locals say they continue to fight for children's rights. At the event on Thursday, more than 3,000 luminarias were lit to represent the number of child abuse survivors that the center has served. 'We need to work together to make sure, as adults, we're taking care of kids and making sure we keep them safe,' says Kara Mcelhone, executive director of the Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County. According to the center, 25% of those they serve are under 7 years old. 80% of those they work with are sexual abuse survivors. 'We stand together to protect children so they feel safe in this world. Unfortunately, there are children who need help feeling that way. People abuse them and treat them horribly. They need to be empowered,' says Willow with Bikers Against Child Abuse. If you would like to learn more information about the center, click here. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
CASA and Children's Advocacy Center spread awareness and raise funds to fight child abuse
By Travis Hairgrove thairgrove@ With April being National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, both CASA for Hunt County and Hunt County Children's Advocacy Center have been especially busy these last several weeks, as they have worked to spread that awareness. Naturally, they've also both been busy raising funds to continue their mission of helping area kids who are going through some abusive or neglectful living situations. Last week, the Children's Advocacy Center had its 'Strike Out Child Abuse' bowling tournament and on Thursday, CASA held its second-annual 'Justice is Served' dinner. At both events, the community came out in force to support the organizations. For instance, at 'Justice is Served,' attendees bid a total of $6,675 on aprons that were worn by judges, attorneys and members of law enforcement as they served that night's barbecue dinner. The aprons were decorated with art by children who are currently in the foster care system and being served by volunteers with CASA, some of whom have been in the system for as long as two and a half years. In addition to the fundraisers, both the Children's Advocacy Center and CASA hosted their annual 'Go Blue Day' Rally at the Hunt County Courthouse on Friday. As a result, the northwest lawn of the courthouse is now blooming with hundreds of blue pinwheels, each planted at the rally to represent a child in Hunt County who was served by either organization in 2024. Volunteers with CASA advocate for children who have been removed from abusive homes and placed into foster care. Through their advocacy, CASA volunteers build a rapport with the children they represent and speak for their best interests throughout the case. Meanwhile, the Hunt County Children's Advocacy Center program is the front door for the child abuse investigation process to provide a collaborative response to children impacted by abuse. At the various events, both organizations have re-emphasized that point that child abuse remains a significant problem across the country, state and locally. Last year, 372,613 children were confirmed victims of abuse in the United States and 9,506 were from Texas. In Hunt County, 674 abuse allegations were investigated. As a result, 245 children and their families received services without the children being removed from their homes, while 63 children were placed in foster care, contributing to a total of 133 children in the foster care system in the county.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Children's Advocacy Center starts child abuse prevention month with pinwheel ceremony
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — April marks the start of Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Children's Advocacy Center kicked off the month with its annual Pinwheel Ceremony. Hundreds of colorful pinwheels now decorate the CAC campus, symbolizing hope and the commitment to protecting children. Students from local schools participated in placing the pinwheels, each representing the national symbol for child abuse prevention. Justin DeLoach, Chief Executive Officer of the Children's Advocacy Center, emphasized the importance of the event. 'Today was our annual Pinwheel Ceremony, which kicks off Child Abuse Prevention Month for our community,' he said. 'Even though April is the national month for Child Abuse Prevention, we hope that our community observes Child Abuse Prevention 365 days of the year. Today is just to remind everybody what we can be doing to protect kids in our community,' DeLoach added. April Fools' Day is celebrated with pranks and hoaxes worldwide This statement reflects the CAC's mission to raise awareness and promote year-round vigilance against child abuse. The pinwheel, representing childhood innocence, is a symbol of the freedom every child deserves. 'Pinwheels are the whimsical feel that we hope every child in our community has,' DeLoach explained. 'Just as the wind blows through a pinwheel, we hope children in our community are free and worry-free. It is the national symbol of childhood abuse prevention.' Sheriff Nick Hanna also spoke at the event, emphasizing the role of law enforcement in preventing child abuse. 'Our role is to intervene, identify victims, and the Children's Advocacy Center gives us tools that we use on a daily basis,' Hanna said. The partnership between law enforcement and the CAC is crucial for identifying and helping children who have suffered abuse. 'The CAC served over 5,800 children and families through services, training, and outreach,' the Sheriff explained. 'The Department of Family and Protective Services conducted over 900 investigations in Tom Green County, with over 250 cases of child abuse,' Hanna added. DeLoach highlighted the importance of community involvement in preventing abuse. Sutton law enforcement searches for wanted escapee 'This turnout is a reminder that children still need us. We are their strongest voice, and it starts with the community. We are all mandatory reporters in Texas. If you suspect something, we hope you'll stand with our children,' DeLoach said. The event was a reminder that child abuse prevention is a shared responsibility. The sight of hundreds of pinwheels spinning in the wind symbolizes hope for a future where every child is free from abuse. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
