A Message from the Executive Director

Winter 2013
A Message from the Executive Director
It’s been an incredibly exciting year for the staff and Board of Directors at the Children’s Advocacy
Center of the Bluegrass! In March 2013, after more than two years of planning, we proudly opened
the doors of our new 8,000 sq. foot home on North Ashland Avenue.
This state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest tools and technology needed to coordinate
the investigation and treatment of child sexual abuse. It affords us space to more effectively
serve children and families as we grow and expand services. This is undoubtedly one of the nicest
CACs in the country and I am certain that others will look to our Center when they imagine the
possibilities in their own communities.
But it’s not the bright colors or the beautiful new training rooms that makes this building special.
The Center is extraordinary because of the caring people who work here. Our staff members are
the most knowledgeable, committed, and passionate advocates anywhere. They give a little piece
of themselves every day so that life is a little easier for kids who have already experienced so much
hurt.
This year alone, we will provide direct services to more than 600 children and 800 caregivers
in Central KY, all at no cost to a child’s family. Nearly 150 children will receive a medical exam
conducted by our expert medical staff. More than 90 children will enroll in individual therapy to
develop a healthy self-image and learn to trust again. For hundreds of sexually abused children in
our community, the path to hope and healing starts at the Children’s Advocacy Center.
One simple truth remains – we can’t do any of this without your help.
This holiday season, please consider making a financial gift to the Children’s Advocacy Center. Your
contribution will help us bring an end to sexual abuse in our community and hundreds of children
will realize a brighter future because of your generosity.
Peace be with you this holiday season,
Andrew Oliver
Executive Director
2013-2014
Board of
Directors
Derrick Whitaker
President
Bill George
Vice President
Paige Rea
Secretary
Guy Bradley
Treasurer
Susan Blake
Renae Ellis
Morgan Hall
Trish Roberts Hatler
Callie Keller
Amelie Larson
Ray Larson
Matthew Malone
Brenda Mannino
Alicia Miller
Cyndy Harbett Miller
Lee Milward
Jenna Mitchell
Marion Queen
Lou Anna Red Corn
Lt. Mario Russo
Barbara Saunier
Bruce Simpson
CAC Receives National Award
This summer, the Children’s Advocacy Center of the
Bluegrass won the 2013 National Children’s Alliance Public
Awareness Campaign Contest for our project, titled
Be the End. The organization was awarded $10,000 to fully
implement the public awareness campaign against child sexual abuse throughout
Central Kentucky. All materials from this campaign will also be made available by the
National Children’s Alliance to more than 800 children’s advocacy centers across the
country for use in their local communities.
About the Campaign
At its core, Be the End focuses on the
incredible resilience of children, their
undeniable vulnerability, and our ethical
responsibility as trusted adults to step in
when they need us most. The campaign asks
adults to speak up and be the voice for those
who depend on us. By reminding us that we
all have a responsibility to actively intervene
in response to children in pain, the campaign
provides simple tools and the encouragement needed for adults to end abuse in the
life of a child forever. Be the End educates caregivers and the general public to help
empower children in their homes, schools, neighborhoods and communities.
Target words such as “Friend,” “Mend,” and “Depend,”
were specifically chosen to capture both the vulnerability
and potential for recovery of child sexual abuse victims. The
emphasis on end reminds the public that they alone have the
power to end abuse in the life of a child.
Kansas City-based Sassafras Marketing partnered with the
Children’s Advocacy Center to bring Be the End to life. This
award-winning campaign would not have been possible without
their donation of time and talent. We are incredibly grateful for
their support!
Working Together To Keep Kids Safe
Chances are, you know someone who has been impacted by child sexual abuse.
According to the National Children’s Advocacy Center, a child is much more likely
to be sexually abused than to be diagnosed with a disability, mental retardation, or
autism. Because it thrives on secrecy, exact numbers are difficult to pinpoint, but it
is estimated that 1 out of every 8 children will be sexually abused before their 18th
birthday.
In spite of these statistics, there is overwhelming evidence that the child advocacy
center model is working. Coordinated response between community partners has
resulted in improved prosecution rates for sexual abuse cases. It also means child
victims receive mental health services, advocacy and medical exams in addition to
their interviews. Children’s Advocacy Centers strive to bring hope and healing to
sexually abused children while also keeping communities safer from child predators.
There are many ways to get involved with the Children’s Advocacy Center of the
Bluegrass. For more information, contact Program Coordinator, Megan Kohler, at
(859) 225-5437.
Thank You to Our Generous Donors!
Grants and Charitable
Organizations
Cabinet for Health and
Family Services
$142,266
Victims of Crime
Act
$133,633
William R. Kenan, Jr.
Charitable Trust$50,000
Family and Beyond Fund
$25,000
Spray Foundation$25,000
United Way$20,743
Columbia Gas of
Kentucky$17,500
Children’s Charity
Fund
$15,000
Crime Victim’s Trust
Fund
$12,000
Frances Hollis Brain
Foundation
$10,000
Randleigh Foundation
Trust
$10,000
National Children’s
Alliance
$1,000 and Over
Bank of America
David and Susan Blake
Bill and Patti Bridges
Matthew Brotherton
Copia Foundation, Inc.
Ogden and Beth Hilliard
$ 9,000
Hurt, Crosbie & May, PLLC
Hugh and Laura James
Katelynn Stinnett Memorial Ride
Fred and Callie Keller
Brad and Robin Kelley
David and Amelie Larson
Ray and Betty Larson
Leak Eliminators
John and Connie Linton
Maja
McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie & Kirkland, PLLC
Frank Mellon
Matthew and Jenna Mitchell
Wayne and Mary Lu Musick
Noble Contracting Group
Orphan Society of Lexington
Rick and Marion Queen
Craig Ramsey
Edwin Randle
Bill and Paige Rea
William and Barbara Reeves
Mark and Barbara Saunier
Shield Environmental Associates, Inc.
Thomas and Judy Shrout
Bruce and Cindi Simpson
Jeremy and Julie Smith
Deborah Stanley, MD
UK Good Samaritan Gift Shop
W.T. Setzer
Derrick Whitaker
$500-$999
Kenny and Molly Angelucci
Guy and Harriet Bradley
Crutcher Family Foundation, Inc.
Paula Renae Ellis
Kathleen Martin
Herbert and Cyndy Miller
Mary Dawson Charitable Fund
National Christian Foundation KY
Nick Ryan’s Saloon
Rainmaker Advertising, Inc.
Ray, Foley, Hensley & Co.
Adolph and Cathy Rupp, III
Ray and Judy Shepherd
Barry and Laurel Snelling
Women of the Moose Lexington
Up to $499
Lisa Hahn Acree
Gayle V. Alexander, DVM
Frances C. Amato
Walter and Susan Beam
Eleanor Benblatt
Diane Beidleman
Lori Bernard
Gary Bizzack
Bluegrass Community Foundation
Bluegrass Hospitality Group
Bob and Lee Anne Boswell
Robert and Marilyn Botkin
Joseph T. Bouvier
Marie Bradshaw
Sharon Bryson
Travis and Lindsey Burns
Frances Catron Cadle
Ben and Penny Campbell
CMI Properties
Jill Coldiron
Rebecca Collins
Robin Fishback Combs
Marcia Cone
Mary Blanton Cotton
Melissa Cowan
Larry Crosthwaite
Ralph and Diane Currie
Phil and Sue D’Egidio
Jeff Doss
Melissa Doyle-Harris
Josh Dunn
Rob and Elizabeth Edwards
Jeff and Emily England
Steve Estepp
Mike and Marley Garrett
Gatewood and Ann Gay
William and Allison George
Donna Grigsby
Mike and Raegan Gyorffy
Julia Hall
David Harl
Troy and Nancy Harrington
Trish Hatler
Tonya Hocker
Jacqueline Hogue
Franklin Hoopes
Pauline Hunter
D. LaVonne Jaeger
Krishon Jayaratne
Jones Walters Turner & Shelton PLLC
JP Morgan Chase
Neill and Sharon Kahle
Fred and Gohary Kamdar
Tom and Nancy Kenny
Thomas and Frances Lester
Tom and Jennie Lockridge
Randy Long
Connie Loventhal
Brenda Mannino
Wayne and Kathy Martin
Murray McCandless
Members Heritage Federal Credit Union
Cherry Miller
Joseph and Cindy Miller
Rob and Lee Milward
Rebecca Monday
Luke Morgan and Lou Anna Red Corn
Fred and Rox Mudge
James and Virginia Munson
James and Anne Murray
Charlene Muscat
Timothy Newcomer
Jacqueline Nicholson
Jacqueline Noonan, MD
Andrew and Shannon O’Geen
Andrew and Andrea Oliver
Dale and Joy Packer
Eleanor Grace Perreiah
Graham Pohl and Dr. Jane Fields
Frank and Frankie Purdy
Sarah Razor
Janet Royer
Joseph and Caroline Ruschell
Gene Sageser
Della Scoggin
Sisterhood of the Adath Israel
Robert and Ginny Sprang
Carol Steltenkamp
Robert and Ruth Straus
Mae Suramek
Styles Unlimited
Jackie Sugarman, MD
Kimberly Sweazy
Chris and Ellen Swetnam
Eva Trout
Thomas and Caron Tucker
Sidney Ulmer
UPS Employees
Jeffrey VanCleave
Charles Warren
B.J. Webb
Trevor Welch
Nancy West
Gail Whitt
William and Mary Witt
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Our Moving Story
Welcome to the new Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass!
Our new facility allows staff members to serve children and their families more
efficiently and effectively. Multiple services can occur simultaneously, reducing
wait times for families and improving the quality of services provided.
Our new home on North Ashland Avenue provides:
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8,043 sq. feet – Nearly three times larger than our previous home! Four separate family waiting areas.
Dedicated space for individual, group and family counseling.
Private client intake rooms for parents to ask questions and express concerns.
Two child-friendly forensic interview rooms and adjoining observation rooms for simultaneous
appointments.
Large, child-focused medical clinic for comprehensive exams, complete with beautiful mural painted by
C.R. Red Corn.
Huge file room with plenty of storage space.
State-of-the-art, Quantrell Jones Learning Center for training professionals and the general public about
child abuse prevention and intervention.
Administrative workspace totally separate from client activity space.
Ample parking for caregivers, staff and community partners. Home Sweet Home, 162 North Ashland Avenue
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The Quantrell-Jones Family Foundation Learning Center
One of four comfortable family waiting rooms
Life-size, 3-D pinwheel installation
in the breezeway
CAC Staff, Board Members and Mayor Jim Gray
Open House, April 30, 2013
Parent Consultation Room
You can help write the next chapter in Our Moving Story. Our new home provides many opportunities to
honor an individual, continue a family’s legacy of philanthropy, or promote a corporate partnership. For
more information about making the greatest impact on our Capital Campaign, please contact Andrew Oliver,
Executive Director, at (859) 514-1566.
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An Evening for the Children’s Advocacy Center
On August 23rd, the Center hosted its 16th annual gala, An Evening for the Children’s Advocacy
Center, at The Grand Reserve in Lexington. More than 250 guests turned out to celebrate a night
of Art and Advocacy, surrounded by stunning works of art, enthusiastic silent and live auctions,
and the invigorating big-band music of The Metrogromes! The evening was an enormous success
and the special appeal raised more than $30,000 to support expansion of center programs. The
Children’s Advocacy Center would like to extend a special thanks to our hosts, Dave Baker and
DeAnn Stephens, Event Chair, Barbara Saunier, and Honorary Chairpersons, Coach Matthew and
Jenna Mitchell.
All photos by Ron Morrow.
We extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to our event sponsors
and all the volunteers who made this evening possible.
Gold Sponsors
The Nerney Family
Foundation
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Silver Sponsors
Atchison Heller Construction Company
C&R Asphalt
Central Bank
Columbia Gas of Kentucky
Comfort & Process Solutions
Derrick Whitaker, Creative Kitchen & Bath
Frost Brown Todd
Hurt Crosbie & May, PLLC
Leak Eliminators
Lexington Furniture, Hugh and Laura James
Republic Bank
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky
Rick Queen, Turf Town Properties
WKYT-TV 27
James Jeffries and Alicia Miller
DeAnn Stephens, Kelly King Bakehorn,
Matthew and Jenna Mitchell
Sheila Bayes, Derrick Whitaker, Kiki Courtelis, Jason
Mitchell, Christy Trout
Betty and Ray Larson
Luke Morgan and Lou Anna Red Corn
Staff Spotlight
Mel Cowan, Family Advocate
What brought you to work at the CAC?
In the summer of 2011, I had the opportunity to complete an undergraduate practicum at the CAC. I gained handson experience helping some of the most vulnerable children in Kentucky while surrounded by hard-working,
supportive staff members and community partners. By the end of my placement, I dreamt of one day having the
chance to work at the center and was fortunate that a position became available soon after I graduated.
What’s the best part of your job?
Being involved with the family support group that the center coordinates is very uplifting because it gives me a chance to connect
with children and their caregivers over an extended period of time. I get to witness the healing and rebuilding that families achieve
following their initial contact with the center.
What the toughest part of your job and how do you work through it?
There is no question that a difficult part of my job is meeting families during one of the most painful and
confusing times of their lives. To stay effective, I focus on the reality that I can’t change the past and
appreciate the opportunities I do have to provide support to families in crisis.
What is one thing you’ve learned from working at the CAC?
Children’s ability to overcome trauma and adversity amazes me. Children are incredibly resilient!
The Importance of Therapy
Jonna Sears, Child and Family Therapist
Center Staff
Andrew Oliver, CSW
Executive Director
Allison Benjamin
Finance Director
Mel Cowan, BASW
Family Advocate
Experiencing sexual abuse can cause children and adolescents to undergo
significant changes in their behaviors, mood, and thinking, which can
negatively impact them across settings. Left untreated, the abuse endured
in childhood may lead to long lasting effects in adulthood. Survivors often
benefit from caring professionals and family members who create a safe
haven in which the abuse and related stressors can be addressed.
La’Tonya Hocker, CSW
Forensic Interviewer
The trauma-informed therapy offered at the CAC creates a significantly positive impact for survivors
and their family members. While in therapy, the child and their supportive family members are guided
by a caring professional who educates them about the effects of traumatic sexual abuse and provides
new coping strategies and safety skills to use for years to come. The Children’s Advocacy Center of
the Bluegrass provides all therapy services at no cost to a child’s family, in an environment that fosters
healing, hope and trust.
Megan Kohler, BA
Program Coordinator
Other Ways to Give
Jonna Sears, CSW
Child & Family
Therapist
There are certain items at the center that are always in high demand. These include:
• P
lay-Doh - Play-Doh is an essential tool for us in the interview process, allowing children
to focus on something as they respond to our interviewer’s questions and a difficult topic of
conversation.
• Gas cards/Grocery store cards - These items are sometimes offered to families with proven
financial need to reduce barriers to service.
• Nutritious snacks and drinks - Depending on the nature of their case, some children spend
2-3 hours at the Center and may need a light snack or juice to get them through the process.
This adds to the feeling that the Children’s Advocacy Center is a good place tobe.
• Sporting events tickets, unused gift cards, and art work – These valuable items can be
used in silent auctions at our annual gala or other fundraisers held throughout the year.
Donate your old vehicle to the CAC
The process is simple and all proceeds benefit our work right here in Central KY!
Call (877)537-5277 for more information or visit http://www.donatingiseasy.org/donate-carchildrens-advocacy-center-of-the-bluegrass.htm.
Look up our Amazon Wish List online for more ideas about what to give. We are grateful for all
donations and your continued support of our mission.
Kristin Jenkins, CSW
Forensic Interviewer
Melissa Krueger, RN
Nurse/Medical Clinic
Coordinator
Jacqueline Sugarman, MD
Pediatrician
NonProfit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #1451
Lexington, KY
Return Service
Requested
License Plate Proceeds Help to Support Center
The Kentucky Office of the Attorney
General contributes to the protection
of children in the Commonwealth by
providing financial support for child
sexual abuse prevention programs
and to help offset the portion of child
sexual abuse medical exam expenses
not covered by private insurance or
Medicaid.
The Children’s Advocacy Center
is a fully accredited member of
the National Children’s Alliance.
The Kentucky Child Victims’ Trust
Fund and the Child Sexual Abuse and
Exploitation Prevention Board supports
the Children’s Advocacy Center of the
Bluegrass and other advocacy centers
across the state.
Please show your support for the centers
by purchasing an “I Care About Kids”
license plate.
Proceeds from the “I Care About Kids” license plate
go to the Child Victims Trust Fund for helping
Kentucky’s most vulnerable children. To purchase
this plate, contact your local county clerk. For more
information visit http://ag.ky.gov/victims/plate.htm.
Mission of the Children’s Advocacy Center
To reduce the trauma experienced by child victims of sexual abuse by providing services
in a nurturing, friendly and safe environment.