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Council Announces New Executive Director
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February was a big month for the Council. The success of
A Night for Children's Rights would be reason enough to celebrate, but we have even more good news to share.
On February 23, the CFCR Board announced that they have appointed Robert W. Simmons as the Council's new executive director. "Bob has made a significant life decision to leave his position as a partner at the McGuireWoods law firm to accept this key position with the Council," said Board Chair Ed O'Keefe. "His leadership now will be instrumental in helping this agency to move forward in its mission to stand up for every child's right to be safe, healthy and educated."
Interim Executive Director Robert McCarter summed up the feelings of all of us here at CFCR. "Bob Simmons has been a fixture at the Council as volunteer, board member, supporter and friend since 1987. When Ed O'Keefe told me that Bob had stepped forward to be the permanent Executive Director for CFCR my response was 'perfect!' because I knew that the news would be welcomed by the entire CFCR staff, all of whom have great respect and admiration for Bob and his dedication, passion and leadership. "
"I want people to know that I am deeply honored to have been chosen as the Council's Executive Director," Bob responded. "I will try to follow in the footsteps of the Council's founders and former leaders, but I will work with our current talented and dedicated staff to adapt and expand the Council's work to meet the challenges faced by our community's children in 2015 and beyond."
Simmons will begin his new position on April 1. He leaves a distinguished 32-year career in commercial real estate to take on the task of guiding one of the largest and the most comprehensive legal services and advocacy programs for children in the Southeast.
"It is both humbling and exciting to have been entrusted with the Council's great legacy of service to our community's children and to have the opportunity now to join the staff standing up for children on the front lines every day. We all know that the work we do is not about us; it is about the children who rely on us."
You can read a bit more about Bob in the press release at our web site. Should you have any questions, please feel free to be in touch. We value your feedback and are grateful for your support and commitment.
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Thursday, March 26th
Draught
301 Cedar Street
6:00 p.m.
Join the Young Ambassadors Group for their next social event. A great chance to network with other young professionals while raising money to help the children.
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OST Professional Development Workshops
March 31-Parent Engagement
April 7-Volunteer Management
April 21-Organizational Collaboration
The cost for each session is $30.
Visit the Events Calendar at
detailed information on each event.
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Friday, April 17th
Myers Park H.S. Auditorium
6:00 p.m.
Join th
e Arts & Sci
ence Council and Council for Children's Rights for a special screening of
Spiral Bound.
Tickets are $10;
$5 with a valid CMS ID.
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May 9, 2015
6:30 p.m.
Founders Hall
part of
Tastings, a silent auction and a whole lot more. Council for Children's Rights is one of the designated charities for this event.
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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month!
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During the month of April, Council for Children's Rights will join communities throughout North Carolina and the nation in recognizing
Child Abuse Prevention Month. We are proud to be part of the Mecklenburg Child Abuse Prevention Team, a collaboration of over 15 local agencies joining together to build public awareness around this important issue.
Pinwheels are used across the country as a symbol for child abuse prevention, serving as a reminder of the bright future all children deserve. We will kick off our month-long campaign on April 2 as we plant pinwheels gardens at locations around the city, beginning with a press conference and planting at the Government Center at 10:00 am. You can show your support for Child Abuse Prevention Month by planting a pinwheel garden at your home! Order a pinwheel garden home kit here.
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A Night for Children's Rights Exceeds Goal!
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| Despite the threat of a major snow storm on February 25th, over 500 friends and supporters of Council for Children's Rights gathered at Spirit Square's McGlohon Theater for the fifth annual A Night for Children's Rights. The Council's largest fundraising event of the year brought in over $330,000 in support of the agency's efforts to provide legal representation and advocacy services to approximately 2,500 children each year. 
The evening began with a cocktail reception catered by Porcupine Provisions and entertainment offered by Community School of the Arts. Guests then gathered in the theater for a program that included a truly inspiring presentation by James Ford, 2014 NC Teacher of the Year. You can read a transcript of his remarks here. The program also included the introduction of the Council's newly selected Executive Director, Bob Simmons, by CFCR Board Chair Ed O'Keefe and presentation of the 2015 Dolly Award (see below).
"The generosity of our guests is humbling and deeply appreciated." said Robert McCarter, Council's Interim Executive Director. "The support of all of our sponsors and the dedication of our Board is what makes this event so special and such a success."
Photo Gallery |
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Meet Mary Orr Wilson
2015 Board Chair of
the Young Ambassadors Group
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 How did you get involved with Young Ambassadors?
I've worked closely with CFCR for several years through my work in the juvenile court system and with CMPD. As a juvenile court counselor, I worked on Child and Family Teams with various CFCR staff. I've always been impressed and inspired by work that Council does. I recently stopped working in the juvenile justice field and knew that I wanted to stay involved with the Council. My friend Nancy, who is also an child advocate for the Council, suggested that I become involved with YAG. This is my first year on the YAG Board and I'm looking forward to our upcoming events and raising awareness for the work that Council does!
What would you like to see YAG accomplish this year?
Of course, I'd like to see YAG grow in size and commitment. I'd like for our events to be financially successful, appealing to our age group and fun! Finally, I'd like to see the YAG Board continue its support of CFCR's staff and mission.
Why should someone join YAG?
"The primary goal of our group is to raise support for CFCR and to increase public awareness about the issues facing Charlotte's most vulnerable children. Through our events and volunteer efforts, we can and do make a difference, to the Council and to the children they help. Most young people I know are looking for ways to be involved and engaged in the Charlotte community and YAG is a great way to plug in! And, because YAG is made up of young professionals from a variety of backgrounds, our events are excellent networking opportunities! "
Our next event is "March Madness for Kids" on March 26 at Draught in Charlotte. Click here for details.
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2015 Dolly Award Presented
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Larry King Honored for His Life and Legacy
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| Barbara Spradling presents at A Night for Children's Rights |
On the tenth
anniversary of his passing, child-advocate and champion for children Larry King was posthumously presented with Council for Children's Rights highest honor, the 2015 Dolly Award.
The award was presented during A Night for Children's Rights by Council board member and Larry's close friend, Barbara Spradling. In presenting the award, she recalled not only the legacy of service King had established over his long career, but the personal influence his life continues to have on those who knew him. "Larry saw the possibilities in every child and fought anything and anybody to give every child a chance to be their best. He also saw the possibility in each of us to join that fight. We have so much to thank him for but mostly we thank him for pushing us and pulling us to do what is right for the children in this community."
Established in 1982 and named for first recipient Dolly Tate, the Dolly Awards are presented by the Council to individuals who display outstanding dedication and uncompromising advocacy for children. This year's recipient embodied all that the award is meant to represent.
"Children in this community are so much better off now than they were when Larry joined the Council more than 30 years ago in large part due to his work and legacy," Spradling concluded. "But.....there is still a lot to be done. We thank him for his work and for being our conscience as we continue to give each child the chance to realize their dreams."
Larry's son, Josh King, and his grandson, Jay, accepted the award on behalf of the family. "Our family is very grateful to the Council for recognizing Dads lifelong commitment," said Josh. "I know that he would want us, the community, to remember that at no point is our mission done. Every day there are children that wake up hungry and at risk. Their future, and our future, depends on those who are able to step up and assist those that can't do it themselves. "
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Profile: Alexus and Heather
When Heather Johnson, director of the Council's Individual Advocacy team, met Alexus, she was in DSS custody. Her mother had failed to keep her safe in the home and her mental health needs were not being met. In the two and a half years before Heather met her, Alexus had been in eight different foster homes in multiple schools. She had been hospitalized numerous times for her mental/emotional needs, had been bullied in school and had been a runaway for nearly three months. Needless to say her academics were practically non-existent. She was not yet 15. 
We were honored that Alexus allowed us to share her story with our guests at A Night for Children's Rights on February 25. She and Heather were there together and our guests were truly inspired and moved by their story. Alexus is an inspiration to all of us who do this work and who believe this work does and can change all our lives. Read more about their friendship here:
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