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By: Cristina Fausto, Bilingual Trauma Therapist
Jacqueline, age 16, was referred to CAC’s therapy program by our Forensic and Advocacy Services (FAS) team after she participated in a forensic interview for allegations of sexual abuse by a close family friend. Jacqueline was initially sexually abused around the age of 10 and kept it a secret for many years due to fear and worry of what would happen if she told someone. One day, she found out that this same family friend was also sexually abusing a younger family relative, so Jacqueline made the brave decision to disclose her own abuse to her trusted adults who called the police right away.
Jacqueline presented with symptoms of depression, recurring flashbacks, irritability, suicidal thoughts and feelings of guilt. She believed the sexual abuse of her relative was her fault since she never disclosed or warned others about the offender. Jacqueline was assigned to one of our therapists and participated in weekly trauma-informed therapy. A safety plan was initially developed with Jacqueline, and initial sessions focused on stabilization and developing safe coping skills. Jacqueline’s therapist utilized EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy with her to reprocess her traumatic memories, make those events less distressing and strengthen the positive beliefs about herself. Jacqueline learned to manage her current triggers and strengthen her internal resources, equipping her with the ability to handle any future stressful scenarios.
Over time, Jacqueline’s flashbacks decreased significantly, and her suicidal thoughts had completely diminished. Jacqueline and her family noted the overall improvement in her mood, relationships with others and her ability to communicate her feelings and needs to others. In the end, Jacqueline could state with confidence that she was not responsible for her or her relative’s abuse.
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By: Bianca Gonzalez,
Safe from the Start Program Supervisor
Today we are spotlighting the Early Learning Center (ELC) of Community Consolidated School District 59 (CCSD59). Their mission is to “prepare students to be successful for life through a wide range of programs and experiences for our preschool through eighth grade student population." They demonstrate their dedication to their mission by wholeheartedly supporting their students. The ELC participates in CAC’s Safe from the Start (SFTS) Coalition and works collaboratively to support the needs of their students and families and tries to be proactive to address needs. Both the ELC and SFTS work with children and families with children five and under. Families that reside in CCSD59 and have pre-k aged children can reach out to the ELC for enrollment information, assessment and developmental screenings. The ELC works in partnership with community organizations like us. CAC has participated in their community events, most recently at the CCSD59 Back to School Event and the CCSD59 Family Fall Festival.
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CAC's staff regularly works with clients to help them understand consent
and that giving it matters!
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From the desk of the CEO
Melanie Pignotti, CEO
At the end of October, I, along with Jessica Montgomery, CAC's Director of Forensic and Advocacy Services, attended the Annual Directors Conference in Champaign, presented by Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois (CACI). This year's theme was "Creating Lasting Change." This conference brings together dedicated Children's Advocacy Center Directors from across the state to reflect on their journey and plan for the future. It's an important part of our ongoing professional development and a wonderful opportunity to come together to learn, connect and collaborate towards the common goal of making a lasting impact on the lives of children in Illinois. Jessica and I were encouraged to hear how other Illinois CACs are moving forward in these challenging economic times and excited about the ways research-backed data can help us maximize our efficiency and effectiveness on behalf of young abuse survivors. Jessica and I are pictured here with our colleague Betti Mucha, Director of the Perry Jackson CAC in southern Illinois.
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Welcome, Sammi!
Sammi Krakow is the Forensic and Advocacy Services intern who will be at CAC once a week through June 2024. Sammi is a DePaul University Psychology major with a concentration in Human Services. We're excited to have her on the team!
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Staff Training
Kate Schultz, Director of Clinical Services, and Bianca Gonzalez, Safe from the Start Program Supervisor, (pictured back row center) recently attended a two-day training sponsored by the National Center on Child Trafficking and Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois. The purpose of this advanced training was to bring together a group of mental health providers who have worked with youth who have experienced trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation and build on their existing knowledge and skills to serve this very vulnerable and high-risk population.
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Mental Health Services News
Safe from the Start is accepting referrals for families with children ages 0-5 that have been affected by physical or sexual abuse, exposed to domestic violence or community violence. We are also accepting requests for community presentations and parent workshops! Please contact Bianca Gonzalez at bgonzalez@cachelps.org for more information and partnership!
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As we approach the holiday season, we know that you can choose to support a variety of worthwhile organizations. We are so thankful when you choose CAC. Through your gift, you empower kids in the Chicago area to begin the path to healing after their lives have been impacted by abuse or violence. We rely on generous donors like you to provide all of our services free of charge and in English and Spanish. A gift to CAC is more than a donation – it’s another chance at childhood.
For more information on our programs or to give online, visit our website. Thank you for helping us bring healing to young survivors of abuse and violence, one story at a time.
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CAC's 2023 golf outing was a huge success, raising almost $40,000 to help bring healing to young survivors of abuse or violence, one story at a time.
In addition to all our golfers and sponsors, CAC wants to thank all of our in-kind donors:
- Anyway's Pub and Restaurant Banquets
- Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club
- Chicago Cubs
- Dan Saviano
- Enzo and Lucia Ristorante
- Eventlify
- Five Iron Golf Philanthropy Fund
- Highland Park Ford
- Long Grove Confectionery Co.
- Ma & Pa's Candy of Long Grove
- Moretti's
- PGA Golf Superstore
- Schaumburg Golf Club
- Sunset Foods of Long Grove
- Top Golf of Schaumburg
- Woody Buick GMC of Naperville
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CAC sends a huge shout out to volunteers John and Ned from the Carpenters Local Union 58. In October, John and Ned built a custom little library for our Healing Garden that is free for our community to use!
We are so excited that our clients and their families will have a place to sit and find peace during a difficult time. Over the next month, we will be filling the library with CAC resources and brochures, and the Schaumburg Public Library will keep it stocked with books for kids and adults.
Visitors are welcome to take a book for free, no check-out needed. If you have books you would like to donate to the library (English or Spanish), please contact Megan Younker, Development Coordinator, at myounker@cachelps.org. Thank you!
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CAC Info Nights
A final big thank you goes out to CAC board member Bob Tucker for hosting a presentation at his home earlier this month. We always appreciate the opportunity to make new connections and share more about CAC's mission and work. If you would like to host a gathering, contact Taylor Kanara, Development Director, at tkanara@cachelps.org.
Pictured back center, L to R are: Melanie Pignotti, CAC CEO, Valerie Cifuentes, CAC Bilingual Trauma Therapist, and Bob Tucker, CAC board member, along with Bob's guests.
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Volume 44 | November 2023 | | | | |
